A New Reality

Good Morning and Welcome to Worship! Worship is often the first place that new people come into contact with this growing community of faith. And so if you are joining us for the first time, I say to you what is said every Sunday: You are welcome here. Here is a place where all are welcome. For such is the love of God for God’s Very Good Creation.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye Heav'nly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Seek God’s grace with boldness for through Jesus we have full access in one Spirit to God. Christ has created in himself one new humanity, we are no longer strangers and aliens, but members of the household of God. Amen.

With boldness, let us offer our prayers to the shepherd of our souls.

We pray for the church in every place …

Gather us together and make us one, one in ministry and mission to the world, so that there will be one flock, one shepherd.

God of goodness and mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the nations of the world …

Anoint all leaders with your wisdom so that they will use their power to help poor and defend the vulnerable.

God of goodness and mercy, hear our prayer. We pray for the nations of the world …

Anoint all leaders with your wisdom so that they will use their power to help the poor and defend the vulnerable.

God of goodness and mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for this community …

Strengthen those who work each day to heal the sick, welcome the outcasts, and help sisters and brothers in need.

God of goodness and mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for friends and loved ones….

Comfort all who are suffering; walk with them through dark valleys and restore them, body, mind, and soul.

God of goodness and mercy, hear our prayer.

Loving God, by the power of your Spirit, help us to keep your commandments and to love one another with the love of Jesus, in whose holy name we pray. Amen.

Lord God, good shepherd, by the leading of your Spirit, help us to listen for your voice and follow in your paths all the days of our lives; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

⁵The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem,⁶with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. ⁷When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” ⁸Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, ⁹if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, ¹⁰let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. ¹¹This Jesus is ‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.’ ¹²There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”

What can the metamorphosis of the caterpillar into a butterfly teach us about transforming the world around us into the kin-dom of God? Remember God desires each of us to do the work that is ours to do and not the work that is someone else’s to do. What in your life needs to be transformed? Where do you see the need for transformation in the world around you? Who might God be calling you to partner with to bring about that transformation?

How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the goods of the world and sees a brother or sister in need, yet refuses to help? With love for God and neighbor, let us offer our lives to the Lord.

Gracious God, we give you thanks that you have shown us the meaning of love through Jesus Christ, who gave his life for us. Show us how to share Christ’s love by giving our lives for one another; to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

May the goodness and mercy of God follow you all the days of your life, and in the name of the good shepherd, love one another. Alleluia! Amen.