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2/15/2019 0 Comments Prayers of the People, E6C Your people are living
in a desert wasteland, O God, having trusted too long in the promises of humans instead of leaning on you. We are wearied by the fear-mongering and the attacks on humankind. Lift us up out of our despair, we pray, and plant us next to streams of Living Water that we might bear fruit that is sweet and life-giving once again. Hear our cries for mercy as we are tossed about by every wind that blows, hardly finding rest before another sends us packing once again. Comfort us in our fatigue and offer places of restoration and healing that we might find the strength to comfort others like us who are desperately seeking hope. Place your healing hand upon your heartsick people, O God, that in our grief, we may find peace, and in our fear, we may find courage inspired by your Spirit. Embolden us to move as one Body toward a hurting world that in your name alone, we may offer restoration and facilitate reconciliation for all.
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2/13/2019 0 Comments Prayer of Confession, E6C Call to Confession
But one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured and enticed by it; then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:14-15) Let us confess our sin before God, and seek God's mercy. Prayer of Confession, E6C We are the strong ones, God, who rely on our own strength. We do not need to need you. We do not want to need you. Our confidence in our own confidence belies our arrogance. Our arrogance belies our lack of faith. Forgive us, we pray. We are the barren, who do not bear fruit. We are so sure that we do, that what we do produce is contaminated by our surety. We are so proud of what we give that even what we give is tainted by our pride. Forgive us, we pray. We are dark and deceitful, God, but it is not what we want to be. We want to reflect your light, but we need you to cleanse the unrighteousness from us. Renew in us a right spirit, O God, and call us again by our name, "Children of God," that we might remember that we are redeemed, and live accordingly. Assurance of God's Grace And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:27) By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Since we have been forgiven in Christ, let us also forgive one another. The peace of Christ be with you. Please extend the peace of Christ to all whom you encounter this day~ 2/12/2019 0 Comments Call to Worship, E6C In the Lord, we trust
and in that trust, we worship. Let us lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving for God who faithfully guides God's people. 2/3/2019 0 Comments Note: Prayer RequestThere will not be any liturgical posts this week. On doctors' orders, I am on bed rest as a result of a positive Influenza A and a positive Strep Infection test.
I tell you this because I think it's important for all of us to realize our humanity. In spite of everything I try to do to make healthy living a priority, sometimes, things like this are unavoidable. When we find ourselves in vulnerable situations, it is good to know we can trust in the community around us to lift us in prayer. But first we have to humble ourselves enough to ask. So I'm asking, for healing of mind, body, and spirit. And ... as I told a friend today ... for some big girl pants, because I'm absolutely heartbroken to be missing a trip to Galveston this week where I was scheduled to present at the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators' Annual Event. I'm also telling you because I practically PREACH self-care, and I practice it, by setting boundaries on my work days and listening to my body. it isn't enough to preach it and to practice it if one isn't prepared to do it when it really matters. Like now. So this is me making space for healing the way I encourage you to make space for healing in your own lives. I will be back next week, refreshed and back on schedule. In the meantime, thank you for your faithful support of this ministry. May God bless you with health and wholeness and reminders to cherish both. Grace and peace to you, Julie 1/30/2019 0 Comments Prayer of Confession, E4C Call to Confession
Woe are we, for we are lost. We are a people of unclean lips. Let us confess our sin before God and seek God's mercy. Prayer of Confession, E4C Merciful God, forgive us when we make our own plans, chart out our course without consulting you. Forgive our arrogance and humble our hearts that we may live according to your will. Gracious God, forgive us when we focus on our weakness instead of your strength, our failures instead of your victory, our humanity instead of your divine nature. Forgive our timidity and renew in us a spirit of power. Eternal God, forgive us when we refuse to lead justly, to speak life, to love as we have been loved. Forgive our shortsightedness and our lack of compassion for our neighbor and lead us into a spirit of unity for the sake of reconciliation. In Jesus' name we pray. Assurance of God's Grace Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Dt, 31:6) In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us also forgive one another. The peace of Christ be with you. Please extend the peace of Christ to all whom you encounter this day. 1/29/2019 0 Comments Call to Worship, E4C Come, you prophets, long-ordained;
Come, and do not be afraid. God will put God's Word in you, Prepare to be sent. 1/26/2019 0 Comments Prayers of the People, E3C Almighty God,
We need you to lead us because we have proven that we cannot lead ourselves with integrity or honor. We have forgotten your Word, have turned away from your wisdom, have chosen other paths. We have failed to call upon you for guidance and direction, Lord. Call forth your prophets to lead us back into paths of righteousness by the law of love for your name's sake. Merciful God, We need you to heal us, to gather us together and to lead us into a Spirit of unity. The pain of division is real, Lord.. When members of your Body are suffering, we all suffer together. Heal us, we pray, and renew in us a spirit of hope that we might go forward in peace. Compassionate God, We need you to inspire us! Set the feast for us and call us to your Table as a reminder of your holiness. Lead us out of our past that we may not repeat it, and lead us into a future with joyful hearts that the love you have shown us overflows among us upon the neighbor and the stranger in our midst. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers. 1/23/2019 0 Comments Prayer of Confession, E3C Call to Confession
We were once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and we died. (Romans 7:9) Let us confess our sin before God and seek God's mercy. Prayer of Confession, E3C We have not gathered in your presence faithfully, nor have we listened when we did. Understanding was not our priority, but finding defenses for our indefensible behavior, so we only paid attention to what we wanted to hear. Hear the voice of our pleas for mercy when we cry to you for help. We have not stood before our God, have not lifted hands in worship, have not bowed our heads or humbled ourselves nor do we offer our "Amen"s with conviction for we do not dare to wish for God's will to be done. Hear the voice of our pleas for mercy when we cry to you for help. We mourn and weep on holy Sabbath, grieving for ourselves and for our sin, for we are ashamed, but are we ashamed enough to repent and turn from our wickedness and seek the paths of righteousness? Hear the voice of our pleas for mercy when we cry to you for help. Assurance of God's Grace Do not grieve! The joy of the Lord is your strength! In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God! Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us also forgive one another. The peace of Christ be with you. Please extend the peace of Christ to all whom you encounter this day~ 1/22/2019 0 Comments Call to Worship, E4C Throw open the gates
and welcome the stranger in for this is God's house! Throw open the gates for there are no "others" among those who belong to the Lord. 1/18/2019 0 Comments Prayers of the People, E2C Liberating God,
Justice is so far from us today. Held prisoner by division among the leaders of our nation, your people are crying out for freedom: freedom to work with integrity, freedom to earn a living, freedom to provide for themselves and their families. Where are you in this tug of war, God? We need to know you are present and active, that you will not remain silent, that justice will shine like the light of a new day! Comforting God, Grief is increasingly near to us today. Feeling the depths of emptiness, your people are feeling forsaken. We cannot find the words to speak hope. We cannot find the words to speak life. We cannot find the words to speak joy. Instead, we are buried in our hopelessness, our lifelessness, our lack of joy. We need to know that you have bound yourself to us, that you love us deeply and are present with us in our pain. Eternal God, the present is too overwhelming to look to the future. Your people are distressed. We cannot see the brilliance of the new thing you are promising among us for the tarnished dreams of yesterday. Open our eyes to see your righteousness. Open our hearts to receive your covenant in love. Restore to us the celebration of living in your delight, that we may reflect your glory to the world. |
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February 2019
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