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Meditation: “What will we learn in the wilderness?” Pastor Nancy Centering Meditation Pastor Riva

Meditation: “Who should be the first or last?” Pastor Riva Centering Meditation Pastor Nancy Gracious and forgiving God God of the “bigger table”, Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit We give…

Meditation “Forgiven, therefore Forgive” Pastor Riva Centering Meditation Pastor Nancy Gracious God, Holy One, Ever-living community -- Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit Your presence is healing and hopeful, yet, at…

Meditation: "The Real Church" Pastor Riva (see notes for text of sermon) Centering Meditation: Pastor Nancy Victorin-Vangerud Gracious and most merciful God, God of many names, We each bear your…

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Meditation: What's in a Name (for printed copy, see the "Notes" download) Centering Meditation: (bell 3X) Gracious and compassionate God Your mercy is for all--wide and deep and sustaining. From…

Meditation: "God's Mercy is for ALL"

Centering Prayer: Intro: In these times of troubled waters, we give thanks that we can open our hearts to God in prayer. (bell 3X) Gracious God, Divine community of Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit We give you thanks that through the eons of time and space Your passion for relationship has brought forth the myriad of life, yet the mystery of this one single day. Thank you that we are alive to see it, to be in it, to be of it, in relation with all those sharing the gift of this day, the gift of creation. We give thanks for the moments of beauty in these summer days-- brilliant flowers along sidewalks, monarchs and goldfinches winging in air, of tomatoes and cucumbers ripening on the vine, and the voices of all ages playing together. We confess that too often we start the day with good intent, but the impact of what we do and say complicates and even hurts others and ourselves as well. Enliven us to seek forgiveness from those we have hurt, and help us make amends. (bell) God of kindness and holiness, We pray for divine grace as we continue to be church in this pandemic, recognizing our grief, even our anger, yet finding kindness and goodwill instead of complaints, for our fellow members in ministry. Inspire us in times of closed building to realize your church-in-the-world as we grow new relationships with our neighbors. May we open our hearts to the widening wisdom of your Holy Spirit in creating open places at the tables of our congregational and community life. Help us see the common good as we wear facial coverings and keep physical distance with others. We acknowledge how hard these days can be for our mental health, chronic conditions, addictions, and aloneness. We pray for those missing hugs, a tender smile, and friendly companionship. May we be sensitive to others' wellbeing, while also learning new ways to care for ourselves. We remember in our prayers beloved ones facing surgery, medical tests, and extended recovery. We hold in our hearts members of our congregation grieving the loss of spouses, partners, and family members. Especially this day, we pray for Merle Jacobson and his family as they grieve the loss of Merle’s and Kay’s great-grandson, Gabriel. (bell) We pray for civic leaders and volunteers in Columbia Heights and beyond, who are organizing for voter engagement, registration and serving at the polls. May we live from the deep well of peace rather than triggered by fear and mistrust, as we lean into our civic responsibilities at this election time. In our “great world house,” (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.), we join with many global peoples in remembering the 75th commemoration of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the closure of the war in the Pacific theater. We also pray for people and nations coping with surging storms, floods, and overwhelmed healthcare systems-- for the people of Bangladesh, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and states along the Atlantic coast. We further lift up the tragic losses from the explosion in Beirut, Lebanon-- for families grieving loved ones, healing of the injured, sheltering of those without homes and shops, and humanitarian efforts in response. How our hearts are heavy with so much destruction and suffering. This is why we continue to turn to you, O God, in prayer, joining together using the prayer Jesus taught: Our (Creator/God/Mother/Father*) in heaven, Holy is your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. *Please use whichever name connects you deeply to the Divine.

This is a week for Communion. Please prepare your bread and cup for the service.  

Meditation Title: "Maya's Treasure"