14th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 9 - B

Call to Worship
In the sun which banishes the shadows, in the birds who chorale us awake:
it was you, Creation's Joy, leading us into this new day.
In the touch healing long-grasped grudges,
in the laughter of children which nudges us into hope:
it is you, Anam Cara, who walks each step of the way with us.
In the compassion melting icy hearts, in the peace silencing our boastful voices:
it will be you, Gentle Wisdom, who guides us into the kingdom.

Prayer of the Day
When we look back
at the paths we walked,
when we shake our heads in disbelief
at the wonders we overlooked,
when we tell others of those surprises
which tripped us along the way,
we will know it was you
who have led us to your heart,
Quilter of our lives.

When we hear the whispers of joy
silence the thudding of our fears,
when we allow your weakness
to strengthen our desire to follow,
when your simple words of wisdom
shatter our frantic boastings,
we will discover it is you
who have welcomed us forever,
Friend of every wanderer.

When your gentle peace
calms the panic of our souls,
when your grace proves to be more
than we ever dare imagine,
when you gently put our stumbling feet
back on the Way,
we know it will be you
who anoints us for life,
Spirit of Compassion.

It was you . . . it is you . . . it will be you,
God in Community, Holy in One,
who is sufficient for us in every moment. Amen.

Call to Reconciliation
We may boast of all our deeds and achievements, but inside, we know our brokenness, our failures, our weaknesses. Yet God has promised to heal us, anointing us with the oil of grace. Let us confess our lives, as we pray together saying,

Unison Prayer of Confession
You come, Crafter of Wonder, longing to be a part of our lives, yet we often find it difficult to welcome you. You would be our lifelong companion, but we shake you off, leaving you in the dust as we race after temptation. You offer to be our guide in this journey we call life, but we brag that we can make our own way.

Your love withstands the force of our stubbornness, Composer of Grace, even as your forgiveness breaks the power of our fears. As we have heard your words of mercy echo in our hearts, as we have felt your grace make us whole, as we have seen you in those who welcome us as sisters and brothers, may we go forth to tell the good news of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon
God's love reaches to the ends of creation, and mends our broken hearts. God's hope echoes through the universe, and sings in our souls. God's grace tenderly, gently, completely makes us new people.
We have heard the good news spoken to us;
we have seen the good news modeled for us;
we will be the good news for others.
Thanks be to God, we are forgiven! Amen.

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
May the God of steadfast love be with you.
And also with you.
People of God, offer your hearts to God.
We open our hearts to the One who fills them with grace.
Children of God, sing your praises to the One who has gathered us here.
Our songs of joy travel to the very ends of creation.

It was you, Imaginative God, who whispered
and the rumble of creation shook the rafters of chaos.
Mighty trees graced valleys with shade,
stars glittered in moonless nights,
children splashed in the pools of hope.
Every delight was crafted so we might know
of that love which would last forever.
When we could not have our way,
we took offense at your hopes for us,
throwing tantrums as we took flight
to follow sin and death through the world.
Amazed at our crafty rebellion,
you continued to love us,
longing to shelter us in your heart.
When we continued to dishonor your prophets,
when we would not welcome their words,
you sent Jesus to become that weakness
strong enough to destroy sin and death.

So, we join our voices with all
who have wondered at your steadfast love,
singing your name to the edges of the universe:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of enduring love.
All the gifts of creation delight in you.
Hosanna in the highest!

Blessed is the One whose weakness is our hope.
Hosanna in the highest!

Holy are you, God of all goodness and truth,
and blessed is Jesus, your Child, our Savior.
It was he who came,
bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh,
with words which could transform our foolishness,
with weakness which could stregthen
our fatigued faithfulness,
with wisdom which could teach us
the way of life in all its fullness.
Yet, we were offended by
his life, his ways, his humility.
He continued to listen to you,
going wherever you sent him -
no glory, no wealth, no honor -
even to that place called Calvary
where sin's thorns crowned him.
Your grace was enough for him,
even in the cold shadows of the tomb,
and he walked forth into your steadfast love,
leaving death behind in the dust.

As we remember his calling us to follow,
as we seek to be sent forth to serve,
we proclaim that mystery we call faith:

Christ came, to shape our lives like his;
Christ came, to be our Guide forever;
Christ will come again, to gather us in glory.

So now, in this place
where we have heard your promises,
among these people
in whom we have seen the Christ,
pour your Spirit upon the gifts of your Table.
The broken Bread of life
is all we need of hope for
filled, we can go forth
to anoint the lost and hopeless
with the oil of your compassion.
Your Cup of grace overflows,
more than we will ever need,
and more than enough to bring healing
to those who have known only
hardship, rejection, and loneliness.

And when at the end of all time,
we discover that it was you who
had led us all along the way
and brought us to the Table in glory,
we will join our voices as one,
singing our praise to you,
God in Community, Holy in One,
even as we unite in praying as we are taught,
Our Father . . .

(c) 2009 Thom M. Shuman