Glory to God in the highest:
How majestic is your name in all the earth!
You speak and all of creation trembles.

We pray for the waters of the world, O God,
that they may run clean and pure,
and may quench the thirst of all creatures 
without carrying disease,
and of the land,
so that it may produce abundantly,
and that they may be plenty,
so as to quench fires before they overtake forest
and neighborhoods.

We pray for the forests of the world, O God,
that they may be protected and replanted
providing shelter for deer and chipmunks
and food for squirrels
and fauna for healing medication
and oxygen for all of creation to
breathe.

We pray for wilderness lands, O God,
where desert creatures find refuge,
that the sand and the stone may be places of witness
to the nomads who move from place to place,
and to those whose homes have been stolen from them,
and to those who have not seen the end
to the horrors of war.
We pray for strength to endure
and for peace and
reconciliation.

Creator God, 
who made all things and declared them good,
and Living Word,
through whom all things were made 
and without whom nothing was made 
that has been made,
and Holy Wisdom,
Spirit Source that lives in all of us
and in all of creation,
hear our prayers of thanksgiving and praise
and our pleas for restoration
of all that was once good.
Redeem, renew, reconcile, we pray,
and grant your creation relief
from the stresses that humans have caused
in our ignorance and
​greedy disobedience.

Call to Confession

All have fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) Let us confess our sin before God and seek God's mercy:

Prayer of Confession

You are mighty, O God,
and your voice is powerful,
but we turn to our own devices,
pretending we are mightier,
placing our trust in power we see on display
vs. divine power we choose not to recognize ...
power that gives strength to the people
and blesses the people with peace.
Forgive us, we pray,
and remind us to join with all creation
in singing "Glory!" 

Assurance of God's Grace

God has promised that when we confess our sin, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sin (1 John 1:9), removing them as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12), and remembering them no more (Hebrews 8;12). Hear the Good News:  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 you encounter this week.

Come into God's presence singing, 
"Alleluia!"
Come ascribing glory to God's name.
Come and worship the Lord in holy splendor.
Come and bless the Lord!

Isaiah 43:1-7  www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2043%3A1-7&version=NRSVUE

Psalm 29  www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2029&version=NRSVUE

Acts 8:14-17  www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%208%3A14-17&version=NRSVUE

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22  www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%203%3A1-17%2C%2021-22&version=NRSVUE

The focus passage for A Place of Grace this week is Psalm 29. All liturgy will be based on this passage. What in Psalm 29 inspires or encourages you? Share your thoughts here: www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1014192954083291&set=a.549399683895956.