SERVICE

Eternal God, our Father, we are here before you, each of us separately and all of us together because we are His children. It is too good to be true that you are saying to us now, "Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest"; "Behold I stand at the door and knock; if any man will open the door, I will come in". It is hard to accept the assurance that we are accepted--that we can only come just as we are. But we know that others have come, and have been welcomed, pardoned, cleansed, relieved--and released for witness and service in the world.

May there be according to thine own way and plan a drawing of the Holy Spirit toward the center of your love and power. We remember in your marvelous universe that our astronauts left the pull of the gravity of the earth and came within the pull of the gravity of the moon. May your power enable us to leave the pull of our own sinful, selfish nature, and come under the pull of the Holy Spirit toward you and other people who need us.

Now, O Lord, this time of worship is in your hands. Help us not to try to take it out of your hands--rather help us to open our own hands in supplication--ready to receive your gift--and then, having received, ready to go, ready to stay, ready my place to fill; ready for service lowly or great, ready to do your will.

We ask it all in the name that is above every name, the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen