Goodbye Scorpions; Hello Wholeness

Posted on October 19, 2019 by Tim Graves — Leave a comment

*Call to Worship

Jealously clinging to our narrative, we release scorpions, and
let our God-ordained wholeness slip from our grasp.
God forgive us. Inspire us to be One.

Forgetting that power is about compassionate caretaking, we mark our territory.
Instead, make us “like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.” (Psalm 72:6 NRSV)

The elements of division run deep in human history.
But God’s dream for creation is wholeness and oneness.

Forgive us. Inspire us. Make us like showers over the earth.
May we dream with God in this hour leaving closer to wholeness and oneness.

Tagged with: Jeroboam, narrative lectionary, Rehoboam, unity, wholeness
Posted in 1 Kings, 1 Kings 12, 1 Kings 12:1-17, Call to Worship, narrative lectionary, Old Testament, psalm 72, Psalms, unity

The Fruit of Love & Justice

Posted on September 24, 2019 by Tim Graves — Leave a comment

Abide.
We abide and allow ourselves to be pruned for new growth.

Abide.
We abide with the One who provides nourishing soil and refreshing rain.

Abide.
We abide that we might bear the fruit of love and justice in our fragmented world. Amen.

Posted in Call to Worship, John, John 15, John 15:1-8, New Testament

Obvious & Subtle

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Tim Graves — Leave a comment

Prayer of Confession

You appear to us in this way and that way. Sometimes you show up in our neighbors’ face and sometimes you’re as dramatic as a burning bush. Still we don’t see you. We are too focused elsewhere to recognize you are everywhere. Forgive our failure to perceive you. Guide us to sense your mystery and respond with actions of your heart. Amen.

Assurance of Grace

Hear the Good News: Always, we are forgiven for our lapses of awareness. In obvious and subtle ways God reminds us of the mystery of boundless love. God never stops reaching out for you in small and big ways. You are God’s beloved, of course God reaches out to you. Share the Good News with your neighbors.

*Passing of the Peace

You are God’s Beloved.
As are you.

Tagged with: assurance of grace, Confession of Sin, Moses
Posted in Confession of Sin & Assurance, Exodus, Exodus 3, Exodus 3:1-15, Exodus 3:1-5, narrative lectionary, Old Testament

Through Tough and Easy Times

Posted on September 20, 2019 by Tim Graves — Leave a comment

Gather together. Commit to living together through the tough and easy times.
We commit to abiding together as one people in Christ.

Stay put. Stay put with one another and with the divine one.
We choose to abide together with the true vine this morning and in the days ahead.

Posted in Call to Worship, John, John 15, John 15:1-8, New Testament

Abide, Dwell, Stay Joined

Posted on September 18, 2019 by Tim Graves — Leave a comment

We gather, seeking inspiration, insight, and hope.
And Jesus tells us, Abide. Dwell. Stay joined.

We gather, people of the world claiming Christ.
And Jesus tells us, Abide. Dwell. Stay joined.

We gather, people seeking to change the world for the better: to bear fruit.
And Jesus tells us, Abide. Dwell. Stay joined.

Gathered, let us not only worship the One but live as the One would have us live.
And Jesus tells us, Abide. Dwell. Stay joined.

Posted in Call to Worship, John, John 15, John 15:1-8

Release Us From Repetition

Posted on September 16, 2019 by Tim Graves — 1 Comment

Prayer of Confession Together
Divine One: Our world is filled with struggles. Sometimes we make the wrong choice. Sometimes we have regrets and sometimes we know we would be tempted and do it again. Release us from repeating our mistakes. Though we wrestle with life and with you, please forgive us. Amen

Assurance of Grace
Know this: God wrestles with you freely. God chooses relationship despite your mistakes and failures. God forgives you and dreams of the day when you live into the image of God in which you are created. The Good News is that no matter what, you are God’s beloved. Share the Good News.

Passing of the Peace
You are God’s Beloved.
As are you.

Tagged with: Jacob, narrative lectionary
Posted in Confession of Sin & Assurance, Genesis, Genesis 32, Genesis 32:22-32, narrative lectionary, Old Testament

Running to the Stranger

Posted on September 13, 2019 by Tim Graves — Leave a comment

Without hesitation, Abraham ran out to the strangers.
Let me provide you water to remove the dust from your feet.
“Let us provide something to eat.

Sarah and the servants busily made Abraham’s promise a reality.
They provided abundant hospitality for the three strangers.

Abraham, Sarah, and their servants provided radical hospitality to the vulnerable travelers.
They provided the love of God to the strangers.

In this hour, may we open our hearts, minds, and spirits to the wideness of God’s love and grace .
Gracious One, may we experience the wideness of your mercy before you send us out to carry your merciful love to the ends of the earth. Amen.

Tagged with: Abraham, hospitality, narrative lectionary, Sarah
Posted in Call to Worship, Genesis, Genesis 18, Genesis 18:1-15, Genesis 18:1-15 and 21:1-7, narrative lectionary, Old Testament

Help Us Run to Serve

Posted on September 13, 2019 by Tim Graves — Leave a comment

Prayer of Confession Together

Holy One: We confess we wait to be asked to be your love. Our hospitality is sometimes about what we want and not about what others need. Rather than running to serve, we hide to avoid the harsh realities and needs of others. Forgive us for making it about ourselves. Help us to be like Abraham who ran to the strangers and Sarah and the servants who made your love a reality. Amen

Assurance of Grace

God knows that we don’t get it right all the time. God knows that we are sometimes confused and find it hard to get it right at all. God’s mercy and love extend to those who offer hospitality and those who receive it. You are beloved by God who travels with you on the path of your life. Remind your neighbor of the wideness of God’s mercy.

Tagged with: Abraham, assurance of pardon, Confession of Sin, narrative lectionary, Sarah
Posted in Confession of Sin & Assurance, Genesis, Genesis 18:1-15, Genesis 18:1-15 and 21:1-7, narrative lectionary, Old Testament

Confession & Prayer of Belonging

Posted on September 4, 2019 by Tim Graves — Leave a comment

Reconciling with God & Neighbor

Prayer of Confession Together
Creating One: We confess we don’t always act and live as you dream for us. We pretend we are the only ones who belong. We reject our neighbors who are different or annoy us. We treat the very earth from which we are created as a thing, forgetting that like us it is a living entity. We confess we forget that we belong to one another, to the earth, and to you O God.

Assurance of Grace
Despite mistakes and imperfections, you still belong to God. It is not conditional. God forgives you and remains with you. Remind your neighbor of their belonging in God’s world and love.

*Passing of the Peace

You Belong.
As do you.