Proper 7
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids, Cradled in God's Heart
Series VIII, Cycle A
Object:
Call To Worship
One: There is no one like you,
God of Abraham and Sarah.
All: We ask for signs,
and you fill us with surprises.
One: There is no one like you,
God of Hagar and Ishmael.
All: We cry out in our need,
and you listen to our voices.
One: There is no one like you,
God of each and every person.
All: We ask for power
and you give us the humility
to serve all your children.
Prayer Of The Day
God of those cast out
and of the abandoned,
you enter into the chaos of our lives
with the silence of love;
as we choke on bitter memories,
you touch us with healing;
when we wander
the wilderness of our world,
you bring us home to your heart.
Jesus Christ,
Sin's Conqueror,
into our deepest pain
where we can find no hope,
you dare to enter;
when we gasp in fear,
you reach out to hold our hearts;
when we face death,
you stride out of the grave
to lead us to the boulevards
of the kingdom.
Spirit of Gentleness,
you are the mist
shimmering over the valleys,
stirring the waters of creation;
you are the dew
bathing the flowers every morning,
anointing us with resurrection's grace.
God in Community, Holy in One,
we lift our prayer to you, as Jesus has taught us,
Our Father ...
Call To Reconciliation
Whether we whisper, weep, or shout, we can trust God to hear us and to respond. Even when we fail to follow Jesus -- especially when we fail to follow -- God does not turn away, but cradles us in the steadfast arms of mercy and grace. Let us confess our sins together, praying,
Unison Prayer Of Confession
We confess to you, God our God, that some of the stories in the Bible trouble us more than the news we hear each day. Some of the words that Jesus speaks make us more uncomfortable than the cries of those in need in our communities. And while our baptism may be a sign of your invisible grace, many of those around us do not find us to be very gracious people.
Forgive us, Gracious God. Save us and give us the strength to be willing to take up whatever task you give us, and the faith to be willing to lose our lives for others, so we might find life forever with you, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Silence is kept
Assurance Of Pardon
One: This is the good news: God hears our prayers, our cries, and our confessions. God listens to every longing of our hearts. And, in Christ, we receive new life. We are free, free to walk in the light of the Lord.
All: This is what we will do. We will open our hearts to God's grace; we will live as people who have died to sin and live for Christ. Thanks be to God. Amen.
One: There is no one like you,
God of Abraham and Sarah.
All: We ask for signs,
and you fill us with surprises.
One: There is no one like you,
God of Hagar and Ishmael.
All: We cry out in our need,
and you listen to our voices.
One: There is no one like you,
God of each and every person.
All: We ask for power
and you give us the humility
to serve all your children.
Prayer Of The Day
God of those cast out
and of the abandoned,
you enter into the chaos of our lives
with the silence of love;
as we choke on bitter memories,
you touch us with healing;
when we wander
the wilderness of our world,
you bring us home to your heart.
Jesus Christ,
Sin's Conqueror,
into our deepest pain
where we can find no hope,
you dare to enter;
when we gasp in fear,
you reach out to hold our hearts;
when we face death,
you stride out of the grave
to lead us to the boulevards
of the kingdom.
Spirit of Gentleness,
you are the mist
shimmering over the valleys,
stirring the waters of creation;
you are the dew
bathing the flowers every morning,
anointing us with resurrection's grace.
God in Community, Holy in One,
we lift our prayer to you, as Jesus has taught us,
Our Father ...
Call To Reconciliation
Whether we whisper, weep, or shout, we can trust God to hear us and to respond. Even when we fail to follow Jesus -- especially when we fail to follow -- God does not turn away, but cradles us in the steadfast arms of mercy and grace. Let us confess our sins together, praying,
Unison Prayer Of Confession
We confess to you, God our God, that some of the stories in the Bible trouble us more than the news we hear each day. Some of the words that Jesus speaks make us more uncomfortable than the cries of those in need in our communities. And while our baptism may be a sign of your invisible grace, many of those around us do not find us to be very gracious people.
Forgive us, Gracious God. Save us and give us the strength to be willing to take up whatever task you give us, and the faith to be willing to lose our lives for others, so we might find life forever with you, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Silence is kept
Assurance Of Pardon
One: This is the good news: God hears our prayers, our cries, and our confessions. God listens to every longing of our hearts. And, in Christ, we receive new life. We are free, free to walk in the light of the Lord.
All: This is what we will do. We will open our hearts to God's grace; we will live as people who have died to sin and live for Christ. Thanks be to God. Amen.
