Welcome to a Gathering of EChurch@Wartburg

Autumn Colors

Here is our Order of Worship

Today we will be offering prayers from the Mennonite Community.
To learn more about their rich history, go to this link.

A Call to Worship link

God of Hope,
we come into your presence this morning
with confidence that you will meet us here.
Where there is sadness, bring joy;
Where there is tiredness, bring refreshment;
Where there is despair, bring a renewed sense of hope.
Let this place be a sanctuary,
a safe haven for us,
a home for holy words and songs and prayers
as we devote ourselves to you.
We pray this in Jesus’ name
Amen

Heavyhearted Prayer link

My heart is heavy.
Heavy like a bulky suitcase carried too long,
Heavy like the pressure at the bottom of the pool’s deep end,
Heavy like feet at the end of a long day’s walk,
Heavy like carrying bad news to a friend,

Lifter of the heavyhearted, hear my prayer.
Help me to remember the strength that first lifted
and bore the weight easily.
Help me to remember the sweet surrender of diving
and the adventure of going deep.

Help me to remember the lightness of step
at the beginning of a purposeful journey.
Help me to remember how even bad news
is endured together in love’s embrace.

You are the God of the heavyhearted and the lighthearted,
keep me near your heart this day.  
Amen.

Luke 5:12-16 (NASB Bible Gateway)

While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy;
and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying
 “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying,
“I am willing; be cleansed.”
And immediately the leprosy left him. And He ordered him to tell no one,
“But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing,
just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
But the news about Him was spreading even farther,
and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.
But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.

A Prayer of Confession link

I confess to You, Lord, what I am: I am not the person I like others to think I am;
I am afraid to admit even to myself what lies in the depths of my soul.

But I do not want to hide my true self from You. 
I believe that You know me as I am, yet You love me.
Help me not to shrink from self-knowledge; teach me to respect myself for your sake;
give me the courage to put my trust in Your guidance and power.

I come with open hands and a receptive mind and heart today,
letting go of my fears, my need for control & my sin.
I trust you to know best. To keep my life in the light and bring it to completion as you see fit.

I trust you to shape me, see me, steer me, stir me, sustain me and sanctify me
as I seek to be available to do your will and be your child.
I pray this in the name of my Perfect Providing Father,
my Forgiving Savior, my Loving Lord and my Sanctifying Spirit, 
Amen.

Benediction (Romans 15:5-7,13) link

Beloved of God,
May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another,
in accordance with Christ Jesus,
so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Abba of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 
Amen