Welcome to Our Gathering of EChurch@Wartburg
Here Is Our Order of Worship
A Prayer for Renewal link
O God, who makes all things new,
new stars, new dust, new life;
take my heart,
every hardened edge and measured beat,
and create something new in me.
I need your newness, God,
the rough parts of me made smooth;
the stagnant, stirred;
the stuck, freed;
the unkind, forgiven.
And then, by the power of your Spirit,
I need to be turned toward Love again.
Amen.
A Quietly Prophetic Prayer link
In a cynical and despairing world, O God,
give us a quietly prophetic voice
to proclaim your hope.
In a violent and angry world, O God,
give us a quietly prophetic voice
to proclaim your peace.
In a dismissive and disinterested world, O God,
give us a quietly prophetic voice
to proclaim your compassion.
In a lonely and inhospitable world, O God,
give us a quietly prophetic voice
to proclaim your love.
In a grieving and weeping world, O God,
give us a quietly prophetic voice
to proclaim your joy.
May we be so captivated by your hope, O God,
that we cannot help but to whisper,
to sing, and to enact,
the message of your reign
which is always coming into our world;
And may our quietly prophetic lives,
be channels of your restoring grace
wherever we may go.
Amen.
We are honored to have Roy Schneider deliver this week's sermon.
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:15-23 (NASB Bible Gateway)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.
A Celtic Prayer from the Northumbria Community link and link
Lord, take this song
and fill it with Your presence.
Let it bring a word of hope
to weary care-full hearts.
Take this song
and fill it, Lord.
Fill it with Yourself.
Lord, take my life
and fill it with Your praises.
Let me speak a word of peace
that Jesus brings in me.
Take this life
and fill it, Lord.
Fill it with Yourself.
Lord, take this place
and fill it
with Your blessing.
Let it be a haven
where the
poor in spirit
sing.
Take this place
and fill it, Lord.
Fill it with Your praise.
Amen
A Rejoicing Benediction link
Go now and rejoice in the Lord always.
Do not be afraid or worried about anything,
but in everything trust God and pray.
Bear fruits worthy of repentance,
sharing what you have and being gentle with all.
And may God rejoice over you with gladness;
May Christ Jesus renew you in his love;
and may the Holy Spirit give you peace beyond understanding
to guard your hearts and minds in Christ.
We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
…In the name of Christ. Amen.