Proper 18
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VI, Cycle A
Object:
Words Of Assurance
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is God's love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
Almighty God, Lord of life and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are aware of your majesty and your mystery, your holiness and your glory. We thank you that you are God above and beyond us. But we are also aware of your coming to us and your being with us, of your taking our part and your sharing our humanity. We thank you that you accept and love us, that you discipline and correct us, that you provide for us and lead us, that you call us into your family and send us out into life to serve in your name. We thank you for the Church, the Body of Christ, and the Family of the Faithful. We are grateful for all those who share with us all the good that is ours in Christ: for those who pray for us and those whom we remember in our prayers; for those who stretch our minds and for those who make us laugh; for those who weep with us and those who let us weep with them; for those who are easy to love and for those who test our capacity to love; for those who freely give and for those who graciously receive what we seek to offer them. We thank you that in Christ we find the faith which binds us to you, the hope which sustains us, and the love which gives meaning to life both now and forever.
O God, you hear us before we speak, and you answer beyond our expectations. Therefore, we are bold to make our intercessions before you. We pray for your creation that it may be set free from the bondage of decay, pollution, and exploitation by humankind. We pray for the world which you love and redeem. Hasten the day when the mystery of your will and purpose to unite all things in Christ shall be fulfilled. Guide the leaders of the nations who make momentous decisions which affect the lives of millions. Grant that those decisions may be made under your sovereign lordship even when those who make them do not recognize that lordship. Bless, O Lord, those who seek to be ambassadors of reconciliation among nations, within the Church, in families, and between friends estranged. Be with those who need your healing grace for bodies or for minds. Comfort those who mourn because of loss or failure. Strengthen those who feel overburdened, and restore meaning to those who see no sense in the routine of living.
Hear these our prayers, O Lord, for we make them in the name and for the sake of Christ who is our Advocate. Amen.
Benediction
Go in peace. Be diligent in your work, true to your friends, kind to your enemies, helpful to the unfortunate, and loyal to your God; and the blessing of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be yours. Amen.
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is God's love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
Almighty God, Lord of life and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are aware of your majesty and your mystery, your holiness and your glory. We thank you that you are God above and beyond us. But we are also aware of your coming to us and your being with us, of your taking our part and your sharing our humanity. We thank you that you accept and love us, that you discipline and correct us, that you provide for us and lead us, that you call us into your family and send us out into life to serve in your name. We thank you for the Church, the Body of Christ, and the Family of the Faithful. We are grateful for all those who share with us all the good that is ours in Christ: for those who pray for us and those whom we remember in our prayers; for those who stretch our minds and for those who make us laugh; for those who weep with us and those who let us weep with them; for those who are easy to love and for those who test our capacity to love; for those who freely give and for those who graciously receive what we seek to offer them. We thank you that in Christ we find the faith which binds us to you, the hope which sustains us, and the love which gives meaning to life both now and forever.
O God, you hear us before we speak, and you answer beyond our expectations. Therefore, we are bold to make our intercessions before you. We pray for your creation that it may be set free from the bondage of decay, pollution, and exploitation by humankind. We pray for the world which you love and redeem. Hasten the day when the mystery of your will and purpose to unite all things in Christ shall be fulfilled. Guide the leaders of the nations who make momentous decisions which affect the lives of millions. Grant that those decisions may be made under your sovereign lordship even when those who make them do not recognize that lordship. Bless, O Lord, those who seek to be ambassadors of reconciliation among nations, within the Church, in families, and between friends estranged. Be with those who need your healing grace for bodies or for minds. Comfort those who mourn because of loss or failure. Strengthen those who feel overburdened, and restore meaning to those who see no sense in the routine of living.
Hear these our prayers, O Lord, for we make them in the name and for the sake of Christ who is our Advocate. Amen.
Benediction
Go in peace. Be diligent in your work, true to your friends, kind to your enemies, helpful to the unfortunate, and loyal to your God; and the blessing of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be yours. Amen.
