12/6/2017 0 Comments Prayer of Confession, A2BCall to Confession
If we say we are without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Let us confess our sin before God and seek God's mercy. Prayer of Confession We have heard the invitation to comfort God's people, but we have not answered. Comforting others requires that we are discomforted. Comforting others requires that we examine our contributions to their pain. We have heard the invitation to level the playing field for people everywhere, but we have not answered. Leveling the playing field requires a radical reorientation of thought, word, and deed. Leveling the playing field requires a removing of our own advantage. We have heard the invitation to lift up our voices as heralds of good tidings, but we have not answered. Lifting up our voices requires a willingness to be heard and identified as someone other than who we portray ourselves to be. Forgive us, we pray, for we are not the people you have called us to be. Embolden us to reach out of our comfort zones and comfort others in ways that disquiet us, so that your people everywhere may see your might on their behalf. 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 and remove it as far as the east is from the west, remembering it no more. 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 everyone you encounter this day.
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12/5/2017 1 Comment Call to Worship, A2BIn this waiting space,
we gather, hoping for a word of comfort ... for a revelation of God ... for a herald of good tidings. It is slow in coming, but we gather anyway, and we wait, knowing it *is* coming, for God has promised, and God always keeps God's promises. Let us worship while we wait. *I wonder what words or phrases from this prayer call to you today ... *I wonder where you are in need of comfort ... or a revelation from God ... or a herald of good tidings ... Post your yearnings in the comments below. 12/1/2017 0 Comments Prayers of the People, Advent 1BO God, our Potter,,
We cry out to you this day, naming those who need your healing touch, your comforting presence, your reassuring word. Hear our prayers, we pray, and make us vessels of healing in your name. Hear our prayers for those whose spirits have been wounded and broken by abuse of power. The effects of that abuse cannot be reversed, but they can be healed. Restore the wounded and broken to a new spirit ... a spirit of empowerment and strength to speak their truth, a spirit of compassion and mercy for others who are wounded and broken, and a spirit of peace as beloved children of God. Hear our prayers for offenders who have wielded their power to cause pain and to silence their colleagues and co-workers. In your mercy, Lord, remake their hearts that they might understand the depth of the pain they have caused and repent. Restore their wounded and broken spirits as well to a spirit of humility and contrition, that they, too, might know themselves as beloved children of God and be reconciled in their relationships with God and with their communities. Hear our prayers for all your creation, Lord, for all of us are broken in some way. Grieving, injured, hopeless, and fearful, your people long to be restored to wholeness. Refill the holes in our spirits with your love, which is stronger than any human frailty, and restore to us the joy of your salvation. Hear also our prayers for those whom we name below ... those whose names are in our hearts and on our minds. In addition, hear our prayers for those whose names we do not know. Surround them with your steadfast love. Touch them with your infinite mercy. Fill them with a peace that passes all understanding. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. |
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Julie participated in the 25th Seminar for Certified Zentangle(R) Teacher Training in June, 2019, trained by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. In addition to creating art as a personal spiritual practice, Julie also incorporates the Zentangle(R) method in Prayer Art Retreats in a variety of contexts, including church groups, friend gatherings, and at a local art gallery. Check out the Upcoming Events page for a calendar of events, or use the Contact Us page to inquire about scheduling an event with your group!
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