Sacred Journey 8/16/2023

Sacred Journey Welcome

stand

P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who creates, redeems, and sustains us and all of creation.

C: Amen.

P: With all my heart I glorify the Lord! In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior.

C: He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant.

P: From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored because God has done great things for me.

C: Holy is his name.

P: He shows mercy to everyone, from one generation to the next, to all who honor him as God.

C: He has shown strength with his arm, and scattered the arrogant and proud.

P: He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.

C: He has =illed the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty-handed.

P: He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, just as he promised.”

C: Holy is his name.

As we light candles:

(Luke 1. 46-55)

Please be seated after you have lighted a candle(s)

1

Lectio continua—Reader:

from Psalm 14

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” […]

The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one. […]

But God is with the generation of the righteous.

2

Hymn of the Evening

stand sit 3

: minus <inal verse

Reﬂection

Centering Prayer: mercy

from Matthew 15

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon." But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." He answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly.

Each time through this story search for 1-2 words to describe what’s in the heart of:

• Jesus

• The 12

• Canaanite woman

Final verse of “You Alone”

Prayer (Modibied from ACS setting 11)

P: Holy God, you alone are holy, you alone are God.

C: The universe declares your praise:

P: beyond the stars; beneath the sea; within each cell; with every breath.

C: We praise you, O God.

P: Generations bless your faithfulness:

C: through the water; by night and day; across the wilderness;

P: out of exile; into the future.

C: We bless you, O God.

P: We give you thanks for your dear Son:

C: at the heart of human life;

P: near to those who suffer;

C: beside the sinner; among the poor;

P: with us now.

C: We thank you, O God.

L: For God alone my soul waits,

C: my hope is in him.

Prayer in the Spirit:

(Adapted from the Center for Contemplative Living)

L: Jesus says: "Love the Lord your God will all your heart,

C: and with all your soul

L: and with all your mind.

C: This is the =irst and greatest commandment.

L: The second is like it:

C: Love your neighbor as your self."

(Psalm 62:6)

(Matthew 22:37-39)

4

a moment of Silence

L: Come, Holy Spirit, Come

C: Ignite within me the living =lame of Your love.

P: Welcome...

L: Welcome….

C: Welcome…

We surrender ourselves to God: letting go of all our needs, desires, compulsions &. the clutter of life

L: I let go of my desire for Power and Control...

C: I release them to you Lord Christ.

L: I let go of my desire for Safety and Security...

C: I release them to you Lord Christ.

Pause

L: I let go of my desire for Affection and Approval...

C: I release them to you Lord Christ.

Pause

L: I let go of my desire to Change Situations... People... Emotions...

C: I release them to you Lord Christ.

Pause

L: Oh God, Come to my assistance.... Oh Lord, make haste to help me.

C: Thank you Lord Christ for taking these burdens upon yourself at the cross...

L: Thank you for Your Love and Mercy and Grace…

C: I let go of my desire for security, affection, control and embrace this moment as it is.

Silence

stand

P: We join our hearts and lift our voices in prayer as Jesus taught us:

C: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. Communion

P: Gracious God, you bless us with gifts of guidance, new life, growth in grace, and fruitful labor. Accept the birst fruits of time and toil, bield and orchard we offer here. Bless and multiply these gifts to our nurture and the care of your creation; for the sake of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.

C: Amen.

5

P: In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this in memory of me.

song

P: Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this in memory of me.

song

P: Remembering his love for us on the way, at the table, and to the end, we proclaim the mystery of faith: C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

P: We pray for the gift of your Spirit: in our gathering; within this meal; among your people; throughout the world.

song distribution

P: Blessing, praise, and thanks to you, holy God, through Christ Jesus, by your Spirit, in your church, without end.