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Call to Worship

L: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.
P: Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.
L: By this everyone will know that you are my disciples,
P: If you have love for one another.
L: Come, let us draw near the Source of all Love, our Savior and God!

Call to Worship (based on Psalm 148):

L: Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
P: Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
L: Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!
P: Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
L: Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.
P: Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
L: Let us praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.

 

Invocation

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

The grace and peace of Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead to bring everlasting hope, 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. Amen

 

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 ourselves. 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 the Day

God of Compassion and Love, like a caring father you provide for us--you fulfill our needs even before we are aware of them; like a loving mother you blanket us with tender care when we come running to you hurting and confused.  We give you thanks and forever praise your holy Name.

Teach us on this day to follow the Way of Love which you revealed to us through your Son Jesus.  Help us to glorify your name on earth by diligently learning to show forgiveness, affection, and love to all of our brothers and sisters.

Let us grow so strong in our love for you and one another that your Name will be glorified in all the world.  Break down the barriers of discrimination and bigotry among us.  Through your Spirit, unite us to be one in Christ.  May the love among your children increase so much that it cannot but spill over into the ministry to those who dwell in darkness and despair.  Amen.

 

Prayer of Intercession

Rejoicing in the resurrection, let us remember in prayer the church, the world, and all those in need.

Blessed are you, for you give the gift of faith. Through the ministries of your whole church, extend the promise of your covenant to all peoples. For this we pray:

Hear us, living God.

Blessed are you, for you are the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Extend your reign over the nations of the world and conform this weary world to your will. For this we pray:

Hear us, living God.

Blessed are you, for in Christ you have conquered death. Give peace and comfort to those in pain, illness, or mourning (especially), assuring them of the promise of resurrection for all of our lives. For this we pray:

Hear us, living God.

Blessed are you, for your Son gave a new commandment to love one another. Grant that this congregation may be found faithful to this commandment, serving one another as Christ. For this we pray:

Hear us, living God.

Blessed are you, for your own love is reflected within loving families. Bless all mothers, and all who serve a mothering role towards those in their care. Give them joy in their relationships. For this we pray:

Hear us, living God.

Blessed are you, for through the resurrection we see the promise of a new heaven and new earth. Bring us together with all your saints into the New Jerusalem. For this we pray:

Hear us, living God.

With alleluias in our hearts and on our lips we commend to your care all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

 

 

Prayer for the World and its Peoples
(by the Church of Scotland)

O God you are the hope of all the ends of the earth,
   the God of the spirits of all flesh.
Hear our humble intercession for all races and families on earth,
   that you will turn all hearts unto yourself.
Remove from our minds hatred, prejudice, and contempt
   for those who are not of our own race or color, class or creed,
that, departing from everything that estranges and divides,
   we may by you be brought into unity of spirit, in the bond of peace.
Amen.
 

Canticle of Love

Let Love be genuine and live in harmony;
hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good.
Outdo one another in showing honor;
be humble and never conceited.
Love is stronger than death
and jealousy is cruel as the grave.
Floods cannot drown love
and wealth cannot buy it.

Put love above all else;
let Christ's peace rule your hearts.
Always be forgiving,
as Christ has forgiven you.
Love is not jealous or boastful,
arrogant, rude, or stubborn,
irritable, resentful, or possessive.
Love is patient and kind.

Do not love in word or speech only:
love also in deed and truth.
Receive each other in sincerity,
find mercy and grow old together.
Love rejoices in the right;
it bears, believes, hopes,
and endures all things,
for love is faithful and endless.

When the Lord builds the house
the labor is never in vain.
Happy are those who take refuge in God:
those who serve the Lord are redeemed.
 

 

Closing Prayer for Unity:

Father, you have reconciled us with yourself in Christ your Son. With him we have been buried in the waters of baptism and raised to share his life by the Holy Spirit. In him we have become a new creation. Help all those who bear his name repent of their sins, reach out to one an other and continue together un to the fullness of life. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our one Lord. Amen.