Transforming, creator God, we celebrate and rejoice in your goodness and love this morning, knowing that as we come to you in worship, you desire to change us, to renew and transform each of us to be more like Jesus. We hear the words of Paul resonating with our hearts and desires.
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12: 1-2, NRSV)
O God, we confess that there are times when we fail to present ourselves as a “living sacrifice”, when we find our minds trapped by the perspectives and craziness of the world. Forgive us Father and renew our minds and hearts. Holy Spirit, give us courage to trust our lives to your leading, to live each moment, each day, in the awareness and power of your presence, allowing the love and grace of Jesus to come alive in and through us.
For those in our community who grieve and are hurting today, bring comfort and peace. Give patience and a spirit of hope to all who wait, whether for healing, answers to prayer, wisdom for tough decisions, or for the walls of hate and broken relationships to be torn down. God, transform lives and situations in ways that bring glory to your name. And God, if you choose to bring about that transformation by working through us as individuals, give us obedient hearts and the courage to be led by your Spirit.
God, we praise you for the calling you are birthing in the heart of the individual who will be the next pastor here at WMC. Grant to this individual a spirit of obedience, and bless our Search Committee and Church Leadership with holy wisdom and discernment.