Call to Worship
Some have come a great distance,
others have just crossed the stree:
we come with joy in our hearts
for God's love is always, always with us.
Some have wandered far from home,
others have stuck to the straight way:
we come, because God has gathered us here,
so we might find hope and grace.
Some are hungry for that Word which can transform,
others thirst for that Companion who will never desert them:
we come, knowing our search is ended,
finally finding ourselves at home.
Prayer of the Day
Creation's Guide:
at the birth of time
you gave us life,
and continue to pour out
this gift upon us.
Parched by the bitterness of our lives,
you offer us a drink
from the wellsprings of your heart;
tempted to listen to society's seductive whisper's,
you plead with us to cross the river
to that land called Promise.
World's Wanderer:
when we stumble through
the weary wilderness,
you take us by the hand,
so we might get back
on the path of faithfulness;
when we are about to grasp
the power of pride
you call us to serve others.
Life's Companion:
when we stand at the river's edge,
hesitant to dip our toes in
to test the waters,
you come up behind us
and push us in,
so we might be immersed
in your joy.
God in Community, Holy in One,
we rejoice in your tender presence,
even as we pray as Jesus has taught us, saying,
Our Father . . .
Call to Reconciliation
When Jesus criticizes how the religious people of his time acted, we discover he is talking about us. Yet, Jesus is also the One who comes, that we might discover the forgiveness and hope offered to us by our God. Let us confess our sins, as we pray together, saying,
Unison Prayer of Confession
In a society which worships superstars, Guiding God, we find it awkward to be servants. In a world which exalts achievements and pride, it is hard to be humble. In a time in which the individual reigns supreme, how difficult it is to lead lives of sacrifice on behalf of others!
Forgive us, Patient God. Deliver us from our worst selves, so we might be better disciples; turn our empty despair into springs of hope for others; lead us down the path to your kingdom, every step shaped by the One we follow, Jesus Christ, our Teacher, our Lord, our Savior.
Silent Prayers may be offered
Assurance of Pardon
This is the good news: God loves us, God forgives us, God calls us to lives poured out for others.
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven so we might become servants to those in need. Thanks be to God! Amen.
(c) 2005 Thom M. Shuman
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A
Call to Worship
God, enlarge our hearts:
so we can become compassionate
enough to serve our neighbors.
God, broaden our minds:
so we may discern you
in every one we meet.
God, deepen our souls:
so we may continually
overflow with your grace.
God, fill us with your love:
so we may be grateful enough
to share it each and every day.
Prayer of the Day
Creation's Witness:
when our dreams fade,
your hope paints a new future for us;
when our eyes grow dim to your love,
your gentleness watches over us,
like a sister caring for her little brother;
when our hearts turn to ice,
your grace warms us
like a shawl on a chilly day.
Word of Love:
you answer every question,
even the ones buried in our souls;
you speak good news to us,
trusting we will tell it
to everyone we know,
singing its joy in all moments.
Wisdom from generation to generation,
from the time
you first wound creation's clock
to its last tick,
you are with us:
caring deeply for us,
dwelling in our hearts,
lighting us with the fire of hope.
God in Community, Holy in One,
hear us as we pray as we have been taught, saying,
Our Father . . .
Call to Reconciliation
God never tires of giving us chances to offer others love and hope. But we throw away such moments when we deny mercy, withhold love, cling to our wealth. God never grows weary of loving us enough to forgive us, so join me as we pray together, saying,
Unison Prayer of Confession
Your love, Steadfast God,
is like a never-ending stream
filled with family, with friends, with you.
We water down our love for others
with greed, with envy, with self-interest.
And our love for you is often based
on what we think you will give us.
Have mercy on us, Watchful God,
and forgive us.
Help us to learn to love:
humbly, gracefully,
generously, compassionately.
Add our drops of love to your river
which flows to all people
through the heart of Jesus Christ,
our Lord and Savior.
Silent Prayers may be offered.
Assurance of Pardon
We no longer have to wait. God
fills us with compassion and steadfast
love, this morning, and every day to come.
God's joy, God's hope, God's grace rest
upon us and prepare us to go forth sharing
these gifts - with our family, our friends,
our neighbors, with all of God's people.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
Charge
And now, go forth -
to love God with all your heart, your mind, your soul:
with passion, with prayer, with intelligence.
to love your neighbor:
with forgiveness, with service, with love;
and to love yourself:
with hope, with joy, with peace.
(c) 2005 Thom M. Shuman
God, enlarge our hearts:
so we can become compassionate
enough to serve our neighbors.
God, broaden our minds:
so we may discern you
in every one we meet.
God, deepen our souls:
so we may continually
overflow with your grace.
God, fill us with your love:
so we may be grateful enough
to share it each and every day.
Prayer of the Day
Creation's Witness:
when our dreams fade,
your hope paints a new future for us;
when our eyes grow dim to your love,
your gentleness watches over us,
like a sister caring for her little brother;
when our hearts turn to ice,
your grace warms us
like a shawl on a chilly day.
Word of Love:
you answer every question,
even the ones buried in our souls;
you speak good news to us,
trusting we will tell it
to everyone we know,
singing its joy in all moments.
Wisdom from generation to generation,
from the time
you first wound creation's clock
to its last tick,
you are with us:
caring deeply for us,
dwelling in our hearts,
lighting us with the fire of hope.
God in Community, Holy in One,
hear us as we pray as we have been taught, saying,
Our Father . . .
Call to Reconciliation
God never tires of giving us chances to offer others love and hope. But we throw away such moments when we deny mercy, withhold love, cling to our wealth. God never grows weary of loving us enough to forgive us, so join me as we pray together, saying,
Unison Prayer of Confession
Your love, Steadfast God,
is like a never-ending stream
filled with family, with friends, with you.
We water down our love for others
with greed, with envy, with self-interest.
And our love for you is often based
on what we think you will give us.
Have mercy on us, Watchful God,
and forgive us.
Help us to learn to love:
humbly, gracefully,
generously, compassionately.
Add our drops of love to your river
which flows to all people
through the heart of Jesus Christ,
our Lord and Savior.
Silent Prayers may be offered.
Assurance of Pardon
We no longer have to wait. God
fills us with compassion and steadfast
love, this morning, and every day to come.
God's joy, God's hope, God's grace rest
upon us and prepare us to go forth sharing
these gifts - with our family, our friends,
our neighbors, with all of God's people.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
Charge
And now, go forth -
to love God with all your heart, your mind, your soul:
with passion, with prayer, with intelligence.
to love your neighbor:
with forgiveness, with service, with love;
and to love yourself:
with hope, with joy, with peace.
(c) 2005 Thom M. Shuman
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time - A
Call to Worship
We gather in God's holy presence;
coming to the One who knows us by name:
God's glory surprises us each morning;
God's goodness cradles us at night when we sleep.
We praise the One whose justice is for all;
whose Word transforms every life:
God's presence never leaves us;
God's mercy mends the cracks in our broken lives.
We give thanks to God for the hope of each day;
we remember God's splendor lighting our way.
God's compassion walks with us every moment;
God's grace is the air we breathe.
Prayer of the Day
Honest God:
we want to see your glory,
so you reveal your Goodness to us;
we want a taste of your power,
so you offer us your broken Child;
we want to know your Truth,
so you come to us in Love.
Light of Truth:
your faithfulness to God's call
reveals the seductiveness
of the idols we worship;
your plain talk whispers to us
over the songs of our society;
your words carve honesty
on our misshapen hearts.
Truth-Speaker:
you alone can reveal the lies
which the Evil One would tell us;
you caress us with genuine compassion
so we can become Love's servants;
you embrace us with candor,
so we can speak the words of hope
the world strains to hear.
Holy and True God,
Perfect in Community,
hear us as we pray as Jesus teaches us, saying,
Our Father . . .
Call to Reconciliation
When we hear the truth, it seems so simple that it amazes us. Yet Scripture is clear that God desires to forgive us, to heal us, to give us new life. Keep this truth in mind, as we confess together our sins, saying,
Unison Prayer of Confession
Mighty King, Lover of justice:
we confess we are cowards
when it comes to accepting new truths;
lazily, we content ourselves
with half-truths;
arrogantly, we think we know
all truth:
and so we slide into lives
where lies are easily spoken,
honesty is held up to scorn,
and sincerity is mocked.
Forgive us, Good Lord, forgive us.
Let us expose the dark sides of our souls
to the Light of your grace;
let us discover the sin
which has stowed away in our hearts
and cast it into your sea of forgetfulness;
let us see your Goodness -
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
going before us,
so we can follow him into your kingdom.
Silent prayers may be offered
Assurance of Pardon
I share the Good News with you - God desires to be gracious to us, to forgive us, to choose us to be the people who will share this Truth with all people.
We hear, we believe, we will live out this Good News in our lives. Thanks be to God. Amen.
(c) 2005 Thom M. Shuman
We gather in God's holy presence;
coming to the One who knows us by name:
God's glory surprises us each morning;
God's goodness cradles us at night when we sleep.
We praise the One whose justice is for all;
whose Word transforms every life:
God's presence never leaves us;
God's mercy mends the cracks in our broken lives.
We give thanks to God for the hope of each day;
we remember God's splendor lighting our way.
God's compassion walks with us every moment;
God's grace is the air we breathe.
Prayer of the Day
Honest God:
we want to see your glory,
so you reveal your Goodness to us;
we want a taste of your power,
so you offer us your broken Child;
we want to know your Truth,
so you come to us in Love.
Light of Truth:
your faithfulness to God's call
reveals the seductiveness
of the idols we worship;
your plain talk whispers to us
over the songs of our society;
your words carve honesty
on our misshapen hearts.
Truth-Speaker:
you alone can reveal the lies
which the Evil One would tell us;
you caress us with genuine compassion
so we can become Love's servants;
you embrace us with candor,
so we can speak the words of hope
the world strains to hear.
Holy and True God,
Perfect in Community,
hear us as we pray as Jesus teaches us, saying,
Our Father . . .
Call to Reconciliation
When we hear the truth, it seems so simple that it amazes us. Yet Scripture is clear that God desires to forgive us, to heal us, to give us new life. Keep this truth in mind, as we confess together our sins, saying,
Unison Prayer of Confession
Mighty King, Lover of justice:
we confess we are cowards
when it comes to accepting new truths;
lazily, we content ourselves
with half-truths;
arrogantly, we think we know
all truth:
and so we slide into lives
where lies are easily spoken,
honesty is held up to scorn,
and sincerity is mocked.
Forgive us, Good Lord, forgive us.
Let us expose the dark sides of our souls
to the Light of your grace;
let us discover the sin
which has stowed away in our hearts
and cast it into your sea of forgetfulness;
let us see your Goodness -
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
going before us,
so we can follow him into your kingdom.
Silent prayers may be offered
Assurance of Pardon
I share the Good News with you - God desires to be gracious to us, to forgive us, to choose us to be the people who will share this Truth with all people.
We hear, we believe, we will live out this Good News in our lives. Thanks be to God. Amen.
(c) 2005 Thom M. Shuman
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time - A
Greeting
This is the day God has made.
Let us rejoice!
This is the day Christ rose from the dead.
Let us rejoice and be glad.
This day is the gift the Spirit offers to us.
Let us rejoice, and be glad in it.
And again, we say,
Rejoice!
Call to Worship
Who can tell of God's wonderful workings
in our world?
Those who know they have been blessed
beyond their wildest imaginations.
Who can sing God's praises
to everyone they meet?
Those who have not forgoteen
the joy of God's never-ending love in their lives.
Who can rejoice in God's presence,
this day, and in all the days to come?
Those who seek to grow in faith;
those who seek to share their gifts with God's people.
Prayer of the Day
Serene God:
take all the distractions of our lives
and set them to the side,
so we may focus on you;
silence the noise we have carried in with us,
so we may hear you;
unlock our closed hearts and minds,
so we may learn what it is you want to teach us.
Joyous Christ:
you tell us stories,
not to make us feel guilty,
but to call us to servanthood;
you are as near
as the person sitting next to us,
as eager, as they,
to be our sister or brother.
Gentle Spirit:
fill us with your fire,
so we are aflame for justice;
fill us with your wisdom,
so we will know
the deepest needs of otehrs;
fill us with your compassion,
so our lives may be broken
for our sisters and brothers.
Then we will rejoice in you always,
God in Community, Holy in One,
even as we pray as Jesus has tuaught us, saying,
Our Father . . .
Call to Reconciliation
Sin. According to the Bible, it is the human condition. We sin, as did those who went before us, as will those who come after us. We do wrong, we hurt people, we turn our backs on those who need us most. But God is able to turn our weeping into rejoicing, and sinners into servants. Join me as we confess our sin to God, praying together saying,
Unison Prayer of Confession
Catering God: you would gather us at your banquet, but our hectic lives prevent us from attending. You encourage us to be gentle, but so often we are harsh towards those closest to us. What we have learned, we have forgotten; what we have received, we have misplaced; what we have heard and seen of you, we have ignored.
Forgive us, Table-setting God. You pull out a chair for us, that we might feast on all that is true, all that is just, all that is honorable, all that is commendable - all your gifts served to us with joy and grace by Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Silent Prayers may be offered
Assurance of Pardon
In baptism, God lays hands of love and blessing on us - and never takes that tender touch from us. All around us are the wonders of creation, reminding us of God's grace and love.
God invites us: to the Wedding Feast with all its fullness, all its joy, all its hope. This is good news - for each of us, for all of us. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Charge
You are children of God:
we will rejoice always;
we will pray continually.
You are disciples of Christ:
we are called to be caught
in acts of stewardship.
You are heirs of the Spirit:
we will keep on doing the things
we have learned and received
and heard and seen.
(c) 2005 Thom M. Shuman
This is the day God has made.
Let us rejoice!
This is the day Christ rose from the dead.
Let us rejoice and be glad.
This day is the gift the Spirit offers to us.
Let us rejoice, and be glad in it.
And again, we say,
Rejoice!
Call to Worship
Who can tell of God's wonderful workings
in our world?
Those who know they have been blessed
beyond their wildest imaginations.
Who can sing God's praises
to everyone they meet?
Those who have not forgoteen
the joy of God's never-ending love in their lives.
Who can rejoice in God's presence,
this day, and in all the days to come?
Those who seek to grow in faith;
those who seek to share their gifts with God's people.
Prayer of the Day
Serene God:
take all the distractions of our lives
and set them to the side,
so we may focus on you;
silence the noise we have carried in with us,
so we may hear you;
unlock our closed hearts and minds,
so we may learn what it is you want to teach us.
Joyous Christ:
you tell us stories,
not to make us feel guilty,
but to call us to servanthood;
you are as near
as the person sitting next to us,
as eager, as they,
to be our sister or brother.
Gentle Spirit:
fill us with your fire,
so we are aflame for justice;
fill us with your wisdom,
so we will know
the deepest needs of otehrs;
fill us with your compassion,
so our lives may be broken
for our sisters and brothers.
Then we will rejoice in you always,
God in Community, Holy in One,
even as we pray as Jesus has tuaught us, saying,
Our Father . . .
Call to Reconciliation
Sin. According to the Bible, it is the human condition. We sin, as did those who went before us, as will those who come after us. We do wrong, we hurt people, we turn our backs on those who need us most. But God is able to turn our weeping into rejoicing, and sinners into servants. Join me as we confess our sin to God, praying together saying,
Unison Prayer of Confession
Catering God: you would gather us at your banquet, but our hectic lives prevent us from attending. You encourage us to be gentle, but so often we are harsh towards those closest to us. What we have learned, we have forgotten; what we have received, we have misplaced; what we have heard and seen of you, we have ignored.
Forgive us, Table-setting God. You pull out a chair for us, that we might feast on all that is true, all that is just, all that is honorable, all that is commendable - all your gifts served to us with joy and grace by Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Silent Prayers may be offered
Assurance of Pardon
In baptism, God lays hands of love and blessing on us - and never takes that tender touch from us. All around us are the wonders of creation, reminding us of God's grace and love.
God invites us: to the Wedding Feast with all its fullness, all its joy, all its hope. This is good news - for each of us, for all of us. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Charge
You are children of God:
we will rejoice always;
we will pray continually.
You are disciples of Christ:
we are called to be caught
in acts of stewardship.
You are heirs of the Spirit:
we will keep on doing the things
we have learned and received
and heard and seen.
(c) 2005 Thom M. Shuman
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