Meditation for Worship: August 2, 2009 "Seven Ones"

Texts:

Psalm 78:23-29
Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15,
John 6:24-35

Sermon text: Ephesians 4:1-16


Lord God,

We live in a broken world
Our own lives are shattered.
And our churches have fractured,

But you tell us “There is one body”

We are advised to seek enlightenment,
To rebel and proclaim our autonomy,
While at the same time we worship throngs of celebrities.

But you tell us “there is one Spirit”

We are urged to pursue whatever we desire,
Stake our claim and set our course by it,
Only to have it fade, crumble and perish beneath our touch.

But you tell us “There is one Hope.”

We reject contradictions in math and science but
Embrace them as profundities when it comes to religion;
We are blown about by every wind of teaching;
Skeptical that there can be anything that is Real or True or Good

But you tell us “there is one faith”

We insist that the best way to know you is privately,
Apart from rituals and institutions.
We maintain that water, and wheat and wine
Are elements unable to contain your Mystery

But you tell us “there is one baptism”

We were stunned when Jesus not only told, us but showed us:
“There is one God and Father of all,” and that he was One with You.

So now we unite to worship You:
Father who is over all,
Son who is through all
Spirit who is in all.

Lord God, build us up, that we might do the work you have for us.