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Call to Worship
based on Psalm 116)

L: I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my supplications.
P: Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
L: What shall I return to the LORD for all his bounty to me?
P: I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD, I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
L: I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice and call on the name of the LORD. Praise the LORD!

 

Prayer for Empowerment
(by Rev. Frank Schaefer)

Set our hearts on fire with love for you and compassion for a hurting world, O God,
     that in its flame we may love you with all our heart, with all our mind, with all our soul and with all our strength;
     that we may love our neighbours as ourselves;
     that in receiving your precious gifts we may be empowered to give of ourselves to our brothers and sisters in need;
     that we may do your will on earth as it is done in heaven, so that you may be glorified now and forever, the Giver of all good gifts. Amen.

Prayer of Hope for our World:
(Unity Day Prayer--exact source unknown)

Lord our God,
You who are the source of all life
Let us joyfully praise you:
Let us worship you for the gift of Jesus your Son

Who came to earth, that before the open heavens,
This earth might direct its hopes and plans towards you.

Let us acclaim you for the salvation
that your Son offers to all humanity
Let us honour you for the gift of the Spirit through whom you renew the universe.

Let us praise you when our churches, our communities and congregations
draw from you the strength to break through the barriers of death and division.
Let us praise you when our world is able,
through your assembled people,
to find reason still to hope in 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. 

On this Sunday when you call us to minister to other in Jesus name, we confess our shortcomings:

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, to listen, to affirm, and to share the message of your grace.. Through Jesus our Lord. Amen.

 

Prayers for Use with Laying-On-of-Hands

Our Lord, Jesus Christ, Who gave authority to His disciples that they should lay hands upon the sick that they might recover, have mercy upon you and strengthen you in body, soul and spirit; and give you faith in His power to heal. By His authority committed unto me, I lay my hands upon you in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

I lay my hands upon you and anoint you with oil in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy spirit, beseeching the mercies of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that all sin, sickness, and disease of body, soul and spirit may depart from you, and by the power of the Holy spirit you shall be made whole. Amen

I lay my hands upon your head (an anoint you with oil) in the Name of God the Father, who made you, and in the Name of Jesus Christ, who died for you, and in the Name of the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies you. O Triune God, fill this Your servant with Your healing love. Lift every burden, throw light upon every problem, wash away all guilt, forgive every sin, reconcile every strained relationship, heal every disease, re-energize his entire being, anoint him with Your joy, and fill him with Your peace. Bless and heal the ones for whom he is interceding through Jesus Christ, Whom with You, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, we worship and praise as one God, world without end. Amen.

May the mercy of God, and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the power of His Holy Spirit, which are here now, enter your spirit, your soul, and your body for healing. Amen.

 

Closing Prayer--David's Prayer of Possibilities (1 Chronicles 29:10b-13)

Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. Amen.