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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 37)

L: Trust in the LORD, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
P: Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
L: Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.
P: He will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday.
L: Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him.
All: Let us worship God

 

Call to Worship

L: Let's worship God who loves us all.

P: Whether we're old or young, educated or uneducated, healthy or ill, whether we're dark skinned or light-skinned, rich or poor.

L: Let's worship God who wants us to . . .

P: Love our neighbor as ourselves;

L: The one who is weak and the one who is strong

P: The one we understand and the one we don't, the one who is like us and the one who is different.

L: Let's worship the God who desires our love.

All: Let's worship God with our thoughts, prayers and songs.

 

Prayer for the World and it Peoples (Church of Scotland 20th century)

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 to 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.

 

Prayer of Confession (by Rev. F. Schaefer)

We confess that we have sinned against our neighbor.  We have not fully loved them. We have entertained hateful thoughts and actions, we have not shown mercy and forgiveness. Forgive us we pray and show us the way of humility and reconciliation.  

Empower us to turn away from our anger, refrain from hurtful words, lay down our weapons, and embrace with love and compassion even those who call us enemies.  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. 

Teach us on this day to follow the Way of Love which you revealed to us through your Son Jesus.  Through your Spirit, unite us through the love of Christ.  Amen.

 

Benediction: Blessings Upon You (adapted from a prayer by Margaret A. Davidson)

Blessings upon you, upon those you love
and those you shall never know.

Blessings upon your steps
and upon the vision of your eyes.

Blessings upon you in all circumstances;
joy and sorrow, for wisdom rests in them,
twin experiences with different faces.

Blessings be upon what lies before you,
the challenges and decisions,
the pain and the relief.

Blessings upon you, my friends in Christ.