"Travel Light"

Our Prayer of Confession

Gracious and loving God, forgive us and do help us. We do not have the wisdom to help ourselves and yet, we keep attempting to live as if we did. When the good we have known crumbles beneath our feet and we are afraid to move forward, stuck in our hopelessness and self-pity, do carry us into the future. Help us find those acceptable alternative paths, those open doorways that will lead us to healing and reconciliation. When we cannot hide or claim immunity from the sins, the brokenness all around us because some of it is also part of who we are, we cry out to you for your gracious mercy and love. Restore us. We confess we find it much easier to complain, even in our despair, than accept your love and forgiveness, or the help of others. Help us both receive and give your love. Help us see the good.  Help us be part of the good in your world. Open our hearts and minds as we journey together to a new beginning, especially now.  Grateful for your faithfulness and for the love of your redeeming Son, we pray. Amen.

Our scripture today is from Mark, chapter 6 verses 7-12 from the Common English Bible.

7 He called for the Twelve and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority over unclean spirits. 8 He instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a walking stick—no bread, no bags, and no money in their belts. 9 He told them to wear sandals but not to put on two shirts. 10 He said, "Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave that place. 11 If a place doesn't welcome you or listen to you, as you leave, shake the dust off your feet as a witness against them." 12 So they went out and proclaimed that people should change their hearts and lives.

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

All: Thanks be to God.