This week we will be looking at the story of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 . . . AND we will be worshiping with board members from the Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests. (I wish I could say that I plan stuff like this–but I don’t.) Below is the call to worship and benediction that I have written for the service.

Call to Worship

We are here because we have heard rumors of God’s grace,
of Divine love poured out
on people of all colors
from all places
people of all classes
all abilities
all genders
all sexualities.
We have heard stories of this Jesus,
of Divine inclusion for former outcasts–
people who were confused
and unclean
and broken
and unwanted
and powerless
and searching.
We want to hear more of these stories.
We want to sing and shout and live these stories,
so that we might help spread this scandalous rumor
of Divine grace,
of boundary-less love.

Benediction

As you go from this place: may you live within the Creator’s divine grace; may you live out Jesus’ boundary-less love; may you live through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.