Love Consecrates the Humblest Act

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“Love Consecrates the Humblest Act,” ELW 360

Love consecrates the humblest act
and haloes mercy's deeds;
it sheds a benediction sweet
and hallows human needs.

When in the shadow of the cross
Christ knelt and washed the feet
of his disciples, he gave us
a sign of love complete.

Love serves and willing stoops to serve;
what Christ in love so true
has freely done for one and all,
let us now gladly do!

Jesus taught us exactly what it means to be a servant leader. Out of love he knelt down and washed the feet of his disciples; out of love he reached out to the outcast, the broken, the sick and the hungry. He gave himself as a servant and redefined greatness. We love as we have been loved; we serve as we have been served. As followers of Jesus, we claim that God can use our gifts to love and serve this world. Sometimes the needs might feel too great, the suffering we experience out of our love for others might threaten to overwhelm us. But always God is at work, restoring, renewing, bringing hope out of despair, life out of death.

We give you thanks, O God, that you are at work in our lives. Help us to love and serve this world. We give you thanks for the love made known to us in Jesus. Shape and mold us to be like him. Thank you for inviting us and empowering us to do your work with our hands. Amen.

Gayle Bintliff