Call to Worship (based on Psalm 40)

L: I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
P: He drew me up from the desolate pit, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
L: He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.
P: Happy are those who make the LORD their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods.
L: Let us Worship the LORD Most High.

 

Call to Worship
by F. Schaefer

L: The Church is the community of those called by God.
P: Justified by grace and embraced as children of God!
L: We are baptized into Christ's death and raised with Christ in the resurrection!
P: We are members of Christ's church-one Baptism, one Faith, and one Lord.
L: Let us gather as God's humble servants; people who follow in Christ's footsteps.   Come, let us adore Him!

 

Prayer of Adoration
by Thomas Hall

You are holy Lord, Your deeds are wonderful.
You draw us up out of the miry clay
And plant us firmly on the firm place.

You are strong, You are great, You are Most High.
You reign over heaven and earth.
You are Three and One, Lord God, all good.

You are . . Love,  Wisdom, Humility, Endurance
Rest, Peace, Joy , Gladness, Justice , Moderation

You are all our riches,
You suffice for us.
You are our eternal life, great and wonderful Lord,
As so we sing praises to Your Name. Amen.

 

WESLEYAN COVENANT PRAYER

I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt,
rank me with whom thou wilt.

Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low by thee.

Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.

And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

 

Prayer by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Everlasting God, you gave us the faith of Christ for a light to our feet amid the darkness of this world. Grant us grace to fulfill and mercy when we fail these words of our brother in Christ, Martin Luther King, which we lift to you in prayer:

"If I can help somebody as I pass along;

If I can cheer somebody with a word or song;

If I can show somebody he’s traveling wrong;

then my living will not be in vain.

If I can do my duty as a Christian ought;

If I can bring salvation to a world once wrought;

If I can spread the message as the Master taught;

then my living will not be in vain.

Yes, Jesus, I want to be on your right or your left side, not for any selfish reason. I want to be on your right or your left side, not in terms of some political kingdom or ambition. But I just want to be there in love and in justice and in truth and in commitment to others, so that we can make of this old world a new world." Amen.

 

Prayer for Renewal of Baptism

O Giver of Light and Life, we come to you aware of the parts within us that are lost, broken, and even dirty--the parts that need your healing and cleansing touch. We ask you to baptize us today with the knowledge of our own humanity, and with a faith in your divine power to cleanse and heal us.

Open us up to a healing acknowledgment of our own weaknesses, so that we may experience the power of your divine perfection flowing into the depths of our souls. Create us anew, Divine Maker. Move into the formless void within us. Open our spirits to the Light that is always accessible within, so that we may learn and grow and build a heavenly life of happiness and service in your creation. Amen.

 

Closing prayer for the Epiphany season:

O God, you made of one blood all nations and, by a star in the East, revealed to all peoples him whose name is Emmanuel.  Enable us who know your presence with us so to proclaim his unsearchable riches that all may come to his light and bow before the brightness of his rising, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.