May God our heavenly parent,
Emmanuel God with us,
and the Holy Spirit God upon us
guide and bless us each day. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA
Christmas
POP: You Attend the Universe
O Lord our sovereign, we praise your holy name!
From the vast expanse of the plains, to the glory of the heavens,
to the insistent cry of an infant,
the whole creation praises you.
We marvel at the beautiful moon and the countless stars;
yet, with humble confidence,
we trust that you attend to the whole universe
and also to each individual life, no matter how small.
Give your attention to these specific lives we name before you…
Reach down to us,
lift us up from the dust,
and breathe life into us once again.
Tend to all people who are in need,
to all the plants and animals who sustain us,
to the wild animals and natural wonders who enrich our lives,
and to those creatures we forget or ignore.
O Lord our sovereign, we praise your holy name!
Let your love be known throughout the earth,
in the name of Jesus Christ who taught us to pray…
The Lord’s Prayer
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA
POP: Prudent Wisdom
God, give us the prudent wisdom to act with justice.
Give humanity the ability to work righteousness.
Let us act with righteousness and provide justice for those who are poor.
Let the mountains and hills bear witness that we commit
to doing justice for those who are poor;
to enacting salvation for the children of those who are needy;
to standing up against those who would oppress.
Do your holy work through us,
as you have worked through your people from generation to generation.
Let our gifts fall like rain to water the earth.
Let righteousness flourish throughout our lives,
and let peace abound as long as the moon returns.
Let your reign of justice and love reach to the ends of the earth,
and let every nation serve the well-being of all people.
God, deliver the needy who cry out,
the poor, and those who have no other helper.
Have compassion on the weak;
save the lives of those who are in need.
Redeem your precious ones, O God.
We bless you, Lord God, because you do wondrous things!
In the glorious name of Jesus,
whose glory fills the earth,
as we pray:
The Lord’s Prayer
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA
communion hymn for Epiphany: Bread and Cup of Light
(sung to LAND OF REST)
Let seekers of the star’s true Light now by that Light be found.
This Light made Bread and Cup of blessing, our souls with joy has crowned.
The star’s true Light, born in a stable, comes now to feed and to live
Among us, at this very table, his life for all to give.
So let our hearts be filled with heaven, our minds, with truth, made clear;
Let bodies know the earthly power of God in Christ drawn near.
submitted by Rev. Dr. Laura Cunningham, Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church, Washington, DC
Benediction: see greater things
Beloved, we have heard and trusted in
the good news of Jesus Christ.
Go now into the world to do and see still greater things,
to open heaven upon earth
and bear witness to eternal life today;
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA
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