Blue Sky: The Freedom of Forgiveness

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.

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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.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; Thy kindom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kindom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Loving God, your unfailing love has remained with us in the midst of troubled waters. In your infinite love, you are present with us as we endure the storms of life. We bring our prayers to you now, knowing that you will abide with us through the darkness and into the new light.

For your beautiful creation — that it would be an instrument of your love, forgiveness, and grace.

God in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the global community — that we would learn to live for each other in peace and cooperation, and share collective responsibility.

God in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For our local community — for those recovering from the storms, those who have lost homes.

God in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For those who suffer in their minds, bodies, or souls — wrap your arms around them in love and help us your church, be what they need.

God in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the silent intentions we hold in our hearts.

God in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Receive our prayers and help us to trust in your love and presence; through Jesus who showed us your way, we pray. Amen.

Loving God, your Word guides us and leads us beyond our settled selves and allows us to experience the forgiveness and opportunity of your blue sky calling. May our hearts be opened to your guiding love in this time. Amen.

¹ When God began to create the heavens and the earth, ² the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. ³ Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. ⁴ And God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. ⁵ God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. ⁶ And God said, “Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” ⁷ So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. ⁸ God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.

²¹ Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” ²² Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. ²³ “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. ²⁴ When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him, ²⁵ and, as he could not pay, the lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions and payment to be made. ²⁶ So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ ²⁷ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. ²⁸ But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ ²⁹ Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ ³⁰ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. ³¹ When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. ³² Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. ³³ Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ ³⁴ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. ³⁵ So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Forgiveness can be challenging. When/where have you experienced forgiveness? Is there someone you need to forgive?

With thankful hearts, let us offer up a portion from what God has given to us.

Loving God, we thank you for these gifts and humbly ask that as we turn them back over to you, you would multiply them though our example to enable your work of love all throughout your creation. Amen.

The presence of God be with you, the love of Jesus be your example, and the power of the Holy Spirit empower you to bring the blue sky of forgiveness into the world beyond these walls. Amen.

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