re:Worship: August 2011

Aug 28, 2011

Prayer of Confession: September 4, 2011

Here is a prayer of confession based on Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 18:15-20, two of the suggested scripture readings for September 4, 2011 (Proper 18A).

Prayer of Confession

(based on Romans 13: 8-14, Matthew 18: 15-20)

Merciful God,

You call us to turn away from behaviours and attitudes that belong to the darkness,

to live honest and transparent lives as children of the light.

We confess the times when we have failed,

giving in to our darker thoughts and desires;

and acting in ways that did not bring honour to Your name.

Lord, in Your mercy, forgive us.

Teach us how to live as children of the light.

You call us love one another,

to put the needs and interests of those around us above our own;

to love others as deeply as we have been loved by You.

We confess the times when we have failed,

allowing our own desires and interests to take precedence

over the needs of others.

Lord, in Your mercy, forgive us.

Teach us how to love as we have been loved.

You call us to deal honourably with one another,

even those who have hurt or offended us;

to work through our disagreements with love and integrity,

and so to build up the Body of Christ.

We confess the times when we have failed,

finding it easier to simply walk away from hurtful relationships,

or to talk behind people’s backs rather than to their faces.

Lord, in Your mercy, forgive us.

Teach us how to live with love and integrity.

Give us hunger to know You more,

so that we may do Your will

and walk in Your ways,

to the glory of Your name. Amen.

For more worship resources related to these texts, or other texts for September 4, 2011 (the twelfth Sunday after Pentecost), click on Proper 18A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.

For other resources related to confession, click on Confession or words of assurance in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page, or see this Confession & Assurance index.

Offering Prayer: Romans 13: 8-14

Prayer for the Offering

(based on Romans 13: 8-14)

Generous God,

through Your Son, Jesus Christ,

You have shown us what it means to love.

And You’ve called us to follow Your example—

to love our neighbours as we love ourselves,

to offer our lives and our resources in Your service.

Accept the gifts we bring today.

May they help to spread the love we have received

to the world around us.

Amen.

For more worship resources related to this text, or other texts for September 4, 2011 (the twelfth Sunday after Pentecost), click on Proper 18A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.

For other prayers and prayer resources on this blog, see this Prayer index. For more offering prayers, click on offering in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.

Confession & Commitment: Ps. 119: 33-40

Here’s a prayer of confession and commitment based on Psalm 119:33-40, one of the alternate texts for September 4, 2011 (Proper 18A).

Prayer of Confession & Commitment

(based on Psalm 119: 33-40)

God,

we long to follow You,

to walk in the way that You have shown us;

to know Your commandments, and to practice them whole-heartedly.

But we confess that we are easily distracted,

lured away by our own interests and desires,

enticed by the attitudes and practices of the world around us.

Forgive us.

Turn our eyes away from the things that distract us from Your way—

from the attitudes and behaviours that sidetrack us

from our desire to know You better and follow You more closely.

Give us a hunger for Your Word and Your ways.

Show us where true life and happiness are found—

in knowing and doing Your will. Amen.

For other prayers and prayer resources on this blog, see this Prayer index.

Prayer of the Day: September 4, 2011

Here is a beautiful prayer of the day written by Thom Shuman and based on the scripture readings for September 4, 2011.

Prayer of the Day

When we hold out our hands
to be cuffed by loneliness,
you clasp our wrists
to pull us into your heart.
When our lives are shattered
by the injustices done to those
passed over by the world,
your love puts us back together,
so we can serve them with your hope.
Emancipating God,
we praise you!

When we would build walls
between us and our neighbors,
you come to be the welcoming gate.
When we would curse someone
who has hurt us in our souls,
you sing us songs of blessing.
When we would focus only
on our needs and our desires,
you hand us the dinnerware
and ask us to set the Table.
Ever-near Salvation,
we would follow you!

When we would feed on
our bitter brokenness,
you would offer us
the Bread of reconciliation.
When we would grasp
the Cup of peace,
and drink it to the last drop,
you whisper, 'offer some
to those you don't like.'
Liberating Spirit,
we would be filled with you!

God in Community, Holy in One,
free us of all fears and doubts,
as we pray as Jesus has taught us,
Our Father . . .

—Thom Shuman, Lectionary Liturgies.

For more worship resources related to the texts for September 4, 2011 (the twelfth Sunday after Pentecost), click on Proper 18A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.

For other prayers and prayer resources on this blog, see this Prayer index.

Words of Assurance: September 4, 2011

Declaration of Grace / Absolution

(based on Romans 13: 8-14 and Matthew 18: 15-20)

Jesus Christ has called us to lay aside the works of darkness
and to confess our sins and be reconciled to God.
You have confessed your sin in the company of God’s people.
Your forgiveness, declared on earth, is sealed in heaven.

Sisters and Brothers,
........your sins are forgiven;
................be at peace.

© 2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

For other resources related to confession, click on Confession or words of assurance in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page, or see this Confession & Assurance index.

Call to Worship: Psalm 149: 1-4

Here’s a possible call to worship inspired by Psalm 149:1-4.

Call to Worship

(based on Psalm 149: 1-4)

Come, let’s praise God together!

Sing a new song—

a song of God’s goodness and mercy,

faithfulness and love.

For God delights in His people,

crowning them with honor and glory!

Let’s worship together.

Prayer at the Table: Proper 18A

On this day of rejoicing, O God of our ancestors,
as we gather to break the bread,
we remember that through the blood of the Lamb
you redeemed us
and made us pass over from death to new life.
Grant that, as we celebrate your mighty deeds,
we may be one with Jesus
in offering you this sacrifice of praise. Amen.

—from the collection of prayers based on the Revised Common Lectionary prepared by Vanderbilt Divinity School. Visit that website for more prayer resources.

For more worship resources on Exodus 12:1-14 (or other suggested scripture readings for September 4, 2011), click on Proper 18A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.

For other prayers and prayer resources on this blog, see this Prayer index.

Call to Worship: Psalm 149

Here is a call to worship based on Psalm 149. It was written by Jeff Shrowder.

Psalm 149 - A Call to Worship

Praise the LORD!
Sing to the LORD a new song.
Praise God among the communion of saints.
Let the people of God rejoice in their creator.
Let them praise the LORD with dance,
and celebrate with musical instruments,
because the LORD delights in them,
and adorns the despairing with welfare.
Let all the saints jump for joy;
let them cry out with gladness where they rest.
Let high praises of God be in their throats:
word and song that overcome injustice,
binding rulers in chains and the powerful in iron shackles;
bringing justice to them, and honour to all God's faithful.
Praise the LORD!

Posted on The Billabong website.

Readers' Theatre: Romans 13: 8-14

Here is a readers’ theatre setting of Romans 13: 8-14, one of the suggested scripture texts for September 4, 2011 (the twelfth Sunday after Pentecost).

Readers’ Theatre

(based on Romans 13: 8-14)

One: Brothers and sisters,

don’t owe anyone anything—

with one exception: love.

Love is a debt which never ends,

because love fulfills all the requirements of God’s law.

For the commands given in Scripture say:

Two: Do not commit adultery,

do not murder,

do not take what is not yours,

do not envy your neighbour.

One: These commands, and others like them,

can all be summed up in this one commandment:

Two: Love your neighbour as yourself.

One: Love does no wrong to others.

In fact, love achieves everything the law requires.

Two: This is all the more urgent,

because of the times we are living in.

It is time to wake up and see what is right before your eyes.

Salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.

One: The night is almost over,

and the day of salvation will soon be here.

Two: So remove the deeds of your old, dark life like dirty clothes,

and put on the shining armor of right living.

We belong to the day,

so we should live lives of decency and goodness for all to see.

One: Don’t fall into patterns of dark living:

wild parties, drunkenness, sexual depravity,

immoral living, quarreling and jealousy.

Two: Instead, clothe yourselves with the presence

of the Lord Jesus Christ,

putting aside thoughts of how to indulge your sinful desires.

For other readers’ theatre settings of scripture, click on Readers’ theatre in the list of “Labels” at the right.

Benediction: Romans 13: 8-14

Commission & Benediction

(based on Romans 13: 8-14)

As you go from here,

remember to love.

For love is what God asks of us;

it is the very heart and soul

of what it means to follow Jesus Christ.

So go from here to love and serve God

by loving and serving those you meet.

And may God—

who loved us first, and who showed us what real love looks like—

be with you and among you

wherever you find yourself in the coming week. Amen.

For other benedictions, click on Benedictions in the list of “Labels” at the right, or see this Benediction index.

Benediction: September 4, 2011

Commission & Benediction

(based on Romans 13: 8-14)

Open your eyes and look around!

See what God is doing!

The day of salvation is closer than you think.

Don’t let yourself get so caught up in everyday activities

that you lose sight of the life God has called you to.

Put aside the attitudes and actions that belong to the darkness,

and instead clothe yourself with the presence of Jesus Christ,

living and acting today

as we will live and act when He comes again.

And may the grace of God—

Father, Son and Holy Spirit—

be with you and among you in the week ahead. Amen.

For other benedictions, click on Benedictions in the list of “Labels” at the right, or see this Benediction index.

Creative Worship Ideas: Romans 13: 8-14

If you’re working with Romans 13:8-14, here are a few creative ways to approach that text. They come from the Worshipping with Children website.

Conversation with Children: Romans 13: 8-14

Verses 8-10 are the heart of this passage for children. To help them explore it write each of the 10 Commandments on a separate poster board. Hand them out to ten children (or to 10 worshipers of a variety of ages). Point out that these rules teach us how to love God and love each other. Then, read each rule and decide with the congregation whether it is about loving God or loving people. As you do, reposition the poster bearers to stand in two groups – those whose rule is about loving God and those whose rule is about loving people. After all are sorted, thank the “Love God” poster bearers and send them to their seats noting that though loving God is surely important, today we are thinking about loving people. Then, open your Bible or go to the large worship Bible to read Romans 13:8-10. As you read each law Paul mentions point to that poster or ask its bearer to raise it. Thank them for helping the congregation pay attention to Paul’s letter and send them back to their seats.

Prayers of Intercession: Romans 13: 8-14

Before the prayers of intercession, invite worshipers of all ages to write names of people they encounter every day on a piece of paper (perhaps a corner torn off a worship handout). These may be people it is hard for them to love or people for whom they have a special prayer. Collect these names by passing prayer baskets (like passing offering plates) that are put on the central worship table. The prayer leader then offers verbal prayers of intercession perhaps holding his/her hands over the baskets or holding them up in the air. (If your congregation gathers prayer requests during worship, this could be done at the same time.)

— written by Carolyn, and posted on the Worshipping with Children website.

For more worship resources on Psalm 149 (or other suggested scripture readings for September 4, 2011), click on Proper 18A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page. For more intergenerational resources for worship, click on Intergenerational worship in the list of “Labels” at the lower right.

Prayer of Approach: Proper 18A

God among us,
we gather in the name of your Son
to learn love for one another.
Turn our feet from evil paths,
our hands from shameful deeds,
our minds to your wisdom,
and our hearts to your grace. Amen.

— from the collection of prayers based on the Revised Common Lectionary prepared by Vanderbilt Divinity School. Visit that website for more prayer resources.

For other prayers and prayer resources on this blog, see this Prayer index.

Call to Worship: Matthew 18: 15-20

Here’s a call to worship written as a reflection on Matthew 18:15-20, the gospel reading for September 4, 2011 (Proper 18A). It was written by Katherine Hawker, and posted on her Outside the Box website.

Gospel Reflection as a Call to Worship

"Truly I tell you," says Jesus,
"whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,
And whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

May we be bound with love.

To bind, to be bound, to be bound with
So many competing demands and expectations
Aging partners and parents
Unplanned expenses
Demands at work and home and school and church

May we be bound with love.

Bound now, bound forever
Bound with whom and for what?

May we be bound with love.

What shall we carry with us into eternity?
Our gold?
Our politics?
Our relationships?
Which?
For with this choice
We will be bound in heaven.

May we be bound with love.

For more calls to worship, click on Calls to worship in the list of “Labels” at the lower right, or see this Call to Worship index.

Commission & Benediction: Proper 18A

Commission and Benediction

(based on Romans 13: 8-14 and Matthew 18: 15-20)

Go out in love, reconciled to one another in Christ.
Lay aside the works of darkness
and put on the armour of light.
Live honourably,
fulfilling the law through love for all.

And may God mark you out for salvation;
May Christ Jesus be present among you always,
And may the Holy Spirit reconcile you to one another
and fulfil the law of love among you.

We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
........In the name of Christ. Amen.

Copyright © 2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

For more worship resources related to this these texts, or other texts for September 4, 2011 (the twelfth Sunday after Pentecost), click on Proper 18A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.

For other benedictions, click on Benedictions in the list of “Labels” at the right, or see this Benediction index.

Call to Worship: Proper 18A

Here’s another call to worship based on the scripture texts for September 4, 2011 (especially Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 18:15-20).

Call to Worship

(based on Romans 13: 8-14 and Matthew 18: 15-20)

People of God, open your eyes!

Look around!

The presence of our Lord Jesus Christ is here—

among us and within us.

God’s salvation is close at hand—

nearer than you know.

So open your hearts and minds to the Spirit,

and let’s worship God together!

For more calls to worship, click on Calls to worship in the list of “Labels” at the lower right, or see this Call to Worship index.

Call to Worship: September 4, 2011

Here’s a call to worship based on three of the scripture texts for September 4, 2011 (Psalm 149, Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 18:15-20).

Call to Worship

(based on Psalm 149, Romans 13: 8-14, Matthew 18: 15-20)

Come, children of God,

rejoice in your Maker!

Sing songs and hymns, old and new;

celebrate with voices and instruments,

with praise and prayers!

Open your eyes to the life-giving presence of Jesus Christ.

For God is already here,

among us and within us,

bringing new life to all who believe.

Let’s praise God together!

For more calls to worship, click on Calls to worship in the list of “Labels” at the lower right, or see this Call to Worship index.

Collect for September 4, 2011

Opening Collect

Lord of the church,

you call a broken people

around your table:

in times of disagreement

teach us to listen,

loose us from prejudice

and bind us to your way

of forgiving grace;

through Jesus Christ, who stands at the heart of our gathering. Amen.

—from Prayers for an Inclusive Church, Stephen Shakespeare. Posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website.

For other prayers and prayer resources on this blog, see this Prayer index.

For more worship resources related to the scripture texts for September 4, 2011 (the twelfth Sunday after Pentecost), click on Proper 18A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.

Prayer of Thanksgiving: Proper 18A

Here’s a general prayer of thanksgiving based on the scripture texts for September 4, 2011 (Proper 18A), written by Nathan Nettleton and posted on his LaughingBird.net website. If your congregation celebrates the Lord’s Supper each week, you can find a version of this prayer formatted for use at the Table on that site as well.

General Prayer of Thanksgiving

We give you all thanks and praise, O God,
It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise, O God,
for your delight is in your people,
and the day of our salvation is near.

You are our King and our maker,
for all things came into being at your command.
You came to save your people from slavery,
striking the land of their oppressors,
and setting free all who identified themselves
with the blood of your lamb.

In your child, Jesus, you have again come to save us.
In his love we have seen the fulfilment of your law
and the revelation of your desire to reconcile all people –
to yourself and to one another.
When he was killed you raised him to life,
and marked us for salvation with his blood.
Now wherever two or three gather,
clothed in his love,
you are present in the midst of us
and we rejoice in you forever.

Therefore, with our hearts lifted high,
we offer you thanks and praise at all times
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

For more worship resources related to the texts for September 4, 2011 (the twelfth Sunday after Pentecost), click on Proper 18A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.

For other prayers and prayer resources on this blog, see this Prayer index.

Prayers of the People: September 4, 2011

Here is a prayer of intercession for September 4, 2011 (Proper 18A). I’ve based it on three of the suggested scripture passages for that day: Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 13:8-14, and Matthew 18:15-20.

You are welcome to revise and adapt this prayer to meet your needs.

Prayer of Intercession

(based on Ex. 12:1-14, Rom. 13:8-14, Matt. 18:15-20)

God,

just as You rescued the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt,

setting them free to worship and serve You,

so You have also rescued us,

setting us free from slavery to sin and selfishness,

and inviting us into relationship with You and one another.

We praise You for the love and mercy You have shown toward us.

You call us to love and serve You

by loving and serving our brothers and sisters, near and far;

to put their needs and interests ahead of our own,

and so to fulfill Your law of love.

And so we offer our prayers for the world You created,

In Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who do not have what they need in order to survive;

those without enough food and water,

medical care, shelter, or security.

Open our hearts to see the needs in our world,

and to respond with Your love.

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who are living with serious illness or injury,

who face each day with uncertainty or pain,

who find themselves wondering what the future holds.

Open our hearts to see the needs of those around us,

and to respond with Your love.

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

On this Labour Day weekend,

we remember those who have no work,

who are struggling to provide for their families,

and who despair of ever finding employment again.

Open our hearts to see the needs of the unemployed,

and to respond with Your love.

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We also pray for Your church, the Body of Christ on earth.

We pray that we would be a living example of Your love in our world,

treating one another with compassion and respect,

settling differences with love and integrity,

bound together by our common allegiance to You.

Open our hearts to see one another,

and to respond with Your love.

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We praise You for the way of love modeled for us by Jesus Christ.

Open our hearts and lives to your ongoing presence among us,

so that we would grow in faithfulness and love,

and bring honour to Your name. Amen.

For other prayers and prayer resources on this blog, see this Prayer index.

Prayer: A Place for Us

A Place For Us

We long to find a place to relax, O God,

to lean into the welcome and the love of real friends

who stay true no matter who we are or what we’ve done.

We want to be known – not just our names, but our selves,

our dreams and longings, our fears and failings

and be warmly, unrestrainedly welcomed.

We yearn to know the joy of opening our arms to others

and seeing them melt and grow soft in the safety

of our acceptance.

And you have created a place like this for us

a place of people, with failings and disagreements

who still look out for one another;

a place of difference and struggle

where we can all belong;

a place of faith and deep doubt,

a place of awkward stumbling toward Christlikeness;

a place of worship, of mystery and of rest.

And though we can’t always see it,

although sometimes it doesn’t feel like it;

this is the place – here.

Not the buildings and the furniture – no, these people

who gather each week in your name

and try so hard to remember each other’s

And for this place, and your being with us

We give our heartfelt gratitude and devotion.

Amen.

—written by John van de Laar, © 2007 Sacredise and posted on his great website, Sacredise.com. Visit there for many more resources.

For other prayers and prayer resources on this blog, see this Prayer index.

Commission & Benediction: Salt of the Earth

The Spirit of God is upon you and has anointed you.

You are the salt of the earth and you bring light to the world.

You are not too young or too old,

you are not too rich or too needy

to bring good news to the impoverished,

to give a hand to the broken-hearted,

and to live out freedom and pardon

through the gifts you have been given.

So remember to pack peace in your toolbox,

hope in your briefcase,

love in your lunch box,

and may integrity, honesty, and joy be your designer wear of choice.

Do not be frightened, for you are never alone.

The God in whose image you are made

will walk with you and guide you today, tomorrow, and every day.

For more prayers and litanies for Labour Day, click on Labour Day in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.

Prayers of the People: Labor Day

Here is a prayer of intercession for September 4, 2011 written by Rick Morley. He has based it on the scripture passages for Proper 18A (the twelfth Sunday after Pentecost), and in the knowledge that September 4 falls on the Labor Day long weekend.

Let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need.

O God, we pray for the church throughout the world,

that her members, ministers, and ministries

may be agents of your forgiveness and grace.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for our nation, our leaders,

and all who labor to make this country free,

and a haven of blessing, justice, and peace.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for the world,

that you would pass through our lands

and once again bring freedom and life for all your children.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for our brothers and sisters in this community,

and especially those who celebrate this week;

those celebrating birthdays ________.

and those celebrating anniversaries __________.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for the sick, the suffering, the fearful,

and all who live in the wake of terror, especially __________.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for the faithful departed,

that now wearing the armor of light

they may rest forever in your peace and presence.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, we give thanks for work,

and for the many works you have given us to do.

Hear our prayers on this day of rest,

and strengthen us for the week ahead.

We pray that you would be present

with those who work by day,

and those who work by night;

those who work near,

and those whose work carries them far away;

and we pray for those who in this uncertain time have no job.

We pray all of this knowing that your labors on our behalf never cease,

and that your yoke is easy, and your burden is light. Amen.

— written by Rick Morley, on his blog.

For more prayers and litanies for Labour Day, click on Labour Day in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.