Liturgy

Lord, we stand before the you,
sometimes awe-struck,
sometimes mystified.

We hear a voice calling our names.
Sometimes we are scared.
Sometimes we are comforted.

Today we ask that our fears be quelled,
our minds be sharpened,
our ears ready to listen,
and our hearts receptive
to the One that beckons our name.

Holy One, intervene as needed.
Enliven us and inspire us.
Continue to be the dwelling place
of our minds, our hearts, and our souls.

We ask in the name of
our ever present, God,
our teacher, Jesus,
and our comforter, the Holy Spirit,
amen.

Scripture Reading

We invite you to hear from the Book of Isaiah 43: 1-3.

But now thus says the Lord, who created
you, O Jacob, who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be
burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

The Good News of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!

The grass withers and the flower fades,
but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Amen.

Homily and Reflection

Homily Podcast – Walking Through Fear 01.09.2022

How does your body respond to imagining God speaking your name?

What fear feels most overwhelming right now?

What superficiality in life might be starting to burn away?

Benediction

This day, this step, this path:
you have set us here
so then here may we walk
at our best, to your glory.

Let storms wash our souls clean,
let fires be harnessed for warmth,
let raging rivers inspire passion not fear.

For the Lord is with us as we pass through the waters.
By God’s mercy, the river shall not overwhelm us.
Even in the reckless fires, we will not be consumed.

With your purpose given to us,
may we go forth and serve,
with the creativity of the Father,
with the mercy of the Son,
and the empathy of the Holy Spirit,
amen.

(Rachel Hackenberg)

Go in peace, and live the church.
May you find belonging and community this week.

[Photo by David Garry]