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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 50)

L: From the rising of the sun to its going down,
    God Almighty summons the earth.
P: Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth!
L: The Heavens declare God's righteousness, for God himself is judge.
P: Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor the Lord.
L: Come, let us come before the Lord and offer ourselves in worship.

 

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.

 

Invocation

Sisters and brothers, called to freedom in Christ: Grace, mercy, and peace be with you all.

And also with you.

Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve. Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merit of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

 

Prayer of the Day:

God of Grace and Mercy we come to you humbly acknowledging our human condition.   In an age where our Christian values are constantly challenged, we ask you to help us be sincere in our worship to you.

Instill in us a pristine and childlike faith, the certain hope for things that are not yet seen.  Nourish us by your word so that we may grow to be strong in faith like our forebears.

Teach us to live our lives with an eternity consciousness so that the treasures of our hearts may be found not in the things of this life, but rather in your glorious kingdom which has already come to us in the life and work of Jesus, our Lord and Savior in whose name we pray. Amen.

 

Prayer of Intercession

Confident in God's steadfast love through Jesus Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit, let us pray for the church, the world, and all people according to their needs.

Let us pray for the church, that as we wait in hope for the return of our master, we will be found to be faithful servants of Christ in the world. God of grace,

let our prayer come before you.

Let us pray for all those who promote the health and safety of others in our country and our community, that they would experience joy in their service to others. God of grace,

let our prayer come before you.

Let us pray for all those who are living without hope: the homeless, the mentally ill, those with chronic illness, the childless, and for the sick (especially), that they may not be afraid but may come to konw that it is the Father's good pleasure to give them the kingdom. God of grace,

let our prayer come before you.

Let us pray for those from our congregation vacationing, that they may obtain rest from their labors and renewal of their spirits. God of grace,

let our prayer come before you.

Let us give thanks for all those whose faith sustained them even as they longed for their heavenly home. Sustain our faith and grant us your unfailing treasure in heaven. God of grace,

let our prayer come before you.

Teach us to pray, O God, and grant to all for whom we pray the good gifts that you have promised, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

 

Prayer of Confession (based on Isaiah):

Father of creation and Shepherd of our souls, we come to you with humble hearts asking forgiveness for our sins.

We confess that we have rebelled against your love. Even though our lips have sung your praises on Sunday mornings we have turned away from you and followed the ways of the world in our daily lives.  We have not loved our neighbor as ourselves, we have not heard the cry of the needy, and we have not devoted ourselves to you in the study of your word and in prayer.

Forgive us, we pray, and restore us into perfect union with your will and purpose.  By your Spirit empower us to bring our offerings of time, service, devotion and tithes from the sincerity of our hearts.  We pray in the Name you have set above all names, Jesus the Christ, our Redeemer. Amen!

 

Closing Prayer:

May we go forth into the world with the glorious expectation of Christ's return.  May we live our lives in the knowledge that this current life will perish; and in the steadfast hope for the coming of the Kingdom of God which is indeed already being established within the fellowship and the hearts of all Christians, world without end. Amen.