The following originally appeared as part of "Grounded and Growing—Bearing Fruit Week 7: Gentleness."
Call to Confession
When God extends to us these invitations—to rest, to come to him, to lay our burdens down—do we listen? All too often we run about, busy and frantic, unwilling to let go of control, certain that if we open our clenched fists, everything will fall apart. We are prone to wander indeed.
But God’s invitation remains the same, steady, always there amidst our busyness: Come to me. I will give you rest.
Let us turn to God and confess our lack of trust, but also our need for the steady presence of God.
Prayer of Confession
Shepherding God,
we hear your invitations to rest
and it's hard not to scoff.
Slowing down seems so impossible.
There are too many demands on our time
and too many problems for us to solve.
If we put our feet up, this life we’ve built for ourselves will crumble.
But we’re tired, God,
and we know we can’t love our best when we’re so busy.
We’ve yelled at our spouses and snapped at our kids.
We’ve spoken poorly of our colleagues to deflect attention
from our own failing job performance.
We haven’t been gentle, God, with ourselves and with each other.
We confess our prideful need for control
and the sharp edges we’ve developed as a result.
Soften us, God.
Help us trust that you are near, that you hold all things in your hands,
that we can rest in you. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon & Response of Praise
Hear these comforting words:
Nothing in all of creation can separate us
from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
By his love we are forgiven, and in his love we can rest.
People of God, be at peace.
God has made you holy and whole.
His grace is enough for you.
Song of Thanksgiving
“Jesus Strong and Kind” Robinson et al.
Passing of the Peace
Since God has forgiven us,
let us also forgive one another
and live in peace with our neighbor.
In the gentleness of the good shepherd,
let us extend Christ’s peace to one another.
Revised Common Lectionary
Year A: Season after Pentecost—Proper 9 (14)
