Watchword for the Week:
For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as servants for Jesus' sake. 2 Corinthians 4:5
We praise you, O God; we acknowledge you to be the Lord.
All the earth worships you, the Father everlasting.
To you all angels cry aloud; the heavens, and all of the powers in them.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Psalm 50:1-6
1 The mighty one, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.
3 Our God comes and does not keep silence, before him is a devouring fire, and a mighty tempest all around him.
4 He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 "Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!"
6 The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge.
Confession of Sin
New life is only possible when we bring to the cross those parts of our existing lives that need healing and transformation. Together then, let us confess our sins.
We are deeply moved gracious God that you would welcome us to your throne of grace. With humility we gather to praise and adore you. We ask now that you hear us as we pray.
Forgive us Lord:
· For the times when we forget to proclaim you as Lord with our lives.
· For the times when we feel that our personal well being and comfort are more important than the proclamation of your Gospel.
· For the times we have assumed that the Church is here to serve us.
· For the times when we take the weight of the world upon our shoulders, thinking that we are the sacrificial lamb needed to save it.
· For the times when we feel that our answers are the only ones that will solve the problem at hand.
Awaken us to know that it is your wisdom that is most needed, not ours. Make us aware that it is your sacrifice that saves the world, not ours. Help us to proclaim the Gospel of grace though all that we do and say.
The good news in Christ is that when we face ourselves and God with the awareness of our need, we are given grace to grow and courage to continue the journey.Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel.
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven! Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. AMEN.
Reading of the Daily Texts
Prayers of the Community of Faith (spoken and silent)
Let us affirm the faith that we seek to proclaim:
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
How shall we live in response to our faith?
We will seek to have our lives reflect God’s love for us and for the world.
Our God is merciful, gracious, faithful, and righteous.
May these attributes be found in our words and actions.
God sent Jesus Christ into the world not to condemn it, but to save it.
And we are thankful for Christ’s love for all humankind.
Jesus said: Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.
Empower us, Holy Spirit, to take up this mission today.
As we do so, may the Grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be and abide with us now and forever more. AMEN.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Prayers for the 6th Week of Epiphany
Watchword for the Week: Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5
In the beginning, darkness covered the earth and it was a formless void.
But God said, “Let there be light,”
And there was light.
And God saw that the light was good.
In our world we find darkness,
But into our darkness God pours the light of Jesus Christ, and the darkness cannot overcome it.
Psalm 30
1 I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up, and did not let my foes rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.
3 O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.
4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name.
5 For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
6 As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved."
7 By your favor, O Lord, you had established me as a strong mountain; you hid your face; I was dismayed.
8 To you, O Lord, I cried, and to the Lord I made supplication:
9 "What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?
10 Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me! O Lord, be my helper!"
11 You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
Confession of Sin
If we confess our sins God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In full assurance of faith, let us confess our sins to our gracious God.
Forgive us Holy God, for we have sinned and fallen short of your intended will for us. Too often we diminish the power of your love and the ways through which you seek to bring us back to you. This causes us to live an undisciplined and unfocused life which does not bear witness to you. Forgive us when we allow the distractions of this world to hold a more powerful influence on us than your will. It is at these times and we misalign our priorities and find ourselves in places that we should not go. Forgive us when the darkness of our lives keeps us from seeing the light of your redemption, and the new life promised for us both today and in the world yet to come.
The good news in Christ is that when we face ourselves and God with the awareness of our need, we are given grace to grow, and courage to continue the journey.Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel.
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven! Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. AMEN.
Reading of the Daily Texts
Prayers of the Community of Faith (spoken and silent)
Let us pray together:
Creator of all humanity, we call you Holy, and seek to worship you all the days of our lives. We pray that the ways of your heavenly kingdom may be made real in the world that surrounds us. May the bread that we need for today be made available for us and all who are hungry; and may you forgive us, just as we are able to forgive those who have sinned against us. In the time of moral testing, may we listen first for your voice calling to us, instead of the call of the world. This world, and all that is in it, always has been and always will be yours, help us to lose ourselves to you and your kingdom. Help us to find who we truly are as we walk in your light. Amen.
The followers of Jesus tasted the bitterness of sorrow and grief on a Friday afternoon,
But on Easter day darkness was turned to light and mourning was turned to joy.
May this good news guide our steps today.
For we know that weeping may linger for a night, but joy comes with the morning.
Rejoice greatly for Christ Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life.
He was dead and behold he is alive forevermore.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
Amen.
In the beginning, darkness covered the earth and it was a formless void.
But God said, “Let there be light,”
And there was light.
And God saw that the light was good.
In our world we find darkness,
But into our darkness God pours the light of Jesus Christ, and the darkness cannot overcome it.
Psalm 30
1 I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up, and did not let my foes rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.
3 O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.
4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name.
5 For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
6 As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved."
7 By your favor, O Lord, you had established me as a strong mountain; you hid your face; I was dismayed.
8 To you, O Lord, I cried, and to the Lord I made supplication:
9 "What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?
10 Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me! O Lord, be my helper!"
11 You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
Confession of Sin
If we confess our sins God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In full assurance of faith, let us confess our sins to our gracious God.
Forgive us Holy God, for we have sinned and fallen short of your intended will for us. Too often we diminish the power of your love and the ways through which you seek to bring us back to you. This causes us to live an undisciplined and unfocused life which does not bear witness to you. Forgive us when we allow the distractions of this world to hold a more powerful influence on us than your will. It is at these times and we misalign our priorities and find ourselves in places that we should not go. Forgive us when the darkness of our lives keeps us from seeing the light of your redemption, and the new life promised for us both today and in the world yet to come.
The good news in Christ is that when we face ourselves and God with the awareness of our need, we are given grace to grow, and courage to continue the journey.Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel.
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven! Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. AMEN.
Reading of the Daily Texts
Prayers of the Community of Faith (spoken and silent)
Let us pray together:
Creator of all humanity, we call you Holy, and seek to worship you all the days of our lives. We pray that the ways of your heavenly kingdom may be made real in the world that surrounds us. May the bread that we need for today be made available for us and all who are hungry; and may you forgive us, just as we are able to forgive those who have sinned against us. In the time of moral testing, may we listen first for your voice calling to us, instead of the call of the world. This world, and all that is in it, always has been and always will be yours, help us to lose ourselves to you and your kingdom. Help us to find who we truly are as we walk in your light. Amen.
The followers of Jesus tasted the bitterness of sorrow and grief on a Friday afternoon,
But on Easter day darkness was turned to light and mourning was turned to joy.
May this good news guide our steps today.
For we know that weeping may linger for a night, but joy comes with the morning.
Rejoice greatly for Christ Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life.
He was dead and behold he is alive forevermore.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
Amen.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Prayers for the 5th Week In Epiphany
Watchword for the Week: Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. Psalm 147:5
O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth.
To you we give thanks for your mercy endures forever.
We offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call upon your holy name.
Let us bless the Lord forever and ever.
Psalm 147:1-11, 20C
1 Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.
6 The Lord lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre.
8 He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry.
10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;
11 but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
20C Praise the Lord.
Confession of Sin
If we confess our sins God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In full assurance of faith, let us confess our sins to our gracious God.
Loving God, we approach your holy presence willing to admit that we need your gracious forgiveness. Forgive us for the times when our faith has been found lacking, and we have defiled both our body and spirit. Forgive us for the times when we have neglected our duty, or when we have been ungrateful for your gifts to us. Forgive us for the times when apathy has kept us from taking up your challenge to reach out in love to those in need. Forgive us when we have been indifferent to your supreme sacrifice for us as well as the resurrection power that can make all things new. Deliver us from the delusion that our understanding is greater than yours. Hear our prayer, O Lord.
The good news in Christ is that when we face ourselves and God with the awareness of our need, we are given grace to grow, and courage to continue the journey.Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel.
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven! Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. AMEN.
Reading of the Daily Texts
Prayers of the Community of Faith (spoken and silent)
Let us pray together the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to say:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours is the kingdom, and power, and the glory, forever and ever. AMEN.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever things are true,
Whatever things are honorable,
Whatever things are just,
Whatever things are pure,
Whatever things are lovely,
Whatever things are of good report,
If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.
God’s power is abundant, and God’s wisdom is beyond measure.
Let us live our lives trusting it God’s abundance.
Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of God with exceeding joy, to the only wise God, our Savior,
Be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth.
To you we give thanks for your mercy endures forever.
We offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call upon your holy name.
Let us bless the Lord forever and ever.
Psalm 147:1-11, 20C
1 Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.
6 The Lord lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre.
8 He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry.
10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;
11 but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
20C Praise the Lord.
Confession of Sin
If we confess our sins God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In full assurance of faith, let us confess our sins to our gracious God.
Loving God, we approach your holy presence willing to admit that we need your gracious forgiveness. Forgive us for the times when our faith has been found lacking, and we have defiled both our body and spirit. Forgive us for the times when we have neglected our duty, or when we have been ungrateful for your gifts to us. Forgive us for the times when apathy has kept us from taking up your challenge to reach out in love to those in need. Forgive us when we have been indifferent to your supreme sacrifice for us as well as the resurrection power that can make all things new. Deliver us from the delusion that our understanding is greater than yours. Hear our prayer, O Lord.
The good news in Christ is that when we face ourselves and God with the awareness of our need, we are given grace to grow, and courage to continue the journey.Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel.
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven! Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. AMEN.
Reading of the Daily Texts
Prayers of the Community of Faith (spoken and silent)
Let us pray together the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to say:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours is the kingdom, and power, and the glory, forever and ever. AMEN.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever things are true,
Whatever things are honorable,
Whatever things are just,
Whatever things are pure,
Whatever things are lovely,
Whatever things are of good report,
If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.
God’s power is abundant, and God’s wisdom is beyond measure.
Let us live our lives trusting it God’s abundance.
Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of God with exceeding joy, to the only wise God, our Savior,
Be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Prayers for the 4th Week In Epiphany
Watchword for the Week:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. Psalm 111:10
The work of the Creator is visible.
Let us respond with praise.
The example of Jesus is apparent.
Let us respond with obedience.
The wind of the Spirit is blowing
Let us respond with joy.
The word of God is calling.
Let us worship in spirit and in truth.
Psalm 111:1-10
1 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful. 5 He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.
Confession of Sin
When we cease to acknowledge God’s presence in our lives, we lose the ability to make wise choices with them, and so it is that we sin. Let us make confession of those short-comings.
Gracious God we know that you are the creator of all that is and will be. We confess that your supreme wisdom set the planets into motion, set the galaxies in their places, and made the universe in all of its infinite majesty. We recognize that it is you who set forth life on this planet, and created each one of us with love and care. Forgive us when we forget our place in your universe. Forgive us when we think that it is our wisdom that makes our part of the world go around. Forgive us for the times when we have not feared your presence with us and have said and done things that lacked understanding and have hurt both ourselves and others. Bring us home to you, our rock and our redeemer.
My friends, God is faithful and just. God seeks only to forgive your sins and will not remember them. Rejoice, be glad, and give God praise.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. AMEN.
Reading of the Daily Texts
Prayers of the Community of Faith (spoken and silent)
Let us confess our faith in the One who truly loves us:
I believe in the one true God, the Father of humanity,
who creates and sustains the universe in wisdom and power,
who calls us into being and into relationship with God by grace, whose nature is love.
I believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
who lived that we might see God,
who died that we might be reconciled to God,
who rose that we might experience the
life of God,
who freely accepts and welcomes all who come to him, not on the basis of their merit, but on the basis of his unconditional love.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
who is God present with us now,
who shows us our need for God,
who assures us of God’s love in all circumstances
who lives the life and love of Jesus Christ through us.
In this faith I will seek to live in harmony with God, with people everywhere, and with all of creation. Amen.
(From the Moravian Book of Worship, the Liturgy for Creation, page 29. Used by permission from the Moravian Interprovincial Board of Communication.)
Triune God, knowing your will for us sends us to bring good news to the oppressed,
and to bind the wounds of those broken in heart,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of prisons to those who are bound,
to announce the year of your grace,
to comfort all who mourn,
to give them a garland of consolation,
instead of the ashes of mourning,
the oil of gladness and healing,
and the rolling tears that wash away sorrow.
So may we be called oaks of righteousness,
trees that you plant to shade and sustain.
As the earth puts forth its blossom,
and as seeds in the garden spring up,
so you make justice flower,
and bear its fruit of peace among the peoples.
Lord of the dance, in whom we live and move and exult for joy, guide our steps through the complexity of our lives.
Keep us mindful of your steadfast love for us, and ways in which we can make that love come alive in the hearts of those that we love, serve, and come in contact with this very day. AMEN.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. Psalm 111:10
The work of the Creator is visible.
Let us respond with praise.
The example of Jesus is apparent.
Let us respond with obedience.
The wind of the Spirit is blowing
Let us respond with joy.
The word of God is calling.
Let us worship in spirit and in truth.
Psalm 111:1-10
1 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful. 5 He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.
Confession of Sin
When we cease to acknowledge God’s presence in our lives, we lose the ability to make wise choices with them, and so it is that we sin. Let us make confession of those short-comings.
Gracious God we know that you are the creator of all that is and will be. We confess that your supreme wisdom set the planets into motion, set the galaxies in their places, and made the universe in all of its infinite majesty. We recognize that it is you who set forth life on this planet, and created each one of us with love and care. Forgive us when we forget our place in your universe. Forgive us when we think that it is our wisdom that makes our part of the world go around. Forgive us for the times when we have not feared your presence with us and have said and done things that lacked understanding and have hurt both ourselves and others. Bring us home to you, our rock and our redeemer.
My friends, God is faithful and just. God seeks only to forgive your sins and will not remember them. Rejoice, be glad, and give God praise.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. AMEN.
Reading of the Daily Texts
Prayers of the Community of Faith (spoken and silent)
Let us confess our faith in the One who truly loves us:
I believe in the one true God, the Father of humanity,
who creates and sustains the universe in wisdom and power,
who calls us into being and into relationship with God by grace, whose nature is love.
I believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
who lived that we might see God,
who died that we might be reconciled to God,
who rose that we might experience the
life of God,
who freely accepts and welcomes all who come to him, not on the basis of their merit, but on the basis of his unconditional love.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
who is God present with us now,
who shows us our need for God,
who assures us of God’s love in all circumstances
who lives the life and love of Jesus Christ through us.
In this faith I will seek to live in harmony with God, with people everywhere, and with all of creation. Amen.
(From the Moravian Book of Worship, the Liturgy for Creation, page 29. Used by permission from the Moravian Interprovincial Board of Communication.)
Triune God, knowing your will for us sends us to bring good news to the oppressed,
and to bind the wounds of those broken in heart,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of prisons to those who are bound,
to announce the year of your grace,
to comfort all who mourn,
to give them a garland of consolation,
instead of the ashes of mourning,
the oil of gladness and healing,
and the rolling tears that wash away sorrow.
So may we be called oaks of righteousness,
trees that you plant to shade and sustain.
As the earth puts forth its blossom,
and as seeds in the garden spring up,
so you make justice flower,
and bear its fruit of peace among the peoples.
Lord of the dance, in whom we live and move and exult for joy, guide our steps through the complexity of our lives.
Keep us mindful of your steadfast love for us, and ways in which we can make that love come alive in the hearts of those that we love, serve, and come in contact with this very day. AMEN.
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