Some of us studiously avoid the civic-holidays and patriotism in worship. Some of us don’t have that luxury. Others of us are working on how to celebrate communion on a civic holiday, or dreaming up creative worship ideas that are easier to test out in the summer. And some of us are already tired of ordinary time, only 3 weeks in. Whether you fall into any of these categories or you just want to brainstorm how to approach “come to me, all you that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest” yet again (but not in a funeral this time!), come share–what ideas do you have for this 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time?
CTW: here in this place
A call to worship based on the hymn “gather us in” (we used it when the theme worked but the hymn did not).
Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church
One: Here in this place, God’s light is streaming in.
All: We gather in God’s light, to be light for the world.
One: Here in this place, God’s wind is blowing.
All: We gather—young and old, rich and poor, strong and weak—
to be renewed by the breath of God.
One: Here in this place, God’s fire is burning.
All: We gather to be set on fire with God’s love.
confession: we hear the mighty rush of wind
submitted by Rev. Rebecca Page Lesley, Suffolk Presbyterian Church, Suffolk, VA
Creator God, we hear the mighty rush of wind, and assume it is only the weather. We see the power of a flame, and are reminded only of combustion. We admit that we are hardly ever amazed and awed anymore. Often our prayers for help come with reservations and conditions, products of our own insecurities. We ask that you uphold us as we lay before you our doubts and fears.
We confess to you, holy Lord, that we are afraid of the chaos your Spirit leaves in its wake; we do not like chaos and disorder. We are worried that you might ask of us things that we’d rather not do or say; we don’t like to be uncomfortable. We fret about the way other people perceive us; yet you can see into our very hearts, O God. Those who sneered at the disciples, saying they were filled with new wine, did not understand the power of Pentecost and your Holy Spirit. Save us from ourselves, merciful God.
Spirit of new life and renewed life, remove our fears and inhibitions and fill us with strength and courage so that we may use your gifts to the absolute fullest. May we feel your power within us so that we can live and love and witness and serve with utter abandon, following only your will for our lives. Forgive our selfish ways and righteous attitudes that we might return to a right relationship with you and all creation, sharing your forgiveness with all those whom you call your children.
confession: on this Pentecost Sunday
submitted by Rev. Shannan Vance-Ocampo, Watchung Avenue Presbyterian Church, North Plainfield, NJ
On this Pentecost Sunday, we confess to You, O Lord –
our division, for we are not gathered together as Your people in one place;
our fear of the rush of your Spirit in our lives and what it might call us to do or to be;
our desire for a monolingual society,
even when you allowed the early church to transcend all language,
not favoring one over another;
our actions that can be like the crowds that taunt and torment,
mocking those who are filled with your Spirit that burns like fire and rushes like wind.
On this Pentecost Sunday, O Lord –
help us to let down our barriers to your Spirit;
guide us to live with joy, abandon, and faithfulness;
and create in us new hearts to be new people who worship only You. Amen.
Easter 7A Communion Prayer
Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church
Blessed are you, O Lord, our God, Ruler of the Universe,
for you have kept your promises.
In the beginning, you called for yourself a people and you promised them a home.
Though it took many generations,
and though they were separated from their home by water and a desert,
you brought your people to a good land.
When your people turned away from you,
you promised us you would come among us.
In your Son Jesus we see you and your love,
living and real and for us.
He showed us how to follow you,
eating with sinners, touching the outcast,
loving all.
After his resurrection,
he told us to wait for your calling and your power.
He promised us that you would go with us as we proclaim the good news
that you have triumphed over death,
that love has the last word.
And now we wait to feel again the movement of your Holy Spirit,
giving gifts and expecting us to use them.
We give you thanks for your unending love for us,
and for this table,
where you have prepared a feast.
As we come to this meal, may we be made one with each other and with you.
Pour out your Spirit again on us and on these gifts of bread and wine,
show us a glimpse of your heavenly banquet.
Make this table the meeting place of earth and heaven,
that together we might be strengthened to go out
to be your witnesses in this place and even to the ends of the earth.
We pray in the name of our Risen Lord Christ, who taught us to pray together…
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