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Call to Worship

L: As we draw near to God
P: God will draw near to us.
L: Let us approach God with child-like faith.
P: For God loves those who humble themselves.
L: God's arm reaches out to those who are weak.
P: God's help is near to those who are troubled.
L: Let us worship God.

 
 

Call to Worship (based on Psalm 66)

L: Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth
P: sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise.
L: Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!
P: Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you.
L: All the earth worships you;
P: they sing praises to you, sing praises to your name.
L: Come and see what God has done.
 

 

Invocation

The rich presence of God, the beginning and end of all that is good, be with you now and always.

And also with you.

Let us pray. Almighty God, source of every blessing, your generous goodness comes to us anew every day. By the work of your Spirit lead us to acknowledge your goodness, give thanks for your benefits, and serve you in willing obedience; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Prayers for our Nation
(can be used with Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7)

Almighty God, bless our nation and make it true to the ideas of freedom and justice for all. Guard us from war, from fire and wind, from comprise, fear and confusion.

Be close to our leaders and our statesmen, give them vision and courage, as they ponder decisions affecting peace and the future of our world.

Help us to live in light of the fact that this country is only a temporary place of residence; that our eternal citizenship is in your Heavenly Kingdom.

Make this our nation and all its people know clearly your will, that we may fulfill the destiny ordained for us; that we may prosper and receive your abundant blessings.  In Jesus name. Amen.

 

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, we come to you in the name of Jesus, your Son and our High Priest. We confess that there are times when we go against your hopes for us as your people.   We confess that there are times when we go against your Word for us.  In silence, O LORD, hear us as we confess those things we have done, and those things we have neglected to do; times when we have failed you and each other. . .

(Time of silence)
Loving God, we ask you once again to receive us into your compassionate, forgiving arms that we might find favor with you for all the days of our lives, now and forevermore.   Amen.

Assurance of Pardon:
L: God loves us and forgives us.  God gives us the chance to begin again.
All: Thanks be to God.  Amen!

 

 

A Prayer for the Preservation of Faith
(can be used with 2 Timothy 2:8-15)

God our Redeemer and Protector, we pray for faith in a world that appears to be increasingly void of those inspired by your Spirit.  We turn to you, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the completion of our faith.

We humbly ask you not to allow the spark of faith to be extinguished within us. Preserve in us your holy faith; for if we are rich with this precious gift, we shall gladly endure every sorrow, and nothing shall ever be able to change our happiness.  Grant true peace and unity to all Christian believers; strengthen and preserve us in our faith and in your service to all the world, so that we may live in your perfect will, now and forevermore, world without end. Amen.

 

Prayer of Intercession

Remembering God's marvelous work and living in hope, let us pray for the church, the world, and all people according to their needs.

Let us pray for the church, that those who preach the word of God will proclaim God's faithfulness and mercy to your people and the world. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Let us pray for favorable weather during harvest time and for fair prices in the marketplace for those who work the land. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Remember those who are struggling with addictions, those struggling with despair and loneliness, those who are sick (especially), and those struggling to keep their faith. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Let us pray for the strangers and foreigners in our midst, that the people of God will welcome them, offer them hospitality, and so be a sign of God's love for all. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Let us pray for our congregation, that we will give thanks with our whole hearts for the forgiveness that makes us clean, and for all God's blessings. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Let us give thanks for all the saints whose lives of faith point us to the One who remains faithful to us, Christ Jesus. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of faithfulness, encircled in your lovingkindness, we lift up to you all in need. Hear our prayers on behalf of others and sustain us as we await the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray.

Amen

 

Prayer based on lessons

O God, our God, your world is a puzzlement to us. . We pray our gimme prayers day after day and often fail to thank you. We are so like the nine lepers who failed to even give thanks for the cure they received. So now we turn from our selfishness and thank you for the challenges you have placed before us and for the power you have made available to us to deal with those challenges. May we be willing to seek your will and guidance in our lives. As we reach out to you in prayer, we bring before you the names of those we know who need your presence. We call before you those who are ill or recovering from surgery that they might find wholeness and healing. We call before you those who serve their country and pray for your guidance and presence in their lives. We call before you those who live with the uncertainty of poverty and pray that you will empower us to minister to their needs from our bounty. Keep us ever mindful of your presence and grateful for your gifts. These things we ask in the strong name of Christ Jesus, your most precious gift to us. Amen.

 

Prayer of Thankfulness / Closing Prayer:
(can be used with 2 Timothy 2:8-15)

Source of all creation, all love, all true joy,
accept our prayer of sincere thankfulness.
Bless us as we go forth to minister to a dying world;
and keep each of us ever thankful
for all the blessings of joy;
teach us to be content in all situations,
even amidst challenges that come our way;
through him who is the greatest gift and blessing of all, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.