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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 127)

L: Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
P: Unless the LORD guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.
L: Sons are indeed a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.
P: Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one's youth.
L: Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
All: May God bless our relationships and families as we come to worship Him

 

Call to Worship

Leader: Though we think we are not important and try to hide from You, O God
People: We cannot escape your love or presence.
Leader: Come in the power of your spirit, O God,
People: That we might be moved from our hiding place and meet You here in worship.
Leader: Let us worship God.

 

Invocation

The grace of eternal God, the holy and living One, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you all.
And also with you.

Let us pray. Lord, when the day of wrath comes we have no hope except in your grace. Make us so to watch for the last days that the consummation of our hope may be the joy of the marriage feast of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

 

Morning Prayer reflecting the Lessons:
by Rev. Frank Schaefer

Almighty God, our Parent and Provider, we thank you for your endless and faithful provisions. You shower us with an abundance--indeed overabundance--of blessings. You provide the nutrients we need for body and soul. Yet, we often say: "I have so little. What do I have to give?" Today, you remind us of the wealth of our blessings:

*our families, and spouses
*our children
*the privilege of a relationship with You

You call us to give of what we have; you even accept two little copper coins and use them in a mighty way. Help us give all that we can. Make us aware, Parent of all creation, of the tremendous needs others have in this world: those who go hungry, the impoverished, the orphans and widows, those who suffer illness, injustice, and those who can no longer care for themselves. We pray for them and carry them in our hearts as we make our offerings to you, eternal God, who lives and reigns now and forevermore. Amen.

 

Prayer For God's Protection and Provision

Almighty God and Father,
     In our shared humanity, our hearts fear more than ever before in this world filled with anxiety, strife, and uncertainty.
     For those who doubt and fear that evil is greater than good we pray for the grace to take the side of your divine Providence. May we always believe that it does all well, and disposes all things for the best.
     And for all of us we pray for wisdom and justice, for courage and hope. May we know that, even if everything is taken from us, your divine Providence means that You will never take Yourself from us, so long as we do not will it.
     Enlighten our minds, encourage our hearts, and enliven our souls that we might know your presence, grow in love, and bring new hope to our world.    AMEN.

 

Prayer of Thanks for God's Provisions

Almighty God, our Parent and Provider, we thank you for your endless and faithful provisions.  You shower us with an abundance--indeed overabundance--of blessings.    You provide the nutrients we need for body and soul. Yet, we often say: "I have so little. What do I have to give?" Today, you remind us of the wealth of our blessings: our families, our friends, our daily bread, and above all, the privilege of a living relationship with You.  Help us never to forget to thank you for your blessings.  In Jesus's name we pray.  Amen.

 

Prayer for True Riches

Lord, hear our prayer for the salvation of all of us today, for we know it is hard for us to enter the kingdom of Heaven unless we are willing to lay down everything for you. Transform our greed into generosity, our self-absorption into concern for others, and our desire for wordly pleasures into a desire for you. Help us all to discover Your true riches, so that we may live a life worthy of Christ our Savior.  Amen.

 

Prayer for A Heart of True Stewardship

Lord, you call us to give of what we have; you even accept two little copper coins and use them in a mighty way. Help us give all that we can. Make us aware of the tremendous needs others have in this world: those who go hungry, the impoverished, the orphans and widows, those who suffer illness, injustice, and those who can no longer care for themselves.  We pray for them and carry them in our hearts as we make our offerings to you, eternal God, who lives and reigns now and forevermore. Amen.

 

Closing Prayer:
Prayer for God's Protection (ancient Gaelic Prayer)

   Tend Thou to us whether asleep or awake,
   Keep us beneath Thine own glorious mantle;

    Thou Shield of protection, guard us for ever.
    Be Thou to us a hard triumphant glove
    To shield us securely from wicked hell,
    From the fiends, and from the quick rapids,
    And from the lurid smoke of the abyss.

    Be my soul in the trust of the High King,
    May Michael the powerful guard my soul.
    Amen.