A New Covenant
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VI, Cycle B
Call To Worship
Institutional religion is often under fire these days with people predicting its doom. Some of the criticism is deserved; most of it is based on ignorance. We believe that the Church is the Body of Christ on earth. We may need to reform it, but we must not destroy it.
Come, let us worship Christ, the head of the Body.
Collect
O Lord, you are our God and we are your people. Purify our hearts that we may keep the new covenant you made with us. Recognizing that your Body, the Church, needs all its parts, help us to reach out to others seeking that unity of spirit that will enable us to serve you better. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
O God, where we have failed to live up to your expectations of us as a church and as individuals, open our eyes and hearts to see the changes that need to be made, and grant us the courage to work for those changes. Amen.
Hymns
"Jesus, Lover Of My Soul"
"There's A Wideness In God's Mercy"
Reformation Sunday
Second Lesson: Romans 3:19-28
Theme: Justified By Faith
Call To Worship
Seek the Lord while he may be found!
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
Come and worship in the knowledge that God is our God, and that all are God's people.
Collect
Lord, we know that salvation comes to us not because of our good works, but solely by our faith in your love and mercy. We know, too, that faith without works is meaningless, and so we pray that you will kindle in our hearts such a flaming desire to please you that we will seek in all we do to further your kingdom. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
O Gracious Heavenly Father, we pray for your Church. Where it is in error, direct it; where anything is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, establish it; where it is divided, reunite it, for the sake of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.
Hymns
"Grace Greater Than Our Sin"
"How Firm A Foundation"
Reformation Sunday
Gospel Lesson: John 8:31-36
Theme: The Truth Will Make You Free
Call To Worship
Leader: Jesus said that those who believe in him will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.
People: But we have never been slaves or prisoners; we are free.
Leader: Are you really free from prejudice, pride, selfishness, and ignorance?
People: We believe in Christ, and seek that Truth which will set us free.
All: Come, let us worship God the great Liberator!
Collect
Almighty God, help us through our worship to know you more fully, love you more deeply, and follow you more closely that we may find that Truth that will free us from all that separates us from you, from our neighbor, and from ourselves. We pray in the name of him who is the way, the truth, and the life. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
O Lord, our God, we need to be freed from our lack of enthusiasm about the building of your kingdom. Renew, we pray, in us and in your whole Church, that passionate desire for the coming of your kingdom which will unite all Christians in one mission to the world. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Hymns
"Out Of The Depths I Cry To You"
"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"
Institutional religion is often under fire these days with people predicting its doom. Some of the criticism is deserved; most of it is based on ignorance. We believe that the Church is the Body of Christ on earth. We may need to reform it, but we must not destroy it.
Come, let us worship Christ, the head of the Body.
Collect
O Lord, you are our God and we are your people. Purify our hearts that we may keep the new covenant you made with us. Recognizing that your Body, the Church, needs all its parts, help us to reach out to others seeking that unity of spirit that will enable us to serve you better. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
O God, where we have failed to live up to your expectations of us as a church and as individuals, open our eyes and hearts to see the changes that need to be made, and grant us the courage to work for those changes. Amen.
Hymns
"Jesus, Lover Of My Soul"
"There's A Wideness In God's Mercy"
Reformation Sunday
Second Lesson: Romans 3:19-28
Theme: Justified By Faith
Call To Worship
Seek the Lord while he may be found!
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
Come and worship in the knowledge that God is our God, and that all are God's people.
Collect
Lord, we know that salvation comes to us not because of our good works, but solely by our faith in your love and mercy. We know, too, that faith without works is meaningless, and so we pray that you will kindle in our hearts such a flaming desire to please you that we will seek in all we do to further your kingdom. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
O Gracious Heavenly Father, we pray for your Church. Where it is in error, direct it; where anything is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, establish it; where it is divided, reunite it, for the sake of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.
Hymns
"Grace Greater Than Our Sin"
"How Firm A Foundation"
Reformation Sunday
Gospel Lesson: John 8:31-36
Theme: The Truth Will Make You Free
Call To Worship
Leader: Jesus said that those who believe in him will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.
People: But we have never been slaves or prisoners; we are free.
Leader: Are you really free from prejudice, pride, selfishness, and ignorance?
People: We believe in Christ, and seek that Truth which will set us free.
All: Come, let us worship God the great Liberator!
Collect
Almighty God, help us through our worship to know you more fully, love you more deeply, and follow you more closely that we may find that Truth that will free us from all that separates us from you, from our neighbor, and from ourselves. We pray in the name of him who is the way, the truth, and the life. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
O Lord, our God, we need to be freed from our lack of enthusiasm about the building of your kingdom. Renew, we pray, in us and in your whole Church, that passionate desire for the coming of your kingdom which will unite all Christians in one mission to the world. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Hymns
"Out Of The Depths I Cry To You"
"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"
