OPENING
PRAYER
Source
of life, you catch our attention, you pique our curiosity.
And
we turn from our regular day, we step off the well-worn path, we
investigate what is happening.
Only
to find ourselves on holy ground, standing in your presence.
Creator
God, who invites us to stand on holy ground, in this time together,
Renew
us, we pray, in body and soul.
Open
our ears and hearts and souls to hear your voice.
Feed
and strengthen us so that we can go from here refreshed and
energized.
Then
lead us back out to live and serve.
We
pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
PRAYER
FOR & ASSURANCE OF GRACE
God
of bushes that burn and not get consumed, God of our ancestors,
we
stand in your presence with questions and uncertainties.
You
invite us, challenge us, call us to bring Good News of liberation to
our neighbours.
And
our uncertainties surge forward:
Who
are we to take on this task? Who exactly are you to ask it of us?
Our
uncertainties, our doubts, our questions
may
be ways we try to avoid the invitation, the challenge, the call.
So
help us, we pray, to work past them
through
your grace may we be empowered to share that Good News, even if we
still have doubts, and questions, and uncertainties.
The
God who spoke to Moses out of a burning bush, who
met Jonah in the belly of the big fish, and
who called Peter and Andrew from their fishing nets, calls
to us. God meets our questions and doubts and encourages us to
continue to live and serve. We are able to play our part in the drama
of faith and life because God is with us.
Thanks
be to God. Amen.
COMMISSIONING
We were called to take a break from the everyday and sit in God’s presence.
We have listened for God’s voice. We have eaten at God’s table.
Now our worship ends, and our service continues
We respond to God’s invitation to share Good News of love and liberation with the world around us.
Go now to live and love and serve.
Go knowing that God who was once revealed in a burning bush, who was made flesh in Jesus of Nazareth, who has blown through Creation since the beginning is with you.
Always and everywhere. Hallelujah!
