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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 1)

L: Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;
P: But their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night.
L: They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season,
P: And their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.
L: For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

 

Call to Worship
by Rev. Frank Schaefer

L: We gather to worship the Everlasting Father
P: Praise be to the King of the Universe
L: God will establish in us roots of faith.
P: We shall be be like trees planted by the water
L: He who began a good work within us
P: Will be faithful to complete it.
L: Come, let us worship God!

 

Invocation

The light and love of God who wonderfully made you, who graciously redeemed you, who calls you each by name, be with you all.

And also with you.

Let us pray. Lord God, mercifully receive the prayers of your people. Help us to see and understand the things we ought to do, and give us grace and power to do them; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

 

Prayer based on all Lections:

Almighty God, you are a God of righteousness who calls us not only to have faith, but to a life of faithfulness to the cause of Your Kingdom.  We thank you for the many guideposts you have given us--your commandments, the word of the prophets, and the words of Jesus, who showed us the ultimate way to you.

You ask us, empowered by your Holy Spirit, to make right decisions and choose the more excellent way which often is the road less traveled. By your Spirit give us grace to weep with those who are mourning, to feed those who hunger and to share our riches with those who are poor. God of love and righteousness, shine the light of the Gospel through us. All power and glory be to you, almighty God, now and forevermore. Amen.

 

Prayer of Intercession

Encouraged by the radiant light of God revealed to us in Jesus Christ, let us pray with boldness and confidence.

For the church in all the earth, that filled with the light of the resurrection, we may proclaim the blessing of God upon all who hunger, thirst, and suffer, and may work to ease their misery, let us pray to the Lord:

Hear us, O God, and show us your glory.

For the nations distressed by war and famine, violence and oppression, that illumined by the light of God, they may be drawn into God's reign of peace and justice, let us pray to the Lord:

Hear us, O God, and show us your glory.

For people who suffer from loneliness and isolation, that a door may be opened to companionship and human warmth, let us pray to the Lord:

Hear us, O God, and show us your glory.

For the hungry, poor, grieving, and sick (especially), that they may enjoy the embrace of God's blessing, be restored to wholeness, and be comforted by God's people, let us pray to the Lord:

Hear us, O God, and show us your glory.

For the people of God in this place, that we may trust in the Lord and bloom like a tree planted by water, giving comfort and life to our neighbors, let us pray to the Lord:

Hear us, O God, and show us your glory.

In gratitude for those who have died in Christ (especially), that we find inspiration from their lives and join with them in your resurrection to new life, let us pray to the Lord:

Hear us, O God, and show us your glory.

Into you r hands, great God of heaven, we lay our prayers, trusting in your mercy through the one who showed us your face, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen

 

Prayer for Illumination

O God, you made of one blood all nations and, by a star in the East, revealed to all peoples him whose name is Emmanuel.  Enable us who know your presence with us so to proclaim his unsearchable riches that all may come to his light and bow before the brightness of his rising, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

 

Closing Prayer:

God of righteousness and God of grace, teach us always to live in agreement with your Holy Word which you have written in the laws of nature, in your holy word by your prophets, and on our hearts and minds through the power of your Holy Spirit.  While we journey through this temporal life, give us the strength to do your will and to keep your commandments.

Help us to avoid vanity, pettiness and unfruitful pursuits, but enable us to build our lives upon the rock of Christ, Jesus, your Son, who is your Living Word in this life and in eternity, in whose precious name we pray. Amen.

 

Closing Prayer

O God, nourish us in life so that we, your people, may bear the fruits of justice and peace to our communities and to our world. Amen