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Submit Your Own! November 2, 2008 By David von Schlichten Proper 26 – Year A Call to Worship Leader: Through Christ, God has made us holy. People: We are equal, calling God alone our teacher and father. Leader: We worship in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, People: reserving the place of honor for the poor, living as the saints that God has declared us to be. Prayer of Invocation Leader: Spirit of the LORD, fill us with power; People: fill us with justice and peace, so that we can declare the blessings that Christ has offered all. Prayer of Confession Teacher, you have sanctified us, made us equal, and taught us humility, but we turn away from you. Often we fail to practice the good we teach. We lay unfair, heavy burdens on the shoulders of others while being unwilling to lift a finger to help. We brag with our actions to impress everyone with our piety. We show off and long for places of honor. We are full of impure motives and trickery, greed and flattery. By your blood, forgive us. Help us, the baptized, justified, and sanctified, to live as the saints that you have blessed us to be. Amen. Words of Assurance Jesus Christ has led us through the waters to the Promised Land of forgiveness. By his blood we are pure, clean, and new. Christ cares for us like a mother caring for her child, urging, encouraging, and pleading that we lead a life worthy of God, who calls us into his own kingdom and glory. Prayer of Inspiration Sophia-Spirit, teach us through the Word to humble ourselves to the glory of God and for the blessing of the needy. Amen. Prayers of the People Lord, we are a nation of nerves over this election. As we vote, give us the faith to put aside our bickering and fretting and know that you are God. Your healing love is far stronger than our poor power to add or detract. Source of holiness, (congregational response: we praise you for guiding us.). We are full of joy for humble, sincere leaders in the Church. We thank you for making us into the communion of saints. Help us to live like the saints that you have canonized us to be. Source of holiness, . . . Shepherd, the Church is full of false teachers, clergy show-offs, and hot-air pseudo-prophets who care more about making the paper than helping the hungry. Teach us, God, to be the humble-blessed. Source of holiness, . . . Fount of eternal life, we give special gratitude for our loved ones who have died, especially those we mention now [Add names]. Help us always to remember and never to forget that we, living and dead, are one through Christ. Source of holiness, . . . Lord of healing, you have cared for our bodies, minds, souls and hearts. Bring healing to those we mention now [Add names]. Source of holiness . . . You may add other praises or petitions here. Grace-God, we let these prayers rise to you, knowing that you will answer them in accord with your wisdom and that one day there will be mourning, crying, and pain no more. In the name of the Rabbi-Messiah we pray. Amen. Offertory Prayer We present this offering, LORD, for your exaltation, including through the advancement of peace and the feeding of the hungry. Benediction Leader: The Lord of Beatitude, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who has made us into saints, guide us to care for the holy, strive for peace, practice what Christ teaches. People: May our lives reflect the Rabbi who sends us. So be it. David von Schlichten, poedifier October 26, 2008 By David von Schlichten Proper 25 – Year A Call to Worship Leader: We are to love the Father, Son and Holy Spirit with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind. People: We gather to love our neighbors as ourselves. Leader: On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. People: We live and worship from the love that God pours into us through Christ Jesus. Prayer of Invocation Holy Spirit, you enabled Joshua to succeed Moses. Enable us to keep the two greatest commandments. Give us the courage and wisdom to lead all to the Promised Land. In the name of the Son of David, the Messiah, we pray. Amen. Prayer of Confession Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations, yet we keep running away from you. We are often full of deceit, impure motives, and trickery. We worry more about pleasing mortals than about pleasing you. We flatter each other for selfish reasons. We are often harsh with our words. We are stingy. We forget that we are fragile and mortal, living without respect for you or the preciousness of our lives. You have planted us by water, but we fail to bear good fruit. By the power of the one who is wiser than the Pharisees and the Sadducees, forgive us. Have compassion on your servants. O prosper the work of our hands. So be it. Words of Assurance God Almighty reforms us, makes us new, through Jesus Christ, who has established the new covenant. God is our refuge and strength who has redeemed us, washed us. The Son of David and Son of God leads us into the Promised Land. Because of the King, the Kingdom's ours forever. Alleluia. Prayer of Inspiration Spirit, you have entrusted us with the message of the gospel. Inspire us to speak, not to please mortals, but to please God, who tests our hearts. Prayers of the People Ecclesia-Elohim, you have governed and cared for the baptized for two-thousand years. We offer you special thanks for the great hymnwriters such as Philipp Nicolai. We praise you for your servants Simon and Jude. Grant us wisdom to wake, awake, for night is flying and to be receptive to the Holy Spirit entering in. God of Moses and Christ, (congregational response: lead us and heal us.). Lord, your love is perfect and constant. We have seen many changes in the Church, and we see changes today. We praise you for the good work of church reformers. Just as you were with the Church through the Reformation, be with us now, that we may always know that you guide and empower us. God of Moses and Christ, . . . Sovereign, you have blessed us with an extraordinary nation. Be with us through the campaign and election process. Cure us of cynicism, compel us to vote, and steer the nation toward your will. Heal us of partisan nastiness. Remind us always that we are to love the neighbor as the self. God of Moses and Christ, . . . Your holy, healing love is stronger than human sin or Satan's stinking wickedness. May Halloween festivities be a celebration of your power over evil and a time of fun-filled, safe play. God of Moses and Christ, . . . You may add other praises or petitions here. We praise you for hearing our prayers and answering them in accord with your will. In the name of Christ we praise. Amen. Offertory Prayer We thank you, Lord, for inspiring us to give this offering, for melting our greed into gentle giving. Use these gifts for your glory and for the care of others. Benediction Leader: The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Trinity, guide you throughout the week to love the Lord with all your being and to love your neighbor as yourself. People: We will love others just as the Son of David and Son of God has loved us. David von Schlichten, poedifier October 19, 2008 By David von Schlichten Proper 24 – Year A Call to Worship Leader: God of the Anointed, you gather us in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; People: you have saved us through the Messiah. Leader: We respond to your great love by rendering to you what belongs to you, People: and we, your stewards, know that everything belongs to you. Prayer of Invocation Leader: Holy Spirit, you teach us how to use in holy ways what God has entrusted to us. Inspire us to worship with genuine joy. People: In the name of Jesus, lead us to worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Amen. Prayer of Confession Lord of the Exodus and liberation from exile, you have rescued us, your people, from age to age. Rescue us now from our sins. We worship others, ignoring that you alone are the true God. We put you to the test. We cling to money. We place human leaders above you, while, at the same time, disrespecting those leaders. We growl and complain about politicians, doubting that you can use them for good. We are stingy with our money, time, and abilities. For the sake of the Anointed One, forgive us. Govern us toward greater love for you and others. So be it. Words of Assurance Sing to the LORD a new song. God is the Sovereign over all rulers and citizens. By the blood of Christ, the Almighty declares your sins forgiven. You are set free from slavery to sin. Jesus rescues us from the wrath that is coming. Alleluia! Prayer of Inspiration Holy Spirit, inspire us to receive the Word with joy, even when we are undergoing persecution, that we may be examples to all. Prayers of the People Lord of Moses and Cyrus, you have blessed your people with deliverance and have used even unbelievers to achieve your purpose. We praise you for the Church, especially your servant James of Jerusalem. Grant us courage and commitment to return to you what you have given us. Lord of abundance, (congregational response: you are king.). Kairos-Monarch, we are only a couple weeks from the election. Excitement is tight, reverberating; tension is strong. Help the candidates and all of us citizens of the United States to be still and know that you alone are God. Lord of abundance, . . . Adonai of Anointing, we thank you for humanity's gorgeous diversity. Bless the United States as well as all nations, including Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, China, and Sudan. Help us to care for our own nation, but give us the courage to place international human concord over patriotism. Lord of abundance, . . . We are grateful for your guidance through these disheveling economic times. Strengthen our wisdom and peace, so that we can stay calm, care for each other, and glorify you, using our money in accord with your will. Lord of abundance, . . . You may add other praises or petitions here. Leader: These prayers we give to you alone, for they belong to you. People: In you alone we place our ultimate trust. Offertory Prayer Leader: The treasures and riches you have revealed to us we present to you. People: You are the LORD; there is no other. Benediction Leader: The Father, Son and Holy Spirit lead you, govern you, filling your lives with weal and transforming your woes into wonders. People: We serve a living and true God, waiting for the Son from heaven, the Anointed, sharing the wealth God has given us to benefit a poverty-stricken world. Amen. So be it. Yes. David von Schlichten, poedifier October 12, 2008 By David von Schlichten Proper 23 – Year A Call to Worship Leader: God our Shepherd, we will exalt you. People: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we will praise your name. Leader: You have prepared a table before us of rich food and well-aged wines. People: You call us to the wedding banquet and give us a wedding robe to wear. Leader: We gather in the name of the Trinity to worship you, People: trusting in your peace, which surpasses all understanding. Prayer of Invocation Banquet-Spirit, you lay before us sumptuous nourishment. Guide us through this worship service so that, even when deep in lament, we still rejoice and are a refuge to the poor. In the name of the Bridegroom we pray. Amen. Prayer of Confession Generous God, even though you have saved us and invite us to taste and see your goodness, over and over we reject you. We worship a calf of credit-cards, bow before idols of food, weapons, or sex. We make light of your invitations, obsessing over being busy. We refuse to wear the robe of the baptized. We often ignore the poor. We are quick to embrace what is false. We are stingy with rejoicing and excessive with blaming you for everything that goes wrong. We exclude people from the table. For the sake of Christ, our Rod-and-Staff Lord, forgive us. Wipe away our sins. Delete our disgrace. Help us to say yes to your invitation and to come dressed for the occasion. Amen. Words of Assurance God of Sinai has shown us mercy. Because of Christ, the Lord will not punish us but instead has prepared a place for us in paradise. We will dwell in the house of the Lord forevermore. God has thrown our sins into the outer darkness and has welcomed us to the marriage feast which has no end. Prayer of Inspiration Holy Spirit, through the proclamation of the Word, feed us so we can feed others. Prayers of the People Lord of Euodia, Syntyche, and Clement, over the millennia you have helped the Church to resolve disputes, reach to outsiders, and care for the needy. We offer extra thanksgiving for servants such as Teresa of Avila, Ignatius of Antioch, and the evangelist Luke. Teach us to go into the streets and gather all whom we find, both good and bad. Still-Water Lord, (congregational response: because of you, we can fear no evil.). God of renewal, we praise you for Nobel-laureates and all who work to improve the world. Continue to bless the peacemakers, from Jimmy Carter to Desmond Tutu to Wangari Maathai to Hu Jia. Inspire all of us toward greater peace. Green-Pasture Lord, . . . Lord of discovery, we praise you for Christopher Columbus and for the founding of this land. At the same time, we mourn the exploitation and oppression that this nation has been responsible for. Bless our President and all leaders. Guide the candidates and their campaigns. Bless China as it grows as a power, that it may also grow in its respect for human rights. Help the United States, also, to wage peace and to increase our care for the oppressed. Right-Pathway Lord, . . . Lord of inclusivity, Holy Communion is supposed to unite Christians, but we often exclude one another from the table. Grant us wisdom to draw together, not push apart. Through Scripture you teach us that we do not have to be identical to be one. Cup-Filling Lord, . . . You may add other praises or petitions here. We know you hear these prayers and will answer them according to your Wisdom. With thanksgiving we let our requests be made known to you by the power of Jesus Christ. Amen. Offertory Prayer Stewardship-Savior, we do not worship our gold but offer it to you as a sacrifice of thanksgiving for your praise and for the healing of the nations. So be it. Benediction Leader: God of Sinai, People: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Leader: has filled us and sends us out into the streets to gather the good and the bad. People: By the Lord's power, we shall fill the wedding hall with guests. David von Schlichten, poedifier October 5, 2008 By David von Schlichten Proper 22 – Year A Call to Worship Leader: Vinedresser, you have invited all to bear fruit worthy of repentance. People: Lord, you bid Jew and Gentile, all of us, to give you the produce at harvest time. Leader: We follow you, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, trusting you through the storms; People: we build upon Christ the Cornerstone, pressing toward justice and righteousness. Prayer of Invocation Landowner, cultivate us with the Spirit to be your holy farmers. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen. Prayer of Confession Beloved, you have called us to yield grapes, but we yield wild grapes. We brag about our credentials and accomplishments, treating you like rubbish. We press on toward the goal of elevating ourselves. We throw you out, kill you, stone you. We are more interested in hoarding money than in bearing fruit. When our anxiety rises, we curve in on ourselves instead of reaching up and out. We get greedy and cynical. For the sake of the Messiah, forgive and cultivate us to bear fruit worthy of repentance. Amen. Words of Assurance Leader: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. People: This was the Lord's doing, and it is amazing in our eyes. Leader: Through Jesus Christ, God forgives us all our sins, no matter how bad they are. People: We are righteous, not because of our accomplishments, but because of Christ. Leader: God frees us to be fruitful. People: Amen. Prayer of Inspiration Holy Spirit, nourish us with the Word so we can help to nourish a starving world. So be it. Prayers of the People We find your cultivating care astounding. Throughout the millennia, you have water, fertilized, and pruned the Church. Today we give extra praise for your servants William Tyndale and Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, who helped to spread the Good News. Guide us to continue to grow in our ability to show mercy to an angry and impatient world. Kairos-God, (congregational response: hear our prayer). Lord of Healing, we thank you for the countless times that you have rescued us. Daddy, we are fearful about the economy. We are worried that we may end up in another Great Depression. Save us, as you have before. Give us wisdom to set aside selfishness and partisanship, concentrating instead on doing what is best for the nation in accord with your will. Help us to help each other. Kairos-God, . . . From you, Lord, come wisdom, genius, and compassion. We praise you for Nobel-prize winners, for those who have made enormous sacrifices to improve life for people around the planet. Help us all to be better stewards of our talents and other resources so that we may work for the good of all. Kairos-God, . . . Election Day is approaching; excitement, cynicism and anxiety are growing. Bless the United States as we prepare to elect a new President. Direct the candidates to serve you better. In Christ there is no longer Democrat or Republican. Unite us, Ruler of All, so that we can do what is best. Kairos-God, . . . You may add other praises or petitions here. We give you these prayers, Almighty Sovereign, knowing that you will care for us as you have done again and again throughout the centuries. Thank you for hearing us. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen. Offertory Prayer Leader: All that we have really belongs to you. People: We are, not owners, but stewards. Leader: Help us to use wisely the vineyard that you have entrusted to us. People: Yes. Yes. Benediction Leader: The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Trinity, has saved us and given us plenty. People: We count everything as garbage compared to the salvation we have through Christ. Leader: We leave here to press on, press on toward the prize of serving God and others, People: bearing the fruit of the kingdom no matter how harsh the weather. Leader: Christ the Cornerstone gives us the foundation. We are strong. People: Alleluia! David von Schlichten, poedifier [First Page] [Prev] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 [Next] [Last Page] Return |
