"God's Work, Our Hands" Sunday CALL TO WORSHIP P: We gather to worship and prepare our hearts for service in the name of the + Triune God, who calls us to live in community and inspires us to love one another. C: Amen. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: As loving parents have compassion for their children, God has compassion for us. Confident in God’s love, let us confess our sins. Silence is kept for reflection P: Loving God, C: we confess that we have failed to live in harmony with our sisters and brothers. We have been self-righteous in our attitudes, closed-minded in our beliefs, and judgmental in our opinions. We have shunned those whose ways we do not understand, and we have despised those who do not endorse our convictions. Forgive our sins of discord and conceit, and heal our divisiveness and quarreling. Help us to be charitable in our regard for others that we may dwell in peace with Christ, who is Lord of all. Amen. P: Hear the Good News: the Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. In the name of Jesus Christ, + you are forgiven. C: Amen. HYMN PRAYER OF THE DAY P: God, our source and our salvation, in love you made us and by love you have redeemed us. Make your love for us bear fruit in our forgiveness of others, that in this life we may know your all-embracing compassion and in the world to come receive the everlasting joy of fellowship you share with your Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. READING Psalm 103:1-13 and Matthew 18:21-35 Psalm 103: 1-13 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits-- 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love towards those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him. Matthew 18:21-35 21 Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ 22Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. 23 ‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” 27And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” 29Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” 30But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. 31When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” 34And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. 35So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’ HOMILY PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Gathered into God’s embrace, let us lift our voices on behalf of a weary and wounded world. P: God of creation, remind us to be good stewards of your diverse and beautiful world. God, we pray, C: open our hands in love. P: God of peace, fill the hearts of those who rule, govern and lead. Give them and us compassion to guide the peoples of this world in the ways of truth, justice, equity and peace. God, we pray, C: open our hands in love. P: God of healing, be with those who yearn for your wholeness, (especially Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, Donald, and Dale). Encourage all those who bear another’s burdens. Give wisdom and perseverance to all who work in health care professions. God, we pray, C: open our hands in love. P: God of service, give us strength and humility. In our service to those near and far, whose needs are visible or invisible, may we find you in the faces of our neighbors. God, we pray, C: open our hands in love. P: Everlasting God, support us in this life. As we remember those who have gone before as examples of faithful living and honor those whose faith was known only to you, inspire us to follow their example of baptismal life until we join with them in worship. God, we pray, C: open our hands in love. P: Into your hands, O God, we place all our prayers, trusting in your mercy through the Crucified and-Risen One Jesus. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER C: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. BLESSING P: May God continue to bless and keep you. In the name of the Father, the Son, + and the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. HYMN CHARGE P: Go in peace. You are God’s hands at work in the world! C: Thanks be to God.
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AuthorRev. Lori E.L. Kitzing Archives
April 2024
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