Liturgy
O God, you are Spirit;
You are wind; you are breath.
You meet us in the wonders of creation,
in the awe of wonderful things,
in the terror of fearful things.
You blow among the fallen leaves,
the broken branches, the whining pain,
and the whirlwinds of delight.
Your wind gently touches our brow
with comfort and caress;
your forgiveness raises us to life;
your challenge disturbs our tidy piles
and spreads opportunities before our eyes.
Gentle Spirit, breathe your life on us.
Open our closed doors to your compassion;
Inspire us to sing and sigh for justice;
Spirit of Jesus, teach us to walk, to work,
to pray, to live, to love your way.
Awaken our dreams, expand our visions,
heal us for hope, in the name
of God, our Creator,
of Jesus, our Risen Savior,
and of the Holy Spirit, our breath of life.
Amen.
(Vox Prayer Team)
Scripture
We invite you to hear from the gospel according to Luke 2:26-38
26 It had been revealed to [Simeon] by the Holy Spirit that he would not die
before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the
temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what
the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God,
saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss[c] your
servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have
prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is
destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that
will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.
And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of
Asher . . . She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and
praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God
and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of
Jerusalem.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
The grass withers and the flower fades,
but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Amen.
Homily & Reflection
Podcast: The Explosive Power of a Still Small Voice
How do I see God’s movement around me?
Do I hear an invitation?
Does the invitation align with who God is?
Benediction
Be like-minded, having the same
love which we have seen the
greatest example of.
Be one of one mind and in one spirit,
the Spirit that is our guide and our advocate.
The Spirit that speaks on our behalf translates
our unspoken cries, and reminds us that we are
loved already, that we are loved entirely as we are.
And may the humility of God break in and
teach us to serve and love everyone with the
same grace and humility God shows to us.
Let us go this week
in the name of the Father,
of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
(Vox Prayer Team)
[Photo by the blowup]