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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 52)

L: The righteous will see, and fear, and will laugh at the evildoer, saying,
P: "See the one who would not take refuge in God, and sought refuge in wealth!"
L: But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.
P: I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.
L: I will thank you forever, because of what you have done.
P: In the presence of the faithful I will proclaim your name, for it is good.

 

Call to Worship

L: Awake, awake, put on your strength, o Zion!
P: Put on your beautiful garments, o people of God!
L: For the steadfast love of God endures for ever and ever.
P: God's mighty works of salvation are evident in our midst.
L: Come, let us proclaim the Name of the Lord, and worship Him in splendor!

 

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 see how busy we are with many things. Turn us to listen to your teachings and lead us to choose the one thing which will not be taken from us. Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

 

Prayer of Confession (based on Amos)

Almighty God, we confess that we are so often swept up in the tide of our generation.  We have failed in our calling to be your holy people, a people set apart for your divine purpose.  We live more in apathy born of fatalism than in passion born of hope. We are moved more by private ambition than by social justice. We dream more of privilege and benefits than of service and sacrifice. We try to speak in your name, without relinquishing our glories, without nourishing our souls, without relying wholly on your grace.
Help us to make room in our heart and lives for you.  Forgive us, revive us, and reshape us in your image. Amen.

 

Prayer of Confession: (from Psalm 15:2-3 and Colossians 1:23)

God of grace, we confess that we follow you with faltering feet. We wish we always walked blamelessly, did what is right, and spoke the truth without slander. We confess our divided loyalty, both to you and to our own self interests. We ask for your forgiveness, and for the power of your Spirit to remain steadfast in the faith, and to live the gospel hope. Amen

Assurance of Forgiveness:

Our assurance of forgiveness is found in the words of the Epistle: "We who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, Christ has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present us holy and blameless and irreproachable."

 

Prayer of the Day (based on Col. 1:15-28 and Luke 10:25-37)
by Rev. F. Schaefer

Creator God, we give you thanks for the icon of the universe, Jesus Christ, your Son--firstborn of all creation, through whom you created all things and provided salvation for all humanity.  Teach us to hold fast to the mystery that Christ dwells within us so that we may grow increasingly in your image.

Savior God help us understand with Mary and Martha how to live in the intricate balance between faith and works, being and doing, being nourished and serving others. In all things present and all things to come we trust your leading in all our ways, through the Spirit of Christ who dwells in us now and forevermore. 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.

Give to your church, O God, faithful stewards of the mystery revealed in Christ Jesus that through Christ's body, the church, all people might be reconciled to you and brought to peace through the blood of the cross. God of grace,

let our prayer come before you.

We are easily distracted, O God. Guard us from the affliction of mere busyness, and even as we serve, keep our attention focused on your liberating gospel. God of grace,

let our prayer come before you.

Direct, O God, the leaders of all nations to work for the end of war, violence, and injustice in their lands that all people might live and prosper in peace and safety. God of grace,

let our prayer come before you.

Make your presence known, O God, to all who are sick or living without hope (especially), that they might find strength and healing, and may trust in your lovingkindness. God of grace,

let our prayer come before you.

Move us, O God, to show hospitality to the stranger among us in our neighborhoods, our workplaces, and here in our worshiping assembly, that through our actions all might know that Christ holds first place in our lives. God of grace,

let our prayer come before you.

We give you thanks, O God, for those whom you declared blameless through faith in your Son and who now dwell with you. Keep us also faithful to Christ, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, and our end. 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 (adapted from Col. 3:14-17):

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, and let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you were indeed called in the one body.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Amen.