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Call To Worship (Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16)

One: Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us.

All: We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

One: In the sight of their ancestors he worked marvels in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.

All: He divided the sea and let them pass through it, and made the waters stand like a heap. In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all night long with a fiery light. He split rocks open in the wilderness, and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep. He made streams come out of the rock, and caused waters to flow down like rivers.


Collect
Food from the skies, water from the rock - in our doubt and despair you demonstrate your care. We gather because we recognize your constant presence in our lives. Hallelujah! We praise you, O God. Amen.


Prayer Of Confession
In the past we questioned if you were with us or not. In the past we complained in our own wilderness, refusing to acknowledge your mercies in the past and acting as if your gift was our right. Forgive us, and renew us in the wonders of your word. Amen.


Hymns
"Here In This Place"
"What Wondrous Love Is This?"
"In The Rifted Rock I'm Resting"



Proper 21/Ordinary Time 26
Sunday between September 25 and October 1 inclusive

Second Lesson: Philippians 2:1-13
Theme: Poured Out For All


Call To Worship
If we seek the Lord we will find God among us, a living presence in the wilderness, calling us, sheltering us, saving us. Come, let us seek this God.


Collect (based on Philippians 2:5-8)
Let the same mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross.


Prayer Of Confession
Lord Jesus, you did not stand on ceremony. Though you are Lord of the Universe you chose to humble yourself as a suffering servant, and you were emptied that we might be filled. If it is your will that we should be emptied as well in our witness, give us the strength to endure and to triumph. At your name we kneel in awe and wonder. Amen.


Hymns
"Behold, The Dawn Is Breaking"
"At The Name Of Jesus Ev'ry Knee Shall Bow"
"I Know That My Redeemer Lives"



Proper 21/Ordinary Time 26
Sunday between September 25 and October 1 inclusive

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 21:23-32
Theme: Will And Won't, Do And Don't


Call To Worship
The Lord of life has called you to his service. Lift up your voices in praise today.


Collect
As we gather together we recognize you as the sole authority. Our undivided allegiance is given to you. We proclaim with our presence that you are Lord of our lives. Amen.


Prayer Of Confession
Yes, Lord, we said we would. We confess but there is so much we have left undone. Yes, God, you know we will, but you alone know how much of our race is yet to run. Oh, Father of time and talents, let us not fail in the task, but give us both time and will to complete the course you have set before us. Teach us the value of now. Amen.


Hymns
"Are Ye Able?"
"Must Jesus Bear The Cross Alone?"
"Take Time To Be Holy"