Divine Word, speak your love into our hearts. Divine Light, shine your peace into our souls. Divine Way, lead our lives in your hope. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Lucus Levy Keppel, Trinity Presbyterian Church in Bixby, Okla.
CTW: Scent of Bread
The scent of the Bread of Heaven has called us together
For when we pray, a window to heaven is opened
Let the joy of the feast to come fill you in this place
For whenever we gather at this table, we are filled to overflowing with God’s love
The Holy Bread we share with each other, for God’s gifts are for sharing
In sharing with one another, we see the face of Christ. Let us worship God!
Submitted by Rev. Lucus Levy Keppel, Trinity Presbyterian Church in Bixby, Okla.
Prayer for Illumination: Freshly Baked Bread
Holy Spirit, lift these words from the pages of scripture like the aroma of freshly baked bread. Help us to hunger for these words, to be fed by your grace, and to share what you offer with all of your children on this earth. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Lucus Levy Keppel, Trinity Presbyterian Church in Bixby, Okla.
Blessing for teachers
Scripture reminds us that teachers are a gift from Christ himself to the church. Together with apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors, our teachers equip God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up, find unity, and mature in faith until we attain ‘the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.’ That’s no small task! Therefore, today we say THANK YOU. Thank you, teachers and leaders, for answering Christ’s call; we honor your service and offer our support, our prayers and our heartfelt gratitude.
Let us pray:
For helping the congregation fulfill our baptismal promises, may God richly bless you.
For sharing your love of Christ with God’s children of all ages –from toddlers to teens to retirees -may God richly bless you.
For inviting your students to dive into Scripture with both head and heart, may God richly bless you.
For preparing lessons that spark curiosity and stimulate discussion, may God richly bless you.
For challenging us to ask the hard questions and have courageous conversations, may God richly bless you.
For crafting activities that spur creativity and allow talents to grow, may God richly bless you.
For late-night lesson plans and last-minute substitute teaching, may God richly bless you.
For lock-ins, mission trips, escape rooms and bounce-house duties, may God sustain you!
For equipping us to be sent out into God’s world to share the love of Christ, may God richly bless you.
For living lives that in and of themselves teach us so much about what it means to be a disciple, may God richly bless you.
Bless you for being just who you are -men and women of faith who teach us to love God, our neighbors and ourselves. We thank you, we love you, we honor you and we pray God’s blessings on you this day and always! And all God’s people said: AMEN!
Submitted by Jerie Lukefahr
Confession: rather than
God of love, you come to us in the person of Jesus Christ,
who embodied humility for our sake.
We confess that we have chosen pride rather than humility.
We have tried to take advantage of our position and abilities,
rather than offering them up for the sake of others.
We have not listened to your Word made flesh.
Forgive us.
Teach us to give glory to you alone,
to humbly serve each other,
and to follow as disciples of Jesus Christ,
our risen Lord. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA
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