Centering Practice
We invite you to slow down, breathe, and connect with God, each other, and yourself. Begin by closing our eyes and taking several slow, deep breaths. At our retreat, we are recentering ourselves & our church around the dreams of God. Today’s centering practice is adapted from Cole Arthur Riley of Black Liturgies:
- Inhale: God, awaken my soul to beauty
- Exhale: I will dream again
Call to Worship
Like clay on a wheel, God forms us.
We are created — and re-created,
as the Artist imagines & shapes us.
Our story is still being written
by the creative Author of Life.
May we learn to dream with God.
Amen.
Worship Songs
Great Things
Come let us worship our King
Come let us bow at His feet
He has done great things
See what our Savior has done
See how His love overcomes
He has done great things
He has done great things
O Hero of Heaven
You conquered the grave
You free every captive and break every chain
O God, You have done great things
We dance in Your freedom, awake and alive
O Jesus, our Savior, Your name lifted high
O God, You have done great things
You’ve been faithful through every storm
You’ll be faithful forevermore
You have done great things
And I know You will do it again
For Your promise is “Yes and amen”
You will do great things
God, You do great things
Great Are You Lord
You give life
You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope
You restore
every heart that is broken
And great are You, Lord
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
To You only
All the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
Prayer of Confession
O God, giver of all good dreams,
How precious is Your steadfast love.
In Your light, we see light.
We confess that our vision is too small;
even in our dreams, we’re afraid.
Renew in us Your dreams of love & grace.
Hear us, O God, we pray:
— Moment of silent prayer —
Your righteousness is like mighty mountains;
Your justice is like the great deep.
May we flow in the river of Your dreams.
Amen.
Assurance of God’s Love
Prayers of the People
Take a moment to pray in triads. Please find people you haven’t had the chance to pray for or connect with yet at our retreat!
Offering Prayer
Announcements
- Thanks for worshiping with us today! We hope you experience meaningful connection with God and others in our community. If you’re visiting for the first time today, we’d love to get to know you better. Please take home a visitor’s card with QR code so that we can stay in touch & build a relationship!
- Women’s Bible Study: This Friday, September 26th in person!
- Office Space: Please join us in prayer as we look to establish an ongoing presence in the Mira Mesa area — and keep an eye out!
- Community Connections: Let’s pray for and build up our connections with neighbors and our broader community! Please prayerfully consider asking a friend to visit our church and keep the Mira Mesa Street Fair (Sat, 10/4) in prayer!
Passing of the Peace
Let’s greet each other at this time!
Family Praise
Blessing of the Children
Worship Song
Here For You
Let our praise be Your welcome
Let our songs be a sign
We are here for You, we are here for You
Let Your breath come from heaven
Fill our hearts with Your life
We are here for You, we are here for You
To You our hearts are open
Nothing here is hidden
You are our one desire
You alone are holy
Only You are worthy
God, let Your fire fall down
Let our shout be Your anthem
Your renown fill the skies
We are here for You, we are here for You
Let Your Word move in power
Let what’s dead come to life
We are here for You, we are here for You
Scripture Reading
Luke 14:15-24
15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’
19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’
20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’
23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”
Isaiah 2:3-5
3 Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
5 Come, descendants of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
The Dreams of God
Pastor Dan
Worship Song
Canvas & Clay
In my mother’s womb
You formed me with Your hands
Known and loved by You
Before I took a breath
When I doubt it, Lord, remind me
I’m wonderfully made
You’re an artist and a potter
I’m the canvas and the clay
You make all things work together
For my future and for my good
You make all things work together
For Your glory and for Your name
There’s a healing light
Just beyond the clouds
Though I’ve walked through fire
I see clearly now
I know nothing has been wasted
No failure or mistake
You’re an artist and a potter
I’m the canvas and the clay
Anchor & Hope Church 