Jesus and Blackwater Pond

Opening Prayer

Loving God, we gather as one people, yet we all
come with different stories and lives this week.
Some of us are struggling, some of us are thriving,
yet we are all here to listen to you and to one another.

Help us let go of our past, that we may turn toward
you and live a life of healing, faith and grace.

Merciful God, forgive us of our sins against
our loved ones, our friends, our neighbors.

Help us call out our fear and hatred, our anger and
self-pity. Lift the burden they place on our shoulders.

Patient God, help us set aside our pride and arrogance,
and enter a season of healing and understanding.

As we pray and remember you, restore us to be a simpler
and more receptive people, that we may see you plainly.

May we learn to be a better community
for each other and for our world.
Rekindle the sign of hope within our
eyes, that all may see and experience
the love of Christ in all we do.

We pray in the name
of God the Creator,
of Christ the Risen Savior,
and of the Holy Spirit, our Breath of Life

Amen

(vox prayer team)

Benediction

May we go out from here and live lives
worthy of the one calling which we all share.

In humility, gentleness and patience,
may we speak only what is true and loving
and grow into the unity that is ours in Christ.

And may God, the Creator restore our hearts;
May Christ Jesus, the bread of life, sustain us always;
and may the Holy Spirit unite us in the bond of peace.

We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
in the name of the Father,
of the Risen Son,
and of the Holy Spirit

Amen

(vox prayer team)