Sabbath: That Would Be Enough
On the Sabbath, we are instructed to "rest as if the work is done." True rest comes out of a posture of trusting in God's abundance. There is always enough...enough to eat, enough to sustain us, enough to bring healing. To rest on the Sabbath in the "enough" of God is also to participate in the opening up of rest for all who long for it, all who seek healing, justice, and peace. Our enough (found in Sabbath practice) allows the followers of Jesus to be liberators of those who do not yet have enough.
Hymns
- O Day of Rest and Gladness – GTG #393
- To God Be the Glory – GTG #634
- O God You Are My God – GTG #743
OPENING WORDS
O give thanks to the Lord, call on God’s name,
make known God’s deeds among the peoples.
Sing to God, sing praises to the Lord;
tell of all God’s wonderful works.
Glory in God’s holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Seek the Lord and God’s strength;
seek God’s presence continually.
Remember the wonderful works the Lord has done,
God’s miracles, and the judgments the Lord uttered,
O offspring of God’s servant Abraham,
children of Jacob, the Lord’s chosen ones.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Lord of wind and waves, creation and creatures, your power is at work everywhere, stilling the storms, offering peace, lifting us up from the depths of our greatest fears. You come to us immediately when we call and yet we still lack faith in your ability and will to work within and around us. We get distracted and afraid, focused on that which threatens us rather than the One who saves us. We act out of a sense of scarcity as if there is not enough of God’s love, grace, and abundant goodness for everyone. In our anxiousness we hurt those entrusted to our care, we injure the earth we are to steward and we fail to tend your sheep. Forgive our failings and mistakes and in your mercy reform us into the people you call us to be, those blessed to be a blessing. Amen.
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