Holy Love, first and last, you offer yourself to us completely and call us to your life. Yet we are afraid, for your Way demands much of us. We confess that we are often quick to judge and slow to forgive. We confess that we choose that which does not satisfy, even as you offer us abundant life. When our fear overrides your call, forgive us. When we act from our own limited love rather than your expansive grace, forgive us. Reach down to us again, lift us up as a mother lifts a child to her cheek. Cast out our fear and fill us with the breath of your Spirit, that we may live the love we see in your Son, Jesus the Christ, in whose perfect name we pray. Amen.
Anytime
illumination: speak
Come, Spirit of the Lord, and speak through us.
Send your Holy Word to be upon our tongues
and your gospel upon our hearts.
Speak to us, speak through us, speak among us,
for we, your servants, are listening. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Stephen M. Fearing, Shelter Island Presbyterian Church, NY
confession: hard to pin down
All: O God, you are hard to pin down. We want to be able to name you and speak of you with certainty, but you are always bigger than our words and faster than our thoughts. Forgive our attempts to control you, and our desire to speak our words on your behalf. Forgive our halfhearted ‘yes’ and our excuses for saying ‘no’ to your call. Help us to truly listen to your living word, so that we may fully love as you love and humbly serve as you serve. Amen. ~silence~
Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, The Presbyterian Church of Palatine, IL
CTW: we are welcome
One-Is there anyone here who has ever felt scared or worried on a Sunday morning? Were you wondering-will I fit in? Will I be welcome? Does God still love me? The answer is yes!
Come in your suits, your shorts, your flip flops, and your dresses.
All-We are welcome here.
One-Come from your jobs, your shelters, your schools, and your retirement homes.
All-We are welcome here.
One-Come wearing smiles, shedding tears, looking nervous or frightened, and with your anger.
All-We are welcome here.
One-Come with your questions and answers. Come with your prayer requests and answered prayers. Come to sing songs you love and songs others love. Come to hear God’s Word as part of this faith community.
All-We are God’s beloved. Let us worship our God who loves us just as we are.
Submitted by Rev. Susannah DeBenedetto, Salisbury, Maryland
CTW: holy one…
One: We stand before the Holy One
All: Sometimes awe-struck, sometimes mystified
One: We hear a voice calling our names
All: Sometimes we are scared. Sometimes we are comforted.
One: Today we ask that our fears be quelled, our minds be sharpened, our ears ready to listen, and our hearts opened to the One who has nothing but love for us.
All: Holy One, intervene as needed. Enliven us and inspire us. We are here for You.
Submitted by Rev. Caroline Underwood Phillips, Calvary United Protestant Church, Park Forest, IL
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