O God,
Sustain us in the complexity of our humanity as you sustained David–
Playing the harp of youth,
Throwing stones at giant problems,
Loving our friends beyond wisdom,
Dancing worship,
Mourning children,
Breaking our hearts in psalms,
And longing for warmth in our old bones. Amen.
-From Revised Common Lectionary
God of fire,
You are a force beyond human understanding, with the power to sear through the veins of creation with
passion and vigor, or to extinguish life in consuming flame. Your presence is dangerous for there is no
predicting where you might burn, and yet comforting for the light and warmth offer an invitation to draw
closer.
Redeeming God,
Out of the flames of your creation, your voice calls, marking us as your own. Yet there are times when we
choose to ignore your voice, and listen instead to our own needs and desires and those that challenge our
faith from within the world.
Forgive us for those times;
when we have ignored the needs of others;
when we have failed to place our feet upon your path;
when we allow the earthly voice to distract us from your call.
Time of Silence
Loving Lord,
In your forgiveness you offer again your invitation to know your love, to be loved, and to respond to your
call. In hearing your voice may we find our place within your creation.
Amen.
– Rev. MaryAnn R. Rennie
Lord, we are tired of being tested…
The unease and uncertainty; the questions and the waiting; the fears that creep in … “What if???”
And yet…
You are there with us: listening, waiting, praying with us.
You hold our questions and allow us to rest.
Yes, we know deep rest!
Despite the reaching, the yearning, the questions, the doubts…
In the midst of unknowing – You are there.
You save us from the time of trial,
You hedge us about with your promises.
Even in our weariness, Holy One – even in the midst of our questions,
We know that we know that we know … and with your abiding presence we will press on.
So may it be … Blessed be! Amen.
-“Testing, Testing, Testing”
By Rev. Deborah Vaughn
Gentle God:
We have traveled through many waters to reach this place, but share one baptism;
We arrive from different backgrounds and traditions, yet share one faith;
We are, each of us, unique and precious to God, and are members of one Body;
We have different dreams and doubts, yet our hearts beat with one hope;
We are graced with different gifts, so we may offer them in service to one Lord.
God in Community, Holy in One, equip us for the work of love, justice, and mercy – both here and beyond.