____________________________________________________

 

Call to Worship (Psalm 111)

L: Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
P: Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
L: He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the LORD is gracious and merciful. He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
P: He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
L: They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
P: He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.
ALL: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.

 

Call to Worship

L: Lord, we are afraid.
P: Reassure us of Your steadfast love.
L: Lord, we are afraid.
P: Comfort us with your presence.
L: Lord, we rest secure in Your love.
P: Help us to always remain in your love.
ALL: All praise and honor to You, Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer of all. Amen.

  

Prayer of Confession

Dear Lord, as we partake from your heavenly bread and wine, we come humbly before you to confess our sins to you:

We ask forgiveness for our selfish attitudes and behaviors.

We ask forgiveness for envying others instead of blessing them in Christ's name.

We ask forgiveness for exploiting others rather than serving them.

We ask forgiveness for our shallow and materialistic attitudes and behaviors.

We ask forgiveness for not properly representing Christ to a world filled with hunger for spiritual food.

Forgive us, o Lord, and free us to joyful service in the community into which you have sent us.

Word of Grace: Christ died for us even while we were yet unrepentant sinners. This proves God's unconditional love for us. By this we know that God has forgiven us. Amen.

 

Bread and Justice--Communion Prayer
by Rubem Alves

O God, just as the disciples heard Christ's words of promise and began to eat the bread and drink the wine, grant that we may hear your words, spoken in each think of everyday affairs:

Coffee on our table in the morning; the simple gesture of opening the dorr to go out, free; the shouts of children in the parks; a friendly tree that has not yet been cut down.

May simple things speak to us of your mercy, and tell us that life can be good. And may these sacramental gifts make us remember those who do not receive them:

who have their lives cut every day, in the bread absent from the table; in the door of the hospital, the prison, the welfare home that does not open; in sad children, feet without shoes, eyes without hope; in war hymns that glorify death; in deserts where once there was life.

Christ was also sacrificed; and may we learn that we participate in the saving sacrifice of Christ when we participate in the suffering of his little ones. Amen.

 

Prayer of Intercession

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.

Let us pray fo the church, the community of God's love on the earth, that it may freely offer the bread of heaven and cup of salvation to all who gather at the table of the Lord. Gracious God,

Hear our prayer.

Let us pray for the world, that its leaders would seek wisdom from God as they govern the nations entrusted to them, and as they lead their people in ways of justice and truth. Gracious God,

Hear our prayer.

Let us pray for those in need, especially those dealing with addictions and all in recovery, they they would be given courage and patience to be made whole. Gracious God,

Hear our prayer.

Let us pray for those among us who are sick (especially), that they would be fed with the healing manna of life. Gracious God,

Hear our prayer.

Let us pray for those who lead music in this congregation, that all will be inspired to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with joy and confidence. Gracious God,

Hear our prayer.

Let us pray for those grieving losses among us (especially), that they would be held in communion with (names, and) all your blessed saints who are at rest in you. 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

 

Prayer For Providence (adapted from a Letter by St. Francis de Sales)

Almighty God and Father,
     In our shared humanity, our hearts fear more than ever before in this world filled with anxiety, strife, and uncertainty.
     For those who doubt and fear that evil is greater than good we pray for the grace to take the side of your divine Providence. May we always believe that it does all well, and disposes all things for the best.
     And for all of us we pray for wisdom and justice, for courage and hope. May we know that, even if everything is taken from us, your divine Providence means that You will never take Yourself from us, so long as we do not will it.
     Enlighten our minds, encourage our hearts, and enliven our souls that we might know your presence, grow in love, and bring new hope to our world.    Amen.

 

Prayer for Holiness-- by St. Ephraim the Syrian

“O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of idleness, faint-heartedness, lust of power, and vain talk. Instead, give to me, Your servant, the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love. Yes, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brother, for You are Blessed from all ages to all ages.” Amen.

 

Closing Prayer: (from the Chinese Christian Community)

Help each of us, gracious God,
to live in such magnanimity and restraint
that the Head of the church may never have cause to say to any one of us,
"this is my body, broken by you."  Amen.