Prayer
Holy God, grant us the beginning of wisdom
and love to cast out every fear:
that we may grow more brave,
more ready to hear,
more ready to obey.
Amen.
Old Testament Reading - The mighty shepherd

9O crier of good news, shout to Jerusalem from the mountaintops! Shout louder — don’t be afraid — tell the cities of Judah, “Your God is coming!” 10Yes, the Lord God is coming with mighty power; he will rule with awesome strength. See, his reward is with him, to each as he has done. 11He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will carry the lambs in his arms and gently lead the ewes with young.
. . . . . Isaiah 40:9-11You did not choose me but I chose you;*
and I appointed you to go out and bear fruit,
the fruit that shall last.
Confession
Yet as we consider our days, we confess:
Father, we fail to trust your goodness and might.
Jesus, we don’t live with you as our King.
Spirit, we doubt your work in this world.
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Silence
God forgives us, God sustains us.
We are being transformed by love.
Peace and grace are here.
We walk on
We walk on together to more truth,
More justice, more love.
Your Kingdom come on earth as in heaven.
Amen.