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Year C

confession: questions

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Often, the “simple” answers to life’s difficult problems cause us greater pain than the original problem did! By coming before God with our mistakes, we help to restore our community, and lay down the burdens on our soul. Let us bow our hearts in prayer.
Holy and beloved God, we struggle every day with the questions that plague us. Questions that we fear to utter to each other, certain that “they” have the answer that we don’t. We hold in our questions because we are afraid – either of the question itself, or what the answer may be. Help us to ask these questions – and forgive us for the questions we have left unasked or unanswered. Hear now the silent questions of our hearts.
A time of silence for reflection and prayer
Truly, our God is a God of questions. Whether the divine mystery of the Trinity, or the Psalmist’s “How long, O God?” the holy one of Israel answers our questions in God’s own time. But take heart! Jesus has promised us community in God, where our questions may lead to answer – or more questions – but are always safe to ask and be asked.
In Christ Jesus, God fulfilled promises of generations past, and we are assured that God will fulfill more promises to come!

Submitted by Rev. Lucus Keppel, Ancho Community Presbyterian Church & Corona United Presbyterian Church, New Mexico

CTW: pursuit

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We gather today to worship God, in pursuit of:
Righteousness, or active merciful justice
Godliness, or active creativity
Faith, or active patience and curiosity
Love, or active and intentional connection and care
Endurance, or active stick-to-it-ness
And Gentleness, or active concern for the weak
Amen!

Submitted by Rev. Lucus Keppel, Ancho Community Presbyterian Church & Corona United Presbyterian Church, New Mexico

confession: reform and transform

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Call to Reconciliation
Seeking to follow Jesus, we often wander down the wrong roads. Impatient
with God’s schedule, we rush off to do things our way. Let us confess our
foolishness, that we might receive God’s hope for our lives.

Unison Prayer of Confession
Your words are given to us, Author of Life, so we might be reformed,
but we are intent on changing others.  Your words are offered to us so we
might be transformed, but we are focused on conforming to our culture. Your
words are spoken to lead us into new life, but we hold our old ways tight to
our chests.
Forgive us, God of Wonder. Do not remember our sins, but continue to
touch us with your steadfast mercy. Show us how to be persistent in living
out our faith, even as you were so tenacious in offering us your grace and
life in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon
L:  Jesus reminds us that we are to be resolute in our lives of faithfulness
and service.  The good news is that God is steadfast in filling us with love
and grace.
P:  We are forgiven people. May we live as sisters and brothers in Christ,
God’s children in word and deed, in hope and joy. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Submitted by Rev. Thom Shuman, Lectionary Liturgies.

CTW: etches grace

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L:  We have gathered in God’s holy presence,
the One who etches grace on our hearts.
P:  This is the place where God
will transform us into disciples.
L:  We glorify our God, who yearns for justice,
not just for a favored few, but for the least of our world.
P:  This is the place where God
will write compassion on our souls.
L:  We give thanks to God for unceasing grace;
we remember God’s persistence in saving us.
P:  This is the place where God
P:  will breathe the Word into our lives.

 

Submitted by Rev. Thom Shuman, Lectionary Liturgies.

prayer of dedication: thank you, Christ

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Thank you, Christ, thank you.
We don’t always know how to show it.
We don’t always know how to say it.
We don’t even always know that we are feeling it.
Help us begin with this act of giving and these simple words.
Thank you, Christ, thank you.

Submitted by Rev. Jennifer Garrison Brownell, Hillsdale Community Church – UCC, Portland, OR