PROPER 10
Prayer
Psalms And Prayers For Congregational Participation
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come honestly before God, who already knows you and has examined you, but wants you to increase your knowledge of the unreachable.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
GOD OF THE PROPHETS, YOU CALL US TO FOLLOW THE FAITHFUL WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US, BUT WE ARE NOT
ALWAYS READY TO ACCEPT THE DIFFICULT AND UNPOPULAR ASSIGNMENT. WE ARE RELUCTANT TO SEEK THE SPECIAL GIFTS YOU HAVE TO OFFER TO ENABLE US TO DO THE ARDUOUS. FORGIVE US IF EVEN NOW WE ARE TURNING ASIDE FROM YOUR CALL INSTEAD OF SEEKING THE GRACE YOUR SPIRIT WILL GIVE IN ABUNDANCE, FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR FULLY OBEDIENT SON, JESUS CHRIST. AMEN
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! God has chosen to reconcile the whole world to Godself through the dear Son, making peace through the shedding of his blood upon the cross. Friends, believe the Good News! IN JESUS CHRIST, WE ARE FORGIVEN.
EXHORTATION
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. Do that and you will live.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
LORD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, ON OUR WAY TO YOUR HEAVENLY CITY, WE WANT TO BE HELPFUL TO ANY WHO
NEED OUR ASSISTANCE. SAVE US FROM ANY FALSE PREOCCUPATION WITH PIETY THAT WOULD OBSCURE THE NEEDS, BOTH PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL, OF OUR HURTING NEIGHBORS. GRANT US THE SPIRIT OF THE CARING CHRIST. AMEN
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
INVISIBLE GOD IN THE VISIBLE SON, CREATOR SPIRIT, HOLDING THE UNIVERSE TOGETHER. WE ACCLAIM YOUR PREEMINENCE. WE REJOICE IN THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS AS FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD. HE IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH WHOM WE REVERE IN WORSHIP AND IN DAILY SERVICE. WE GLORIFY YOU, 0 CREATOR, SUSTAINER, RECONCILER OF A FRACTIOUS WORLD. AMEN
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
USE OUR GIFTS, GRACIOUS GOD, TO BIND UP THE WOUNDED, TO ANOINT THE UNNOTICED WITH BLESSING, AND TO PROVIDE THE SACRAMENTS FOR THE CHURCH THROUGH JESUS OUR SAVIOR. AMEN
PSALM 139:1-12
Lord, you have searched me out and known me;
YOU KNOW MY SITTING DOWN AND MY RISING UP;
YOU DISCERN MY THOUGHTS FROM AFAR,
You trace my journeys and my resting-places
AND ARE ACQUAINTED WITH ALL MY WAYS.
Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, but you, O Lord, know it altogether.
YOU PRESS UPON ME BEHIND AND BEFORE AND LAY YOUR HAND UPON ME.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
IT IS SO HIGH THAT I CAN NOT ATTAIN TO IT.
Where can I go then from your Spirit?
WHERE CAN I FLEE FROM YOUR PRESENCE?
If I climb up to heaven, you are there;
IF I MAKE THE GRAVE MY BED, YOU ARE THERE ALSO.
If I take the wings of the morning
AND DWELL IN THE UTTERMOST PARTS OF THE SEA,
Even there your hand will lead me
AND YOUR RIGHT HAND HOLD ME FAST.
If I say, "Surely the darkness will cover me,
AND THE LIGHT AROUND ME TURN TO NIGHT,"
Darkness is not dark to you;
THE NIGHT IS AS BRIGHT AS THE DAY;
(ALL) DARKNESS AND LIGHT TO YOU ARE BOTH ALIKE.
For you yourself created my inmost parts;
YOU KNIT ME TOGETHER IN MY MOTHER'S WOMB.
Come honestly before God, who already knows you and has examined you, but wants you to increase your knowledge of the unreachable.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
GOD OF THE PROPHETS, YOU CALL US TO FOLLOW THE FAITHFUL WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US, BUT WE ARE NOT
ALWAYS READY TO ACCEPT THE DIFFICULT AND UNPOPULAR ASSIGNMENT. WE ARE RELUCTANT TO SEEK THE SPECIAL GIFTS YOU HAVE TO OFFER TO ENABLE US TO DO THE ARDUOUS. FORGIVE US IF EVEN NOW WE ARE TURNING ASIDE FROM YOUR CALL INSTEAD OF SEEKING THE GRACE YOUR SPIRIT WILL GIVE IN ABUNDANCE, FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR FULLY OBEDIENT SON, JESUS CHRIST. AMEN
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! God has chosen to reconcile the whole world to Godself through the dear Son, making peace through the shedding of his blood upon the cross. Friends, believe the Good News! IN JESUS CHRIST, WE ARE FORGIVEN.
EXHORTATION
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. Do that and you will live.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
LORD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, ON OUR WAY TO YOUR HEAVENLY CITY, WE WANT TO BE HELPFUL TO ANY WHO
NEED OUR ASSISTANCE. SAVE US FROM ANY FALSE PREOCCUPATION WITH PIETY THAT WOULD OBSCURE THE NEEDS, BOTH PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL, OF OUR HURTING NEIGHBORS. GRANT US THE SPIRIT OF THE CARING CHRIST. AMEN
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
INVISIBLE GOD IN THE VISIBLE SON, CREATOR SPIRIT, HOLDING THE UNIVERSE TOGETHER. WE ACCLAIM YOUR PREEMINENCE. WE REJOICE IN THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS AS FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD. HE IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH WHOM WE REVERE IN WORSHIP AND IN DAILY SERVICE. WE GLORIFY YOU, 0 CREATOR, SUSTAINER, RECONCILER OF A FRACTIOUS WORLD. AMEN
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
USE OUR GIFTS, GRACIOUS GOD, TO BIND UP THE WOUNDED, TO ANOINT THE UNNOTICED WITH BLESSING, AND TO PROVIDE THE SACRAMENTS FOR THE CHURCH THROUGH JESUS OUR SAVIOR. AMEN
PSALM 139:1-12
Lord, you have searched me out and known me;
YOU KNOW MY SITTING DOWN AND MY RISING UP;
YOU DISCERN MY THOUGHTS FROM AFAR,
You trace my journeys and my resting-places
AND ARE ACQUAINTED WITH ALL MY WAYS.
Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, but you, O Lord, know it altogether.
YOU PRESS UPON ME BEHIND AND BEFORE AND LAY YOUR HAND UPON ME.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
IT IS SO HIGH THAT I CAN NOT ATTAIN TO IT.
Where can I go then from your Spirit?
WHERE CAN I FLEE FROM YOUR PRESENCE?
If I climb up to heaven, you are there;
IF I MAKE THE GRAVE MY BED, YOU ARE THERE ALSO.
If I take the wings of the morning
AND DWELL IN THE UTTERMOST PARTS OF THE SEA,
Even there your hand will lead me
AND YOUR RIGHT HAND HOLD ME FAST.
If I say, "Surely the darkness will cover me,
AND THE LIGHT AROUND ME TURN TO NIGHT,"
Darkness is not dark to you;
THE NIGHT IS AS BRIGHT AS THE DAY;
(ALL) DARKNESS AND LIGHT TO YOU ARE BOTH ALIKE.
For you yourself created my inmost parts;
YOU KNIT ME TOGETHER IN MY MOTHER'S WOMB.
