(The numbered parts are recited in a reflective, and slower pace throughout the celebration and may be taken by various persons in the congregation.)

1/ The Heartbeat of God,

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.

3/ 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

4/ 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.
 

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 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.

5/ The great words resound in our ears,
    we delight in the God who embodies them:
    Your glory and splendour 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.

ALL We thank you for calling Jacob,

    who first wrestled with your messenger

    and yielded to the power of your love;

6/ for Jeremiah, who tried to ignore your presence

    but found your persistent calling impossible to refuse;

    for Isaiah, who accepted your difficult invitation

    to return Israel to your praise;

7/ for Elijah who heard your sound in the movement

    of cool winds and gentle breezes;

    for John the Baptist, who was led by your Spirit

    to fearlessly preach the coming of the Lord;

    like Peter, James, John, and us.

LEADER We thank you, Abba,

    for you still invite people to share in your life.

ALL Abba, we bless you for the life of our brother, Jesus.

    He, too, gradually came to realize

    the dimensions of your call.

LEADER  In the temple,
    he spoke your word to the elders of the land.
    In the desert,
    he was tempted to power, honour, and glory,
    but chose obedience to your will.
    In towns and villages,
    he forgave sinners
    and preached your kingdom of mercy and justice.
    When lawyers and scribes tried to test him,
    Jesus responded with a new commandment of love.

ALL   Jesus, on the night before he died,
    asked that the cup of suffering be withdrawn.
    But in response to your bidding, he drank that cup
    just as earlier in the evening
    he gave us the cup of life everlasting.

 

LEADER Jesus took bread and blessed you his almighty Lord.

    broke the bread and shared it.

Then Jesus took a cup of wine, said another blessing:

and shared it.

Whenever you share this meal,

do it in memory of Jesus.

ALL    Abba, we ask that your Spirit
    may continue to fill us with your grace.
    May our ears, eyes, and hearts
    be open to your summons, to your call.
 

ALL Be mindful of your people;

    especially be present to those who are suffering this day.

    Help us to find you, in stillness and in turmoil,

    in peace and in war.

    May we always imitate the care and concern

    of your Son who is the Savoir of the world.

    Amen.

                Adapted from Julian of Norwich

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

Br. Nick Morris (Rome)