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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 105)

L: O give thanks to the LORD, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples.
P: Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful works.
L: Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
P: Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually.
L: Remember the wonderful works he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of his servant Abraham, children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

Call to Worship:

LORD of Life, LORD of Love, our hearts are filled with gratitude and praise.

As we gather to worship, we enter into your presence in the confident knowledge that you are God.

Even when darkness seems to close in on us, you are in control. Even when the high tides of trouble rise against us, you are there in the midst of the storm.

Grant us this day a special touch of your healing hands.

Just as Jesus touched the deaf man and healed his condition, restore us too to spiritual and physical wellness.

Just as your Son commanded the deaf man's ears to open, open our ears, too, so that the seeds of your Word will fall on fruitful soil in our hearts. Amen.

 

Prayer for Faithfulness Amid Hardship
by St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give us an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; give us an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Prayer of Confession

O Lord our God, good and merciful, I acknowledge all our sins which we have committed in every-day living--in thought, word and deed; in body and soul alike.

We are sincerely sorry that we have offended you, and we truly repent of our sin. We humbly ask you, O Lord: by your great mercy forgive all our past transgressions and absolve us from them.

We firmly resolve, with the help of your Holy Spirit, to amend our ways of life with the goal to sin no more; that we may walk in the way of the righteous and offer praise and glory to the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Christ, Our Foundation

Almighty God, who gave your Son Jesus Christ a realm,
where all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him;
make us loyal followers of our living Lord,
that we may always hear his word,
follow his teachings, and live in his Spirit.
May the foundation of our life be built upon the rock of Christ;
so that we can say together with St. Paul: "to live is Christ."
And hasten the day when every knee shall bow
and every tongue confess that he is Lord
to your eternal glory. Amen.

 

For Grace to Labor

Lord of the harvest, send us into your vineyard as faithful workers;
free us from all idleness and envy;
let your grace be sufficient for all who are weak.
The things, good Lord, that we pray for,
give us the grace to labor for;
The things that human labor cannot achieve
we ask you to provide by your grace alone,
until your kingdom is fully established on earth
as it is in heaven..
Amen.

 

Closing Prayer:
(traditional Pakistani Christian)

O Creator and mighty God,
You have promised strength for the weak,
rest for the laborers, light for the way,
grace for the trials, help from above,
unfailing sympathy, undying love.
O Creator and mighty God,
help us to continue in your promise.  Amen.