6:15pm, Girdwood Chapel
June 29, 2022
 
 

Invocation (UMBOW 574)
Light and Peace in Jesus Christ
Thanks be to God!

 

Opening Prayer (UMBOW 575)
In the brightness of your Son, we spend each day;
In the darkness of the night you light our way;
Always you protect us with the umbrella of your love.
To you, God, be all praise and glory forever. Amen.

 

Expression of Faith (From Northumbria Evening Prayer)
Lord, You have always given
bread for the coming day;
and though I am poor,
today I believe.

 

Lord, You have always given
strength for the coming day;
and though I am weak,
today I believe.

 

Lord, You have always given
peace for the coming day;
and though of anxious heart,
today I believe.

 

Lord, You have always kept
me safe in trials;
and now, tried as I am,
today I believe.

 

Lord, You have always marked
the road for the coming day;
and though it may be hidden,
today I believe.

 

Lord, You have always lightened
this darkness of mine;
and though the night is here,
today I believe.

 

Lord, You have always spoken
when time was ripe;
and though you be silent now,
today I believe.

 
Psalm 30
I exalt you, Lord, because you pulled me up;
you didn’t let my enemies celebrate over me.
Lord, my God, I cried out to you for help,
and you healed me.
Lord, you brought me up from the grave,
brought me back to life from among those going down to the pit.
You who are faithful to the Lord,
sing praises to him;
give thanks to his holy name!
His anger lasts for only a second,
but his favor lasts a lifetime.
Weeping may stay all night,
but by morning, joy!
When I was comfortable, I said,
“I will never stumble.”
Because it pleased you, Lord,
you made me a strong mountain.
But then you hid your presence.
I was terrified.
I cried out to you, Lord.
I begged my Lord for mercy:
“What is to be gained by my spilled blood,
by my going down into the pit?
Does dust thank you?
Does it proclaim your faithfulness?
Lord, listen and have mercy on me!
Lord, be my helper!”
You changed my mourning into dancing.
You took off my funeral clothes
and dressed me up in joy
so that my whole being
might sing praises to you and never stop.
Lord, my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
 
Luke 10:1-11
After these things, the Lord commissioned seventy-two others and sent them on ahead in pairs to every city and place he was about to go. He said to them, “The harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers for his harvest. Go! Be warned, though, that I’m sending you out as lambs among wolves. Carry no wallet, no bag, and no sandals. Don’t even greet anyone along the way. Whenever you enter a house, first say, ‘May peace be on this house.’ If anyone there shares God’s peace, then your peace will rest on that person. If not, your blessing will return to you. Remain in this house, eating and drinking whatever they set before you, for workers deserve their pay. Don’t move from house to house. Whenever you enter a city and its people welcome you, eat what they set before you. Heal the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘God’s kingdom has come upon you.’ Whenever you enter a city and the people don’t welcome you, go out into the streets and say, ‘As a complaint against you, we brush off the dust of your city that has collected on our feet. But know this: God’s kingdom has come to you.’
 
 

Today’s Reflection (Guillame Apollinaire)

‘Come to the edge’,
He said. They said,
‘we are afraid’.
‘Come to the edge’,
He said. They came.
He pushed them, and
they flew.
 
 

Prayers for ourselves and others

Prayer (Rev. Terri Pilarski)

Holy and Gracious God,
you call us by name,
Beloved One,
and beckon us to follow you.
May we do so through your grace.
 
Like a shepherd tending the flock
you tend to our needs.
Be present with those who struggle, suffer,
are in pain or sorrow.
Guide those who are lost, or filled with worry and fear.
Protect those who are in harm’s way
heal those who are ill,
mend those who are broken,
as only your love can.
 
God of peace, watch over those who lead us
in our various governments and churches.
Fill our leaders with wisdom, patience, insight, and mercy.
Help them to lead with kindness and strength.
 
God of love,
fill our hearts with the knowledge of You
that we can turn from the distractions of life
and be more like You.
May we be agents of your compassion,
offering kindness to those we meet this day.
 
God of all blessings,
we thank you for all the gifts of life.
For your Son, our Savior, our great Good Shepherd,
the one who stands at the gate
of all life’s challenges and joys,
calling out to us in love.
Naming us, Beloved.
For all this, and more we pray,
and unite in prayer as Jesus taught us to:

Our Father
Who art in heaven
Hallowed be thine name
Thy Kingdom 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 kingdom
And the power
And the glory, forever.
Amen.

 

Blessing & Sending (W&S p. 15 #27)
May the Christ who walks on wounded feet
walk with you on the road.
May the Christ who serves with wounded hands
stretch out your hands to serve.
May the Christ who loves with a wounded heart
open your hearts to love.
May you see the face of Christ in everyone you meet,
and may everyone you meet see the face of Christ in you.
Amen.