Worship - September 6, 2015

As we pray for loosened tongues
    to sing your praise,
        O God our Creator,
    and to speak your good news,
        O Risen Christ,
    help our knees to bend before you,
        O Empowering Spirit.
            And if these joints no longer cooperate,
               help these hearts within
                   to bow in reverence.

Faithful God,
    help us keep our promises,
        for too many go unfulfilled.
While you are just and good,
                       giving and forgiving,
    we fall far short of our calling,
        concerned above all else
            with our own comforts,
                    our own hungers,
                    our own freedoms,
                    our own needs,
        deaf to the cries of others.

As we “fall on our knees” in confession, just now,
                “with our face to the Rising Son,
                        O Lord have mercy” on us.
    Lift us to our feet,
        that we may walk the Way of Jesus,
                      and proclaim with these tongues,
                                      and with our lives,
             that he is Lord.
                 Amen.

Pastoral Prayer

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

follows James 2:1-17 read from The Message

On Labor Day weekend, it’s good to be reminded that “faith without works is dead,” or, in the wording we just heard, “God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense.” Of course, even that is easy to say. "Doing" is the hard part. “Loving others as you love yourself” is where the rubber meets the road. Completing this “Royal Rule” is a life-long learning process. Pray with me.

Thank you, Lord, for how you have been changing each of us, and all of us together. You etch your words upon our hearts, planting the seeds within that grow into fruit. Like the seed of “generosity.” Bless these offerings, both what will be placed in the plates, and what has already been given for the food pantry. Give us opportunities this week to lovingly open ourselves to others, and put our faith into action. Amen.

Ushers?

Benediction

Eph’phatha!
May your eyes be opened this week
to see glimpses of God’s glory
all around you.

Eph’phatha!
May your ears be opened
to hear what God may be saying,
even through someone you’d least expect.

Eph’phatha!
may your mouth be opened
to speak good news,
and live what you say.

For the glory of God
and your neighbor’s good.
Amen.