Can These Bones Live – katyandtheword

Call to Worship

God you know our questions before we even ask them, we are struggling this year, can these bones live, only you know

And you reassure us, saying that you will send us the Word we need

Give us the word of Hope, we need

Come let us gather around the Word of the Lord

Confession: God, we confess that we do not know if these bones can live. Sometimes, we cannot even ask the questions about resurrection. We are too busy struggling along. We confess that we are weary to bone. Weary of the evils of the weary, weary of injustice, weary of illness, weary of sorry. We confess that we forget to ask for hope. Forgive us, and teach us to see and know that you are already at work in the world. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon: Jesus Christ is the Hope of the World, assuring us of the truth that we can tell one another: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven

Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God, the struggle is real, because you are already here, making things happen. Remind us of your presence, from our first breath. Inspire us with your Holy Spirit, and encourage us as we need it we pray. Amen.

Hymns: See Advent Candle Suggestions

Children: Read Emily Dickon’s Hope is a many feathered Thing Poem. Discuss what kids Hope for.

More resources.

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God,

I’m thinking a lot this October,

about how sweet and innocent I was over the summer.

How I thought it would be all downhill this fall.

How we would be older, and wiser, and vaccinated.

And I must confess that the reality is not really living up to the dream Lord.

I really have to stop being in survival mode–because I can’t sustain that anymore.

So one of these days, I’m going to sit down, and figure out

what October 2021 means–

even as October 2021 marches on,

and I have to look at my phone real quick to double check

are we in 2022 yet? Am I wrong? are we in 2021? I’m still confused about time God.

So here’s a prayer God, to get out of survival mode, and into resurrection mode.

Can these bones live Lord? I say to the Halloween decorations, as I spread out

the skeletons and spiders in yard, and buy enough candy for one of the few safe holidays to celebrate

Can these bones live Lord? As I pray and pray

and pray and pray and pray for 5-11 vaccines, so that we can finally get

down to the brass tacks of baby vaccinations.

Can these bones live, Lord?

As I think of the two years lost in the ministry, the wise saints who have gotten older

the families that have gotten more worn down,

the community that has huddled closer over the last 18 months.

But they are good bones of ministry, I think fiercely,

And we are doing good things, as we brave the elements to worship ouside,

as we pray and take care of those in our congregation who are sick

these are the bones of ministry I think as our deacons keep in touch with our far flung families,

and our Sunday School teacher bravely starts a new ministry

Can these bones live?

You know God….

Meanwhile, I think I’ll concentrate on the plan of getting through October

–Thanks for letting me do it one day at a time God—

and thank you for October.

Amen.

Tag: Can These Bones Live

Advent 1 Full of Prophesy/Life Narrative Lectionary Year 4

October: A Prayer