sacramental effort

God of grace and abundant mercy, you have made us in your beautiful image. You declared us to be  “good.” You love us with unfathomable intensity. We lift up our laments and shame when we fail to be mirrors of that love to our neighbor. We express our remorse when refuse to see each other as fellow beloved siblings made in your image. We grieve that we, so often, are unable to move past our addiction for conflict into reconciliation with those who are different from us in ideology, race, or any other characteristic that we use as building blocks for the walls we create between one another. Forgive us, Lord, for our sin. We pray that you will guide us into fruitful living and joyful relationship with our neighbors. God of enduring love, you have provided us with abundant blessing. You caused manna to fall from the sky in the desert, and sweet water to rush forth from the rock at Meribah. Your abundance surrounds us and should remind us of the urgent task we have of being st...

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia!  Christ walks alongside us on our journey. We often do not recognize his presence.  And yet, do our hearts not burn within us? Our hearts burn when we hear the hope of the gospel.  And yet, do our hearts not burn within us? Our hearts burn when we experience the grace of God.  And yet, do our hearts not burn within us? Our hearts burn when we bear witness to suffering. We should all have burning hearts: to be beacons of light in the darkness; to be messengers of the good news; to be prophets who speak out courageously against the spiritual forces of wickedness;  to be healers who bring the warmth of compassion and love.  May it be so for the greater glory of God!

ACT OF WORSHIP* Meditation – “Be Still and Know” "Be Still and Know" John Bell (Psalm 46) (c) 1989 WGRG The Iona Community (Scotland), admin. by GIA publciations, Inc. Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am God. Every moment of life has the potential to be worship. God invites us to find the joy of every second. Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am God. When we stop and listen, we can hear God’s voice. Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am God. When we stop to look, we can see God’s handiwork Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am God. When we take in a breath, we can breathe in the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am God. When we perceive the hurting world around us, we can discern God’s will for us to help. Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am God. When we grieve or experience los...