First Sunday of Christmas CALL TO WORSHIP P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, the Word made flesh, our life and our salvation. C: Amen. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: Trusting the goodness and lovingkindness of God our Savior, let us confess our sin. Silence is kept for reflection. P: God of life, C: you promise good news of great joy for all people, and call us to be messengers of your peace. We confess that too often we hoard our joy, our resources, and our security. We nurture conflict and build barriers. We neglect the needs of our neighbors and ignore the groaning of creation. Have mercy on us. Where we are self-centered, open our hearts. Where we are reluctant, give us courage. Where we are cynical, restore our trust. Renew us with your grace and give us again the hope of eternal life in you. Amen. P: Hear the good news: We are children of God and heirs of God’s promises through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In + Jesus we are forgiven and redeemed. Sing with joy, for all the ends of the earth shall know the salvation of God. C: Amen. HYMN “In His Temple Now Behold Him” PRAYER OF THE DAY “The Year Ahead” May God make your year a happy one! Not by shielding us from all sorrows and pain, But by strengthening us to bear it, as it comes; Not by making our path easy, But by making us sturdy to travel any path; Not by taking hardships from us, But by taking fear from our heart; Not by granting us unbroken sunshine, But by keeping our face bright, even in the shadows; Not by making our life always pleasant, But by showing us when people and their causes need us most, and by making us anxious to be there to help. God's love, peace, hope and joy to us for the year ahead. C: Amen. Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 22When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, [Joseph and Mary] brought [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” 33And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 36There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. HYMN “The Bells of Christmas” Instrumental ANNUAL EXAMEN The daily Examen is a prayer practice that originated in 1522 by St. Ignatius of Loyola. It is a way to look back on your day and see God at work in the big and small things that took place. Today we will take some time to do an Annual Examen. This is likely a new practice for you. And spiritual practices…take practice. Follow this link for a guided Annual Examen by Becky Eldredege: https://soundcloud.com/beldredge98/annual-examen?utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=social_sharing&utm_medium=widgetutm_content=https%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fbeldredge98%2Fannual-examen Read more about this prayer tool at BeckyEldredge.com/category/examen/ The Examen ends by saying the Lord’s Prayer LORD’S PRAYER C: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy 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 trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION after each petition P: As children of God and heirs of the promise, let us pray to the Lord. P: For the holy church of God, that all who have been baptized into Christ may shine like the dawn, bear witness to the Good News of Jesus, and light the way of salvation in Jesus’ name, let us pray to the Lord: Loving God, C: hear our prayer. P: For the nations of the earth, that governments and those in authority may protect the vulnerable, shelter the oppressed, and pursue the way of peace, let us pray to the Lord: Loving God, C: hear our prayer. P: For our town [Ruskin] and for all places of human interaction and livelihood, that kindness may abound, compassion prevail, and harmony endure, let us pray to the Lord: Loving God, C: hear our prayer. P: For the planet earth, our home, that we may honor her gifts, respect her limitations, and protect her resources, let us pray to the Lord: Loving God, C: hear our prayer. P: For those troubled with illness, hardship, or conflict, that they may receive healing for their bodies, release from their burdens, and mending of their brokenness. (We pray especially for Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, and Eileen.) Let us pray to the Lord: Loving God, C: hear our prayer. P: Hear us, O God, for our eyes have seen your salvation. Let your light shine through us and fill the world with the radiance of your love revealed in Jesus Christ, our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns in glory. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER Financial gifts can be sent to the church P: God of abundance, receive and bless these gifts we have offered. Join our hearts with the song of the angels, and gather us at your table of celebration. Strengthen us to share with all the world the abundance of your grace upon grace, poured out in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. C: Amen. BENEDICTION P: God bless you and keep you, + Jesus grant you grace and truth, and the Spirit send peace upon your hearts, now and forever. C: Amen. HYMN “Cold December Flies Away” CHARGE P: Go And...Be Present! So that you can better love and serve God and your neighbor. C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495
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Nativity of Our Lord CALL TO WORSHIP P: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who lived in a land of deep darkness–on them light has shined. C: We long for a light to guide us. P: You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy. C: We long for God's joy in our lives. P: For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. C: We long to be relieved of all that we carry. P: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. C: He is named Emmanuel: God with us. In this vulnerable child, we find our light, our joy, our comfort. Joy to the World! The Lord is come! PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus’ presence and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. READINGS Hebrew Bible Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7 2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. 3You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 6For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Psalm 96 1Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. 2Sing to the Lord, bless the name of the Lord; proclaim God’s salvation from day to day. 3Declare God’s glory among the nations and God’s wonders among all peoples. 4For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, more to be feared than all gods. 5As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; but you, O Lord, have made the heavens. 6Majesty and magnificence are in your presence; power and splendor are in your sanctuary. 7Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord honor and power. 8Ascribe to the Lord the honor due the holy name; bring offerings and enter the courts of the Lord. 9Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; tremble before the Lord, all the earth. 10Tell it out among the nations: “The Lord is king! The one who made the world so firm that it cannot be moved will judge the peoples with equity.” 11Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea thunder and all that is in it; let the field be joyful and all that is therein. 12Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy at your coming, O Lord, for you come to judge the earth. 13You will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with your truth. Gospel: Luke 2:1-20 1In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. SERMON PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P; Glory to you, O God, for good news of great joy that you give to all people. Thank you for Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who lived among us and now reigns on high. Thank you for his light that shines in the darkness. With the angels, we sing praise to you, celebrating your glory in all the earth, in the Son given to us, and in your promised salvation. Gathered as a community on this Christmas Eve, we pray for your church in every place, that we may make known to others what has been told to us about this child. Help us to bear Christ’s light in every place of need. Draw near to those who spend this night apart from community: travelers and those far from home, people who are lonely, those waiting in hospital rooms, those sitting in prison cells, people working deep in the night, people estranged from family or friends. Comfort those who are poor and vulnerable: the child at risk, the homeless on the streets, the family that is hungry, and those contending with prejudice and scorn. Restore those who have lost faith, lost hope, or simply lost their way. End the hostilities and wars we construct by ushering in the endless peace of your design. Establish your reign of justice and righteousness. You are the Lord of hosts who, with zeal, will do this; through Jesus Christ our Savior. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER P: Because God so loved the world, God sent the Son into the world. In response to this good news of great joy, we offer songs of praise, tithes and offerings, and acts of service. Tonight’s offering has been designated 50/50 to the Nuckolls and Thayer County Food Pantries. Let us pray, great God, accept the gifts we offer as we wait in hope for your coming again. Use all that we have and all that we are as you bring light in every darkness, ease heavy burdens, and turn our endless warring into your endless peace. In Christ’s name, we ask it. C: Amen. BENEDICTION P: May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and the peace of the Christ child. Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless you now and + forever. C: Amen. DISMISSAL P: Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord. C: Amen. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 Third Sunday of Advent CALL TO WORSHIP Based on today’s reading P: The Promised One of God brings good news to the oppressed and binds up the brokenhearted. C: We are witnesses to the light of Christ! P: The Promised One of God proclaims liberty to captives and release to prisoners. C: We are witnesses to the light of Christ! P: The Promised One of God comforts all who mourn and gives a mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. C: Rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, holding fast to what is good, we are witnesses to the light of Christ! LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH A Celtic Prayer Week 3: JOY P: As we hope for your arrival, as we pray for peace in your living, as we wait and watch and wonder how you might reveal yourself to us, O God, give us joy in your Advent. Light Three Candles P: Joy is not a commodity that can be bought or sold, but lives deep in the human spirit. Help us to hear that truth and believe it, to let go of what our consumer culture says will bring us happiness: money, success, a scramble to the top that leaves us flat. If we’ve robbed others of what they need in our clamor for more than our fair share, forgive us. Help us hear the call of John the Baptist to turn around and begin again. God of love, we were made in joy; may we live that way. C: We light a candle for joy. May it light the Way. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: God is patient and merciful, desiring all to come to repentance. Trusting this promise of grace, let us confess our sin. Silence for Reflection P: Everlasting God, C: you love justice and you hate wrongdoing. We confess the fear, greed, and self-centeredness that make us reluctant to work against oppression. We are complicit in systems of exploitation. We choose comfort over courage. Look upon us with mercy. Turn our hearts again to you. Make us glad to do your will and to walk in your ways for the sake of our waiting world. Amen. P: Hear these words of assurance: God clothes you with garments of salvation and robes of righteousness. In the tender compassion of + Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. God’s covenant is eternal, and God’s blessing rests upon us all. C: Amen. HYMN “People Look East” PRAYER OF THE DAY P: We thank you, O God, for all those in Scripture who have pointed to Christ: for your prophets Elijah and Isaiah, for other prophets, and for John. We thank you, too, for those in our lives who have pointed us to Christ: pastors and teachers, strangers and friends. Give us eyes to see him today among those who are oppressed, imprisoned, brokenhearted, or beaten down, and we will give our testimony, too: how Christ releases and sets free; how he turns ashes into garlands; how he repairs and builds up what was ruined. We, too, will point others to Jesus, the Light of the world. C: Amen. READINGS Hebrew Bible Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 In the language of the jubilee year described in Leviticus 25, the prophet, moved by the spirit of God, announces deliverance for those who are oppressed and comfort for those who mourn. 1The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. 4They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. 8For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. 10I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28 6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light….19This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” 21And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ ” as the prophet Isaiah said. 24Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” 26John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” 28This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing. SERMON HYMN “Awake, Awake, and Greet the New Morn” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: God who restores, you have done great things for us and we rejoice! So often you have filled us with laughter, even turning tears of sadness into shouts of joy. You send prophets, who point the way to justice and show the way to you. We thank you for sending good news to us and repairing so much that we have devastated. P: In this season of light, we lift up in prayer so many who wait in darkness: people oppressed by poverty and discrimination, by political upheaval or dangerous rulers; people imprisoned wrongly and also those imprisoned justly. Right what is wrong among us and in us and restore us to you, to others, to ourselves. Make the brokenhearted whole again and comfort those who mourn. In all the jostling and jingling of these days, do not let us lose sight of you or those whom you especially came to serve: people who are in need of healing, people who are overlooked or underserved, the ones who are lost, and the ones we have made to feel little and least. P: Light of the world, live among us always, full of grace and truth. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER Financial gifts may be sent to the church. P: Gracious God, teach us to give thanks in all circumstances, for you are always with us. Thank you for the privilege of sharing what we have with others, of giving ourselves away in love, and of receiving the gifts that others share with us. With our whole being, spirit and soul and body, we rejoice in you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Spoken in Cantonese BENEDICTION P: The God of peace bless you, the love of Christ sustain you in hope, and the anointing of the Spirit + remain upon you now and forever. C: Amen. HYMN “Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel” CHARGE P: Go And...Be Present! So that you can better love and serve God and your neighbor. C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 First Sunday of Advent CALL TO WORSHIP P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, who opens the heavens and draws near to us with salvation. C: Amen. LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH A Celtic Prayer Week 1: HOPE P: When hope hangs low in the human heart, you, loving creator, kindle compassion, breathing life into the early embers of change and empathy. Light one candle on your Advent Wreath with us P: We light a candle for hope, sending prayers high into the inky heavens and dreams deep into the human soul. As Advent dawns, God of all hope, shine your light on the story of the saints who journeyed before us. May the seeds they planted in the world – peace, joy, love – take hold in our hearts and stretch towards the light. C: We light a candle for hope. May it light the way. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS based on today’s readings P: With sincere and repentant hearts, let us confess our sins in the presence of God and one another. Silence for Reflection P: Emmanuel, God-with-us, C: even in Advent, we confess that you can seem far away. You are hidden when we need you near. In our hurt, doubt, and fear, we do not try to draw closer to you; instead, we lash out—against you, our neighbor, even those we love. Forgive us, we pray, and come to save us! Let your face shine until our tears are dried, our sins are faded, and our hope is restored. After all, we belong to you, and in your hands, we can be made new. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. P: However long we wander, however far we stray, God’s steadfast love endures forever. Sisters and brothers, be assured: in Jesus Christ + we are forgiven. C: Amen. HYMN “Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding!” PRAYER OF THE DAY P: God of power unexpected, we want you to tear open the heavens and come down; to make mountains quake, water boil, and stars to fall until all nations tremble at your presence! But you, you will not perform according to our wants and whims. Instead you come like the sound of sheer silence: Quiet. Instead you are born among us as an infant. Instead you show us how love is made perfect in weakness. So we will stay alert, or at least we will try, because we are your people and there is no other God besides you. C: Amen. READINGS Hebrew Bible Reading: Isaiah 64:1-9 1O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence—2as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil—to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! 3When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. 4From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him. 5You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed. 6We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. 7There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. 8Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. 9Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people. Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 1Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim. 2In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up your strength and come to help us. 3Restore us, O God; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved. 4O Lord God of hosts, how long will your anger fume when your people pray? 5You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have given them bowls of tears to drink. 6You have made us the derision of our neighbors, and our enemies laugh us to scorn. 7Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved. 17Let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one you have made so strong for yourself. 18And so will we never turn away from you; give us life, that we may call upon your name. 19Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved. Gospel: Mark 13:24-37 [Jesus said:] 24“In those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 27Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 28“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” SERMON Rev. Lori E.L. Kitzing
HYMN “Lost in the Night” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION after each petition… P: God of power and glory, we remember your awesome deeds across the ages—the times you saved us and brought us home. Yet, we also remember times when we felt alone and afraid. O God, we are your people, the work of your hand. Look upon us with favor, especially in the time of need. We pray for those who look to you for healing and hope . . . those who are sick or recuperating from illness and injury . . . those who are lonely and need companionship and care . . . those for whom the holidays bring sorrow or pain . . . those whose deep sadness overshadows joy. We pray for people in need of restoration and reconciliation: for those battling addictions and those in recovery . . . for people estranged from those they love . . . for those lost in grief . . . for those far from home. Renew the spirit of a world grown weary with waiting and hoping. We pray from fighting to end in Russia, Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza. We pray for hunger and poverty to be crowded out by abundance. And we pray, too, for the church because we also grow weary in our waiting and watching for your power and glory to be made known. Grant us clarity, passion, and true fellowship so that we are awake to your presence. Let your face shine upon the church and all this weary world, we pray; in the name of the One born in a manger and coming again in glory. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER Financial gifts may be sent to the church. P: Faithful God, we thank you that Christ is being revealed in every time and place until he comes again in the fullness of glory. Strengthen our testimony and spiritual gifts; increase generosity in us, we pray, as we wait for the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER in French BENEDICTION P: The blessing of God, the One who creates, redeems, + and sustains us eternally, be with you now and always. C: Amen. HYMN “Comfort, Comfort Now My People” CHARGE P: Go And...Be Present! So that you can better love and serve God and your neighbor. C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 |
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April 2024
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