Liturgy
In the cold dark earth, You began with a seed
You dug the hole
You rested it there
You spoke over it
You knew where it had come from
And what it would produce
You watered the seed
Added nutrients to the soil
And you watched
As the seed stretched out its roots
You returned to the seed each day
Protected it from the wind
Removed the encroaching weeds
Kept the birds of the air
And the animals of the field
From taking from its fruit too early
And now the seed has blossomed.
It bears beautiful, sweet, nourishing fruit.
Fruit to feed and provide for others.
It has created shade
To those who are weary.
It has formed strong branches
To house those yearning for security.
You saw all this and thought it was good.
Lord, We thank You for Your instruction
We praise You for Your love
We are grateful for Your providence
Continue to make us like the seed
So that we can bear fruit for those in need
We ask this in the name of
God, our sower.
Christ, our sun.
Holy Spirit, our water.
Amen
(Vox Prayer Team)
Scripture
We invite you to hear from the book of Jeremiah 17:7-8
7 Blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.
8 They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the
stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.
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: Re-membering Vox’s Roots
How has your time at Vox shaped your spiritual journey?
Where are you hoping to bear fruit in your own life this season?
Is there an invitation for you to become more rooted in spiritual community?
Benediction
Lord, we ask that You continue to bear in us good fruit
Allow us to be a vehicle for Your providence.
Create in us a discerning eye
And a willing heart
To stand for the downtrodden.
To be a listening ear to the silenced voices.
To lend a hand to those in need.
To lift up those who are weary.
And provide love to those in exile.
Guide our roots so that they may expand outward
Creating a vast, life-giving network.
Let us go out this week
To spread Your life and Your love
In the name of God, the Creator.
Christ, the Son.
and the Holy Spirit, our Teacher.
Amen
(Vox Prayer Team)
[Photo by Florencia Viadana]