____________________________________________________

Call to Worship (based on Psalm 124)

L: If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when our enemies attacked us;
P: then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us;
L: Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth.
P: We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped.
L: Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Call To Worship (based on the Gospel lesson)
by Rev. Frank Schaefer

L: We greet you, O Christ, in our midst!
P: We welcome you, Light of true Light, Savior of the world.
L: All glory and honor and praise be unto the Prince of Peace who gave himself for the sake of God's own people.
P: Blessed be the One who comes in the Name of the Lord. Hosannah in the Highest!
L: Come, let us worship the Lord!

Prayer for Grace and Strength During Times of Affliction (First Lesson)

   Gentle Lord, teach us that high palaces need deep foundations, and that it takes a long time to excavate a human soul so deep that you art able to build a beautiful palace of grace therein. O Father, teach us that eminence in grace can only come by affliction.
    Savior God, open our eyes to your continuous, gentle work of salvation among the human community even in the midst of the reality of oppression, injustice, and human sinfulness. Imperceptible to the human eye, you make straight our paths in the wilderness, you provide for your people a way out of the desert.
    Almighty God, accept our praise for the awesome example of your condescending grace. You numbered us among the redeemed ones to whom Christ spoke when he said "It is finished."
   O Loving Father, use our poor, broken, stammering speech to convey the wonder of your grace to the lost, weary, and sinful men and women in our world.

 

Litany of Renewal (based on Romans 12:1-3)

L: Remember not the former things. Do not consider the things of old. Behold I create something new: Now it springs forth - do you not perceive it?

P: God we are waiting. Create a new heart within us.

L:  Let us offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto the Lord.

P: God we are waiting. Create a new heart within us.

L: Let us yield to God's Spirit for the renewal of our hearts and  minds.

P: God we are waiting. Create a new heart within us.

L: Lord, give us the ability to discern your will for us--that which is acceptable, good, and perfect.

P: God we are waiting. Create a new heart within us.

L: Lord, grant us that holy reasoning of love that draws no license from grace, but rather feels the strong constraints of gratitude leading it to holiness.

All: Sing a new song to God, sing God's praises in the congregation of the redeemed. Praise God all you who have been raised to newness of life, being made a new creation in Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.

 

Prayer of Confession

Almighty, all-gracious God, we draw near to you this morning because we are in need of forgiveness from the sins that so easily entangle us.  We have sinned against you and our fellow human beings.  We confess our sins of both commission and omission. 

We confess our sins of disobedience to your will and commandments . . .

P: Forgive us we pray and create a new heart within us.

L:  We confess our sins of impurity of mind and heart . . .

P: Forgive us we pray and create a new heart within us.

L: We confess our sins of self-indulgence and indifference to the plight of others . . .

P: Forgive us we pray and create a new heart within us.

L: We confess our sins of pride and self-serving ambitions.

P: Forgive us we pray and create a new heart within us.

Help us to be able to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto you. Help us to live in your will and serve you and the world.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

 

Christological Affirmation (1Tim 1:15-3:16) -- based on the Gospel lesson
(also recommended: Nicean or Apostle's Creed)

L: There is on God and there is one mediator, Christ Jesus, who came as a ransom for all, to whom we testify.

All: This saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance:
that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners,
and was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit,
seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations,
believe in throughout the world, taken up in glory.
Great indeed is the mystery of the gospel.  Amen.

 

Closing Prayer (Chinese Prayer)

Help each of us, gracious God,
to live in such magnanimity and restraint
that the Head of the church may never have cause to say to any one of us,
"this is my body, broken by you."  Amen.