These liturgies are based on the readings from the 3-year RCL schedule. PLEASE NOTE: if you are following a link from another blog or site, you may end up at a past post. Current liturgies can be found by clicking on the 'Lectionary Liturgies' title. I post these for folks to use in worship, as they deem appropriate. If you use these posted liturgies on a regular basis, lease, will you consider making a modest donation to my writing ministry. @Thom-Shuman on Venmo
Texts: 2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; Galatians
6:(1-6), 7-16; Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 Call to Worship Sing praises to our Lord: who heals us and makes us whole. Sing praises to our Lord, faithful
children of God: whose joy rises in our lives each and every day. Sing praises to our Lord, faithful
children of God; give thanks to God's holy name: God's Kingdom is near to us; God's peace resides
in our hearts. Prayer of the Day With songs of thanksgiving on our lips, we come before you, Helping God. While your anger may last only a
moment, your grace rests upon us until the 12th of never. When we find ourselves knee-deep in the muck and mire of life, you provide a way out for us, if we but trust enough to serve you. Glad choruses of praise greet you, Jesus, Companion of pilgrims in this
life. You take us by the hand to waltz up
past the outstretched arms of sin and death. You send us out into the world, teaching us not to boast about ourselves or all that we have done, but to point out to others the path to the kingdom, if they but trust enough to follow
you.
We offer a harvest of praise to you, Spirit of joy and wonder. You pour out your gentleness upon us, so we might be energized to do what is right. You patiently sit down to teach us, using bold print so we might learn lives of service, gratitude and humility, if we but trust enough to listen to
you.
God in Community, Holy in One, may we trust always in you, even as we pray as we have been taught,
saying, (Our Father) . .
.
Call to Reconciliation Unlike ours, God's anger does not last.
But God's favor, God's grace, and God's forgiveness are for us, not just in
this moment, but forever. How can we not want to confess to such a One who is
ready to heal us? Please join me as we pray, saying, Unison Prayer of Confession Holy
One, why is it that we can grow so weary of doing what is right, yet always
energetically do that which we know is harmful to us and others? We sow seeds
of hurt and anger, and wonder why we harvest so much bitterness. We spend too
much time comparing ourselves to those around us, and too few moments in
following Christ's example. Rather than letting our sins gloat over us, Healing God, we would open
ourselves to your mercy and grace. As you reach out to heal us with your
forgiveness, may we embrace your love, your mercy, your grace for our lives. As
you pour out your Spirit of gentleness, may we bring the peace of our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ, to all the world. Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon Sing praises to our God, faithful
children. God has heard our prayers and made us whole. We will not be silent, but will sing our joy to
the One who has forgiven us and made us a new creation. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication/Offertory In the offering of our gifts, as well as the living of our
days, may we not grow weary of doing what is right, but commit to speaking up
for the voiceless, healing the broken, feeding the hungry, and all those
mercies which are such a part of your heart and hopes for all your
children.In Jesus’ name, we pray.Amen.
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving May the Lord our God be with you. And also with you. Children of God, lift our hearts. We lift them to the One who heals us at the Table
of brokenness. Children of God, give thanks to the
Lord our God. We will sing our praises to the One who restores
us to life.
We do not bring silence to you, Holy One of all people, but shouts of praise and laughter for your gracious love. Your healing river flowed through
creation, bringing life and joy to all who drank
from it. But we preferred to splash in the sewers of the world, rejecting all that you intended for
us. Yet, you never grew weary of bearing the burdens of your
children. When you could have shaken the dust of our sin from your feet, you chose to lead us out of the Pit of our rebellion and sin.
Joining with those who sing your
praises, lifting our voices with faithful ones
of every time and place, we sing of our thanks to you forever:
Holy, holy, holy are you, God the Creator! the mountains sing your praises, the valleys echo
your glory. Hosanna in the highest!
We welcome the One who comes in your name, who
calls us to life. Hosanna in the highest!
Holy are you, God of compassion, for when death threatened your children and sin vowed to turn the universe back to chaos, you sent your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to heal the brokenness fo
the world. He did not grow weary of doing the right things, but confronted the wrongs of the world; he endured the violence of sin, that we might receive the gentleness of life with you forever; he carried our sins to the cross, that we might bear the burdens of our sisters and brothers; he went ahead of us into death, that we might walk in the Kingdom.
As we dance to the Table to be filled
with hope, we remember all that Jesus has done for
us, and all that we have been called to do
in his name. Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ died, bearing our burdens. Christ arose, mocking death’s power. Christ will return, for the good of all.
Flow through us, Healing Spirit, as we drink deeply of Christ's cup. You never grow weary of feeding us with the Bread of Life, or refreshing us with the Cup of Grace, for you use these simple gifts to transform our brokenness.
And as we turn from the Table, send us forth: to bring healing to the sick, freedom to the oppressed, to speak peace to the human household, to carry the Kingdom with us wherever you would lead us. For we will not keep silent, but praise you forever and ever, God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.
Sending Let us never grow weary of doing what
is right! We will go to seek justice for all of God’s children. Let us not grow weary of leading others
to the kingdom! We will go to follow Jesus’ example of gathering all into
grace. Let us not grow weary of speaking of
hope and peace. We will go to sow the Spirit’s seed of life and hope.
Alternate Great
Prayer of Thanksgiving for Independence Day L:May the God of
freedom be with you. P:And also with
you. L:Children of God,
lift up your hearts. P:We lift them to
the One who sets us free for lives of
service and hope. L:God's children:
let us give thanks to the Lord our
God. P:We will sing our
songs of freedom to the One who
calls us to new life.
Starry nights that stretch across the sky, waves of every grain shimmering in the sun: these are the gift you gave to us, God of wonder and joy. Mountains tower above plains overflowing with abundant fruit; land stretching from sea to sea where we could live with you. Freely, you offered the abundance of all that is good and beautiful to us, but we mocked your hopes, choosing to be deceived by sin. you appointed prophets, sending them to every town and place we lived, sharing your peace with us through them. But we would not welcome them into our homes, or into our hearts. Then you sent Jesus to us, to share with us that freedom which calls us to follow in obedience.
As we sing of those who have gone before us, as we remember how they lived as sisters and brothers as you called them to live, we proclaim our thanks to you:
Sanctus
The One who could heal our brokenness, the One who could teach us self-control, the One who could lead us out of all the places our feet have strayed, Jesus came to live among us, leaving the starry band of glory behind. Loving your mercy for us more than his own life, he willingly chose to go to the cross, that we might receive your gracious gift of life forever with you.
As we remember the freedom he offered to all, as we celebrate the gift of life which comes to us here at this Table of love, we speak of that mystery called
faith:
Memorial
Acclamation
As you pour out your Spirit upon this Table abundant with the gifts of the Bread and of the Cup, shed your grace upon your children gathered in this place. Gorged on the moldy meals offered to us by sin and death, we forget those who hunger for freedom. But eating the Bread of life, we can go, carrying a harvest of hope to them. Intoxicated on the world's sour grapes, we forget the injustices imposed upon our sisters and brothers. But drinking from the Cup of grace, we can go where you intend to go, inviting everyone we meet to join us in your new creation of peace, mercy, and wonder.
Call to Worship On days when we think God has nothing
to do with work or family or the world: The Book tells us of One who was a carpenter; who wandered the streets; who upset his family. On days when we think the purpose of
life is to make more money and fewer
friends: The Book speaks of a life of giving away of ourselves and finding a community as we do so. On days aching with loneliness and
empty of love and laughter: The Book draws us into the embrace of God's open heart.
Prayer of the Day Inspiring God, Giver of words: you speak and chaos is transformed into the starry skies of night; you whisper and the wind leaps to caress our cheeks on a
summer's evening; you smile and all creation rejoices in delight. Jesus Christ, Uncomfortable Word: you stand with society's castoffs outside the halls of respectability; you break bread with sinners and give them the seats of honor at your Table; you walk the darkened hallways of
death, comforting those who are taking their last steps; and you call to us, saying, "Follow me." Holy Spirit, Word sifter: by your touch our anger can dissolve into gentleness; by your presence our enemies can become lifelong friends; by your joy, our envious spirits can become generous hearts. God in Community, Holy in One, set us free to be your servants, even as we pray as Jesus taught us,
saying, (The
Lord’s Prayer)
Call to Reconciliation Christ has set us free from everything
that might detain, oppress, derail us. But we should not confuse this with the
right to do whatever we wish. No, we are called to serve others, to share God's
hope and joy with everyone we meet. Let us confess how we have misused this
wonderful gift of grace, as we pray, saying,
Unison Prayer for Forgiveness Redeeming God,
how easily we say we would follow you, but how often we live as if we don't
have a clue as to what that means. We choose to gossip about our friends,
rather than surrounding them with love. Our competitive nature wills us to win
at all costs, when we could be engaged in costly service. We expect others to
do for us and rarely ask what we might do for them. Forgive us, High
and Holy One. Set us free to serve in love and compassion; help us to feast on
the fruit the Spirit offers to us; put us on the path of faithful discipleship,
as we walk with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Texts: 1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a;
Psalms 42 and 43; Galatians 3:23-29; Luke 8:26-39
Call to Worship
When we long for the special effects we think life should offer: it is enough, for us, that God comes in
a soft, summer shower. When we our hearts are cracked by the drought of doubt: it is enough, for us, that God opens up
the fountains of faith for us. When our senses are deadened by the sales pitches of our culture: it is enough, for us, that God wraps us
in the silence of grace. Prayer of the Day When we feel
compelled
to push everything to its limits,
especially you,
it is enough, Holy One, that your grace can slow us down.
When we stand naked and exposed
to the buffeting winds
of our doubts and questions.
it is enough, Healing Servant, that you clothe us in your peace, and put our minds at ease.
When we are entangled
in that legion of worries and fears
which consume our lives,
it is enough, Spirit of Silence, that you untie the knots and set us free.
It is enough,
God in Community, Holy in One,
that you are with us
even as we pray as Jesus has taught us, saying,
(The Lord’s Prayer)
Call to Reconciliation
We long to be set free from those 'powers' which control our lives; to let go
of our fears of 'them;' to stop trying to build fences between us and those who
are not like us. That is why our longing brings us to the living waters offered
by our God, who allows us to fill our parched souls with a refreshing drink of
forgiveness.Let us confess our sins, as
we pray together, saying,
Unison Prayer for Forgiveness Like children, we fear that if we
tell you what we have done, God of Justice, you might not love us anymore.We can kill the dreams of those around us
with a word, spoken or withheld. We can make the lives of our friends
miserable, instead of sharing a miracle. We are filled with that legion of
temptations which only leave us empty and wanting more. Forgive us, Gracious Father. Remind
us that we are no longer sinners, but your children.Baptized, we are clothed in the graciousness
and faithfulness of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who came that we might
be set free of all that imprisons us.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
God forgives us, so we might be new people. God equips us, so we might serve
others. God sends us forth, so we might be a witness to everyone we meet. No one is the same: enemies are now our
friends; those we could not trust now become our confidants; those we could not
hear now speak to us of God's hope and joy. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication/Offering You have given us
more than enough, Loving God, and so we take from the abundance which is ours,
so that others might be blessed: with grace which cools fevered souls, with
love which melts frozen hearts, and with hope which can feed and house and
renew so many.In Jesus’ name, we give
and we pray.Amen. Great Prayer of Thanksgiving May the God who makes us one in Christ
be with you! And also with you! God speaks to us in the still, small
whispers of grace. May our hearts resound with the thunder of God’s hope. Heirs of wonder and peace, rejoice in
the One who sends you out to serve. Our voices echo the glad songs of those who are our sisters and brothers in faith.
You split the emptiness of chaos,
Living God, breaking it into pieces
used to shape the foundation of creation.
Your spirit moved upon the waters, carving flowing streams where deer
could drink, your words crafting those calm pools where your longing children
could be baptized in your love, your joy, your
grace.
But sin called to sin, catching our imagination,
the waves of death carrying us away from you.
Our help, our hope, our essence,
you continued to call to us, but we responded to your words with the sheer silence of
stubbornness.
So, rather than sending great storms,
earthquakes, fires, or floods,
Jesus came, to invite us to return
and discover how much you do for us.
As we stand before the Table of grace,
as we greet our sisters and brothers in Christ,
we lift our voices in songs of thanksgiving:
Holy, holy, holy, God of sheer wonder
and joy.
All creation praises you, our help, our Maker!
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is the One who comes to justify us by his faithfulness.
Hosanna in the highest!
You alone are holy, God of delight and beauty,
and your Son, our Brother Jesus Christ, is blessed.
When we felt forgotten and on our own, he came to stand beside us, so we are never alone.
When the bullies of our lives
taunted us and made us miserable, he came to wrap us in the mantle of compassion.
When our souls were down in the dumps, he lifted us up, so we might behold your face in glory
forever.
Imprisoned in the tomb,
his guards, sin and death,
had no power over him as he arose from the dead striding forth into resurrection's
dawn.
As we come to the feast he shares with friends,
as we celebrate the joy which is ours through him,
we would speak of that mystery called faith:
Christ died, emptying himself for all
people;
Christ was raised, so we might empty ourselves for all around us;
Christ will come again, to lead us home to you, where we will be
filled with life forever.
You are our help and hope,
God of silence and sacrament,
so we pray that as you pour out
your Spirit upon the gifts of the Table,
that your gathered people might hear hope in the breaking of the bread into
pieces,
that we might listen for your grace in the sheer silence of the cup.
And when we are transformed
in the strength of the bread and the cup,
may we go to serve your people as well as all creation, working for justice, peace, joy, and life until there is no longer the haves and the
haven't-anything, the insiders and the
thrown-away, the know-it-alls and the
drop-outs, the legalists and the
libertarians,
but only your children, equal in your sight,
clothed with the compassion and life of Jesus Christ.
And when we are gathered with the legion of the faithful,
the saints and sinners from every age, and from every place,
around the festive Table which awaits us in eternity,
we will join our voices in forever singing your grace,
God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.
Sending God gives us enough grace, so we may go to stand with all rejected by the world. Jesus gives us enough hope, so we may fill those emptied by despair. The Spirit gives us enough peace, so we may set free all imprisoned by fears and hate.
Call to Worship In the morning, God hears our voices as we lift our prayers and songs. In the morning, God whispers to us in the gentle breezes stirring the world. In the morning, we look for God alive and active around us. In the morning, we find God playing hopscotch with the kids on the corner. In the morning we come together to worship our God. In the morning, God gathers us up to lead us down the streets of justice and faithfulness.
Prayer of the Day In the morning, Listening God, you break open your heart to pour your love upon us; you bathe our tired and sore souls with your healing tears; you dry our weeping with the caress of your gentle Spirit.
In the afternoon, Hospitable Jesus, even knowing we are sinners, you invite us to lunch, so we can be nourished with your hope and peace. No matter how deep in debt we are to sin, you pay off the entire amount. In the evening, Spirit of our sighs, you kiss us and call us your Beloved, as you tuck us into bed to keep watch over us while we sleep. In every moment, God in Community, Holy in One, you are present with us, even as we lift the prayer Jesus has taught us, (The Lord’s Prayer)
Call to Reconciliation Too often, we believe our identity is shaped by our job, our status, our good deeds. God would give us a new identity, grounded in Jesus Christ. Let us confess our reluctance to lose who we believe we are, so God can shape us into who we can be, as we pray together saying,
Unison Prayer for Forgiveness We must admit, God our Parent, how much we are like children. We become resentful over the fact that you do not do what we think you should do. We pout when a friend decides to spend more time with someone else. We can turn sullen when our loved ones refuse to let us have our way. You could bring disaster upon us, Loving God, but you choose to give us what we don't deserve - the grace and mercy of your heart. Pour out your tenderness upon us, so Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, might live in us, and we might offer our lives in service to others.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon God not only listens to the cries on our lips, but also pays attention to the groaning of our hearts. God restores us to wholeness, and invites us to a new way of living. We are welcomed, we are loved, we are given new life, we are filled with peace. Thanks be to God, we are forgiven! Amen.
Prayer of Dedication/Offering In the mornings, may our gifts feed hungry children before they go off to school; in the afternoons, may our gifts bring companionship to those who have none; in the evenings, may our gifts bring peace to those who struggle to find hope. In every moment, may every gift we offer be used to serve those who are our sisters and brothers.In Jesus’ name, we pray.Amen.