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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 98)

L: O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things.
P: The LORD has made known his victory; all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
L: He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
P: Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
L: Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it.
All: Let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the LORD, for he is coming to judge the earth.

 

Invocation / Call to Worship

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!

The grace of our risen Savior, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

Let us pray. O God, form the minds of your faithful people into a single will. Make us love what you command and desire what you promise, that, amid all the changes of this world, our hearts may be fixed where true joy is found; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

  

Prayer of Confession

Giver of all life, you call us into a relationship of love with you and with our fellow human beings. We confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart, that we have not loved our neighbor as ourself. Forgive us, we pray, and empower us so we may love you more than everything else, you who have loved us first. Let us seek to love you in receiving and serving, in our going out and our going in. Free us for a life in joyful obedience and commitment to you, our neighbor, and our world. May your love inspire and infuse our everyday lives. In Jesus name. Amen.

 

Prayer of Thanks for God's Spirit

God of wind, word, and fire, we bless your name this day for sending the light and strength of your Holy Spirit.  We give you thanks for all the gifts, great and small, that you have poured out upon your children.

Accept our praise and let us be witnesses to your love throughout all the earth through Jesus Christ, who lives with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever.  Amen.

 

For the  love of Neighbor
(from a church wall in Mexico)

Give us, Senior, a little sun, a little happiness, and some work.
Give us a heart to comfort those in pain.
Give us the ability to be good, strong, wise, and free,
   so that we may be as generous with others as we are with ourselves.
Finally, Senior, let us all live as your own one family.  Amen.

Prayer for  the Strength to Serve (Gospel lesson)

God, may your faithfulness be not made vain by us. Help us to accept the message of forgiveness and live each day nourished by your endless love and mercy.

In Christ’s cross you have reconciled yourself with us; may we live as reconciled with each other, so that your church may be an example of true peace.
Give us the strength to help each other, to build new life which you have given us in Jesus Christ.

Let your love be made known through us to those who are needy, abandoned and persecuted. May we be able to share with them compassion, light, and hope.

God of reconciliation, God of peace, hear our prayer through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer for Obedience

     Ever grant us, O Lord, that submissive faith that breeds wholehearted obedience.
     Lord, our souls break for longing to be knowers and doers of your Word.
     Holy Spirit, create in us a strong passionate desire to accept and obey God's Word in everything, and to be conformed to it in thought and life. 
     Grant, dear Lord, that this passionate desire will empower us until our days here on earth are completed and the final victory is won.  Amen.

Prayer for Love of Others

Teach me to love, Lord, as you love,
unconditional, honest, and kind.
May it be seen in my face and my eyes, Lord.
May it be simple and sincere. Amen.

 

Graduation Prayer

Almighty God, Giver of Breath, I have knowledge, so will You show me now, how to use it wisely and find a way somehow to make the world I live in a little better place, And make life with its problems a little bit easier to face. Grant me faith and courage and put purpose in my days, And show me how to serve you in effective ways. By the power of the Holy Spirit , empower me, so my education, knowledge and skills may find their true fulfillment as I seek to do your will. And may I ever be aware in everything I do, That knowledge comes from learning, and wisdom comes from You.

Closing Prayer:

O God, fountain of life and source of all light, fill the hearts of your children with your Spirit of Life. Sustain us with your steadfast love and bring all your children, reconciled to you by Jesus Christ, to drink from the River of Life. To you, Giver of all good things, be all praise, glory, and honor forever. Amen.