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Responsive Invocation (adapted from Psalm 71)

L: In you, O LORD, we take refuge; let us never be put to shame.
P: In your righteousness deliver us and rescue us; incline your ear to us and save us.
L: For you, O Lord, are our hope, our trust, O LORD, from our youth.
P: Upon you we have leaned from birth; it was you who cared for us from the day we were born.
L: May the praise of our lips be pleasing to you as we draw near you in this holy place.
 

 

Call to Worship (responsively):

L: We, the Family of God, come together in unity.
P: We have gathered to worship the LORD, our great Parent.
L: We are from many walks of life, people of many colors and fabrics.
P: Yet we are woven together by the Master Quilt Maker; made into one beautiful piece.
L: Let us approach God with humble hearts, always willing to be transformed into the image of Christ. Let us worship God!

 

Invocation

Sisters and brothers, called to freedom in Christ: Grace, mercy, and peace be with you all.

And also with you.

Let us pray. God of all creation, you reach out to call people of all nations to your kingdom. As you gather disciples from near and far, count us also among those who boldly confess your Son Jesus Christ as Lord. Amen.

 

Prayer of Confession

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.  Teach us to live in the intricate balance between faith and works, between being and doing, being nourished and serving others.  Forgive us, revive us, and reshape us in your image. Amen.

 

Prayer of Dedication
adapted from a prayer by Dave Waite

Dearest God of all that is,
In the name of Love, may your gift of my life
lift the world to more fully experience the value of loving.
Let me be an instrument of your grace to honor all life by easily and effectively, doing and being an example of your will.

And by my actions, and heartfelt dreams that guide those actions, help me to create and promote unity through loving.
Let there be greatness in each life,
experienced and acknowledged together.
Let this greatness promote an active awareness
to restore and preserve the beauty of all creation.

For all that I am, and for all that I can be,
I choose to dedicate my life to you and the ministry to which you are calling me.   Amen.

 

For Humility and Tolerance
Prayer of St. Ephrem

O LORD, Master of my life, grant that I may not be infected with the spirit of slothfulness and inquisitiveness, with the spirit of ambition and vain talking.

Grant instead to me, your servant, the spirit of purity and of humility, the spirit of patience and neighborly love.

O Lord and King, grant me the grace of being aware of my sins and of not thinking evil of those of my brethren.

For you are blessed, now and ever, and forever.

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.

For all the baptized, that we would take delight in the Sabbath, gladly hear your word, receive with joy your forgiveness, and savor the feast you have prepared for us. God of grace,

let our prayer come before you.

For all nations and peoples, that you would raise up leaders in the world who will feed the hungry, bring justice to the oppressed, and work for peace. God of grace,

let our prayer come before you.

For all those afflicted with chronic diseases, for those cut off from family and loved ones through wars and conflicts, for the sick and dying (especially), that you would provide wholeness, reconciliation, and healing in their lives. God of grace,

let our prayer come before you.

For our congregation, that we would be the body of Christ in the world and bring justice and healing to the oppressed in our community. God of grace,

let our prayer come before you.

In thanksgiving for (names, and) all the saints who dwell with you in the heavenly Jerusalem, that we, following the example of their faith in Christ, might one day also enjoy your reign that cannot be shaken. 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:
traditional Gaelic

May the road rise to meet you,
may the wind be always at your back,
may the sun shine warm upon your face,
may the rains fall soft upon your fields,
and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Amen.