Benediction: Proper 15 B

Go, blessed and filled with the wisdom of God,
blessed and nourished by the life of our Lord Jesus Christ
and blessed and directed by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

~ written by Moira Laidlaw, and posted on Liturgies Online.  http://www.liturgiesonline.com.au/

Benediction: Ephesians 5: 15-20

Here’s a closing commission and benediction based on Ephesians 5:15-20, the suggested epistle reading for Proper 15 B (Ordinary 20 B), the twelfth Sunday after Pentecost.  It was written by Bruce Prewer.

Commission & Benediction
(inspired by Ephesians 5:15-20)

These are complex times.
Let us look carefully how you walk,
not blundering along like fools,
but as those who are wise with the wisdom of Christ.
Wherever we go and whatever happens to us,
we will give thanks to God,
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace mercy and peace,
from God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
will be with you today
and always.
Amen!

~ Written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home Page. http://www.bruceprewer.com/

Readers' Theatre: John 6:56-69

Here’s a reader’s theatre setting of John 6:56-69.  It is based on The Voice translation of scripture, and set for three voices.

Reader’s Theatre
John 6:56-69

One:     If you eat My flesh and drink My blood,
            you will abide in Me and I will abide in you.
            The Father of life who sent Me has given life to Me;
            and as you eat My flesh, I will give life to you.
            This is bread that came down from heaven;
            I am not like the manna that your fathers ate and then died!
            If you eat this bread, your life will never end.

Two:     Jesus spoke these words in the synagogue
            as part of His teaching mission in Capernaum.
            Many disciples heard what He said,
            and they had questions of their own.

Three:   How are we supposed to understand all of this?
            It is a hard teaching.

Two:     Jesus was aware that even His disciples
            were murmuring about this.

One:     Has My teaching offended you?
            What if you were to see the Son of Man ascend
            to return to where He came from?
            The Spirit brings life.
            The flesh has nothing to offer.
            The words I have been teaching you are spirit and life,
            but some of you do not believe.

Two:     From the first day Jesus began to call disciples,
            He knew those who did not have genuine faith.
            He knew, too, who would betray Him.

One:     This is why I have been telling you that no one comes to Me
            without the Father’s blessing and guidance.

Two:     After hearing these teachings,
            many of His disciples walked away
            and no longer followed Jesus.
            Jesus turned to the twelve and asked:

One:     Do you want to walk away too?

Three:   Lord, if we were to go, whom would we follow?
            You speak the words that give everlasting life.
            We believe and recognize that You are the Holy One sent by God.

~ taken from The Voice.™  Copyright © 2006, 2007, 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Benediction: The Bread of Life

Here’s a closing benediction based on the John 6, where Jesus refers to himself as the Bread of Life. It was written by Nancy C. Townley.

Closing Benediction

Filled to the brim with the goodness of God;
    the nourishment of Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life,
        and the power of the Holy Spirit,
go now in peace to serve God in all that you think, do and say.
God’s peace will always be with you. AMEN.

~ written by Nancy C. Townley, and posted on the Ministry Matters website. 

Prayers of the People: Proper 15 B

Here’s a prayer of intercession from Paul Sauer, Lutheran Forum.  It’s based on the suggested scripture readings for Proper 15 B (Ordinary 20 B), the 12th Sunday after Pentecost.

Prayers of the People

Holy Spirit,
fill us all with the wisdom of God,
by walking in His ways
and keeping His commandments all the days of our lives.

Loving God, you hear our prayers: You live among us.

Holy Spirit,
fill us with true reverence for the Lord,
that we may turn from evil, do good and seek peace.

Loving God, you hear our prayers: You live among us.

Holy Spirit,
as we sing praises to God with our voices,
help us sing with our hearts full of love.

Loving God, you hear our prayers: You live among us.

Lord Jesus Christ,
living bread from heaven,
as you were sent to us from the living Father,
you have fed us with your own flesh and blood.
As you live in us, that we may live forever,
help us live lives that reflect your love and grace.

Loving God, you hear our prayers: You live among us.

Help us, Heavenly Father,
to see the whole world as your world, worthy of loving.
Bring the nations together,
that peace and good will may replace fear and rancor.

Loving God, you hear our prayers: You live among us.

Our frail bodies, Lord Jesus, need so much attention and healing.
As we pray for one another,
remind us of the new body promised each of us on the day of resurrection.

Loving God, you hear our prayers: You live among us.

The love of God has won. The new life has begun. Amen.

~ written by Paul Sauer, and posted on the Lutheran Forum website. http://www.lutheranforum.org/

Closing Benediction: Live Wisely

Here’s a closing commission and benediction inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Proper 15 B (Proper 20 B).  It was written by Rev. Dr. Bertrice Wood.

Commission & Benediction

Go forth into the world trusting with your hearts
the wisdom God bestows upon all who seek to follow God’s will. 
When called to lead, do so with humility and confidence in God. 
Be in this world a sign of Jesus’ presence. 
Share compassion with all whom you encounter. 
Live wisely in God’s name,
and glorify God in all you do. 

And may the grace, mercy and wisdom of God
be our support, guidance and strength
from this day forward and for ever more.  Amen.

~ from Wisdom Quest, written by the Rev. Dr. Bertrice Wood. Posted on the United Church of Christ website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/

Confession: Proper 15 B

Here’s a corporate prayer of confession inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Proper 15 B (Ordinary 20 B), the twelfth Sunday after Pentecost.  It was written by Thom Shuman.

Call to Reconciliation

In a world with much evil,
God continues to work for good.
In a culture which worships foolishness,
God still offers wisdom as a gift.
In a time filled with lies,
God's promises are true.
In a society obsessed with "reality,"
God's love is constant.
Let us come to the One who offers the Bread of Life,
the promise of redemption,
and the grace of forgiveness.
Please join me as we pray,

Unison Prayer of Confession

You must shake your head in wonder at our ways,
Keeper of the Covenant.
How can we say we want wisdom,
when we foolishly squander the knowledge we have of your ways?
How can we claim to follow you,
when we walk the slippery roads of the world
not caring where they lead us?
How can we desire your great and steadfast love,
when the simple seductions of our society are in full view every day?

How can you have mercy on such unwise and unfaithful people,
Perfect Wisdom?
Yet, that is exactly what you do:
and our greed turns to gratitude,
our pettiness to praise,
our tantrums to thanksgiving,
as hope and joy become our blessing
through the One we call our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Silent Prayers may be offered

Assurance of Pardon

In Christ, God sent redemption for all.
In Christ, God feeds our hungry souls.
In Christ, God gives the cup of salvation
to thirsty people.
We give thanks to God for everything:
forgiveness, hope, new life. Amen.


~ written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies. http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/  Visit his site for many other excellent lectionary-based resources.

Opening Prayer: One in Christ

Here’s an opening prayer inspired by Ephesians 4:1-16.  It comes from the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren.

Opening Prayer
(based on Ephesians 4:1-16)

One body, one Spirit, one hope,
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all,
who is above all and through all and in all,
take this patchwork collection of persons
and quilt together your church.
Like old pieces of cloth,
take these words and songs and prayers,
take our thoughts and inner hungers,
and join them all together into a new and living fabric—
the purpose of which is to cover and color your world
(or at least our corner of it)
with grace and love. In Christ. Amen.

~ posted on the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren website.  http://rockhay.tripod.com/

Table Prayer: Kingdom Feast

Here’s a communion prayer from the Church of Wales.

Table Prayer

Lord God, you draw and welcome us,
emptied of pride and hungry for grace,
to this your kingdom feast.
Nowhere can we find the food for which our souls cry out
but here, Lord at your table.
Invigorate and nourish us, good Lord,
that in and through this Bread and Wine
your love may meet us and your life complete us
in the power and glory of your kingdom. Amen

~ from the Church in Wales Holy Eucharist 2004.  Posted on the USPG: Anglicans in World Mission website. http://www.uspg.org.uk/

Call to Worship Litany: John 6

Here’s an opening prayer litany based on John 6.  It was written by Nancy C. Townley.

Call to Worship Litany
(based on John 6)

Hungering and thirsting, we come to the Lord.
Jesus is the living bread!
Feed us with your love and healing power, O Lord.
Give us the bread of hope
and compassion that we may also feed others.
Praise be to you, O Lord, for your compassion for us.
Praise be to you, O Lord, for your steadfast love. Amen.

~ written by Nancy C. Townley, and posted on the Ministry Matters website.  http://www.ministrymatters.com/

Readers' Theatre: John 6: 51-59

Here’s a two-voice setting of John 6: 51-59, the suggested gospel reading for Proper 15 B (the twelfth Sunday after Pentecost).

Readers’ Theatre
(John 6:51-59)

One:     I am the living bread which has come down from heaven.
            Anyone who eats this bread will live forever;
            and the bread that I shall give
            is my flesh, for the life of the world.'

Two:     But the people began arguing with one another.
            How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
            But Jesus replied:

One:     I assure you,
            unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood,
            you cannot have eternal life within you.
            But those who do…have eternal life
            and I will raise them up on the last day.

            For my flesh is the true food, and my blood is the true drink.
            Those who do eat and drink, live in me, and I live in them.

            I live by the power of the living God who sent me;
            in the same way, those who partake of me
            will live because of me.

            I am the true bread that came down from heaven;
            I am not like the manna that your ancestors ate and then died!
            If you eat this bread, your life will never end.

Prayer: Holy Wisdom

Holy Wisdom,
you granted Solomon's request
for an understanding mind
and the knowledge to discern good from evil.

Fill us with such understanding and knowledge
that we may act as instruments
of your loving desire for creation,
working with you to transform
our conceit into concern for others,
our fear into love,
our violence into peace,
and our brokenness into wholeness. Amen.

~ from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.  Posted on Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.  http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

Litany: Psalm 34: 1-10

Here’s a litany based on Psalm 34: 1-10.  It comes from the Seeker’s Church.

Litany
(based on Psalm 34:1-10)

Living Rock of Abundant Life,
the poor cried out;
you heard, and saved them from all their troubles.

To those who have nothing,
your promise is this:
whatever is needed will be given.

Your eyes are on those who do justice,
and your ears are open to their voice.

To those who yearn for peace,
your promise is this:
whatever is needed will be given.

Your arms enfold the brokenhearted,
and rescue those whose spirits are crushed.

To those who fear the future,
your promise is this:
whatever is needed will be given.

O taste and see how good God is!
Happy are those who take refuge in the Living Rock.

— from Stone Soup, a liturgy on the Seekers Church website.  http://www.seekerschurch.org/

Invitation to the Offering: Hunger

Here’s an invitation to the offering from the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren.

Returning our Tithes and Offerings
(inspired by Exodus 16, John 6)

"Your eyes were bigger than your stomach," a parent says when a plate of food sits partly uneaten before a child who ordered it in a restaurant. Nearby, another diner sits engorged and almost unable to move, thinking, "I can’t believe I ate it all..." We often don’t know our appetites. We also can mix up our hungers - filling our tummies when it’s our heart or spirit that is empty.

In the wilderness, the Lord fed the children of Israel every morning with manna from heaven, which was just enough for one day’s sustenance, so that the people might learn to depend upon God one step / one day at a time. Beside the sea, Jesus filled the stomachs of the surrounding crowd with bread, but he also fed their hearts, minds, and spirits with his words and his very presence. He became the bread, broken and shared.

In worship, we pay attention to our deeper hungers. Confession is the task of trying to straighten out the mess inside, with all our hungers mixed up demanding us to act upon them. We remember that God provides us our daily manna as we journey through our own wilderness. "I am the bread of life," Jesus reminds us, step by step, along the way. His sharing becomes our sharing. As he was broken and given, so we tear off a bit of what we have been given and freely give ourselves away.

As the plates are passed, think of your offering as bread freely given. The desire to "share," by the way, is itself a deep hunger we all have. As you give, prepare to make your confession, to let go of lesser things, and thus make a straight path in your life today for the Lord to enter. Ushers, would you help us to take the first step?

~ posted on the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren website.  http://rockhay.tripod.com/

wounded eucharistic prayer

Here’s a prayer at the Table from Grace Church.

wounded eucharistic prayer

lift up your hearts
we lift them up to god
lift up your heads
we lift them up to god
lift up your voices
we lift them up to god
lift up your hearts
we lift them up to god

we praise you for your unswerving love for us
though we are fragile
though we are wounded
though we are broken
you have never stopped loving us
and you have never forsaken us

greater love has no one than this
that they lay down their life for their friends
you take what is broken
and transform it through your death and love
what once was hurt
what once was friction
what left a mark
no longer stings
because grace makes beauty
out of ugly things

so we join with the angels singing
holy holy holy
holy holy holy
lord god almighty
lord god almighty
heaven and earth are full of your glory
heaven and earth are full of your glory
hosanna in the highest
hosanna in the highest

in your last meal with your friends
before your betrayal
you took the bread and gave thanks
you broke it and shared it saying
'take and eat. this is my body broken for you'
christ's body is broken
we are christ's body, we are broken
may christ's broken body nourish you in all the right places
you took the cup of wine, gave thanks and shared it saying
'drink this, my blood shed for you'
christ's body is wounded
we are christ's body, we are wounded
may the blood that flowed from christ's wounds
heal you in all the right places
send your holy spirit on us
heal our brokenness
by showing us our place in your community of faith
great is the mystery of faith
christ has died
christ is risen
christ will come again

this is the table of christ
today it is literally made of our brokenness
a sign that christ welcomes us all as we are
there is no need to pretend and no need to hide

so gather at this table
not because you are whole
but because you recognise your need for healing
not because you are good enough
but because you recognise these gifts of god

— from the Grace website worship archive.  http://www.freshworship.org/  

Prayer of Thanksgiving: Life of Christ

Here’s a prayer of thanksgiving for the life of Christ.  It was written by John Birch.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Jesus, you came that we might have life, and have it abundantly
Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.

You poured living water into lives that were parched and thirsty
Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.

You fed souls that were hungry with the bread of life
Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.

You brought healing through a touch that knew no prejudice or barrier
Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.

You brought Salvation through the cross,
Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.

You brought a means through which
[humanity] could be made right again with its Creator
Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.

You brought comfort to the sorrowing, liberty to the poor
Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.

You accept us as we are,
and mould us into the people we were meant to be
Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.

You enable broken lives and relationships to be made whole again
Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.

— written by John Birch, and posted on his Faith and Worship website.  Visit that site for many other excellent worship resources. http://www.faithandworship.com/

Readers' Theatre: Ephesians 4:25 - 5:2

Here’s a two-voice readers’ theatre setting of Ephesians 4:25 – 5:2, the suggested epistle reading for Proper 14 B (the eleventh Sunday after Pentecost). It is based on The Voice translation of scripture.

Readers’ Theatre
Ephesians 4:25 – 5:2


One:     Put away your lies and speak the truth to one another
            because we are all part of one another.

Two:     When you are angry, don’t let it carry you into sin.
            Don’t let the sun set with anger in your heart
            or give the devil room to work.

One:     If you have been stealing, stop.
            Thieves must go to work like everyone else
            and work honestly with their hands
            so that they can share with anyone who has a need.
           
Two:     Don’t let even one rotten word seep out of your mouths.
            Instead, offer only fresh words that build others up
            ehen they need it most.
            That way your good words
            will communicate grace to those who hear them.
           
One:     It’s time to stop bringing grief to God’s Holy Spirit;
            you have been sealed with the Spirit,
            marked as His own for the day of rescue.
           
Two:     Banish bitterness, rage and anger,
            shouting and slander,
            and any and all malicious thoughts—these are poison.
           
One:     Instead, be kind and compassionate.
            Graciously forgive one another
            just as God has forgiven you through the [Jesus Christ].
           
Two:     So imitate God.
            Follow Him like adored children,
            and live in love as the Anointed One loved you—
           
One:     so much that He gave Himself as a fragrant sacrifice,
            pleasing God.

Opening Prayer: Bread of Heaven

Here’s an opening prayer of invocation inspired by John 6:35.  It was written by Rev. Bonnie Tarwater.

Prayer of Invocation
(inspired by John 6:35)

God of Healing and Transformation,
we hunger and thirst for your abundant life.
We bring you our sorrow and ask for the bread of joy;
we bring you our despair and ask for the bread of hope;
we bring you our  weariness and ask for the bread of  inspiration.

Meet us here.
We need the bread of heaven to sustain us
as we journey to find our way,
that we may we be one with you. 
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen

~ from Spiritual Hunger and Thirst for God, written by the Rev. Bonnie Tarwater.  Posted on the United Church of Christ website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/

Prayer of Approach: Bread of Heaven

Here’s an opening prayer of invocation inspired by John 6.  It comes from the Ministry Matters website.

Opening Prayer
(inspired by John 6)

O Bread of heaven,
come down.
Come down and fill us with your Spirit—
for your Spirit satisfies like no other.
We hunger and thirst for you this morning
and long to be nurtured
in your love and forgiveness.
So we come to this sacred time and place,
where our hungers are finally and fully satisfied
as only your bread can do.
We will wait and listen
for your leading in this hour. Amen.

~ Adapted from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2009, © 2008 Abingdon Press.  Posted on the Ministry Matters website.  http://www.ministrymatters.com/

Readers' Theatre: John 6: 35, 41-51

Here’s a two-voice readers’ theatre setting of John 6:35, 41-51, the suggested gospel reading for Proper 14 B (the eleventh Sunday after Pentecost). It is based on The Voice translation of scripture.

Readers’ Theatre
John 6:35, 41-51

One:     I am the bread that gives life.
            If you come to my table and eat,
            you will never go hungry.
            Believe in me, and you will never go thirsty.

Two:     The Jewish people were complaining to one another about Jesus,
            because Jesus had said, 
            I am the bread that came down from heaven.
           
            'Surely this is Jesus son of Joseph and Mary', they said.
            'We know his father and mother.  
            How can he now say:
            ‘I have come down from heaven?'
            But Jesus said to them:

One:     Stop complaining to one another.
            You can not come to me
            unless drawn by the One who sent me,
            and I will raise you up at the last day.

            It is written in the prophets:
            ‘They will all be taught by God,’
            and to hear the teaching of God, 
            and learn from it, is to come to me.
            Not that anybody has ever seen God,
            except the one who comes from God.

            I tell you most solemnly,
            everybody who believes has eternal life.

            I am the bread of life.
            Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert and they are dead, 
            but this is the bread that comes down from heaven,
            so that one may eat it and not die.

            I am the living bread which has come down from heaven.
            Anyone who eats this bread will live forever;
            and the bread that I shall give is my flesh,
            for the life of the world.