Prayer

Opening Doors of Mercy

March 2016

“Mercy that Lives in the Gospel”

All Are Welcome

Marty Haugen

Let us build a house
where love can dwell
And all can safely live,
A place where
saints and children tell
How hearts learn to forgive.

Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
Rock of faith and vault of grace;
Here the love of Christ shall end divisions;
All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where prophets speak,
And words are strong and true,
Where all God's children dare to seek
To dream God's reign anew.

Here the cross shall stand as witness
And as a symbol of God's grace;
Here as one we claim the faith of Jesus;
All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where all are named,
their songs and visions heard
and loved and treasured, taught and claimed
as words within the Word.

Built of tears and cries and laughter,
prayers of faith and songs of grace,
let this house proclaim from floor to rafter;

All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.

All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.

Prayer

Together:

God of mercy,
you call each of us by name

to know and follow you.

Amidst the distractions of our world,
may we recognize your voice
and answer your summons.

May we trust that like Zacchaeus,
you will gather us to you,
receiving us in infinite mercy.

Grant that enlivened by this grace,
we too may be bold witnesses
of your love, mercy and forgiveness,
inspiring in others a desire
for faithful discipleship and holiness.

Amen