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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 119)

L: Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end.
P: Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
L: Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.
P: Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain.

All: Confirm to your servant your promise, which is for those who fear you.

 

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 based on all Lections:

 Almighty and ever-gracious God, on this day we acknowledge our shortcomings and failure to love others as you love us.  Through your holy scriptures you call us to forgo revenge and to love even those who persecute us. Help us, Lord, and empower us through your Holy Spirit to choose the path of love and reconciliation even though it means to turn the other cheek. Enlighten us, Lord, so we may understand that only if we strive to become like you will we become one. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

 

Intercessory Prayer

Encouraged by the radiant light of God revealed to us in Jesus Christ, let us pray with boldness and confidence.

For the people of God bound together in baptism, that the glory of the Lord continually humble us, cleanse us, and compel us to cry "Here I am, send me!" let us pray to the Lord:

Hear us, O God, and show us your glory.

For God's good creation, tainted by overuse and abuse that all people and nations become stewards of the grace and goodness God has given, let us pray to the Lord:

Hear us, O God, and show us your glory.

For those who make their living on the sea, that they may prosper while protecting that resource, may be guarded from danger, and may be welcomed at voyage's end, let us pray to the Lord:

Hear us, O God, and show us your glory.

For all who suffer in mind, body, or spirit (especially), that God grant them healing and hope, let us pray to the Lord:

Hear us, O God, and show us your glory.

For the mission of this congregation, that as the disciples left behind their nets to spread the good news, we might leave behind all that hinders us from our call to mission, let us pray to the Lord:

Hear us, O God, and show us your glory.

In the memory of all who answered God's call and followed until death, that their lives may inform our own and that we may stand with them around the heavenly throne, let us pray to the Lord:

Hear us, O God, and show us your glory.

Into your hands, great God of heaven, we lay our prayers, trusting in your mercy through the one who showed us your face, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen

 

Closing prayer :

Almighty God, whose people are knit together in one holy Church, the body of Christ, your holy temple. Grant us grace to follow your teachings and commandments and to know the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.