Almighty God,
We thank you for the miracle of this church family, whom you’ve gathered by the Holy Spirit, to receive your gifts this morning. To receive renewal, restoration, forgiveness and new life in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Lord,
There are often times when we wonder where you are, spinning our wheels to find you where it pleases us. Turn us to Christ, Lord, in whom the fullness of God dwells. And turn us to those things outside of us where He promises to be. Here, in the midst of the body of Christ, your church. Here, where He gives himself in His body and blood for our renewal. Here, where He takes action through His Word from the lips of another.
King Jesus,
Remember us. Remember us and have us know that for you to remember is to take action.
Crush us, make us new, and free us through your unconditional promise that you are making each of us and all things new.
Assure us and have us know that you are not sitting back and waiting around for us to make the grade.Your unconditional promise is not a Word searching merely for those who somehow “feel the need” for it.
Your Word is action. Through your Word, you go on the attack to create faith out of the nothing of our sin.
Your love does not first discover what is pleasing to you. Instead, your love creates what is pleasing to you. Crash your love and resurrection life into us this morning Lord. Make us new.
In the name of Jesus Christ the crucified, in the name of Jesus Christ the Risen,
AMEN.