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Call to Worship (adapted from Psalm 119)

L: Oh, how I love God's Word! I carry it on my mind and in my heart.
P:  God's commandments make me wise, for they guide me always
L: I do not turn away from your ordinances, for you have taught me.
P: How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
L: Come, let us worship God who by His Word speaks all things into existence.

 

Call to Worship

I will bless the Lord at all times
His Praise shall continually be in my mouth
My soul shall make her boast in the Lord.
The humble shall hear and be glad. Amen.

 

Invocation

The rich presence of God, the beginning and end of all that is good, be with you now and always.

And also with you.

Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations. Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

 

Prayer of Confession

God of Mercy, amidst the sound of crashing buildings and the silence of a city never silent, we make our confession.

We confess our fears.

(silence)

We confess the fear that evil has won, and that Love has been vanquished.

We confess our need to punish and hurt and hate those who have hurt us so deeply.

We confess the desire to escape from it all even as billows of ash in the northeastern sky reminded us of what had occurred.

Forgive us God.

Forgive us... and help us to forgive.

 

 

WESLEYAN COVENANT PRAYER
(can be used with Jeremiah 31:27-34)

I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt,
rank me with whom thou wilt.

Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low by thee.

Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.

And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

 

Prayer for Illumination
(can be used with  2Timothy 3:14-4:5)

O Lord our God, your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Give us grace to hear and receive Your prophetic word.

Through the guidance of your Holy Spirit, let us rightly divide Your Holy Word, so that the seeds of your truth will fall on fruitful soil in our hearts.

May we grow strong in faith and reach out to the world which you loved so much that you gave your only begotten Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.

 
 

Lord Teach Us How To Pray Aright
(can be used with Luke 18:1-8)
(consider using the words of this hymn--or parts of it-- as a unison prayer)

Lord, teach us how to pray aright,
with reverence and with fear;
though dust and ashes in thy sight,
we may, we must draw near.

We perish if we cease from prayer,
O grant us power to pray!
And when to meet thee we prepare,
Lord, meet us by the way.

God of all grace, we bring to thee
a broken, contrite heart;
give, what thine eye delights to see,
truth in the inward part.

Faith in the only sacrifice
that can for sin atone;
to build our hopes, to fix our eyes,
on Christ, on Christ alone;

Patience to watch and wait and weep,
though mercy long delay;
courage our fainting souls to keep,
and trust thee though thou slay.

Give these, and then thy will be done;
thus strengthened with all might,
we through thy Spirit and thy Son,
shall pray, and pray aright.

 

 

Prayer of Intercession

Remembering God's marvelous works and living in hope, let us pray for the church, the world, and all people according to their needs.

Stir up your church to do the work of evangelism and proclaim the message of the salvation through faith in Christ Jesus to the world. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Enlighten world leaders with new and creative ways to become good stewards of the earth's resources for the sake of future generations. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Watch over all who suffer from injustice, hear and answer their cry, and preserve them from all evil. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Let us pray for the sick (including) and especially for those with AIDS and those who are HIV positive, that God will give health and strengthen their faith. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Inspire our congregation to persistent prayer and steadfast study of the scriptures, so that we will be equipped for every good work. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

We give you thanks for the witness of Ignatius, bishop and martyr (and names). Give us persistence of faith until we, with all the saints, may see you face to face. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of faithfulness, encircled in your lovingkindness, we lift up to you all in need. Hear our prayers on behalf of others and sustain us as we await the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray.

Amen

 

Closing Prayer

God of all time, your purposes and hopes for the universe will never be thwarted. Remind us of your persistent love and of your continual grace toward us. Give us hope and perseverance. Amen

 

Closing Prayer

May the God of faithful Covenant guide you wherever your path may take you.  Go forth in the secure knowledge that Christ has gone before you, and with the assurance that the Spirit of God will illuminate you through the reading of God's Holy Word.  Amen.