God longs for God and uses us
rises in us...becomes in us.
Let us be silent, a quiet dough
when God moves into every pore...
where God lives as God pleases.
Let us rise simply, a quiet dough.
Gunilla Norris
|
|
Gathering Prayer
from Iona Community
Because the world is beautiful, and beauty is a tender thing, and we are stewards of your creation, we need you, God.
Because human knowledge seems endless, and we do not know what we do not know, we need you, God.
Because we cannot live without you and are free to go against you, and could worship our wisdom alone, we need you, God.
Because you came among us, and sat beside us, and healed our pain and let us wound you, and loved us to the end, and triumph over all our hatred, we need you, God.
|
|
|
Prayer of Confession
by Janet Morley
Holy God, holy and strange, holy and intimate, have mercy on us.
O my people, what have done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me.
I brooded over the abyss, with my words I called forth creation:
but you have brooded over destruction, and manufactured the means of chaos.
O my people, what have done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me.
I breathed life into your bodies, and tenderly carried you in my arms:
but you have armed yourselves for war, breathing out threats of hatred and violence.
O my people, what have done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me.
I abandoned my power like a garment choosing your unprotected flesh:
but you have robed yourselves in privilege, and chosen to despise the abandoned.
O my people, what have done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me.
Holy God, holy and strange, holy and intimate, have mercy on us.
I would have gathered you to me as a lover, and shown you the ways of peace:
but you desired security, and you would not surrender yourself.
O my people, what have done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me.
I have followed you with the power of my Spirit, to seek the truth and heal the oppressed:
but you have been following a lie, and returned to your own comfort.
O my people, what have done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me.
Holy God, holy and strange, holy and intimate, have mercy on us.
|
|
Assurance Of Forgiveness from the hymn There Is a Balm
There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole,
There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.
Sometimes I feel discouraged, and think my works in vain,
but the then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again.
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
|
|
Prayer for Illumination
Sing into our ears, O Spirit, the holy word of life. Tell us who we are and to whom we belong so that we may live with gratitude for all you have done. Amen.
Scripture
Psalm 8
|
|
Engaging the questions of the Psalmist, Rev. Matthew Lee, pastor of Kettle Moraine United Presbyterian Church in Hartland, explores the role of humanity in a creation that expands beyond earth to the far reaches of the universe. "Psalm 8 which was written around 3000 years ago has us staring into the night sky and pondering our own life in the midst of the universe. Lord, who are we that you are mindful of us?"
|
|
Prayers of the People
Called from the beginning to care for all that God has created, let us pray for the church, the world and all whom God has created.
We give you thanks, O God, for our world, which you made and renewed in the power of Jesus' resurrection. Make us wise and careful of your gifts as we live on earth.
We pray that the love which ceaselessly passes between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit may renew and deepen the life of each Christian and draw us all into your unending life.
For the leaders of the church in all her forms, around the world and here at home, and for the ecumenical endeavors that seek to bring us closer to each other and to you, we pray.
For the earth and all creatures and plants; for healthy soil, air, and water; for policies and laws that regard our home on God's earth as precious, Abundant Creator, hear our prayer.
For our families, households, and communities, that your life together--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit- may show us the like importance of each of us, strengthening us in grace and truth, and teaching us to tear down walls of racism, classism, sexism, or any prejudice which divides, we lift our prayers to you.
For the sick and those who suffer in any way; for those who struggle to pay the rent or mortgage; for those who have no home; for those who are neglected or abused in our communities; for the lonely; for those wracked with anxiety or fear, we pray, O God of mercy.
For all those needs unnamed before you and all we would name before you now......................we pray.
Into your hands, we place our concerns, longing for the day that your will will be done on earth as it is in heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ who taught us to pray.
The Lord's Prayer
|
|
|
|
You were made in the image of God, created for generosity, grace, and abundant love.
You are called to be a disciple of Christ, serving with compassion, seeking justice and truth.
You are sent with the power of the Holy Spirit, who recharges and renews you day by day.
In the fullness of the Triune God, go ; and may the love of God enfold you, the peace of Christ fill you, and the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit embolden you.
|
|
|
|
The liturgy for this service was put together by Ann Gibbs with resources from Imaging the Word, volume 2 (Gathering Prayer and Prayer of Confession) and Feasting on the Word, Liturgies for year A, volume 2 (Prayer of Illumination and Prayers of the People).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
