Liturgy
God of all,
You call us together from north, south, east, and west;
from places of joy and sorrow;
young and old alike:
sinners who desperately need your grace.
As your Holy Spirit gathers us together,
unites us as a community, and gives us strength,
we humbly set this time apart
from anything normal, routine, or worldly.
We dedicate this time, this time right now,
to a holy and heavenly and peculiar purpose:
worshipping you through Christ Jesus.
May our every thought, word, and action
be true worship to you and sustain us throughout our week.
We give thanks
in the name of the Father,
of the Son and Holy Spirit, amen.
Congregational Prayer
In prayer, let us confess to God as a community.
Lord God, Creator of all,
You have spoken to us but we have shut out your voice.
Your Spirit convicts us of our sin and our brokenness,
But we have tried to drown you out with the noise of this world.
We would rather hear our own name praised
among men rather than the name of Jesus.
We prefer telling people about our petty accomplishments
rather than speaking of your righteousness.
Lord, forgive us. Correct us.
Build in us a longing for your comforting voice.
Give us a thirst for your satisfying Word.
Give us joy in speaking your truth
into our own lives.
May we be faithful stewards,
and humbly seek your guidance,
God in community, holy in One.
Amen.
Reflection
What do spiritual practices look like for you?
How do you engage solitude and silence in the busyness of life?
Benediction
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body you were called to peace.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly;
teach and admonish one another in all wisdom;
and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms
and hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
And whatever you do, in word or deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him
— Col 3:15-17
Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.
[Photo by mujerisima @ Flickr]