Isaiah 49: 8-15; Psalm 145: 8-18; John 5: 17-30

answering
your call
we pass
from death
to life
knowing
we are more
than flesh
and blood
earth
and stone
but Spirit
that raises us
to love
and kindness
caring
and compassion
restoring
a world
setting us
free
we rejoice!
we give thanks!
we sing!

Have you been set free?

Ez 47: 1-12; Psalm 46: 2-9; John 5: 1-6

we are
your living
water
flowing
from the love
of your
sanctuary
our refuge
and strength
in time
of distress
we live
in your presence
and rise
and walk
with you

What do you say when Jesus says, “Do you want to be well?”

Isaiah 65: 17-21; Psalm 30: 2-13; John 4: 43-54

in the dawn
you are there
our helper
who changed
our mourning
into dancing
we follow
as a new heaven
and new earth
are created
the past
left behind
with all of
our tears
living
in this place
of hope
and love
we rejoice
and give thanks
for the miracle
of life

Can you leave the past behind?
Do you see a new heaven and a new earth?

2 Chron 36:14-17,19-23; Ps. 137: 1-6; Eph 1: 4-10; John 3: 14-21)

light of God
gift
for eyes of darkness
to see
the truth
revealed
that ALL is gift
to us
and for those
who seek love
an answer
a Son
raised up…
returning
from our exile of
infidelity
having been lulled
to forgetfulness
we remember
as the call
to hearts
from God
is heard…
nothing earned
only the purity
of love
that is not currency
but grace
fills and inspires
our works
that live in
the light of God.

Do you believe that all is gift?
Do you let God’s light into your darkness?

Hosea 6:1-6; Psalm 51:3-4,18-10, 20-21; Luke 18:9-14

we stand
in opinion
above another
proclaiming
a righteousness
we deem
our own
unaware
it is our humility
that brings us
home
knowing
our frailty
and our need
we open
to God’s presence
and love
Holy Spirit
and guide
we find
our way

Do you see your need?

Dt 4: 1, 5-9; Psalm 147: 12-20; Matthew 5: 17-19

He comes
to fulfill
a law
written
in statues
and stone
to one
that lives
in hearts
of flesh
breath
and bone
Spirit
of love
once given
to a chosen few
now
lives in
all

Where does God live in you?

Dn 3:25,34-43; Psalm 25:4-0; Matthew 18:21-35

our hearts
troubled
by the ways
of the world
we look to God
and are answered
by the Holy Spirit
who lifts us up
we remember
the ways
of kindness
goodness
compassion
and truth
always merciful
to the contrite heart
we forgive
as we are forgiven
and embrace
the Light

Where do you look when your heart is troubled?

2Kings 5: 1-5; Psalm 42: 2,3; 43: 3-4; Luke 4: 24-30

blinded
by familiarity
wealth
and power
yet longing
for healing
and thirsting
for the living God
we dare
to enter
our poverty
relinquishing
all
entering
the light
and love
of God
seeing
God’s face
we are healed
and sing
in our gladness
and joy

Do you dare relinquish all for the mystery of God’s love?

Exodus 20: 1-17; Psalm 19: 8-11; 1Cor 1:2-25; John 2:13-25

Christ crucified
God’s folly
to we who long for
power and wealth
signs and wisdom
yet hearts swept clean
see His death
reveals
the true temple
of God
not made
of human hands
but the Spirit of God
in love
forged in human flesh
and beating heart
do we dare
believe
who we are
law revealed
in Spirit
setting us free
to love God
to love one another
above all
freed from the marketplace
freed from lies
freed from murder
freed from stealing
freed from unfaithfulness
eyes ever fixed on
Christ crucified
love beyond
our greatest fear
of death
we hear the words
of everlasting life.

What do you hear in God’s law?
What do you see in Christ crucified?

Micah 7: 14-20; Psalm 103: 1-12; Luke 15: 1-32

lost
from our
squandering
we return
with a servant’s hope
yet find
instead
the wide embrace
of love
that pardons
and heals
and crowns us
with kindness
and compassion
even as it
offends
the self-righteous
nothing
can stop
its flow

Does your God delight in mercy and forgiveness?