A Faith Story:
Responsive Reading:
Leader: What are your dreams, people of God?
People: To be filled with laughter;
to cry with joy, not with sorrow.
Leader: What are your hopes, people of God?
People: To be free of the chains that bind us;
to shout with thanksgiving, not with anguish.
Leader: Rejoice, people of God; here and now,
God makes our hopes and dreams come true.
Scripture:
Psalm 119: 25-40 (Msg)
I’m feeling terrible—I couldn’t feel worse!
Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember?
When I told my story, you responded;
train me well in your deep wisdom.
Help me understand these things inside and out
so I can ponder your miracle-wonders.
My sad life’s dilapidated, a falling-down barn;
build me up again by your Word.
Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;
grace me with your clear revelation.
I choose the true road to Somewhere,
I post your road signs at every curve and corner.
I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me;
God, don’t let me down!
I’ll run the course you lay out for me
if you’ll just show me how.
33-40 God, teach me lessons for living
so I can stay the course.
Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—
my whole life one long, obedient response.
Guide me down the road of your commandments;
I love traveling this freeway!
Give me a bent for your words of wisdom,
and not for piling up loot.
Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,
invigorate me on the pilgrim way.
Affirm your promises to me—
promises made to all who fear you.
Deflect the harsh words of my critics—
but what you say is always so good.
See how hungry I am for your counsel;
preserve my life through your righteous ways!
Responsive Prayer:
Leader: Let us worship the Triune God.
People: Let us worship the One
who spoke in the beginning
and created something out of nothing.
Leader: Let us worship the Triune God.
People: Let us worship the One
who took on the clothing of humanity
to set those who were oppressed free.
Leader: Let us worship the Triune God.
People: Let us worship the One
whose Spirit rests continually upon us,
calling us from sorrow-filled endings
to bright new beginnings.
Reading/Prayer:
The deeper the darkness
the brighter the light shines.
For love refuses
to be extinguished by despair.
Resilience and hope cannot be quenched
while the light of love burns steadily,
fueled by courage and by compassion
Look for the light
and there you will find love
Spotify Playlist of Songs: