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Today's prelude and postlude are accompanied by photographs taken by JoAnne Rawls. JoAnne and Greta offer today's photos and music to the glory of God. Read more about their project in this week's E-News.
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CENTERING PRAYER
God of grace, you have given us minds to know you, hearts to love you, and voices to sing your praise. Fill us with your Spirit, that we may celebrate your glory and worship you in spirit and truth, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
When we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
All who are baptized into Christ have put on Christ. In baptism, the body of the church has been clothed with Christ. In the day of Christ's coming, we shall be clothed in glory.
WORDS OF GREETING
(2 Corinthians 13:14)
The apostolic greeting echoes for us: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you."
PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God, you direct our lives by your grace, and your words of justice and mercy reshape the world. Mold us into a people who welcome your word and serve one another, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
GOD'S WORD
SERMON
Pastor Joel Neubauer
APOSTLES' CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYER
(These petitions are a
dapted from prayers of
SaintsAmbrose of Milan, Saint Augustine of Hippo
This is the day the Lord has made. Rejoicing, we are glad to pray for Christ's body, the church; for the world of Christ's redeeming; and for all people's safe-keeping.
Look upon us, O Lord,
and let all the shadows of our souls
vanish before the beams of your brightness.
Fill your church with holy love,
and open to us the treasures of your wisdom.
All our desire is known to you,
therefore perfect what you have begun in us,
and what your Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer.
We seek your face,
turn your face to us and show us your glory.
Then shall our longing be satisfied,
and our peace shall be perfect.
We beseech you, Master, to be our helper and protector.
Save the afflicted among us; have mercy on the lowly; raise up the fallen; appear to the needy; heal the ungodly; restore the wanderers among people; feed the hungry; ransom our prisoners; raise up the sick; comfort the faint-hearted.
O Sovereign and almighty Lord, bless all your people, and all your flock.
Give your peace, your help, your love to saints who serve you, who are the sheep of your fold. Unite us in the bond of peace and love, one body and one spirit, in one hope of our calling, in your divine and boundless love.
God of life, we entrust our prayers -- all we remember before you, even that which is hidden in the silence of our hearts -- to the luminous glory of your inseparable love in Christ Jesus our Lord, our Resurrection, our Life. Amen.
THANKSGIVING FOR THE WORD
O God of justice and love, we give thanks to you that you illumine our way through life with the words of our crucified and risen Lord Jesus. Give us the light we need, awaken us to the needs of others, and at the end bring all the world to your feast; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory forever. Amen.
LORD'S PRAYER
Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
WORDS OF BENEDICTION
(Numbers 6:24-26)
The ancient benediction echoes for us:
"The LORD
bless you and keep you; the LORD smile on you and be gracious unto you; the L
ORD
look upon you with favor and give you peace."
PJ'S REFLECTION ON THE GOSPEL
If Jesus is the Word of God and gives
himself for me -- and gives himself to me --
then, by Bible precedent, who lives
in me is called to holy prophecy.
If Jesus is the righteousness of God
and gives himself for me -- to me -- then who
I am holds righteousness; so, though it's odd
'cause I'm a sinner, I am righteous too.
And then if Jesus passes me a cup
and says its God's own life for me to drink,
then what am I to do but drink it up
and pass it on? What else am I to think?
I'm losing who I am as I'm replaced
by God in Christ...but then I'm found so graced.
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