Ripples

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.

Astonishing God, you give us a vision of the heavenly city, the new Jerusalem, your home among mortals on earth. All people and nations will stream to your city where they will find nourishment, healing, and peace. Even now your blessing shines upon all the earth to help us see the larger vision of your loving care for all of creation. And so you call us to move beyond our comfortable circles, and into unfamiliar places, as we seek to share your dream of a world made new in Christ. Amen.

All creation lives to praise you, O God. Loving God, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth. Let us offer our prayers and thanksgivings this day.

As the earth yields its blessing, may we honor and protect the precious gifts of nature and give thanks for the beauty, healing, and sustenance it provides for all.

You bless your church through all the ages with leaders like Paul and Lydia to share in the spreading of the good news. Give to your church this day a profound sense of the mission to which you now call us for the life and health of the world. Give to all leaders and people the gift of wisdom and the spirit of peace, that as people of peace we may walk by your light as we serve the common good.

Give to all who suffer violence, grief, or pain an enduring trust that joy will rise again.

We give thanks for the many blessings of our lives that as we follow in the way of Jesus, you Holy Spirit journeys with us.

Loving God, you are the Alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. Be with those who are born this day, and with those who will die, so that living or dying we may continue to abide in you and your love for all creation.

Amen.

Living God, you sent your apostles to preach the gospel gathered by a river, in a secluded place of prayer. There, a businesswoman named Lydia was led by the Spirit to hear your word of love. You opened her heart in love, and she opened her home for the spreading of the gospel. By the power of your Holy Spirit, fling wide the doors of our hearts this day as we hear you word of love, that we too may open our lives to serve your world in love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Acts of the Apostles 16:9-15 ⁹During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. ¹¹We therefore set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, ¹²and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. ¹³On the Sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. ¹⁴A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. ¹⁵When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.” And she prevailed upon us.

When Lydia hears the gospel, she becomes the first Christian in Europe. Led by the Spirit, Lydia’s faith is decisive and her witness is immediate. The word opens her heart in love, and she opens her house in hospitality in service of the gospel. How might Lydia’s witness excite your sense of ministry and mission this day? Where might you find someone searching for God’s love?

The earth has yielded its increase and God has richly blessed us. Therefore, bring your tithes and offerings and come into God’s courts with praise. Amen.

Giving God, as spring bursts forth its blossoms in witness to your love, you bless us from generation to generation with the new life of Easter faith. All that we have and all that we are come from you, O God, so we gladly share this offering that others too may be blessed, for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

God is gracious and ever loving. You are blessed that you may live in love, abide in peace, and serve God, for God’s love is ever present. Amen.