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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 33)

L: Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
P: Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
L: For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
P: The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
L: Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. Come, let us worship the LORD!

 

Prayer for the Faith of Abraham and Sarah:
Lord, teach us to have the faith of Abraham and Sarah.  Remind us of your promises and give us strength on our way.  Should we encounter hurdles along life's way, help us to keep our eyes on You, our Rock and our Comfort. Help us so to live in your holy promises that we may impact the lives of others around you. Amen.

 

Prayer of Confession (especially for our division and discrimination) :

L : Let us seek the forgiveness of God and of each other for the divisions that have hindered Christian witness: Lord we have sinned against you and each other.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: O Christ, our divisions are contrary to your will, and have impeded our common witness to you.
C: Christ, have mercy.

L: Lord, we have not loved you enough in our sisters and brothers, created in your image, but different from us.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: Creator God, let us no longer live beside each other as strangers. Satisfy the longings of our hearts, grant our rightful requests, and unite us soon in one holy church through your Son Jesus Christ who with you in the communion of the Holy Spirit lives and reigns eternally.

 

Make us Worthy--Mother Teresa

Make us worthy, Lord,
To serve others throughout the world
Who live and die
In poverty or hunger,
Give them, through our hands,
this day their daily Bread,
and by our understanding love,
give peace and joy.
Amen.

Closing Prayer:
God, our Father, give new courage to be your pilgrim people; people sent by you on a sacred journey. You sent your servants Abraham and Sarah and as they followed your leading, you blessed them and through them you also blessed us. Empower us to hear and act upon your call on our lives.

Accompany us and show us your loving presence when the way is hard and we falter. Help us to share and live out your good news in this present age, through Jesus Christ your Son and our Lord. Amen.