Call
to Confession
We do not stop enough to listen to the still-speaking God.
And like the people of Jerusalem long ago,
we often misunderstand the Spirit’s movement among us.
In the silence and stillness of this moment,
let us draw near to God and listen.
[silence]
Let us confess together:
We confess to you, Renewing
Spirit,
that we confuse unity with uniformity,
and diversity with divisiveness.
We speak and behave as if being a part of your family
means assimilating others to our way of living.
We deny and destroy the beauty you created in each
person.
We long to change these patterns, O Creator,
but we do not know how.
Teach us to value challenge.
Help us to see strength in difference.
And empower us to build your kingdom in creativity and
love. Amen.
Assurance
of God’s Love
Hear the good news!
God’s Spirit has been poured out upon all flesh,
and we have been made one.
We are no longer scattered or divided,
but gathered together to build up the kingdom on this earth.
Thanks be to God!
~
from Come, Let Us Build, written by
Rev. Mary Nelson Abbott. Posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways Archive. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/year-c/p/pentecost-sunday.html
