CONFESSION OF FAITH

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated on the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Sprit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father (and the Son), who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We knowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayer of Confession December 30, 2007 1st Sunday after Christmas

Light of the world, you who bear the dawn to us: we recall today how terrible is the darkness you were born to overcome. We confess to you our fear of death and destruction, the violence we allow, and the suffering we inflict upon others . We confess to you our ingrained prejudices, our failures to be merciful, and tragedies too often of our making. We confess to you how desperately we need you. By your presence, Lord, save us. By your steadfast love, light our way. Through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

CONFESSION OF FAITH

Prayer of Confession December 23, 2007 4th Sunday in Advent

God you are both tender and mighty – a shepherd we can trust. You call to us and gather us. You feed us and bid us rest in your care. Still we fear the world around us and fail to seek your help when we are lost. Still we struggle stupidly against you – refusing your comfort and ignoring your commands. Renew us and restore us, Lord of hosts. Show us the light of your face that we may be saved. Through Jesus Christ, God with us. Amen.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.  

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayer of Confession December 16, 2007 3rd Sunday in Advent

Holy God, Righteous Judge, have mercy upon us. We have been proud in the thoughts of our hearts; you would be right to scatter us. We have grasped at worldly power; you could surely choose to bring us down. We have allowed the rich to prosper and the poor to wither away. Have mercy on us, Lord! Remind us of your grace in ages past. Humble us, that we may find our strength in you. Kindle in us love for all your work of mercy, redemption, and joy. Through Jesus Christ, God with us. Amen.

CONFESSION OF FAITH

I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayer of Confession December 9, 2007 2nd Sunday in Advent

God of righteousness and justice: before you, who can stand? We, whose lives are comfortable, who turn our eyes from the poor and deny our debt to them – we are the ones who must repent. From greed, violence, and systems that oppress, Lord help us that we may be clean. Wash us, that we may be clean. Tend to us, that we may bear fruit worthy of your kingdom. Inspire us to prepare your way. Through Jesus Christ, the coming Savior. Amen.

CONFESSION OF FAITH

I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayer of Confession December 02, 2007 1st Sunday in Advent

God who is with us, and God who is on the way, we confess that we do not wait or watch for you. Works of darkness encumber and distract us. Petty jealousies, hard quarrels, ambitions rooted in selfish desires - they command our attention. We have ceased to hope for peace and harmony among the nations or for security apart from the defenses we construct. We hear your promises, Lord, but dare not trust them. God of power and love, awaken us to hope and fit us for your coming, that we may watch for you with confidence and joy. Through Jesus Christ, the Promised One. Amen.

CONFESSION OF FAITH

I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayer of Confession November 25, 2007

Sovereign God, so often we know not what we are doing. We are so absorbed in our concerns that we are unaware of who is being hurt by the works of our hands or the desires of our hearts. We fail to see how connected we are, how our actions affect so many, how the web of creation links us all together. So often we do not realize that what we are doing is sinful, contrary to your purpose and obstructing your gracious intents. Have mercy on us. Open our eyes so we can see who we are and what we have done. Cleanse our hearts so we can be who you call us to be and do what you would have us do, for the sake of Jesus Christ, who rules over all. Amen.

CONFESSION OF FAITH

I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayer of Confession November 18, 2007

Holy God, you are light and truth. We confess that we often dwell in darkness and falsehood. Sin drives us into ourselves and away from you. We almost come to believe that it is possible for us to make it on our own. But in the moments we are honest, we see the errors of our ways. Walking away from you leads only to our ruin. Turn us around. Capture our hearts. Cleanse our spirits. In your light, may we see who we are. In your truth, may we see who we can become, as we seek to follow Jesus Christ. In His name. Amen.

CONFESSION OF FAITH

I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayer of Confession November 11, 2007

Gracious God, you call us to faithful living, giving ourselves to you and to one another after the example of Jesus. Yet sin prevents us from following your directions. We pursue our own goals, worship our own gods, and place our hope in things that cannot last. Wash us anew. Forgive us again. Give us the courage to hear your call and the faith to follow where Christ leads. In His name. Amen

*CONFESSION OF FAITH (Nicene Creed page 15 in the Hymnal)

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated on the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Sprit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father (and the Son), who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We knowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

L: Blessed are you, God of all creation; through your goodness we have these gifts to share.

C: Accept and use our offerings for your glory and for the service of your kingdom, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (UNISON)
God our helper, by your Holy Spirit open our minds, that as the Scriptures are read and your Word is proclaimed, we may be led into your truth and taught your will, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Assurance of God's Grace:

L: God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage.

C: Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant.Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still.

L: With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

C: Amen!

Prayer of Confession --selections from Jeremiah 4

L: A lion has gone up from its thicket, a destroyer of nations has set out; he has gone out from his place to make your land a waste; your cities will be ruins without inhabitant.

C: Because of this put on sackcloth, lament and wail: “The fierce anger of the Lord has not turned away from us.”

L: A hot wind comes from from me our of the trails in the desert toward my poor people, not to winnow or cleanse a wind too strong for that.

C: Look! He comes up like clouds, his chariots like the whirlwind--Woe to us,
for we are ruined!

L: Your ways and your doings have brought this upon you. This is your doom; how bitter it is!It has reached your very heart.

C: Disaster overtakes disaster, the whole land is laid waste.

L: I looked on the earth, and lo, it was waste and void; and to the heavens, and they had no light.

C: I looked on the mountains, and lo, they were quaking,and all the hills moved to and fro. I looked, and lo, there was no one at all,and all the birds of the air had fled. I looked and lo, the fruitful land was a desert, and all its cities were laid in ruins before the Lord, before his fierce anger.

L: For thus says the Lord: The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end.

C: Because of this the earth shall mourn, and the heavens above grow black; for I have spoken, I have purposed; I have not relented nor will I turn back.

CALL TO WORSHIP October 21, 2007

Psalm 119:97-98, 103, 105

L: Hear the word of our God, through the psalmist:
Oh, how I love the law of YHWH!
It is my meditation all day long.

C:Your commandment makes me wiser than
my enemies, for it is always with me.

L: How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than
honey to my mouth!

C:Your word is a lamp to my feet and a
light to my path.

L: Let us worship God, whose Word confirms our life
together!

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH October 14, 2007

We believe in God, our source of hope. Though our hopes are sometimes fragile and often battered, we cling to God, who points us to the eternal and everlasting. We believe that hope is woven with faith and love to form a tapestry of beauty and possibility. We believe that out of suffering, hope and new life can emerge through the grace of God. We believe Jesus showed us how to live with hope, keeping our eyes on the Creator and letting songs and prayers unite us. We believe the Spirit fills us with power to be witnesses to hope, examples of caring and tellers of good news. We believe the church is a community of hope - all through the week.

PSALM TWENTY-THREE

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me; Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil: my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH October 7, 2007

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (UNISON)

God our helper, by your Holy Spirit open our minds, that as the Scriptures are read and your Word is proclaimed, we may be led into your truth and taught your will, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

ASSURANCE OF GOD'S GRACE:

L: God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage.

C: LOVING US STILL, GOD MAKES US HEIRS WITH CHRIST OF THE COVENANT. LIKE A MOTHER WHO WILL NOT FORSAKE HER NURSING CHILD, LIKE A FATHER WHO RUNS TO WELCOME THE PRODIGAL HOME, GOD IS FAITHFUL STILL.

L: With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

C: Amen!

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH September 30, 2007

L: In life and in death we belong to God.

C: THROUGH THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE LOVE OF GOD, AND THE COMMUNION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WE TRUST IN THE ONE TRIUNE GOD, THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL, WHOM ALONE WE WORSHIP AND SERVE.

L: In sovereign love, God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community.

C: BUT WE REBEL AGAINST GOD; WE HIDE FROM OUR CREATOR. IGNORING GOD’S COMMANDMENTS, WE VIOLATE THE IMAGE OF GOD IN OTHERS AND OURSELVES, ACCEPT LIES AS TRUTH, EXPLOIT NEIGHBOR AND NATURE, AND THREATEN DEATH TO THE PLANET ENTRUSTED TO OUR CARE. WE DESERVE GOD’S CONDEMNATION.

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH September 23, 2007

I believe in god the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH September 16, 2007

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who
wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION September 9, 2007

God of grace and peace, we come as free agents of Christ's reconciling love. We give our lives as a thank offering for the bountiful mercies you bestow on us. You refresh our hearts by the gift of a savior. May what we bring enrich others who seek your deliverance. Take us and use us as stewards of your grace and peace. Amen.

Prayer of Invocation September 9, 2007

God our Father: you have promised the Holy Spirit whenever we gather in the name of your Son. Be with us now, so we may hear your word, and believe. Amen.

Declaring and Hearing God's Forgiveness September 9, 2007

L: God is just and takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Through Christ there is hope of eternal forgiveness. Turn back from your past and embrace God's promised assurance.

C: For in christ there is redemption and release from all sin. in jesus christ we are forgiven! Thanks be to god!

Confessing Our Failings September 9, 2007

God in Christ, who endured the cross in your flesh for our sakes, hear us as we confess our sin. We would be your bold disciples, but we fear suffering. We would carry our cross, but it weighs too much. We count the cost of following you – as long as there are benefits; but to renounce all we have is a devastating prospect. Forgive the conditions we make when we try to obey, and free us by your grace to forsake all and follow you.

Litany for Those Who Work September 02, 2007

L: O Lord God; you are ever at work in the world for us and all mankind. Guide and protect all who work to get their living.

C: Amen.

L: For those who plow the earth, For those who tend machinery;

C: Keep them safe from harm, O God.

L: For those who sail deep waters, For those who venture into space;

C: Protect their adventure, O God.

L: For those who work in offices and warehouses, For those who labor in stores or factories;

C: Save them from boredom and drudgery, O God.

L: For those who work in mines, For those who buy and sell;

C: Work with them , O God

L: For those who entertain us, For those who broadcast or publish;

C: Keep their values clear and truth revealed, O God.

L: For those who keep house, For those who train children;

C: Support their care giving and nurturing, O God.

L: For those who work to heal and tend the sick;

C: Grant your healing touch through them, O God.

L: For all who live by strength of arm, For all who live by skill of hand;

C: Give rest to bodies and creative ability to them, O God.

L: For all who employ or govern;

C: Send them your justice and mercy, O God.

L: For all who excite our minds with art, science, or learning;

C: Stir their spirits, O God.

L: For all who instruct, For writers and teachers;

C: Give passion to teaching and learning, O God.

L: For all who serve the public good in any way by working;

C: Help us to work for a common well-being, O God.

L: For all who labor without hope, For all who labor without interest; For those who have to little leisure, For those who have too much leisure; For those who are underpaid, For those who pay small wages; For those who cannot work, For those who look in vain for work; For those who trade on troubles of others, For profiteers, extortionists, and greedy people;

C: Great God: we pray your mercy, grace, and saving power.

L: Work through us and help us always to work for you; in Jesus Christ our Lord.

C: Amen

PRAYER OF DEDICATION September 02, 2007

God our Host, you invite us to dine at your table. You anoint us through Christ with the oil of righteousness. Our cup overflows with the gift of the Holy Spirit. We come to your banquet of eternal redemption with gifts befitting our new life in Jesus. Receive them as signs of our commitment to be faithful stewards. Amen.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH August 26, 2007

From now one, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; this is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH August 19, 2007

Holy god, our beginning and our end, you created us in love and you sustain us in grace, by your hand we are fed and by your Word we are guided. Day by day, you set good things before us; ye our sin keeps us from receiving the fullness of your gifts. Have mercy on our sinfulness. Forgive us for resisting your love, for rejecting your grace, for refusing your hand, for ignoring your Word. Cleanse us, restore us, renew us that in all things we might live to your glory. Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH August 12, 2007

L: Praise the LORD!
C; Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of
the faithful.
L: We believe that the LORD has put a new song in our mouths, a
song of praise to our God.
C: We believe that many will see and fear, and put their trust in
the LORD.
L: We will sing to the LORD a new song,
C: God's praise from the end of the earth!
L: We will sing to God a new song;
C: Playing skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts!
L: We will sing to the LORD a new song;
C: That the whole earth might sing to the LORD!
L: We will sing to the LORD a new song,
C: For God has done marvelous things!

All: We believe that we will yet sing a new song to our Lord,
saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its
seals, for you were slaughtered and by your blood you
ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and
people and nation."

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH August 05, 2007

We believe in God, our source of hope. Though our hopes are sometimes fragile and often battered, we cling to God, who points us to the eternal and everlasting. We believe that hope is woven with faith and love to form a tapestry of beauty and possibility. We believe that out of suffering, hope and new life can emerge through the grace of God. We believe Jesus showed us how to live with hope, keeping our eyes on the Creator and letting songs and prayers unite us. We believe the Spirit fills us with power to be witnesses to hope, examples of caring and tellers of good news. We believe the church is a community of hope - all through the week.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH July 29, 2007

We believe everything that breathes should praise the LORD! We believe praise befits the upright. Therefore we will be glad and exult in the LORD, we will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

We believe we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship. We believe we should come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, let ourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For we believe we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that we may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH July 22, 2007

We believe in God, who loves us as a parent, searching for us when we are lost, embracing us in our hurt, always looking for any reason to throw a party. We believe in the risen Christ, who gathers all the lost and forgotten into a new community and tells them and us we are all forgiven, blessed and loved. We believe in the Holy Spirit, who empowered the new community of followers to share bread, tell stories of God's love and turn the world upside down. We are a faith-filled, Spirit-empowered, God-blessed community.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH July 15, 2007

We believe in Jesus Christ, God incarnate, who by the Spirit came through the water of human birth to bring grace and truth. We believe we must be born of water and of the Spirit. We believe that in baptism the community celebrates the gift of grace and our birth into life in the Spirit. We believe that Jesus was baptized by John in the water of the Jordan to fulfill all righteousness. We believe the children of Israel crossed into a new land through the waters of the Jordan, cleansed and set apart for service. We believe that in baptism we repent from sin and are washed and set apart in order to proclaim the mighty acts of God. We believe that Jesus Christ was a man who knew the tears of obedience and the sweat of suffering. We believe that following God often means to weep, if only for a time. We believe that in baptism the people of God drink the cup that Jesus drank and are baptized with his baptism. We believe that our Savior died on a cross, water mixed with blood gushing from his side. We believe that in this blood of the new covenant we are called to follow him. We believe that in baptism we are buried with Jesus. We believe that Jesus was resurrected and sits on a throne from which runs the river of the water of life. We believe that as Christ was raised by the glory of God, so we, too, can be raised to newness of life. We believe that in baptism the church is saved according to God's mercy, that we might become heirs of eternal life.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH July 08, 2007

We believe that the fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and that humility goes before honor. We believe God leads the humble in what is right. We believe God dwells in the high and holy place, and also with those who are humble in spirit. We believe that, in humility, we should regard others as better than ourselves. We believe we should clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience; bearing with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; just as the Lord has forgiven us. We believe in the words of Jesus, "Whoever becomes humble like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH July 01, 2007

Oh LORD, our LORD, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. We believe your sovereignty is an everlasting sovereignty, and your kingdom endures from generation to generation. We believe the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our ruler, the LORD is our king; he will save us. We believe that it was prophesied, "And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel." We believe that this sovereign ruler is Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, who is the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH June 24, 2007

We believe in God, who blessed water and invited us to enter into the family of God through its healing flow; who saw in the broken bread the possibility of being made whole and who called us to share bread with others so all might be fed; who placed the chalice in our midst and said this is the symbol of serving others, of loving deeply, of being poured out. It is the wine of compassion, the cup of hope. We believe God calls us to welcome all into the redeeming community of love and gives us the bread and cup as signs of the risen Christ, present with us now as friend, guide and comforter. We believe the mystery of God is seen in the common elements of our lives.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH June 17, 2007

We believe God created families, small communities where we learn to love up close, celebrate life around the table meal, pray through difficulties, discover that we are children of God. We believe God created humans not to be alone, but to live in relationship as friends, partners and companions. We believe God sent Jesus so we could see the heights and depths of love, know that we have a second chance, discover that in loving service the world and our lives become better. We believe God delights in our laughter, rejoices in our kindness, celebrates our faithfulness. We believe God made us miracles and surrounds us with reminders, including this family of faith.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH June 10, 2007

We believe God is our shield, who saves the upright in heart. Our hearts shall rejoice in our salvation. We believe God has made a new covenant, as promised by his prophet, "I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. We believe that where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also. We believe that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. We believe that, according to the riches of his glory, God will grant that we may be strengthened in our inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith, as we are being rooted and grounded in love.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH June 03, 2007

We affirm that the Lord seeks to give us a new heart, and a new spirit God will put within us; and will remove from our body the heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh. We affirm that God's spirit is within us, making us follow God's statutes and ordinances.

We believe that we are a letter of Christ, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. We affirm our desire to come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, to let our-selves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH May 27, 2007

We believe that we are the light of the world. We believe we should let our light shine before others, so that they may see our good works and give glory to our Father in heaven. We believe that our love should be genuine. We believe that we should hate what is evil, and that we should hold fast to what is good. We believe that if we live by the Spirit, we should also be guided by the Spirit. We believe we should not become conceited, compete against one another, or envy one another. We believe that we are God's chosen ones. We believe that we should clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. We believe that we are called to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH May 20, 2007

Leader : We believe that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles.

People : For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Leader : We affirm that now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! Therefore we believe we should work out our own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in us, enabling us both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

People : The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all!

Leader : And so we lift our voices with the great multitude that no one can count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands, who cry out in a loud voice, saying,

People : "Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb! ... Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power [belong] to our God."

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH May 13, 2007

We believe that the man named his wife Eve, Life, because she was the mother of all living things. We believe that we should honor our mothers, "so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." We believe that mothers give us life and pass on to us their life of faith, even as Paul said to Timothy, "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you." We believe that God's love for us is like a mother's love, comforting us and giving us life, even as the psalmist says: "O LORD, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul,

like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child that is with me."

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH April 29, 2007

Easter turns doubts upside down, sets loose new possibilities, reveals a God stronger than death, a love mightier than despair. Easter brings us the risen Christ, who knows our wounds, forgives our denials, sends us out to love and serve; who is not bound by a period in history but finds us wherever we journey; who receives our questions, whispers a word of peace and causes our hearts to be warmed. Easter releases the Holy Spirit, setting us free from sins that wound, resentments that smolder, anger that burns; empowering us to be witnesses to truth and obedient to a higher authority; causing us to walk with joy in our steps, hope in our hearts and a song on our lips.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH April 22, 2007

We believe in God - who brings Easter into our Good Friday worlds, who brings sunshine after rain, hope in the midst of pain and tenderly calls our name. We believe in Jesus Christ - the risen Savior, not locked in some cold-tomb past, but alive and appearing to the women who followed him, the disciple who fled from him, to Paul, who persecuted him, and to us who seek him today. Christ is risen, and we can know that and experience his presence. We believe in the Holy Spirit - the invisible presence of God at work in our world bringing reconciliation instead of hatred, creating communities of support in the face of senseless tragedy. We believe God is at work in the church and in us, creating a center of compassion, a fellowship of forgiveness, a gathering of grace; where joy glistens like dew on spring flowers and love flows like a mighty stream. Alleluia! Amen.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH April 15, 2007

We believe in the risen Christ. Like the disciples who were amazed at what they saw, so are we amazed at what we experience. We see the face of Christ in children's smiles, in the eyes of our families. We hear the voice of Christ in the stillness of a clear night, in the way our friends call our name, in the song that brings tears to our eyes. We know the touch of Christ in every warm embrace. We taste the presence of Christ in bread that is blessed, broken and shared. We feel the power of Christ in standing up to injustice, in reaching out to help another, in building strong communities of welcome and support. We feel the love of Christ when another wipes away our tears, takes us by the hand and leads us through the valleys and shadows to a new place. We believe the risen Christ. We know the risen Christ. We are blessed.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH April 08, 2007

We believe in the risen Christ. Like the disciples who were amazed at what they saw, so are we amazed at what we experience. We see the face of Christ in children's smiles, in the eyes of our families. We hear the voice of Christ in the stillness of a clear night, in the way our friends call our name, in the song that brings tears to our eyes. We know the touch of Christ in every warm embrace. We taste the presence of Christ in bread that is blessed, broken and shared. We feel the power of Christ in standing up to injustice, in reaching out to help another, in building strong communities of welcome and support. We feel the love of Christ when another wipes away our tears, takes us by the hand and leads us through the valleys and shadows to a new place. We believe the risen Christ. We know the risen Christ. We are blessed.

HOLY WEEK PRAYER Maundy Thursday April 5, 2007

Hold us close, patient God, for we know how hard this week can be. We see our own failures mirrored in the Passion story. We know we betray the trust given to us. We let our children down. We avoid the eyes of the homeless. We treat your creation with indifference and abuse. We deny your love by covering up our talents, hiding behind low self-esteem, looking to others to lead the way. We are frightened by the costliness of following you and fear that we will be found fleeing the scene or joining in with the accusing crowd.

Loving God, hold us close so we may move through the shadows, confront the darkness and rejoice in the surprising triumph of your stronger-than-death love. Through Jesus, we pray. Amen.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION April 01, 2007

Call us forth, O God, to tend the places of beauty long forgotten, to plant gardens in the deserts of hurt, to pick flowers of hope when others see only despair. Take us deep this Lent and let us discover some boldness for action, some rest for our weariness, some healing for our wounds. Let forgiveness flow like a gentle river, and let our tables overflow with bounty and friendship. Let memories linger like fragrant roses and our hearts be connected to the wellspring of your love and grace. God of all life, deepen our walk with you during these days of Lent. Amen.

L: Jesus gave the most extravagant gift of all - the offering of himself for us. Through this selfless gift, we are set free, and our sins are forgiven.

C: Thanks be to God!

We believe in Jesus Christ, God incarnate, who by the Spirit came through the water of human birth to bring grace and truth. We believe we must be born of water and of the Spirit. We believe that in baptism the community celebrates the gift of grace and our birth into life in the Spirit. We believe that Jesus was baptized by John in the water of the Jordan to fulfill all righteousness. We believe the children of Israel crossed into a new land through the waters of the Jordan, cleansed and set apart for service. We believe that in baptism we repent from sin and are washed and set apart in order to proclaim the mighty acts of God. We believe that Jesus Christ was a man who knew the tears of obedience and the sweat of suffering. We believe that following God often means to weep, if only for a time. We believe that in baptism the people of God drink the cup that Jesus drank and are baptized with his baptism. We believe that our Savior died on a cross, water mixed with blood gushing from his side. We believe that in this blood of the new covenant we are called to follow him. We believe that in baptism we are buried with Jesus.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH March 18, 2007

We believe in Jesus Christ, God incarnate, who by the Spirit came through the water of human birth to bring grace and truth. We believe we must be born of water and of the Spirit. We believe that in baptism the community celebrates the gift of grace and our birth into life in the Spirit. We believe that Jesus was resurrected and sits on a throne from which runs the river of the water of life. We believe that as Christ was raised by the glory of God, so we, too, can be raised to newness of life. We believe that in baptism the church is saved according to God's mercy, that we might become heirs of eternal life.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION March 11, 2007

Whose words echo in our ears? Are they the words of our consumer culture with catchy jingles and clever rhymes? Are they the words of our past, remembering every put-down, every angry word? Are they the words of our inner doubts where we hear that we will never amount to anything? Holy One, open our ears to your words. Let us find comfort for our need, hope for our future, challenge for our journey. Let us hear blessing and love enough to drown out the cheap temptations. Give us reassuring words to face our fears and follow Christ along the path to Calvary. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Unison)

L: Jesus gave the most extravagant gift of all - the offering of himself for us. Through this selfless gift, we are set free, and our sins are forgiven.

C: Thanks be to God!

PRAYER OF CONFESSION March 4, 2007

Divine Companion, you meet us every day, in the ordinary moments of encounter, in the common hungers of life. Yet, how often we miss you, failing to look deep enough, failing to stay long enough, failing to hear clear enough. We confess to setting up narrow boundaries, maintaining established prejudices, refusing to shift perceptions and thus miss the new thing you are doing. In this season of Lent, send your living water to wear away our rocklike defenses. Let our thirst for truth take us to the heart of God, to the healing river. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

L: Jesus gave the most extravagant gift of all - the offering of himself for us. Through this selfless gift, we are set free, and our sins are forgiven.

C: Thanks be to God!

PRAYER OF CONFESSION February 25, 2007

God of day and God of darkness, all our time belongs to you. Yet how often we fail to notice your nearness, feel your presence, trust your guidance. We desire only good times, happy moments, and miss your work in the shadows. We avoid conflict with others and fear looking deep within ourselves. Sometimes it feels we have no place left to run, no place left to hide. Loving God, hold us during these Lenten days so we can look at ourselves, our relationships, our openness to you. In brightness or darkness, let us always know your healing, freeing, guiding presence. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

L: God turns us around, opens our eyes, renews our faith, forgives our sins. We are truly blessed.

C: Thanks be to God!

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH February 18, 2007

We believe God is our shield, who saves the upright in heart. Our hearts shall rejoice in our salvation. We believe God has made a new covenant, as promised by his prophet, "I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” We believe that where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also. We believe that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. We believe that, according to the riches of his glory, God will grant that we may be strengthened in our inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith, as we are being rooted and grounded in love.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH February 11, 2007

We believe that there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. We believe that the gifts of the Spirit include faith, hope, and love; and that the greatest of these is love.
We believe that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We believe that if we live by the Spirit, we should also be guided by the Spirit, not becoming conceited, competing against one another, or envying one another. We believe that God is love ... we believe that perfect love casts out fear ... we believe we love because he first loved us.... We believe that the commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH January 7, 2007

We believe in God, who promises to be with us always, in all our seasons of life. We believe God wants to fill us with power so we may be witnesses to all the ends of the earth. We believe in the risen Christ, who shows that God's love is stronger than our fears, more enduring than our worries and deeper that our despair. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the hidden power of God, working for good, bringing hope, encouraging justice, building peace, promoting healing, creating joy. We believe God is at work in us and in this community of prayers and doers.