Confession of Sin Responsive
Though you model seasons of hard work and seasons of rest,
we too often favor one over the other.
Though you honor all labor that builds your kin_dom,
we too often favor the labor of some over the labor of others.
Though you teach love of neighbor and interconnectedness,
we too often fail to assure adequate pay and safety of some of our neighbors.
Though you teach sharing of our gifts,
we too often devalue the work done by parents at home, by volunteers in the church and elsewhere, and others who labor without pay.
We come before God seeking forgiveness and strength to grow as faithful people.
Open our perspectives to the work of one another. Open our hearts and actions to the needs of all who labor. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
God’s forgiveness and grace is boundless. The connecting love that binds us together on this earth never gives up on you. Each of us are the delight and hope of God’s dreams for creation. Turn to your neighbor and share the delight and hope freely given to you.
Tim strives to share God’s extravagant love for all–no matter what & without strings. Seeking to follow the lure of the Spirit, Tim writes about what it means to be a follower of Jesus in an era where Christianity has come to be associated with hatred and political wedge issues. “Heinous things have been said & done (& still are) in the name of the One who breathed in the Divine,” notes Tim, “but Jesus shows us that God loves extravagantly.” Following the teachings and life of Jesus is about inclusion not exclusion. It is about compassion, grace, and admitting no one has all the answers. It is about responding lovingly to the best of our human ability. It is about people not institutions. It is about social justice. It is about caring for creation. It is about being who we were each created to be. Tim is a former early childhood educator, a runner, a hiker, a devoted husband, father of two adult children and their spouses, and a grandfather of four perfect grandchildren. Tim serves as Lead Pastor of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Albany, Oregon. He writes from home, from the coffee shop, and wherever the trail leads him.
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