Sunday, May 16, 2021

CALL TO WORSHIP
Psalm 130

MUSIC
Curated by Nathan Gutzmann
Hillsong Worship - Who You Say I Am
Bryan & Katie Torwalt - I Breathe You In God
Elevation Worship - Graves Intro Gardens
Bethel Music - Stand In Your Love

ASCENSION SUNDAY PRAYER
Today is the 6th Sunday in Eastertide, the 50 day period each spring where the church celebrates the light and life brought by Resurrection. And this is Ascension Sunday - where we remember the gospel stories of Christ’s departure from his disciples. And we celebrate the shift of God’s work in the world from the life of Jesus - to its presence in and through us. The gospels say that when Jesus left, his friends and disciples weren’t sure what to do.
And that might sound familiar to some of us.
At a time when so much is changing.
Outcomes and predictions are so uncertain.
And perhaps you feel caught between what was, and what’s still working out ahead of you.

Into those spaces I offer this prayer of hope.
Inviting you to be aware of God’s presence in the middle - on the fringes - in all the darkened corners of your life where you aren’t sure how to move forward.

Let’s pray -

Loving God of all —
Today we stand - like your friends and followers did -
We celebrate Easter light -
the warmth of spring -
the simple blessing of rain and sun-drenched air -
And we also sense our hesitancy - our fatigue - our patience worn paper-thin.

And we ask
For eyes to see fresh perspective and approach in our work
To see potential in those around us
To see the ways we’ve matured and grown.

We ask
For ears to hear new inspiration in surprising places
To hear the kindness of children, friends, and partners
To hear the sound of our own courage that inspires

And we ask
For hearts to hold the weight of swirling change -
To hold conviction and grace equally -
To hold each tender, fragile hope that will emerge
Amen.