Almighty God,
God of majesty and power, who spoke and this world was, who breathed and this world lived, yet who knows us to the number of hairs upon our head. You see our thoughts and read our hearts yet love us beyond measure, sending your one and only Son into the world, not to condemn it, but that the world might be saved through Him. We turn to you in thanks and praise for sustaining us, holding us close, and drawing us together in fellowship in You and with each other.
God of hope, who brought love into this world in your Son, be the love that dwells between us.
God of hope, who brought peace into this world in your Son, be the peace that dwells between us.
God of hope, who brought joy into this world in your Son, be the joy that dwells between us.
God of hope, the rock we stand upon, be our firm foundation, anchoring us in the Good News.
The good news that in beautiful slavery to Christ, there is liberty from the bondage of sin.
The good news that in a world full of condemnation, in Christ, there is grace and mercy for the sinner.
The good news that in the stable, on the cross, in the empty tomb, in the promise of Christ’s return there is hope for the hopeless.
The good news that for the brokenhearted, in Christ, there is joy in a time or place of sorrow. Anoint us with the oil of joy, poured out in the precious blood of the Anointed One, the Word made flesh, entered into the world to save it.
AMEN.