Epiphany 9
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids, Cradled in God's Heart
Series VIII, Cycle A
Object:
Call To Worship
One: Here is the promise:
When you ask for help, God will respond.
All: We will put these words in our hearts.
One: Here is the promise:
God's salvation is for all, a gift of grace.
All: We will share these words with our children.
One: Here is the promise:
Whether we are foolish or wise, God loves us all.
All: We will carry these words with us through life.
Prayer Of The Day
When we get trapped
in the shifting sands of prejudice,
you build fairness as a model for us;
when we stumble over the marginalized
sinking in their oppression,
you build justice into our hearts;
when we would choose the easy way
of cursing others and ourselves,
you whisper blessings into our souls.
Holy are you, God of Creation.
When we have no words to offer
to all those who suffer,
you write compassion on our hearts,
so we may serve them.
When we wonder what we can say
to our children as they ponder
a future they cannot see,
you write hope onto our hearts,
so we may teach them.
Holy are you, Friend of the Forgotten.
When we think that only fools
would believe in this thing called the gospel,
you wisely give us mentors
to show us the way.
When we think we have earned
enough bonus points to get into heaven,
you wisely remind us
that it is what God has done for us
that makes all the difference.
Holy are you, Spirit of Joy.
Holy, holy, holy are you,
God in Community,
and we lift the prayer Jesus has taught us, saying,
Our Father ...
Call To Reconciliation
Each moment, and every moment; each day and every day, we face choices. Will we help, or hurt another; will we speak in anger or love; will we see God in the other, or ignore them all together? Let us confess to God the poor choices we have made in our lives, as we pray, saying,
Unison Prayer Of Confession
Why do we worry so much about earning points with you, Heart of Holiness, when it is your grace that sets us free? Why is it we can glide so gracefully through temptation, yet trip when we try to follow Jesus? Why do the false promises of the world tantalize our souls, while we cannot remember your words of blessing?
Forgive us, Foundation of Faith, when we make the wrong choices. Write your words of grace and hope on the doors of our hearts, so we can open them to the love and mercy Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, brings to us.
Silence is kept
Assurance Of Pardon
One: It is not because of anything we do, or by some great human endeavor on our part, that God forgives us. It is finally, and simply, because of God's gracious love for us.
All: Now, we stand on solid ground; now, we find our sins forgiven; now, we find our shattered lives put back together. Thanks be to God. Amen.
One: Here is the promise:
When you ask for help, God will respond.
All: We will put these words in our hearts.
One: Here is the promise:
God's salvation is for all, a gift of grace.
All: We will share these words with our children.
One: Here is the promise:
Whether we are foolish or wise, God loves us all.
All: We will carry these words with us through life.
Prayer Of The Day
When we get trapped
in the shifting sands of prejudice,
you build fairness as a model for us;
when we stumble over the marginalized
sinking in their oppression,
you build justice into our hearts;
when we would choose the easy way
of cursing others and ourselves,
you whisper blessings into our souls.
Holy are you, God of Creation.
When we have no words to offer
to all those who suffer,
you write compassion on our hearts,
so we may serve them.
When we wonder what we can say
to our children as they ponder
a future they cannot see,
you write hope onto our hearts,
so we may teach them.
Holy are you, Friend of the Forgotten.
When we think that only fools
would believe in this thing called the gospel,
you wisely give us mentors
to show us the way.
When we think we have earned
enough bonus points to get into heaven,
you wisely remind us
that it is what God has done for us
that makes all the difference.
Holy are you, Spirit of Joy.
Holy, holy, holy are you,
God in Community,
and we lift the prayer Jesus has taught us, saying,
Our Father ...
Call To Reconciliation
Each moment, and every moment; each day and every day, we face choices. Will we help, or hurt another; will we speak in anger or love; will we see God in the other, or ignore them all together? Let us confess to God the poor choices we have made in our lives, as we pray, saying,
Unison Prayer Of Confession
Why do we worry so much about earning points with you, Heart of Holiness, when it is your grace that sets us free? Why is it we can glide so gracefully through temptation, yet trip when we try to follow Jesus? Why do the false promises of the world tantalize our souls, while we cannot remember your words of blessing?
Forgive us, Foundation of Faith, when we make the wrong choices. Write your words of grace and hope on the doors of our hearts, so we can open them to the love and mercy Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, brings to us.
Silence is kept
Assurance Of Pardon
One: It is not because of anything we do, or by some great human endeavor on our part, that God forgives us. It is finally, and simply, because of God's gracious love for us.
All: Now, we stand on solid ground; now, we find our sins forgiven; now, we find our shattered lives put back together. Thanks be to God. Amen.
