At-Home Liturgy for Sunday Worship

You may use this liturgy alone, with family, or with friends.
Follow it word-for-word, or let it simply guide your time of prayer.
You are invited to move at a slow and restful pace.

Gathering

Good morning! As we are “invited” to stay home by winter conditions, I encourage you to dedicate some time to worship in your homes. This one is a little different—it’s a “choose what you need” liturgy. There are two paths—Wintery Reflection a reflection on winter snow with the book of Job that helps us see how the forced stop of winter helps us contemplate and find ourselves more rooted in God. The other, Gospel, Justice, and Lament names what happened in Minneapolis again this morning and, looking at the lectionary texts of Micah 6 and Matthew 4, asks “How do we respond faithfully to injustice and cruelty?” (Links will be below)

Choose whichever path you feel you need today. Don’t feel obliged to listen to one over the other, but choose to find time with God and listen for his voice.

Whatever is going on in your life, for today, rest well in the grace and peace of Jesus.
Know that he is present with you by his Spirit.
Find hope in his goodness.

If possible, light a candle, and let the flame remind you that the Spirit of God is present wherever you are.

Collect (pray slowly and with intention for this time)

Collect 90 from Book of Common Prayer, 2019

Gracious and Holy Father, please give us the intellect to understand you, reason to discern you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, a spirit to know you, a heart to meditate upon you, ears to hear you, eyes to see you, a tongue to proclaim you, a way of life pleasing to you, patience to wait for you, and perseverance to look for you. Grant us a perfect end, your holy presence, a blessed resurrection, and life everlasting. Amen.

Confession and Assurance

Leader:

Hear the good news:

If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
— 1 John 1:9

Private Reflection:
Open your life to God. Talk honestly about any area where you lack hope or trust, or anything you’re carrying in guilt or regret.

All pray together:

Most Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us,
that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Leader:

Grant to us your pardon and peace,
that we may be clear of great offense
and free in conscience to serve you with a quiet mind and a whole heart;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
with you and the Holy Spirit — one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Song of Praise

Sing or listen to a song that expresses gratitude and trust. YouTube Playlist Here
Suggested songs:

·       Winter Snow

·       Humble Heart

·       (or any song that helps you express gratitude)

Reading and Reflection

OPTION 1: Wintry Reflection

Read Job 36:24-28; then Job 37:1-13

Reflect  Elihu, who is speaking in Job 36-37, says that God’s sign is on the hand of all creatures when it snows. Animals go into their dens and lairs and remain there. They turn around and seek his guidance, whether for correction or love. What do you think this means?

Listen  Listen to our Wintry Reflection on our podcast

OPTION 2: Gospel, Justice, and Lament

Read Micah 6:8; then Matthew 4:12-17, 23-24

Reflect  In Matthew 4, Jesus is responding to news of John’s imprisonment. Do you think John’s imprisonment was just or a political maneuver by Herod, who John  was preaching against? What do you notice about what Jesus says and does after the news?

Listen  Listen to Justice, Gospel, and Lament on our podcast

Closing Prayer

Option 1:

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father,
you have brought us in safety to this new day:
Preserve us with your mighty power,
that we may not fall into sin,
nor be overcome by adversity;
and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Option 2:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring love.
Where there is offence, let me bring pardon.
Where there is discord, let me bring union.
Where there is error, let me bring truth.
Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.
Where there is despair, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, let me bring your light.
Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.
O Lord, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love,
for it is in giving that one receives,
it is in self-forgetting that one finds,
it is in forgiving that one is forgiven,
it is in dying that one awakens to eternal life.

Practice for the Week

Option for a spiritual practice today:
Address God, first by saying the things for which you love and praise him.

Address grievance or fear, honestly stating what is in your heart. He already knows, it’s good for you to say it.

Ask questions: “Where are you?” “What am I supposed to do?

Wrestle your way to faith: “Give me the grace to trust you. To know whether this is a moment to rest or act. Teach me to say with Jesus, “Into your hands I commit my spirit (my life and my future).”

(End of Liturgy)
You are invited to rest, reflect, and carry this peace with you into your week.