Order of Worship for Sunday, October 20th 2024

One: Come, and bring your whole self.
All: We bring all our bits and pieces — thoughts and intentions, hopes and tears, missed opportunities and joyful delights.

One: Come before God, just as you are.
All: Un-edited, uncertain, unfinished — we come even though we are a work in progress.

One: Into God’s presence, trusting God’s love —
All: We come, hearts open to pour out what we carry and to receive true good news.

Rock of Salvation, you fill the hearts of the lonely and give strength to the weak; you exalt the poor and lift up the needy. We praise your holy name from morning to night, yet we build walls that separate us: from you, from one another, from the world, even from ourselves. We place stumbling blocks in the way of goodness and truth. We are led astray by promises of earthly treasure. We confess our fallibility and seek solace in the source of our joy. Teach us to pray and praise without pause, confessing hope ceaselessly. Guide us in our efforts to encourage one another and work together to repair and transform creation, on earth as it is in heaven.  Amen.

Beloved of Christ, be assured that although we falter, when we return to God, our hearts are cleansed by divine love and grace.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Amen.

God of all hopefulness, strengthen us this day to live in hope and gratitude. Give us the courage to live as people of generosity. Multiply our gifts, that the hungry might be fed and the poor might find abundance. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.