Becoming human: Shaped by thirst         March 27, 2011

WE GATHER
                  Leader:          As a deer longs for flowing streams,
                  People:         so our souls long for you, O God.
                  Leader:         Our souls thirst for you, the living God.
                  People:         When shall we come and behold the face of God?
                  All:       Our tears have been our food day and night.
                  Leader:         Why are you cast down, o my soul, and why are you disquieted within me?
                  All:             Hope in God; for we shall again praise God, our help and our God.

         STJ 49    Rain Down
         Confession
                  Lord, we long for living water. We thirst for life.
                           And yet,
                                    we have drunk deeply of resentment;
                                             we have savored self-centeredness.
                  We confess to the Lord . . . (silent prayer)

Today, O God,
                  let us hear your voice.
                  Give us this living water
                  so we may never thirst again. Amen.

         HWB 493 I heard the voice of Jesus s ay (verse 2, sung twic e)

WE HEAR GOD'S WORD
         A time for all God's children: Scripture: Exodus 17: 1-7
         Reflection on w ater and t hirst
                  HWB 495 O let all who thirst
         An invitation to drink
                  HWB 515 Jesus, Rock of Ages

WE RESPOND
         Sharing our gifts and our lives
         Benediction
                  Leader: Like water poured out on a thirsty land,
                  People: May the Lord pour out the Holy Spirit on us.
                  Leader: May we blossom with new life.
                  All:               May we bring refreshment and joy to others. Amen.

Reflections on Water and Thirst taken from: National Geographic, April 2010; Ambrose of Milan/fourth century; John 4: 1-42; Psalm 63:1; Revelation 21:6; Byzantine vespers; Sojourners, April 2011; and Janet Morely.