Fire

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

God of Peace, your call, at times, appears to divide us from one another. Help us to overcome our fears and respond in courage. Give us faith to trust the unity that is beyond our sight. Give us your eyes to recognize the signs before us. We ask this in the confidence of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We pray for the universal church. May discord among

denominations yield to unity and a common commitment to

share the good news of Christ.

God of mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the world. Prod us to engage in acts of mission and

service that further the kingdom and honor the care that God

has given us.

God of mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who hold authority in government. Enable

policymakers to enact justice, transforming places of violence

and conflict into havens of respite and peace.

God of mercy, hear our prayer. We pray for all those in our community who are suffering the

burden of illness, distress, or any kind of pain.

God of mercy, hear our prayer.

We remember all those who have died and joined the great cloud

of witnesses in heaven.

God of mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Creator, you inspire us to trust in the things we cannot

see and to ground our faith in your promises to us.

Give us the clarity of your vision, and make us ready to serve you as

we await your return.

We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

With “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” “His Eye Is on the Sparrow,” & “God Leads Us Along”

God of Wisdom, we eagerly seek your presence in our lives and in the world. By your Spirit, speak your word to us, and give us your grace to recognize the abundant signs of your care for us, so that we might be freed to act in the world with courage and abandon. Amen.

Luke 12. 49-59 ⁴⁹ 1 came to set the earth on fire; and I wish to do it, if it has not already been kindled. ⁵⁰| have a baptism to be baptized with; and I am oppressed until it is fulfilled. ⁵¹ Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth? I say to you, No, but divisions; ⁵² For from henceforth there will be five in a house, who will be divided, three against two, and two against three. ⁵³ For a father will be divided against his son, and a son against his father; a mother against her daughter, and a daughter against her mother; a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 54nd he said to the people, When you see a cloud rise from the west, you immediately say, It will rain; and so it is. ⁵⁵ And when the wind blows from the south, you say, It will be hot; and it is so. ⁵⁶ O you hypocrites, you know how to discern the face of the earth and of the sky; how then is it that you do not discern this time? — ⁵⁷ Why do you not of yourselves judge what is right? ⁵⁸ For when you go with your accuser to the ruler, while you are on the way give something and settle with him; otherwise he might take you to the judge, and the judge will deliver you to the prison warden, and the prison warden will throw you into prison. ⁵⁹ Truly I say to you, you will not come out from thence until you pay the last penny.

Question for Reflection: Rev. Johan Dodge

How do you reconcile a sense of division within yourself and the

world with the unity we are promised as the people of God? What

sustains you in times of conflict? Identify some occasions in your life

when you were unable to recognize an invitation to reconciliation and

wholeness.

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING — Marylee Thomsen

Mindful of the abundance we have received in Christ, we offer

ourselves and our gifts to the world.

We trust, O God, in your provision and loving kindness. Use these gifts and our lives that we might bear your fruit with praise and thanksgiving. We ask this in the confidence of your mercy and love. Amen.

May the God of creation and restoration give you confidence in the daily tasks set before you. The God of love and compassion calls us to attend to our lives and our world. The God of guidance and inspiration is molding you in God’s image. May we go forth honoring our heritage as children of God and serving those on the margins. Blessed Be the Tie that Binds Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Amen.