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.
Year B
POP–come quickly
My God, my God, come close to your people!
You come to us to rescue us from powers that are too great for us.
Come to the help of all who face trouble or danger today.
O Lord our help,
come quickly to our aid!
O Lord, you bind us together as brothers and sisters, beloved in Christ.
Fill our hearts, our lives, and our voices with your praise,
and make us bold to proclaim your name to all people.
O Lord our help,
come quickly to our aid!
O Lord, we lift up those who are close to us who face trouble,
especially those who are sick, sorrowing, or confused.
Send forth your healing and restoring love.
O Lord our help,
come quickly to our aid!
O Lord, we pray for those who are poor, hungry, or homeless,
who are closer to us than many of us realize.
Open our hands to share what we have,
and open our hearts to share in relationship.
O Lord our help,
come quickly to our aid!
O Lord, we pray for all who are entrusted with power
over nations, corporations, and the powers of the world,
that their decisions might honor you and seek the welfare of all people.
O Lord our help,
come quickly to our aid!
O Lord, we pray for all the generations:
with thanksgiving for those who have gone before us and enjoy your eternal rest;
and with hope for those who will follow us, to whom we must still proclaim your salvation.
Keep your church faithful in every age.
O Lord our help,
come quickly to our aid!
Keep us faithful to you, O Lord,
and teach us to serve you,
as we pray together with Jesus, saying:
The Lord’s Prayer
Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids IA
ctw: let’s celebrate chipmunks
The earth…
and everything on it, around it, in it, and beyond it…
belongs to God!
According to the creation hymn of Genesis, chapter 1,
we have the distinct pleasure of being responsible for the earth’s care.
So let’s celebrate creation…
let’s celebrate bees and trees and manatees…
let’s celebrate mangos, chipmunks, mountain peaks, and each other…
and let’s worship God together!
Submitted by Scott Cervas, pastor at Meadowthorpe Presbyterian Church (Lexington, KY)
illumination: beyond your words
As we read the words of scripture,
we are pointed to your living Word who walked among us;
and we are surrounded by your Spirit,
who whispers words within our hearts and minds.
Inspire us in our hearing and reflecting,
that we may move beyond your words
into life-changing acts of grace, love, hope, and peace.
Amen.
Submitted by Scott Cervas, pastor at Meadowthorpe Presbyterian Church (Lexington, KY)
confession: beyond our words
Holy God,
as of the year two thousand ten,
according to Google,
one hundred twenty-nine million,
eight hundred sixty-four thousand,
eight hundred and eighty books
have been published in modern history.
We like words.
We enjoy good speeches.
And, too often, because of that,
we spend more time saying things,
and less time doing things.
But you remind us,
and…to tell you the truth…we know,
that what really matters are our actions.
So inspire us with our words,
but also inspire us beyond our words,
so we may be a constant, visible reminder
of your love in the world…
Submitted by Scott Cervas, pastor at Meadowthorpe Presbyterian Church (Lexington, KY)
recent comments