"Make A Wish"

Our Prayer of Confession for Pentecost Sunday

Almighty and merciful God, we know that when we offend another, we offend you. We also know that we have allowed the shadow of hate to cloud our souls…far too often, hiding your light from our unseeking eyes. We have said unpleasant and hurtful things to, and about our brothers and sisters. O loving God, forgive us. Grant that we might find that spark of love that ever burns within us, your love and Spirit that empowers us, even today. Fan the embers of that love, O God, until it roars again in flames of love, peace and reconciliation. Use that love to transform us. Do forgive us for our missteps and mistakes, our selfishness and our tribalism. Help us forgive those who have harmed us. Lead us all into new life, through your Son Jesus.  Amen.

Our scripture today is from Philippians, chapter 4 verses 4-9 and 12-13 from the Common English Bible.

4 Be glad in the Lord always! Again I say, be glad! 5 Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all people. The Lord is near. 6 Don't be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. 7 Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus. 8 From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise. 9 Practice these things: whatever you learned, received, heard, or saw in us. The God of peace will be with you.

12 I know the experience of being in need and of having more than enough; I have learned the secret to being content in any and every circumstance, whether full or hungry or whether having plenty or being poor. 13 I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength.

This is the word of God for a people of God.

All: Thanks be to God.