Unchanging God,
when we look ...
really look ...
we can see the God-flavors
in your people
all around us.
We see people standing up
for the things that are important to you
even when it is difficult,
even when it risks reputation
and community,
in quiet ways
and in very public ways,
and we are thankful for those who have the strength
to do what you have called them to do.
Give us strength, we pray,
to do the same ...
to put the needs of others
ahead of our own agendas,
to protect what is sacred,
and to name injustice when we see it.

Help us to bring out the God-colors
of people everywhere
whose lights have been hidden under bushel baskets
because of their race
or gender
or age
or religious beliefs
or sexual orientation.
Open our eyes to the gifts of every created being
that all may be appreciated
as they reflect your love and light
in the world.
So many simply need an opening, God,
through which to shine.
Remind us to take a step backwards today
and make room for those among us
whose lives do not mirror our own
but have the propensity
to enrich it.

Law-giving God,
you sent your Son to fulfil the law
and to interpret it.
In our humanity,
we so often interpret your law as judgement,
but Jesus taught us the law of love.
Open our hearts to what it means
to truly LOVE as you love ...
to truly DESIRE LOVE for all people ...
to truly SERVE and PROTECT your creation
and all creatures ...
as Jesus taught us,
with malice toward none.
Light of the World,
shine your healing light
into
and around
and through us
that the world you created
may once again reflect your goodness for all.

*(C) Julie Gvillo, A Place of Grace, February 2020
*Liturgy based on Matthew 5:13-20.  A Place of Grace  encourages you to share blog posts via email or social media. Permission is not granted to cut-and-paste prayers without a link back to the specific post, however you are welcome to use material in printed publications with proper attribution.
*Join the conversation: ​https://www.facebook.com/juliegvillo.aplaceofgrace/photos/a.1109649079092669/3005832156141009/?type=3&av=935598163164429&eav=AfbQ2KEOmU_O5Ah_EYzEDHltt2o4GNYX8DF4Wz2gBm5OtB3A_MO4PB7yFO3YM7LDdY0&theater

Call to Confession

God's word is firmly fixed in the heavens forever. God's faithfulness endures to all generations; God has established the earth, and it stands fast. (Psalm 119:89-90 pp) Let us confess our sin before God and seek God's unending mercy.

Prayer of Confession, E5A

Jesus called us "the salt of the earth," God,
but we do not behave like it.
Our speech is often angry
or hate-filled
rather than gracious
or kind.
We choose to walk in darkness
instead of reflecting the light of Christ
to the most vulnerable,
the marginalized,
the oppressed,
and the voiceless.
We fail to devote ourselves to good works,
but focus our attention
on ourselves alone
and those we love ...
those like us ...
and we judge everyone else
without walking even a mile
in their shoes.
Forgive our selfish behavior, we pray,
and restore our saltiness,
that we may indeed be seasoning
and light
in a world that is decidedly bitter
and dark.

Assurance of God's Grace

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth (God's) Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as (children). (Galatians 4:4-5) In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift!
Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us also forgive one another. The peace of Christ be with you.
Please extend the peace of Christ to all whom you encounter this day.

(C) February 2020, Julie Gvillo, A Place of Grace
*Liturgy based on Matthew 5:13-20. A Place of Grace  encourages you to share blog posts via email or social media. Permission is not granted to cut-and-paste prayers without a link back to the specific post, however you are welcome to use material in printed publications with proper attribution.
*Join the conversation: ​https://www.facebook.com/juliegvillo.aplaceofgrace/photos/a.1109649079092669/3001545633236328/?type=3&theater

"Come, follow me," said Jesus,
and IMMEDIATELY Peter and Andrew left their nets
to follow him.
Jesus called to James and John,
sons of Zebedee, as they were repairing their nets,
and IMMEDIATELY, they left their father and their livelihoods
and followed him.
From the darkness, we come to the light,
some IMMEDIATELY and some reluctantly:
eager to follow, reluctant to be transformed,
excited for the adventure, anxious about the journey.
Let us leave behind our limitations,
and proclaim the kingdom of Heaven
to all who will hear!
*Please note: prayers may be disrupted this week (and next?) as computer repairs are made. Thank you for your patience!

Call to Confession

For our sake (God) made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Let us confess our sin before God and seek God's mercy.

Prayer of Confession, E2A

God, forgive us.
We see you working among us.
We experience your healing first hand.
We have even accepted your invitation
to come and see what God is doing
in our midst.
But we are unmoved ...
unimpressed ...
underwhelmed.
Our cynicism is almost as great
as our egos.
We have lost our sense of wonder, God.
Entitlement has replaced gratitude.
Narcissism and greed have overcome
curiosity and excitement.
Forgive us, we pray.
Take us by the hand,
and lead us to a new understanding
of what you have done for us
and why,
that we may be humbled
by the depth of your love,
inspired by the breadth of your mercy,
and so enthused by your message
that we race to invite our neighbors
to come and see
the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Assurance of God's Grace

(Christ) himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds (we) have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!

Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us also forgive one another. The peace of Christ be with you.
Please extend the peace of Christ to all whom you encounter this day ...



*Liturgical resources are posted with an intention to resource worship leaders. Please feel free to use this prayer in your ministry context, with attribution to writer, Julie Gvillo, Commissioned Pastor, Founder and Creative Executive Director of A Place of Grace.

*Join the conversation around the scriptures for this week at: https://www.facebook.com/juliegvillo.aplaceofgrace/photos/a.1109649079092669/2953852314672327/?type=3&theater

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