To long-time Lutherans, Christians from every tradition, and people new to the faith.
We welcome you
To all who have no church home, want to follow Christ, have doubts or do not believe.
We welcome you
To people of every age and size, color and culture, gender identity, sexual orientation, and marital status, ability, disability, and challenge.
We welcome you
To believers, questioners, and questioning believers.
This is a place where you are welcome to: celebrate and struggle, rejoice and recover.
AMEN
We acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Sana and Tonkawa peoples. It is also important to acknowledge that we are here today due to the exclusion and erasure of many indigenous people from their native land, including the land on which we stand today. We honor with gratitude the land itself and its original people.
Living Room Worship
Welcome to worship. God welcomes you here, as does this community. In tonight’s worship, you will be invited to offer a song, poem, essay, reflection, photograph, story, or letter around the theme of “grace” Be brave! We are all enriched by your sharing.
GATHERING SONG
Your Grace Is Enough
Verse 1
Great is Your faithfulness O God
You wrestle with the sinner’s restless heart
You lead us by still waters into mercy
And nothing can keep us apart
Pre-Chorus
(So) remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise O God
Chorus 1
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
Verse 2
Great is Your love and justice God of Jacob
You use the weak to lead the strong
You lead us in the song of Your salvation
And all Your people sing along
Chorus 2
Yeah Your grace is enough
Heaven reaches out to us
Your grace is enough for me
God I sing Your grace is enough
I’m covered in Your love
Your grace is enough for me for me
Matt Maher
CCLI Song #4477026
© 2003 Thankyou Music; spiritandsong.com
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License #20897483
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
lead me to that mountain place
of stronger light and sure sound
where I may see your glory.
Light and truth, bright as blinding snow,
whom Peter, James, and John saw,
“Bring me to your holy mountain,
to your dwelling place.” Amen.
Romans 3:19-28
Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, in order to shut every mouth and make it so the whole world has to answer to God. It follows that no human being will be treated as righteous in his presence by doing what the Law says, because the knowledge of sin comes through the Law.
But now God’s righteousness has been revealed apart from the Law, which is confirmed by the Law and the Prophets. God’s righteousness comes through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who have faith in him. There’s no distinction. All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, but all are treated as righteous freely by his grace because of a ransom that was paid by Christ Jesus. Through his faithfulness, God displayed Jesus as the place of sacrifice where mercy is found by means of his blood. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness in passing over sins that happened before, during the time of God’s patient tolerance. He also did this to demonstrate that he is righteous in the present time, and to treat the one who has faith in Jesus as righteous.
What happens to our bragging? It’s thrown out. With which law? With what we have accomplished under the Law? No, not at all, but through the law of faith. We consider that a person is treated as righteous by faith, apart from what is accomplished under the Law.
Time of Sharing
What is grace to you? How do you feel about not following rules to earn God’s love?
Prayers
Communion
LORD’S PRAYER
Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be 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.
Communion Hymn – Let Us Break Bread Together ELW 471
Announcements
Sending Song
Make a Difference
You gave your life to make a difference
You gave your life to make a change
You welcomed all to your table
You’re telling us to do the same
I want my life to make a difference
I want my life to make a change
I want my life to do some good here
I want my life to make a change
Working side by side no out or inside
together we can make that change
With a few or many with a lot or not any
together we can make that change
Chorus
Crossing the great divide
Joy and peace will abide
Together we can make that change
Jesus is our peace
All fighting will cease
Together we can make that change
Chorus
We’re the citizens with the saints
We’re the sunshine and the rain
We’re joy with the pain
We’re the change.
You healed the sick and fed the poor
You loved the prophet and whore
And through us you will do more
You’re the change!
Copyright:
2012 Kurtz, Rachel (Admin. by Rachel Kurtz May)
Blessing
In the coming week,
may you experience the presence of God with joy.
May the holy cloud comfort you.
May the divine voice encourage you.
May the power of the Spirit transform you,
transform us, transform our world. Amen.