Liturgy

God of all things,
we arrive as a collective
embodying an abundance
of every human need.

God of limitless compassion,
we bring our broken hearts before you.
Restore the distorted vision in our eyes
to see what you see in ourselves and each other.

God of limitless dreams,
we bring our broken dreams before you.
Restore the frayed edges of hopes
where we are jaded and cynical.

God of limitless delight,
we bring our bodies before you.
Restore our ragged, worn bodies
to the joy you made in us.

In the name of God, our Protective Parent,
Christ, our Hope of Transformation,
and the Holy Spirit, our Eternal Breath.
Amen.
(Lauryn Williams)

Scripture

We invite you to hear from the gospel of John 20:19-23:

19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

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 – What Is Forgiveness? 4.16.2023

When have you feared punishment for telling the truth?
How might anger become a holy emotion?
What injustices do we need to grieve more fully prior to forgiving?

Benediction

Let us close with a benediction.

Beloved family of God:
open your hands now and receive
these words from a God who loves you –

Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Do not let them be afraid.

Do not let your hearts be troubled, for I am
with you to the very ends of the age.

Do not let your hearts be troubled,
my strength is made perfect in your weakness.

Do not let your hearts be troubled,
my peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.

So go in the name
of God, the Creator,
of Christ, the Risen King,
and of the Holy Spirit, our Comforter.
Amen.

Go in peace, and live the church.
May you find community and belonging.
See you throughout the week.
(Luke Helm)

[ Photo by Kadir Celep ]