Glory be to you, O God,

whom we worship in awe and wonder.

You are the author of all beginnings

and all that is pronounced “good.”

In you both day and night have purpose,

both calm and storm have meaning.

Open the eyes of our imagination,

that we may be ready to receive your gifts

and discern your activity in our midst.

In the name of Jesus,

in whose baptism we too are baptized.

Amen.

- from The Worship Sourcebook

O God who holds me close,

my heart has no lofty ambitions,

my eyes don’t look too high.

I am not concerned with great affairs

or marvels beyond my scope.

It’s enough for me to keep my soul tranquil

and quiet like a child in its mother’s arms;

my soul is as content as a nursing child.

May it be so.

Amen.

(Psalm 131:1-2)

God beyond all names,

God beyond all knowing,

we confess that we are more comfortable with things we can understand,

so we’re not always very comfortable with you.

We try to fit you into our categories,

our sense of right and wrong, in and out.

Forgive us

and break us open

with your wild mercy for all.

"I've never herded sheep, met a shepherd, or fought a wild predator in my life. But I did grow up visiting my grandparents' farms in India, and I can tell you this:

-- Debie Thomas, "A Shepherd Who Is Good,”  Journey with Jesus

Ever-present God,

We come to worship today to recognize you in one another.

We hear your kindness in thoughtful voices.

We see your compassion in the eyes of caring friends.

We taste your sweet and savory nourishment through shared meals and conversations.

We smell the renewal of your life in spring flowers.

We feel your strength in the actions of people standing up to injustice.

Let us share your love with one another as we journey together.

"May our wounds and the wounds of this world become wombs of new creation, bearing seeds of new life.”

—Kris Rocke

i thank You God for most this amazing

day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees

and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything

which is natural which is infinite which is yes

-- e. e. cummings

Jesus, your ways seem strange to us.

You march in like a king going to war,

but you proclaim peace.

You say that to save our lives,

we have to give them up.

You keep on loving,

even when it costs you everything.

We confess that we’re scared—

scared to love that much,

scared that we might not get our way,

scared that we might lose everything.

Forgive us.

Cast out our fear, and enter in.

Make us more like you.

Amen.

God of boundless compassion,

we stand in awe of the breadth and depth of your love.

Draw us near to you in this hour,

that we might absorb a portion of your compassion.

Amen.

Come, all who are weary;

come, all who yearn for forgiveness.

The Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ has washed over us,

and our gracious and holy God beckons and blesses us.

Drink deeply of these living waters.

Come and worship.

There is room for all.