Gracious God,
We gather today to learn.
Open our hearts and minds
and soften our critiques
so that we can hear each other
and attend to our own growth.
Fill us with your grace
as we hear the prayers of this congregation:
[read aloud prayer cards]
Our prayers reflect our trust and our hope.
And for those sweet inexpressible moments
we offer up our thanks;
And for those agonizing moments of pain
we offer up our trust.
Hear us in our silent prayers.
[pause for silent prayer]
Our silence reflects our trust and our hope.
Remind us, O God,
that new every morning
is your love.
All day long it works for good in the world.
Stir up in us a desire to serve
and to live peaceably with our neighbors
as we devote our ways to walking
in the living traditions of Jesus.
As we learn from each other
and open ourselves to the disenfranchised
and care for the vulnerable.
Teach us to desire justice
and extend your grace.
Blessed Be.
Prayers of the People 