The watchword for the week:
Jesus says, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” John 20:21
Sometimes we feel alone and weary.
Sometimes we stumble in the chaos of life.
Sometimes we find no comfort from the stress of life.
Sometimes the table seems bare.
So come, all who are weary and need rest.
We seek a home in which we can listen to God’s still, small voice and find peace.
Psalm 150
Praise be to God! Praise God in God’s own sanctuary;
praise God in the mighty firmament!
Praise God for God’s mighty deeds;
praise God according to God’s surpassing greatness!
Praise God with trumpet sound;
praise God with lute and harp!
Praise God with tambourine and dance;
praise God with strings and pipe!
Praise God with clanging cymbals;
praise God with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that breathes praise God!
Praise be to God!
Let us confess our Sins:
Loving God, we are a wandering people. We think peace is achieved by seeking after riches, convenience, and easy answers, but in doing so, we find ourselves far removed from your loving embrace. Hear now the confessions of our hearts and help us to find our way home to you.
(Silent Prayer of Confession)
Without Christ, we were strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, we who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. He is our peace.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
O Lord, hear us now as we brothers and sisters in Christ pray together:
Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be your Name,
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in Heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever.
Amen.
I am a God nearby, says the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? I am the Lord your God. I have called you out from the peoples and you shall be holy to me.
We declare your praise, the One who called us out of darkness into your wonderful light. We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to you.
Let us, in faith, keep our eyes fixed on the promises of God, rather than the distractions of this world.
We confess that we are strangers and foreigners on earth, a people who are seeking our true home.
We desire a better place, that is, a heavenly one. Indeed, God has prepared a city for us.
Let us set aside those things that keep us from accepting God’s peace as the guiding force in our lives.
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid;
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, so that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name through Christ the Lord. Amen.