Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Lutheran Seminary's God Pause "Moved by the Promise" for Sunday, 7 September 2014 - "God, When Human Bonds are Broken" ELW 603

Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Lutheran Seminary's God Pause "Moved by the Promise" for Sunday, 7 September 2014 - "God, When Human Bonds are Broken" ELW 603
1. God! when human bonds are broken
and we lack the love or skill
to restore the hope of healing,
give us grace and make us still.
2. Through that stillness with your Spirit 
come into our world of stress,
for the sake of Christ forgiving
all the failures we confess.
3. You in us are bruised and broken: 
hear us as we seek release
from the pain of earlier living;
set us free and grant us peace.
4. Send us, God of new beginnings,
humbly hopeful into life;
use us as a means of blessing:
make us stronger, give us faith.
5. Give us faith to be more faithful, 
give us hope to be more true, 
give us love to go on learning: 

God! Encourage and renew!
The reality of human relationships is that we will step on each other's toes and we will inevitably do harm to one another, no matter how hard we work at healthy connections. Naming this reality and bringing it to light in all of our interactions with one another allows for the love and healing of God to occur. Jesus Christ, God incarnate, entered into our very messy human existence so as to point the way for reconciliation, peace and hope. 
Wherever there is division, Jesus crosses the border to bring wholeness. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus removed any barrier that keeps us from God and from one another. We live in this hope and joy that when we bruise and bump into one another, God is present with mercy, forgiveness and love for us all. May we live our daily lives sharing this good news with our neighbors and the whole world! Thanks be to God!
God, we are continually amazed that you joined us here on earth to show us your love, care and desire to never be separated from your people. We are called to cross borders, break down boundaries and bring wholeness to all times and places. May we offer the same hope and joy that you offer all of creation through the resurrection of your son Jesus Christ. Amen.
Brigett Weier
Englewood, Colo. 
Master of Divinity , 2012
____________________________