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Genesis 45:1-15 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+45%3A1-15&version=NRSVUE

Psalm 133 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+133&version=NRSVUE

Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+11%3A1-2a%2C+29-32&version=NRSVUE

Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+15%3A10-28&version=NRSVUE

The focus passage for A Place of Grace this week is Psalm 133. All liturgy will be based on this passage. What in Psalm 133 inspires or encourages you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Hallelujah, God of Wonders!
We see you at work among us.
We praise you for the miracles you have wrought
among us.
We celebrate with joy and thanksgiving
that you sent Joseph to lead Egypt
out of famine
and you gave him the strength to endure
through challenging times.
So, too, you strengthen and encourage us
in times of challenge,
when we hunger for unity
in the midst of division,
when we thirst for hope
in the midst of despair,
when we starve for freedom
in the midst of oppression
being wielded in your name.
Lead us into a new era singing for joy, Lord!
Help us hold to the promise of a land 
and a world
with abundance for all.
Grant that we may truly learn from Jesus --
from God-With-Us --
in order to live by the law of love alone.

Call to Confession

“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, do I seek. (Psalm 27:8) Let us seek God's face and ask for mercy:

Prayer of Confession

Have mercy on us, O God,
for we have not called on your name.
We do not tell the stories of your activity
in our lives.
We do not honor you with "Alleluia!"s.
We walk around blindly,
eyes closed to your presence,
to the infiltration of the Holy Spirit,
to the redeeming power of possibility
in Jesus Christ.
No. We are the ones selling siblings into slavery,
placing shackles on those whom you have called
chosen ... precious ... honored ...
because they threaten the stories we tell ourselves
about who is deserving of God's grace
and who isn't. 
Forgive us, we pray.
Open our eyes, Lord, and help us to see
what we have refused to acknowledge:
that you have sent Jesus ahead of us
and put him in charge of your business,
to personally instruct your people
in the ways of mercy and love
and to train his disciples
in wisdom.
May it be so.


Assurance of God's Grace

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God-- 9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast.  (Ephesians 2:8-9)  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 whom you encounter this week.

Let those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Come into God's presence singing "Alleluia!"
You who are looking for God,
look among God's people!
Here you will find God present and working,
mostly in people who have been disregarded
and disposed,
for our God works wonders among the marginalized.
Therefore, seek God in the midst of the broken,
in the congregation of sinners,
among those who know what God's grace means
for the world.
​Let us worship God!

Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+37%3A1-4%2C+12-28&version=NRSVUE

Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+105%3A1-6%2C+16-22%2C+45b&version=NRSVUE

Romans 10:5-15 www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+10%3A5-15&version=NRSVUE

Matthew 14:22-33 www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+14%3A22-33&version=NRSVUE

The focus passage for A Place of Grace this week is Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b. All liturgy will be based on this passage this week. What in Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b inspires or encourages you? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 
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Listen, God,
we need you to examine us,
to look deep inside us
and see the people we long to be,
the people we are trying to be,
the people you created us to be.
We need you to help us to be those people.
The world's way is filled with snares.
Everywhere around us, 
lies rip the fabric of our lives,
dividing families
and friends
and nations
and tearing them apart.
We are frightened by the destruction that looms.
Give us courage, we pray,
to continue to stand up to the bullies
in our own households, 
in our workplaces,
in our schools,
in our communities,
and in our legislatures.
Help us to see your face 
in the faces of those we encounter,
to listen to them as you listen to us,
to trust that you are at work even when we cannot see,
and to have faith where hope feels distant.
We believe your Spirit is present with us
even when we are less than our best selves,
transforming us and our world
for your glory.
​May it be so!

​www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSZrsZWKXfo-pMiiGwyGQg18feyxTed8-

In this holy space, you are invited
to share your earnest prayers,
to expose your heart to God,
to lift up your desires.
In this holy space, you are encouraged
to call on the name of the Lord,
to broadcast God's graciousness to the masses,
to shelter those who are fearful.
In this holy space, lift up your face
and look upon God
who loves you wholly and completely.
​Let us worship God!