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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 145)

L: The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
P: The LORD is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.
L: All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your faithful shall bless you.
P: Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. The LORD is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds.
L: The LORD upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down. Come, let us worship the LORD!

 

Call to Worship

L: As primeval chaos was turned into creation upon a mere Word of the LORD,
P: So do we desire to be recreated into God's image through the Power of God's Word.
L: As thousands of people were fed upon the blessing our LORD Jesus spoke over the loaves and the fish,
P: So do we desire Him to speak God's blessing upon us.
L: Come, let us seek God's face, let us worship the Almighty, the One whose Word brings things into Being.

 

Prayer of Confession based on Psalm 51

Reader 1:
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; you who have great mercy, forgive what I have done.
Reader 2:
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
Reader 1:
For I know what I have done wrong; my sins are ever before me and heavy on my heart.
Reader 2:
Against you, God, you only, have I sinned; you who know all things know what I have done. You have every right to judge me for my actions and every right to punish me for them.
People:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Reader 1:
In the time since I was born, I have committed many sins, and done many things which I wish I had not done.
Reader 2:
God, you want me to be truthful to my very core; therefore, teach me wisdom in the depths of my heart.
Reader 1:
If you will do it, O God, I shall be clean, wash me, and I shall be pure.
Reader 2:
Fill me with joy and gladness!
People:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Reader 1:
Then I will lead others to return to you, O God, and learn your ways.
Reader 2:
Deliver me from my guilt, O God of my salvation, and I will sing aloud of your deliverance. I will sing your praises.
Reader 1:
You take no delight in sacrifices; you would not be pleased if I were to offer one to you.
Reader 2:
The sacrifice acceptable to you is a broken spirit; a contrite heart, O God, you will not reject.
People:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.

 

Prayer based on the Gospel Lesson

LORD, we are astounded at the compassion you have for people like us. You do not send anyone away hungry or thirsty. As you fed the multitude at the lake side, you feed us with the nutrients of life. Yes, indeed you have become the bread of Life for us, so that not only our bodies may be nourished, but also our souls. We thank you, Bread of Life, for your sacrifice on the cross that nourishes us to eternal life every day of our lives. Amen.

 

Prayer for the Church and the World

Growing in the soil of the Spirit, let us pray for the church, the world, and all who seek the richness of life in God.

God of plenty, provide the church with faithful and generous stewards who will share of their resources to carry out your mission in the world. Gracious God,

hear our prayer.

God of fullness, help us to provide food and clothing, shelter and security for all the people of the world who live in places of famine and scarcity, that they may have enough of all they need for this life. Gracious God,

hear our prayer.

God of abundance, look with compassion on children who are living in poverty, and provide for them from the richness of your mercy, that they may be strengthened to play and grow. Gracious God,

hear our prayer.

God of good gifts, may we see your presence as we gather around tables of fellowship to enjoy friendship and the food that we eat together. Gracious God,

hear our prayer.

God of life, the riches of your glory are beyond our imagination. Hold the sick in your care (especially). Grant peace to the dying and comfort to the grieving, and all for your love's sake. Gracious God,

hear our prayer.

God of eternity, around your throne saints and angels glory in your presence. Keep us in communion with (names, and) all the blessed dead, both in this life and forever. Gracious God,

hear our prayer.

Hear us as we pray, living God, and in your mercy give us all good things, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Amen.

 

Canticle of Praise over God's Faithful Provisions
(from the Jewish tradition)

We will be one with the praise songs of all peoples.
Praise God, for he restores the earth to its goodness.
Praise God for he restores humanity to themselves.
Praise God all ye nations! Sing praises unto Him all ye peoples.
For the faithfulness of the Lord has been mighty with us.
And the truth of the Lord is forever. Hallelujah. Amen.

 

Prayer for Faith in God's Abiding Presence
by Rev. F. Schaefer

O great and loving God, we thank you for your abiding presence with us.  Even though we may not see you with our natural eyes nor hear you with our natural ears, you have promised never to leave us, nor forsake us.  You, o Lord, walk beside us like the Good Shepherd walks beside his sheep.  You gently guide our steps by day and watch over us by night.

Increase our faith so that we do not lose heart in times of trial, but rather live by the assurance of hope that you are near us;
that, even though we may walk throught the valley of the dark shadows, your rod and your staff comforts us;
that we shall dwell in your house, o Lord, forever. Amen.

 

Intercessory Prayer:

Growing in the soil of the Spirit, let us pray for the church, the world, and all who seek the richness of life in God.

God of plenty, provide the church with faithful and generous stewards who will share of their resources to carry out your mission in the world. Gracious God,

hear our prayer.

God of fullness, help us to provide food and clothing, shelter and security for all the people of the world who live in places of famine and scarcity, that they may have enough of all they need for this life. Gracious God,

hear our prayer.

God of abundance, look with compassion on children who are living in poverty, and provide for them from the richness of your mercy, that they may be strengthened to play and grow. Gracious God,

hear our prayer.

God of good gifts, may we see your presence as we gather around tables of fellowship to enjoy friendship and the food that we eat together. Gracious God,

hear our prayer.

God of life, the riches of your glory are beyond our imagination. Hold the sick in your care (especially). Grant peace to the dying and comfort to the grieving, and all for your love's sake. Gracious God,

hear our prayer.

God of eternity, around your throne saints and angels glory in your presence. Keep us in communion with all the blessed dead, both in this life and forever. Gracious God,

hear our prayer.

Hear us as we pray, living God, and in your mercy give us all good things, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Amen

 

 

Closing Prayer:

LORD, we are astounded at the compassion you have for people like us. You do not send anyone away hungry or thirsty. As you fed the multitude at the lake side, you feed us with the nutrients of life. Yes, indeed you have become the bread of Life for us, so that not only our bodies may be nourished, but also our souls. We thank you, Bread of Life, for your sacrifice on the cross that nourishes us to eternal life every day of our lives. Amen.

 

Benediction (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.