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Call to Worship (adapted from Psalm 71)

L: The Lord, almighty God, is our hope;
P: God is our trust from when we were young.
L: The Lord is to us a rock of refuge,
P: a strong fortress to save us.
L: May our lips shall be filled with God's praises all the days of our life.   Come, let us worship God!

L: Lord, you have called us to serve you. P: We will serve. L: Lord, you send us out-- P: to diverse people and places. L: We do not understand-- P: but trusting, we obey. ALL: Amen

 

Invocation

The light and love of God who wonderfully made you, who graciously redeemed you, who call you each by name, be with you all.

And also with you.

Let us pray. O God, you know that we cannot withstand the dangers which surround us. Strengthen us in body and spirit so that, with your help, we may be able to overcome the weakness that our sin has brought upon us; through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord.

Amen

  

Encouraged by the radiant light of God revealed to us in Jesus Christ, let us pray with boldness and confidence, saying: "Hear us, O God, and show us your glory."

For pardon at those times when we refuse to acknowledge Jesus as Lord of our lives, that in forgiveness we may be turned from selfishness and restored to faith, let us pray to the Lord:

Hear us, O God, and show us your glory.

For the leaders of the church, that they embrace the word of God, faithfully proclaim it to all, and humbly guide the people with integrity and vigor, let us pray to the Lord:

Hear us, O God, and show us your glory.

For the world's diverse cultures, that they may celebrate and uphold their unique heritages and build upon all that is good in them, while showing tolerance for other ways of life, let us pray to the Lord:

Hear us, O God, and show us your glory.

For those whose lives are touched by despair, grief, pain, or illness (especially), that God restore them to wholeness and provide them sustaining love through our ministry, let us pray to the Lord:

Hear us, O God, and show us your glory.

For this congregation, that our life and mission may be governed by love for God, love for our neighbor, and love for one another, let us pray to the Lord:

Hear us, O God, and show us your glory.

In remembrance of all the beloved saints who have lived and died in faith, that we may be instructed by their example and united with them in the love that will not let us go, let us pray to the Lord:

Hear us, O God, and show us your glory.

Into your hands, great God of heaven, we lay our prayers, trusting in your mercy through the one who showed us your face, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen

 

Prayer based on all Lessons:

We praise you, o Lord, for you alone are worthy to be praised. You rescued your people through hesitant prophets like Jeremiah; through your Son Jesus you manifested your willingness and power to save the whole human family. Deliver us from the things that possess our time and attention; free us and empower us so that we might heed your call to serve. Inspire us to love you and one another according to the true meaning of (agape) love.  God of Love and Grace, heal our communities and bring wholeness to our lives.  In Christ's name. Amen.

 

Prayer of Ignatius of Loyola

Teach us, good Lord,

to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost;
to fight and not to heed the wounds;
to toil and not to seek for rest:
to labor and not to ask for any reward,
except that of knowing that we do your will:
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

 

Prayer for Love of Neighbor

Teach me to love, Lord, as you love,
unconditional, honest, and kind.
May it be seen in my face and my eyes, Lord.
May it be simple and sincere. Amen.

 

Prayer of Commitment

Jesus, you knew rejection and disappointment;
Help us if our work seems distasteful;
Help us to decide what best to do,
what next to do, or what to do at all.
Give us courage and cheerfulness to go the second mile,
And all the miles ahead.
Amen.

 

Closing Prayer:    - by St. Thomas Aquinas

Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give us an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; give us an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Closing Prayer

Gracious Creator, you have know us before we ever knew you, and have called us your children. Cultivate in us the courage to speak and live your word of faith, hope, and love. Amen