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Submit Your Own! February 1, 2009 By David von Schlichten Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, Year B
Call to Worship Leader: Jesus commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him. People: Christ our Lord teaches as one with authority. Leader: We worship the one who has power over demons People: in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Leader: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. People: God's praise endures forever. Alleluia! Prayer of Invocation Spotless Spirit, we are in awe of Christ's strength over evil. Sanctify our worship service, so that we can draw from that strength the power to build up one another with the love that casts out fear. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen. Prayer of Confession Almighty Sovereign, you are full of astonishing power, yet we trust you little and sin against you much. We become bloated with pointless knowledge that we devour for our selfish gain, while we starve ourselves and one another of your love. We engage in practices with no regard for how they might be a stumbling block to others. We let demons dominate our desires. We do not trust in your power. We think evil is winning and you are losing. Lead us to the truth. Cast the demons out of us. Forgive us, in the name of Jesus the Teacher. Amen. Words of Assurance Leader: Alleluia! The Holy One of God has rebuked evil, driven out sin, has cleansed our spirits. People: Praise the LORD! We give thanks to the LORD with our whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Leader: God is gracious and merciful. The Almighty has freed us from evil possessing us. People: Alleluia! Prayer of Inspiration Spirit, put the Word in our mouths and ears, and give us the wisdom to follow everything that you command. So be it. Prayers of the People Liberation-Adonai, we exalt you for delivering us from evil. You have come to the aid of the Church year after year. You have blessed us with extraordinary servants, including bishops such as Ansgar and martyrs such as the Martyrs of Japan. We recall with gratitude the Presentation of our Lord. God, we are confident about who you are, (congregational response: so we know that you come to care for us.). Liberation-Adonai, you have created a magnificent diversity among humanity and have blessed us with a miraculous, musical planet. Help us to take holy care of one another and your creation. Bless President Obama and all leaders and citizens around the world. Care for the soldiers; bring them home safely. God, we are confident about who you are, . . . Liberation-Adonai, you fill our lives with fun. We look forward to the Super Bowl. Keep all the athletes safe. Help us to celebrate in a responsible, Christian manner, regardless of the game's outcome. God, we are confident about who you are, . . . Liberation-Adonai, winter can be fierce. As we pause to think of the groundhog, we give thanks that winter is about half over. Guide us to take care of each other, to help one another cope with the severe weather. God, we are confident about who you are, . . .
Liberation-Adonai, sometimes evil seems invincible. It often appears that the world is going from bad to worse. Grant us courage and faith, trusting in your superior strength. Make us instruments of exorcism. God, we are indeed confident about who you are, . . . Liberation-Adonai, we are thankful for the ways you heal us. Bless those in need of healing, especially [Add names]. Please send your mercy. God, we are most confident about whose we are, . . . You may add other praises or petitions here. Full of your edifying love, we elevate these prayers to you, trusting in your merciful, cleansing might. In the name of the Rabbi we pray. Amen. Offertory Prayer As wise men and women we come before you with these gifts, having followed the star. Benediction Leader: The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the one God, has cleansed us. People: Christ has driven out evil and filled us with love. Leader: Now we leave to build up others with love, ever careful with the fragile conscience, People: and to spread Christ's fame throughout the world. Amen. David von Schlichten, poedifier January 25, 2009 By David von Schlichten Third Sunday after Epiphany, Year B Call to Worship Leader: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near, People: so we repent and believe in the good news. Leader: Jesus says, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” People: In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit we drop our nets immediately and follow Christ. Prayer of Invocation Holy Spirit, just as you compelled the fishermen to follow Jesus, compel us to worship God now in a way that glorifies our Lord and edifies one another. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen. Prayer of Confession Adonai, we are more sinful than Nineveh, more stubborn and foolish than Jonah. We scramble after wealth, extorting and robbing each other. We act like we have forever, ignoring that the present form of this world is passing away. Jesus calls us to drop everything and follow him, but we'd rather chase after all the wrong things. We're more concerned about 9 to 5 than about God-Time and God-Work. For the sake of the Crucified One, forgive us. Re-call us. Drive us to answer by putting you first. Words of Assurance God alone is our rock and salvation. Because of Christ, the Almighty spares us just as he spared Nineveh. God has spoken mercy, and twice have we heard his words of clemency. The Lord has fished for us and caught us, snatching us from the jaws of that shark Satan. Alleluia! Prayer of Inspiration Dove-Spirit, speak to us through the Word, and give us the wisdom to hear the message twice. Prayers of the People Thank you, YHWH, for calling us to follow you. Throughout the centuries, every day, you have summoned us to life-giving service of you. We lift up special thanksgiving for Paul's conversion. Fishing-Lord, (congregational response: you catch us with liberating grace.). We also are grateful for missionaries such as Titus, Timothy and Silas. We praise you for witnesses to the faith such as Lydia, Dorcas and Phoebe. We are in awe of the holy brilliance of Thomas Aquinas. Alleluia for all these saints. Fishing-Lord, . . . Thank you, Elohim, for the United States of America and the human race's gorgeous diversity. We give extra gratitude for our new President, Barack Obama. Guide him, that he may serve you by being an instrument of healing for our nation. Bring peace to the world entire. Fishing-Lord, . . . Makes us smart enough to put dysfunctional partisan bickering and nastiness aside so that we can pull together to learn from each other in a way that will benefit our nation and the world. Fishing-Lord, . . . Thank you, Adonai, for making us all equal through Christ. Teach and embolden us to do the same, tossing out prejudice. Fishing-Lord, . . . Thank you, El Shaddai, for caressing us with healing. Bring healing to those in need now, particularly [Add names]. Guide our hands to assist you with healing. Fishing-Lord, . . . You may add other praises or petitions here. Rock and Salvation, we hand our prayers to you, knowing that you will answer in a way best for us. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. Offertory Prayer Following you, we present these gifts. May they serve to spread the Good News throughout the world. Benediction Leader: Father, Son and Holy Spirit have caught, freed, and strengthened us to minister to the world. People: Immediately we go to serve you, for the time is fulfilled. The kingdom of God has come near. Alleluia! David von Schlichten, poedifier January 18, 2009 By David von Schlichten Second Sunday after Epiphany, Year B Call to Worship Leader: We are to come and see. People: The Lord has searched us out and known us. Leader: God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, calls us, the baptized, People: and we respond by saying, “Speak, for your servants are listening.” Prayer of Invocation Holy Spirit, we praise you for enabling us to answer Christ's call to follow him. Continue to lead us, so that with our hearts, words, and bodies, we may act in accord with the one who has bought us for salvation, Jesus Christ. Amen. Prayer of Confession We have sinned against you over and over, Almighty Lord. We try to hide from you, fearing your presence. People blaspheme you, and we do nothing in response. We desecrate our bodies with foolish sexual practices. We are snobby about certain places, doubting anything good can come from them. We embrace stereotypes and prejudices. You call us, but we ignore you or do not hear you because we are busy with lesser things. For the sake of our Rabbi, Jesus Christ, forgive us. Call us again. Words of Assurance Alleluia! Through the Rabbi's blood, we have forgiveness of every single one of our sins, no matter how many. The Son of Man has saved us and has summoned us anew to come and see his powerful mercy. Prayer of Inspiration Paraclete, shape our proclamation of the Word, that we all may follow God. Prayers of the People One God, you have made the Church, the baptized, to be one body. Often we divide ourselves from each other. During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, teach us to live according to the unity you have given us. Help us to have the wisdom to be one even when we disagree on significant issues. Lord of Discipleship, (congregational response: we follow you.). We are in awe of the Church's many admirable leaders. We praise you for martyrs such as Agnes and Henry, bishop of Uppsala. Endow us with the courage to emulate them with self-sacrifice that honors you. Lord of Discipleship, . . . Over and over have you blessed the United States. We give thanks for President Bush's service and for President-Elect Obama's inauguration. Bless this transition and bless President Obama, that he may have the wisdom and bold humility needed to lead the nation toward peace and economic recovery. Help us citizens to do our part, as well, and to be patient with our leaders. Remind us that substantial change often takes a long time. Lord of Discipleship, . . . Liberator, we honor you for your servant, Martin Luther King, Jr. Give us the vision, tenacity, and courage – the theoptimism – to continue his work so that, someday, all people will be equal and free. Lord of Discipleship, . . . Adonai of pleasure, we find delightful and exciting sexuality. Endow us with the sense to use it according to your will and not to give it more or less importance than it warrants. Lord of Discipleship, . . . God of Compassion, you have covered us with healing. Cover those in need of healing now, particularly those we mention in our hearts or aloud [Add names]. We praise you for your mercy. Lord of Discipleship, . . . You may add other praises or petitions here. We entrust these prayers to you, Omniscient God, full of faith in your love for us. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen. Offertory Prayer As wise men and women, we give to you what is your own as part of adoring you, the Star's source and destination. Benediction Leader: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the God in whose name we baptize, has called us, taught us, and strengthened us. People: Now we go to bid others to come and see. Alleluia!
David von Schlichten, poedifier January 11, 2009 By David von Schlichten January 11, 2009 Baptism of the Lord First Sunday after Epiphany, Year B Call to Worship Leader: A wind from God sweeps over the face of the waters. People: Through our baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we are God's children, the beloved. Leader: The Holy Spirit is upon us, has transformed us into wise men and women. People: We follow the star, bearing our best gifts, and we cry, “Glory!” Prayer of Invocation Creative-Wind, re-gale us, that we may worship Christ now in accord with our baptism. In the name of the Word-made-flesh we pray. Amen. Prayer of Confession Mother-of-All, Supreme Creator, we glorify you for adopting us by water and the Spirit. We approach you with repentance, hearts bowed. We have sinned against you with words, actions, and thoughts. We have not lived like the saints you have washed us to be. We have ignored your voice. You send prophets to guide us, but we walk away from them or stone them to death. For the sake of the one baptized on the cross, forgive us. Wash us new. In his name we pray. Amen. Words of Assurance Alleluia! The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness never overcomes it. The Word became flesh and has lived among us to save us. Because of Christ, God has scrubbed away our sin-stains. Therefore, with us is God well-pleased. Alleluia! Prayer of Inspiration Holy Dove, as we proclaim the Word, penetrate us with wisdom. Prayers of the People Lord, across the centuries your light has filled the Church with hope. We exalt you for the humbling, uplifting, purifying gift of baptism. We have disagreed regarding baptismal theology. Help us to lay aside differences and focus on points of agreement. Hear us, Lord. (congregational response: Bless us with your healing voice.). You have anointed many servants in the Church to proclaim the Good News. We give special gratitude for renewers of the Church, including Antony of Egypt and Pachomius. Continue to lead us with the Paraclete to renew the Church for your glory. Hear us, Lord . . . Our nation, the United States of America, has blessings because of you. Guide the transition from President Bush to President-Elect Obama. Give us Americans the humble audacity to work for peace and to end poverty here at home and around the planet. Hear us, Lord . . . Your healing Word has recreated us over and over. Send that Word to those in need now, particularly [Add names]. Use us as instruments of healing. Hear us, Lord . . . You may add other praises or petitions here. We lay these prayers at your feet, Elohim, thankful for your loving response. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen. Offertory Prayer Accept our gold, frankincense, and myrrh. May our offerings honor you and help to spread your wisdom to all people. Benediction Leader: The God of baptism, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, has adopted you, taught you and fed you. People: We wise men and women follow the Light to Bethlehem and then to every nation.
David von Schlichten, poedifier January 4, 2009 By David von Schlichten Second Sunday after Christmas, Year B Call to Worship Leader: Despite snow and hail, gale and ice, we remain God's wise men and women, following the Light in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. People: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. Leader: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word became flesh and lived among us. People: To all who receive him, who believe in his name, the Word gives power to become children of God. Leader: The light of the Word has made us wise. People: In 2009 and every year, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness will never overcome it. Prayer of Invocation Word Made Flesh, you have marked us with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit. By that same Spirit's love, melt our foolishness so that our good works may flow from your grace-upon-grace. Amen. Prayer of Confession Generous Father, you have destined us for adoption. However, even though we are heirs of salvation, we fail to live for the praise of Christ's glory. We shove away wisdom and wrap our arms around foolishness. We worship individualism, gadgets, or military strength instead of worshiping you alone. We present to you a couple dollars, loose change, instead of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. For the sake of the Incarnate Word, forgive us. Strengthen us to live as the heirs we are. Words of Assurance Worship the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise our God, O Zion. Grace and truth came through Christ, the enfleshed Word. God so loved the world that he sent his only Son; thus, we all will not perish but have everlasting life. The Lord forgives you all your sins. God turns our mourning into joy. In Christ we have the forgiveness of our trespasses, and the Holy Spirit endows us with wisdom to live like the heirs we are. Prayer of Inspiration Paraclete, through the Word, lead us to light. Prayers of the People Kairos-King, we thank you for bringing us safely to 2009. Sanctify this year, that each of us may help to melt foolishness and let roll down the waters of wisdom. Alpha and Omega, (congregational response: shine on us). Sovereign of Holiness, you have blessed us by making us members of the Church, the baptized, heirs of everlasting life. Guide the Church throughout the new year to increase justice and compassion so that life shall be like a watered garden for all people. Alpha and Omega, . . . Lord of Diversity, we exalt you for the Orthodox Church. Bless its members as they begin their Christmas celebration. Help all of us Christians to rejoice as one over the Good News. Alpha and Omega, . . . Ruler of All, you have summoned people of every variety to follow your star. Bless the United States and every nation in the new year, including all leaders. Radiate your wisdom upon us so that we can put aside greed and power-struggles for the healing of the nations. Alpha and Omega, . . . Just as you led the people of Israel home from exile, so also you have led us to healing again and again. Grant healing to those in need now, especially [Add names]. Give each of us the faith to be your agents of healing for one another. Alpha and Omega, . . . You may add other praises or petitions here. We thank you for hearing our prayers. We know that you will respond with grace. In the name of Jesus the Logos we pray. Amen. Offertory Prayer We present to you these gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh as part of adoring you, Jesus Christ. Benediction Leader: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. People: In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we leave as witnesses to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 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 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 [Next] [Last Page] Return |
