January 5, 2025

Liturgy, Reflection & Benediction 2025.01.05

Liturgy

Restless Beloveds,
Circle of friends,
Gather up and hear The Good Word
Shake off the sleep
Stomp out your muscles
A New Year has dawned
And we are ready to begin
Our hearts wake up to the song of God’s Glory
Our eyes open to the light of Jesus’ Love

Wandering kin,
Children of the Wilderness,
Whose path will we follow in this year to come?
The trail feels unsteady,
The winter wind creeps in,
Cracks form atop the frozen lake.
Tune our compass to the Lone Bright Star.
Holy Spirit, guide our journey.

We pray for a New Year blessed with purpose & grace –
In the name of God the Creator,
Jesus, our Saviour,
And the Holy Spirit, our Guiding Light.
Amen.

(Vox Prayer Team)

Scripture

We invite you to hear from the gospel according to Luke 18:9-14


9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they
were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up
to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The
Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I
am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax
collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’
13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to
heaven but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a
sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than
the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble
themselves will be exalted.”


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

Podcast: Grounded On Imago Dei


What helps you remember who you truly are, especially when life feels overwhelming?

When do you feel most grounded or connected to the Divine within you and around you?

When have you felt the need to start over, and what gave you the courage to begin again?

Benediction

When we search for what is Holy,
May we find it in each other’s faces.
When we forget who we are,
May the sound of bells call us home.
When we grieve with our whole heart
For the ones who have recently departed,
May we find them on the wind
And in Love shared with one another.

When we look for words to comfort,
But only find doubt in our own wisdom,
May we remember our presence can be healing enough.
When our hearts shake with laughter,
And fortune calls us her friend,
May we cherish every second & call our blessings by their name.
Our New Day calls,
Our Lord has a plan for us.
We go forth in the
Name of the Creator,
Our Gracious Savior,
And the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

(Vox Prayer Team)

[Photo by Bruno Guerrero]

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