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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 123)

L: To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
P: As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until he has mercy upon us.
L: Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt.
P: Our soul has had more than its fill of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.
L: Come, let us seek the Lord's face!

 

Call to Worship (reflecting Judges 4:1-7)

Rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the Lord, your God,

For God is gracious and merciful
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and he relents form punishing.

Come let us draw near the Lord!

 

Prayer of Confession

L:   Almighty, ever-loving God, you are slow to anger and quick to forgive our trespasses as we confess our sin to you. Forgive us, we pray, when we have hurt others and broken your commands.

P:   Forgive us for not being wise stewards over the gifts you gave us--including the gift of
    time and ability.
L:   Forgive us, we pray, where we have been wasteful of the wealth you have given us.
P:   Forgive us, we pray, where we have not fed the hungry and clothed the poor; when we have turned a blind eye to those in need.
L:   Forgive us, we pray, when we have buried the talents and failed to
    work with all the things you give us.
P:   Forgive us, we pray.
L:   Empower us to be good stewards over your resources.  Amen
 

Prayer for Illumination

Lord,
Renew in us the gift of your Spirit
So that we may be purified in the waters of repentance
And with one heart we may glorify your name and proclaim your mercy.
Open our minds to the scriptures
That they may become for us living words
And illumine our hearts.
Let your Spirit fill us with love
To inspire our prayers today for our sisters and brothers, and for the perfect unity of your church.
In the name of Jesus Christ, who reigns with you and with the Holy Spirit,
For ever and ever.
Amen.

 

Canticle of Hope: (can be used with 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

L: We shall see a new heaven and earth,
for the old will pass away.

P: We shall see a new Jerusalem,
the holy city descending from heaven

L: The city shall need no sun or moon,
for God's glory will be its light.

P: for God's Lamb will be its lamp,
and by its light the nations shall walk

L: We shall hear aloud voice from the throne:

P: "Behold, God's dwelling is with mortals.
Indeed, God will dwell with them
and they will be God's people."

L: God shall wipe away all our tears,
and there shall be no more death.

P: Mourning, crying, and pain shall cease,
all former things will pass away.

L: We shall hear One speak from the throne:

P: "Behold, I make all things new.
I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the beginning and the end."

L: Our Lord testifies to these things:

P: "Behold, I am coming soon."

L: the grace of the Lord is with us.

P: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Come!

 

A Stewardship Prayer
by Rev. F. Schaefer

Giver of all life, as you sent us into this world,
so will you summon us at the end of our days:
     naked and empty-handed.

What we wear, what we possess, our talents,
     even our thoughts,
are but a gracious loan from you, o Lord.

Teach us on this day to take nothing for granted--
     neither your blessings nor our belongings.
May we be shrewd, faithful and wise stewards
     over what you have entrusted to us.

Above all, we thank you for our salvation,
and for giving us new life in the path of Jesus.
Enable us to find opportunities to serve you
and others.  In Christ's spirit we pray. Amen.

 

Prayer for the Stewardship Way of Life:

We give our thanks to you for the gifts you have given to us -- our life, our family and friends -- time, talents and material possessions. All we have comes from you. Help us to remember this always and rejoice in your generosity.

Help us on our spiritual journey, so that we may constantly renew our relationship with you and all people of our parish community.
Give us the strength and courage to become better followers of Jesus, to be disciples. Help us always to hear the call to live the Stewardship Way of Life. Amen

 

Stewardship Prayer addressed to Jesus:

 

Lord Jesus, I give you my hands to do your work.
I give you my feet to go your way.
I give you my eyes to see as you see.
I give you my tongue to speak your words.
I give you my mind to think as you think.
I give you my spirit so that you may pray in me.
I give you my self so that you may grow in me.
So that it is you, Lord Jesus,
who lives and works and prays in me.
Amen.

 

Closing Prayer: 

May the almighty and merciful God, who desires not the death of a sinner but that we turn from wickedness and live,
accept your repentance, forgive your sins,
and restore you by the Holy Spirit
to newness of life.  Amen.