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Call to Worship (based on the Psalm 77)

L: I cry aloud to God, that God may hear me!
P: I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord; I will remember the wonders of old.
L: I will meditate on all God's works and muse on God's mighty deeds.
P: The way of the Lord is holy. Who is great like our God?
L: Come, let us worship the Lord!

 

Call to Worship
by Rev. Frank Schaefer

L: We gather here today to draw close to God
P: The Lord Almighty is our source of life and love
L: God calls us to be generous as God is generous
P: We praise His faithfulness to all generations
L: Come, let us praise and adore the LORD

 

Call to Worship for Independence Day
by Rev. Frank Schaefer

L: We gather this morning appreciating our  freedom to worship God.
P: May God continue to bless the Church of Christ in this land.
L: We draw near to the God who rules over all nations
P: May God continue to bless our country and all the countries in the world.
L: We seek to live in harmony and peace together with all peoples on the earth.
P: May God continue to establish peace on earth and help us understand that it begins in our hearts.
L: Come, let us worship the Lord!

 

Invocation

Sisters and brothers, called to freedom in Christ: Grace, mercy, and peace be with you all.

And also with you.

Let us pray. O God, you have prepared for those who love you joys beyond understanding. Pour into our hearts such love for you that, loving you above all things, we may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

 

Prayer of Confession:

Almighty and ever-gracious God, we confess that we are do not always trust your promises and provisions.  Like Abraham and Sarah, we too exclude our fellow human beings at times--perhaps out of fear of the unknown or because we feel threatened by them.

On this Sunday when you call us to count the cost of discipleship and follow you with all our hearts and minds, we confess our shortcomings:

For acts of discrimination and exclusion of our fellow human beings

People: Forgive us, dear Lord

For sins of omission; for withholding our love toward others

People: Forgive us, dear Lord

For not trusting in your care and provisions for us

People: Forgive us, dear Lord

For breaking your commandments and ignoring your guidance

People: Forgive us, dear Lord

Help us to truly understand that you love all your children and that you call us to unity, love and peace.  Enable us through your Holy Spirit to extend hospitality to all. Through Jesus our Lord. Amen.

 

Independence Day Prayer:

Almighty God, bless our nation and make it true to the ideas of freedom and justice and brotherhood for all who make it great. Guard us from war, from fire and wind, from comprise, fear and confusion.

Be close to our president and our statesmen, give them vision and courage, as they ponder decisions effecting peace and the future of our world. Make me more deeply aware of my heritage realizing not only my rights but also my duties and responsibilities as a citizen.

Make this great land and all its people know clearly your will, that they may fulfill the destiny ordained for us.

 

Prayer of the Day
by Rev. F. Schaefer

Lord of Love and Compassion, who has called us into radical discipleship, free us to serve in the same spirit of love and care in which you have served. As Elisha, we ask you to double our portion of empowerment for the work of your ministry to a lost and hurting world.

Teach us, eternal Father, to pray for our brothers and sisters; that we be so consumed in love for them that we may feel their needs as much as our own. Enable us to give as freely as we have received of your love and grace; to the  honor and glorification of our Lord Jesus who deserves all of our heart and devotion. Amen.
 

 

Prayer of Discipleship

God of Love and Grace, you have called us into radical discipleship in the name of your son Jesus.  To you alone belong all of our heart and our devotion. You freed us from the burden of sin and by your Spirit enabled us to serve you and our neighbor. Help us, we pray, to continue in our commitment to you.  Empower us to always seek your Kingdom first.

Teach us to pray for our brothers and sisters aright; that we be so consumed in love for them that we may feel their needs as much as our own. Enable us to give as freely as we have received from you so that the name of our Lord Jesus be glorified.   Amen.

 

Prayer for Spiritual Growth

Let us remember Jesus:
Who, though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor and dwelt among us. Who was content to be subject to his parents, the child of a poor couple's home.

Who believed in people and never despaired of them.  Who, through all disappointment never lost heart.  Who disregarded his own comfort and convenience and thought first of others' needs.

Let us unite in prayer that Christ may come to dwell in our hearts:

O Christ, our Savior, so come to dwell in us that we may go forth with the light of your hope in our eyes, and with your faith and love in our hearts.  Make us and mold us in your own image, precious Lord and Potter of our lives.  Amen.

 

Prayer of Intercession

Confident in God's steadfast love through Jesus Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit, let us pray for the church, the world, and all people according to their needs.

That your whole church, bishops, pastors, diaconal ministers, associates in ministry, and all the baptized may be led by your Spirit to answer Christ's call and proclaim the reign of God, we cry out: God of grace,

let our prayer come before you.

That all who till the land may be blessed with favorable weather, abundant yields, and fair prices so that there may be peace and prosperity throughout the world, we cry out: God of grace,

let our prayer come before you.

That all people in need, those enslaved by others, those persecuted for following Christ, those who are sick, dying, or in despair (especially) may live and die in the confidence that you are their saving help, we cry out: God of grace,

let our prayer come before you.

That those from our congregation who are vacationing may experience rest and renewal and may return home safely, we cry out: God of grace,

let our prayer come before you.

We remember with thanksgiving the lives of those who answered Christ's call to follow him. That we, like those who have gone before us, may boldly proclaim you as our chosen portion and lot, we cry out: God of grace,

let our prayer come before you.

Teach us to pray, O God, and grant to all for whom we pray the good gifts that you have promised, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

 

Closing Prayer:
(traditional Pakistani prayer)

O Creator and mighty God,
You have promised strength for the weak,
rest for the laborers, light for the way,
grace for the trials, help from above,
unfailing sympathy, undying love.
O Creator and mighty God,
help us to continue in your promise.  Amen.