We wait for you, God of truth and freedom.
We wait for you, Holy Spirit.
We wait for you, Lord Jesus, full of the glory of God.
God of goodness and grace,
you summon us into a world
made large by your expansive, creative salvation.
Open our eyes and ears and hearts
to your unexpected presence in our lives.
You know the ways we wander from your love and your truth:
the fears that drive us to make our world small and manageable;
the selfishness that shuts down our hearts;
the arrogance that limits our reach towards the ones you love.
Immerse us again and again
in your lavish grace.
Bathe us once more in the
cleansing stream of your truth.
Send your Spirit flowing through the
dried-up, worn out places.
Bring life — your life,
your wondrous, abundant life,
for we pray in the name of Jesus,
the Way, the Truth, the Life,
your Word made flesh,
your love that transfigures our world.
Amen.
Assurance
St. Augustine said, “The glory of God is men and women who are fully alive, but all have sinned and fall short of the divine splendour.” We are not what God created us to be; but God is lavish with mercy, overflowing with grace. In Christ, God makes us a new creation. Live this week rooted deeper and deeper into the powerful, redeeming love of God.
Thanks Christine. I am sorry I didn’t have this when I was preaching this morning but I have it now and for that I am very thankful. Blair