We sing because God does marvelous things!
He opened salvation to all and revealed his righteousness to the world.
Make joyful noise the Lord, all the earth!
We join in joyous song and sing God’s praises!
It’s not only us, but the sea, the rivers, even the mountains rejoice out loud.
The whole cosmos sings because the Lord is coming to establish justice on earth!
invitation to the table and prayer after communion: abundance
Invitation to the Table
This is not my table.
This is not our church’s table.
This is not our denomination’s table,
or an American table,
or a table reserved for the wealthy or well-connected.
This table is reserved for sinners,
for the poor,
for those who are cast out,
for those who hunger and thirst.
This table is reserved for all the baptized.
This table belongs to Jesus Christ.
Come.
Prayer After Communion
God of glory, in this holy meal
you show us your will for every meal.
In Christ’s strength, let us live and work
for the day when all tables are filled with your abundance
and surrounded by your people in peace.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA
prayers of the people: restore us!
Shepherd of Israel, listen!
You, who lead your people like sheep;
you, who reign over all things from heaven;
you, who make promises to every generation:
Restore us!
Shine your face on us,
so that we can be saved!
Lord God of might,
won’t you listen to your people’s prayer?
We pray with your people
whose tears never seem to quit,
because of chronic illness or chronic injustice.
We pray with your people who are consumed by conflict,
in fear of oppression,
longing for justice.
We pray especially for those
whose needs are closest to us today…
Restore us!
Shine your face on us,
so that we can be saved!
Redeemer of the world,
we pray for the church you have gathered.
You call us out of the world’s ways
and plant us deep in the life of Christ.
We celebrate that the gospel has reached far and wide,
through faithful ministry
and despite human unfaithfulness.
We pray for the church in a time of upheaval and change,
when it seems like our life is uprooted
and our institutions are torn down.
Return to us, God of might!
Plant us again in Christ.
Make us your very own,
through your very own son.
Revive us, reclaim us, reform us,
so we may call on your name rightly
and never turn from your ways.
Restore us, God of might!
Shine your face on us,
so that we can be saved!
Amen.
submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA
CTW: Reformation Sunday
God of Sarah and Hagar,
We praise you for protecting and guiding us.
God of Moses and Miriam,
We thank you for liberating your children from oppression.
God of Peter and Paul,
We bless you even in the midst of conflict.
God of Hildegaard and Julian,
We glory in your tangible presence among us.
God of Luther and Calvin,
We rejoice in your Spirit’s presence in all times and places.
Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End,
Holy God, we welcome you to this place today!
Submitted by Rev. Katya Ouchakof
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