Leader:

You renew your covenant each morning

Loyal to your promise forever

Awesome is your love for us

steady over aeons of time.

So, let us begin our service this morning

by offering in our own words a morning offering to our God.

Pause

Let us ask forgiveness of our infidelities as we begin our liturgy.

Day by day you nourish us,

feeding us with your word,

shaking our thirst from the wellspring,

the waters that never run dry.

Song:     'Lord Have Mercy' ~ John Michael Talbot (Music for Worship, Vol. 1 & 2 - CD)

Gospel Reading:     If the Son Sets You Free - John 8: 31 - 42

We take our place in the story,

re-kindled in the season's round.

We celebrate your mercies of old,

and your deeds among us today.

Pause for Reflection / Sharing

Creed

Wherever the flickering sparks are fanned to flame,

wherever candles are lit in the darkness,

the Spirit-filled servants of God,

be they individuals or communities,

be they the creatures of the wounded earth itself,

reveal that even in the deepest affliction

hope is not extinguished:

I believe that behind the mist the sun waits.

I believe that beyond the dark night it is raining stars ...

They will not rob me of hope,

it shall not be broken ...

It shall not be broken.

    - Janet Morley

Intentions        R/ Save us O Lord

For the Church: that we may each know the Lord and deepen our relationship with God each day, we pray R/

For the grace of surrender to God: that we may let go of control and allow God to raise new life within us, we pray R/

For a fulfillment of all God's promises: that justice and truth may soon flourish for all people R/

For all who are experiencing war: for members of the military, for the people of Iraq, and for relief agencies: that they may know God's saving presence and protection R/

For an end to war in our world: that God will show the way to ending conflict and renewing peace upon the earth R/

Prayer:

My gratitude, O God, flows on, like the deep and silent river.

I join in the stream of praise with your people gathered for worship. Amen.

The great words resound in our ears,

we delight in the God who embodies them:

Your glory and splendor and justice,

Your beauty and grace and compassion,

Your truth and faithfulness forever,

Your covenant of promise and life,

Your creative and redeeming power,

Your holiness, wisdom and love.

LEADER     Blessed are you, Source of all Being,

                you keep extending your call to us

                even when we fail to answer.

                We thank you for approaching us

                in ways tailored to who we are.

Closing Prayer         Julian of Norwich ~ GOD SAID NOT

Thou shall not be travailed

Thou shall not be tempted

Thou shall not be afflicted

But he said

Thou shall not be overcome.

        Adapted from Julian of Norwich

Closing Song     'We Will Drink the Cup' ~ David Haas (Spirit of Malia - CD)