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Sermon: The Constant Gardener–Confronting our own Sin – Hosea 10:12-13, Galatians 6:7-10, Matthew 7:15-20

May 9, 2021

This is where the image of God as a Constant Gardener comes in. God knows every stupid thing we’ve planted. God knows what kind of fruit we are eating, and the effect it is having on us. Unfortunately there is no such thing as spiritual Roundup, that blasts everything evil out of our lives, that withers the sin in us instantly. No magic answers. Jesus is a Saviour with his hands in the dirt, our dirt. God is willing to be a Constant Gardener, helping us with the digging, the rooting around, the ripping out, the discarding.

Tender Benediction

May 7, 2021

Go into your week,
knowing that you are embraced by the love of God;
a love that is sweeter and more tender
than any you have ever known.

God our Mother: Mother’s Day Prayer

May 7, 2021

Loving God, we give thanks today for mothers!
Thank you for mothers who gave birth to us,
and women who have treated us as their own children.
Thank you for good mothers,
cherishing and protecting the children among us.
This pandemic year has been particularly challenging for mothers
who have had to cope with more togetherness, and less support.
Help them mother lovingly, fairly, wisely and with great joy.

Mother’s Day Call to Worship

May 7, 2021

And Jesus said, “Come!”
To all mothers and all children: he said, “Come!”
to the motherless and the childless: he said, “Come!”
to all who long to be mothered: he said, “Come!
Come unto me all you who labour and are heavy-laden,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble of heart
and you will find rest for your souls.”

Kingdom of Kindness Call to Worship

May 7, 2021

Proverbs 16:7 and
God of grace:
We have come to worship for a glimpse
of your kingdom of kindness,
a world where love rules over all,
a world where enemies embrace,
a world where the distinctions between friend and foe
evaporate in the light of your love.
Knowing you have the power to transform us,
we give our lives over to you,
body, soul, mind, spirit.
In Jesus’ name, Amen

Crossroads Offering Prayer

May 7, 2021

Every time we come to the moment of offering,
it’s a crossroads.
There is an inner struggle between selfishness and generosity,
a pull between fear of the future and belief in God’s providence.
We give our offering this morning, God,
stepping out in faith down the road of grace.
We do this together, as your people,
called and sent to be a blessing for all the world.
In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Benediction: Pitched, Peeled and Poised

May 6, 2021

Go into your week

with your ears pitched

to the sound of God’s voice calling your name.

Go into your week

with your eyes peeled

for the face of Jesus in unexpected places.

Go into your week

with your soul poised

to receive the Spirit of God,

the Spirit of Peace.

Labour of Love Congregational Prayer

May 5, 2021

Labouring God, the sea and sky are your work,
every hill and plain, every valley and cliff
fashioned by your hands.
Towering trees and creeping plants,
blossoms, sweet and rare or common as dandelions,
all created by you.
The creatures are your opus,
every fin, paw, wing and hand,
all that runs, swims, soars and wriggles,…

Our Weekly Deposit Offering Prayer

May 4, 2021

God, it’s a small gesture;
pulling bills out of our pockets, writing a cheque,
arranging an etransfer.
It makes no sound as it drops into the offering plate,
or wings its way through cyberspace.
But it is the sound of our hearts opening,
giving you the fruit of our labour.
It is our collective offering of love,
a weekly deposit in the account of your faithfulness.
We do this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

About Carol Penner

I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.

I love to write and to lead worship! If you are finding my writing helpful, I would love to hear from you! Feel free to use or adapt the material here, it is all written by me. If printing material, please credit “Copyright Carol Penner www.leadinginworship.com” (and say whether you modified it). If publishing, please contact me for permission. Contact me at carol@leadinginworship.com

Sermon: The Constant Gardener–Confronting our own Sin – Hosea 10:12-13, Galatians 6:7-10, Matthew 7:15-20

Tender Benediction

God our Mother: Mother’s Day Prayer

Mother’s Day Call to Worship

Kingdom of Kindness Call to Worship

Crossroads Offering Prayer

Benediction: Pitched, Peeled and Poised

Labour of Love Congregational Prayer

Our Weekly Deposit Offering Prayer

About Carol Penner

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