Benediction: Luke 18: 1-8

Here is a closing benediction based on Luke 18: 1-8. It was written by Ryan, Pastor at Adamsville Presbyterian Church.

Benediction
(based on Luke 18: 1-8)

May you continually wrestle with prayer.

May you beseech the door of heaven with shameless boldness.

May your prayers produce, in you,
a countenance of joy,
a gracious demeanor,
and a peaceful heart

And may the God of hope, fill you with all peace,
that you may abound in hope,
assured that your prayers are heard
by a loving and gracious Father.

~ written by Ryan, Pastor at Adamsville Presbyterian Church. Posted on rethinklife. http://dialogizomai.blogspot.ca/

Opening Prayer: Psalm 84: 1-7

How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!
We long to be where You are;
to stand in Your very presence,
and to behold You, face to face!
And so we have come to this place today;
we have gathered together to worship You—
to offer the praise which belongs to You alone.
Bless us as we worship You together,
and as we open our hearts and minds
to Your presence among us.
For You alone are God,
the One in whom we trust.  Amen.

Litany of Confession and Promise

Here’s a litany inspired by Joel 2: 28-29.  It was written by Katherine Hawker, and posted on Liturgies Outside.

Litany
(inspired by Joel 2: 28-29)

Our youth offer prophesy of challenge and judgement,
We nod politely with clenched teeth and closed eyes.
Invited to dream dreams,
We prefer the familiarity of the past.
Winds of vision swirl around us,
We close the windows and bolt the doors.
Even on us,
Even here,
The Spirit will pour forth.
Come, Holy Spirit, Come.

~ written by Katherine Hawker, and posted on Liturgies Outside. http://liturgyoutside.net/

Litany of Confession: Jeremiah 14, Isaiah 43

Our sin has caught up with us, Lord.
We have turned away from you
and sinned against you again and again.

We offer our confession to you, O God.
We lay our sins before you.
For the sake of your reputation, 
do not abandon us.
Remember your people,
and do not break your covenant with us.

The Lord who created you says:
You are my witnesses, O Israel!
And you are my servant.
You have been chosen to know me,
believe in me,
and understand that I alone am God.
There is no other God;
there never has been, and never will be.
I am the Lord, and there is no other Savior.

So do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.

Opening Prayer: Luke 18: 9-14

Here’s an opening prayer inspired by Luke 18: 9-14, the parable of the Pharisee and the publican.  It comes from the Order of Carmelites website.

Opening Prayer
(inspired by Luke 18: 9-14)

Lord our God,
you yourself remind us through your holy people
that all our religious practices are not worth anything
if we use them to bend you our way.

God, may we come to you
in humility and repentance,
ready to encounter you in love
and to turn your way.
Accept us as your sons and daughters,
together with Jesus Christ,
your Son and our Lord forever.

~ from the Order of Carmelites website (alt). http://ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/lectio-luke-189-14

Prayers of the People: Psalm 65: 5-14

Here’s a prayer of intercession inspired by Psalm 65: 5-14.  It was written by Jeff Shrowder, and posted on The Billabong.

Prayer of Intercession
(based on Psalm 65: 5-14)

Answer us with awesome deeds that put things right,
O God, who saves us;
who is the trust of the ends of the earth, and distant oceans;
who sets the mountains in place;
who is clothed in power;
who stills the roaring seas,
the raging of their waves,
and the unrest of the peoples;
so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth will fear your signs,
and the morning and evening will sing for joy as they set out.

Lord hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

You care for the earth and give it abundance,
greatly enriching it.
The irrigation channel is full of water;
you provide grain by preparing (the earth).
Soak its furrows; saturate its unbroken clods!
Let rainshowers soften it, and bless its growth.
Crown the year with your goodness;
Let the places where you pass
and the pastures of the wilderness drip with richness;
Let the hills dress themselves with rejoicing.
The pastures are clothed with young flocks,
the valleys are covered with grain;
they shout and sing for joy.
God of awesome deeds that put things right
strengthen us in uncertain times;
encourage us and those for whom we pray
so that we dream your dreams
and glimpse your vision for your kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen

~ written by Jeff Shrowder.  For use in worship, with acknowledgement, © Jeff Shrowder 2000.  Posted on The Billabong. http://thebillabong.info/lectionary-2/year-c-luke/62c-sunday-30c/

Prayer: Measuring Faithfulness

Here’s a prayer of confession from the archives of Mennonite Church USA.

Prayer of Confession
(inspired by Luke 18: 9-14)

Lord God in heaven,
we confess that we try to measure our faithfulness
by comparing ourselves with others.
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us as sinners.

Forgive us O God where we fail to see your Spirit’s work in others,
in those who have lived before us. 
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us as sinners.

Forgive us for choosing comfort and convenience over faithfulness.
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us as sinners.


Collect for the Day: Luke 18: 9-14

Here’s a collect for the day inspired by Luke 18: 9-14, the parable of the Pharisee and the publican.  It comes from David Beswick’s Home Page.

Prayer
(inspired by Luke 18: 9-14)

Lord God of justice,
you know no favourites and show no partiality;
but you have given us assurance
that the prayers of the lowly pierce the clouds,
their petitions reach the heavens.
Look upon us who come before you
as did the penitent tax collector,
and grant that we may open ourselves with confidence in your mercy,
and be justified by your grace.
We ask this through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

~ posted on David Beswick’s Home Page http://www.beswick.info/rclresources/30C98OS.htm

Prayer: Spirit Alive in Me

Here’s a litany about the presence of the Holy Spirit.  It was written by Judy Judd.

Prayer Litany

Spirit, you are alive in me.
And sometimes I’m afraid.

Spirit, you nudge me.
You whisper in my ear.
You blow around me,
Urging me to action.
And sometimes I’m afraid.

Spirit, you are alive in me.
And you are always here.
Always moving, always calling.
And I am unaware.
And sometimes I’m afraid. 

Afraid of the task.
Afraid of caring.
Afraid of responsibility.
Afraid of myself.
Spirit, you are alive in me. 

And I will let you lead me.
And I will hear you call me.
And I will journey with you,
Even when I’m afraid.
Spirit, you are alive in me, 
and I am alive in you. 

~ written by Judy Judd, in Peter Judd, ed., Prayers and Readings for Worship, Volume 2 (Herald Publishing House, 1996, ISBN 9780830907199), 20.  Posted on Community of Christ. http://www.cofchrist.org/worship12-13/13-10-27.asp

Invocation: Joel 2: 28-32

Here’s an opening invocation inspired by Joel 2: 28-29.  It was written by Rev. Christopher Ney.

Opening Prayer
(inspired by Joel 2: 28-29)

We give you thanks
for all the ways that you bless our lives:
the beauty and abundance of nature,
the love of family and friends,
the joy of knowing you and hearing your word.
Send Your Spirit during this time of worship
so that we might dream your dreams
and see visions of the world as you created it to be.
Guide our thoughts and actions.
Bring us closer to you so that we might do your will
and dwell in your house forever. Amen.

~ written by Rev. Christopher Ney, in Prophecy, Dreams and Visions: Service Prayers for the Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost. Posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/

Prayer: Running the Race

Here’s a prayer of thanksgiving and petition inspired by 2 Timothy 4: 6-8 and Hebrews 12: 1-3.  It was written by Rev. Ralph Wilson.

Prayer
(inspired by 2 Timothy 4: 6-8 and Hebrews 12: 1-3)

Lord,
thank you so much for your faithfulness to us in the difficult times.
Help each of us to run with perseverance
the race that you set before us
and to finish that race well with your help.
Help us to keep the faith
and the teaching that you have entrusted to us
and pass it on faithfully to those in the next generation
who can teach others also.
We know you will be with us to the end.
We know that your grace is sufficient.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

~ written by Ralph Wilson, and posted on the Jesus Walk website.
http://www.jesuswalk.com/timothy/11_fight.htm

Call to Worship, Opening Prayer: Psalm 84

Here’s a combination opening prayer and call to worship inspired by Psalm 84.  It comes from the Oratio Contemplativa website.

Opening Prayer / Call to Worship
(inspired by Psalm 84)

King of all the earth,
Creator of the universe,
Holy Triune God,
From everlasting to everlasting, you are Lord.

Our souls long for your courts, O Lord of hosts;
Happy are we who dwell in your house and are ever praising you!
Our hearts and our flesh rejoice in the living God;
Happy are we who dwell in your house and are ever praising you!
We have found a home in your presence, Our King and Our God;
Happy are we who dwell in your house and are ever praising you!

Who is like our God, the One who strengthens his people,
the One who reveals himself to all who seek after him?
This is our God, the Holy One.
Come before him with thanksgiving and offer him the sacrifice of praise.

~ excerpted from a longer prayer posted on the Oratio Contemplativa website. http://oratiocontemplativa.wordpress.com/2013/06/15/prayers-for-proper-25-year-c-rcl-closest-to-october-26/

Litany of Confession: Jeremiah 14

Our wickedness has caught up with us, Lord.
We have turned away from you
and sinned against you again and again.
O Hope of Israel, our Savior in times of trouble,
why are you like a stranger to us?
Why are you like a traveler passing through the land,
stopping only for the night?
You are right here among us, Lord.
We are known as your people.
Please don’t abandon us now!

O My people,
You love to wander far from me
and do not restrain yourselves.
Therefore, I will no longer accept you as my people.
Now I will remember all your wickedness
and will punish you for your sins.

Lord, have you completely rejected us?
Have you wounded us past all hope of healing?
We hoped for peace, but no peace came.
We hoped for a time of healing, but found only terror.

Lord, we confess our wickedness
and that of our ancestors, too.
We know that we have sinned against you.
For the sake of your reputation, Lord, do not abandon us.
Do not disgrace your own glorious throne.
Please remember us,
and do not break your covenant with us.

Can any of the worthless foreign gods send us rain?
Does it fall from the sky by itself?
No, you are the one, O Lord our God!
Only you can do such things.
So we will wait for you to help us.

Prayer of Confession: Joel 2: 28-29

Here’s a corporate act of confession inspired by Joel 2: 28-29.  It was written by Katherine Hawker.

Corporate Confession
(inspired by Joel 2: 28-29)

The Spirit comes with fire of justice
and we offer the extinguisher of complacency.

Lord have mercy,
Lord have mercy,
Lord have mercy
upon us.

The Spirit comes with the rain of love
and we offer an umbrella of reserve.

Christ have mercy,
Christ have mercy,
Christ have mercy upon us.

The Spirit comes bearing fresh winds of change
and we close the windows.

Lord have mercy,
Lord have mercy,
Lord have mercy upon us.

Words of Assurance

Hear the great good news of our faith:
The Spirit is alive!

Breathe, children of God,
breathe the fresh winds of the Spirit.

Taste, children of God,
taste the quenching waters of God’s love.

Touch, children of God,
touch the heat of God’s passion for justice.

~ written by Katherine Hawker. Posted on Liturgies Outside. http://liturgyoutside.net/Biblical.Litanies.pdf

Prayer of the Day: Proper 25 C

Here’s an opening prayer inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Proper 25, Year C.  It was written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies.

Prayer of the Day

Pour out your Spirit
upon us as we gather,
God of our salvation:
so your grace
might strengthen us
for service;
so your peace
might calm
our troubled souls;
so your hope
might mend
our broken hearts.

You poured out your life
that we might be filled
with the gift of salvation.
You humbled yourself
that we might be raised
to eternal life.
Take hold of our hands,
Servant of the world,
so we might cross
the finish line together.

You are in our midst,
Spirit of wholeness.
You enabled us
to cling to faith,
when hope runs
through our fingers like sand.
You open the gateways
of our hearts
morning and evening,
that we might sing
our praises with all creation.

God in Community,
Holy in One,
we pour out our hearts to you,
as we pray as Jesus taught us,
Our Father . . .

~ written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies. http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/

Readers' Theatre: Luke 18: 9-14

Here’s a very simple setting of the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18: 9-14).  It is set for three voices.

Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector
(Luke 18: 9-14)

One:     Jesus told this story to some
who had great confidence in their own righteousness
and scorned everyone else: 
Two men went to the Temple to pray.
One was a Pharisee,
and the other was a despised tax collector. 
The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer:

Two:     I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else.
For I don’t cheat,
I don’t sin,
and I don’t commit adultery.
I’m certainly not like that tax collector! 
I fast twice a week,
and I give you a tenth of my income.

One:     But the tax collector stood at a distance
and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed.
Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying,

Three:   O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.

One:     I tell you,
this sinner, not the Pharisee,
returned home justified before God.
For those who exalt themselves will be humbled,
and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Contemporary Songs: Psalm 84

If you’re looking for contemporary Praise & Worship song suggestions to use with Psalm 84 (the suggested psalm for  Proper 16B, Proper 25C), you can find a list at my Contemporary Psalms blog. http://contemporarypsalms.blogspot.ca/  The blog is not finished (and likely never will be, since I keep coming across new songs!), but it’s a start. 

Offering Invitation: Psalm 65

Here’s an invitation to the offering inspired by Psalm 65.  It comes from the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website.

Offering Invitation
(inspired by Psalm 65)

This is how the earth praises God:
giving thanks for God’s abundance!
The meadows clothe themselves with flocks
and the valleys deck themselves
with shimmering fields of grain,
sharing their bounty with the rest of creation.
We, too, are to worship God
by being abundant and fruitful with our lives,     
offering up our yields as if they were songs of joyful praise.
Let us worship God with our gifts.

~ from How the Earth Praises God. Posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/

Prayer: God of Seed and Harvest

Here’s a prayer of praise and blessing inspired by Psalm 65.  It comes from the Third Space website.

Prayer
(inspired by Psalm 65)

“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;
 even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11


We bless you,
God of Seed and Harvest
And we bless each other
That the beauty of this world
And the love that created it
Might be expressed though our lives
And be a blessing to others
Now and always.  Amen.

~ posted on the Third Space website. http://third-space.org.uk/blog

Contemporary Songs: Psalm 65

If you’re looking for contemporary Praise & Worship song suggestions to use with Psalm 65 (the suggested psalm for  Thanksgiving A, Proper 10A, Proper 25C), you can find a list at my Contemporary Psalms blog. http://contemporarypsalms.blogspot.ca/  The blog is not finished (and likely never will be, since I keep coming across new songs!), but it’s a start.


Pastoral Prayer: Joel 2: 23-29

Here’s a pastoral prayer inspired by Joel 2: 23-29.  It comes from archives of Mennonite Church USA.

Pastoral Prayer
(inspired by Joel 2: 23-29)

We, the children of Zion, are glad.
We rejoice in you, O Lord.
You have poured out upon us blessings like abundant rain.
Our threshing floors are full of grain;
our barrels overflow with the wine of your goodness.
We rest in your providence, your generosity, your loving kindness.
We delight in your presence.
Time and time again,
you have shown us that you are present in our midst.
Whether we have had little or much,
whether we have suffered or prospered,
you have been our faithful and sustaining God.
When we … you were there. 
(Add specific ways God has been faithful in your congregation’s experience.) 

Since you have been faithful in times past,
we can ask in confidence that you minister to our current needs….  
(Name them as appropriate.)

We, the children of Zion, are glad.
We rejoice in you, O Lord.
You have dealt wonderfully with us.
You have redeemed us.
You have led us by your hand.
From the call to Abraham and Sarah,
to the birth of the church at Pentecost,
to the birth of our congregation,
you have led us.
You have provided leaders and faithful members,
who by God’s Spirit have nurtured us and cared for us.

And now, we ask that you call out from among us new leaders
on whom you will pour out your spirit.
Anoint our sons and daughters to prophesy,
to dream dreams and see visions.
Give them courage to dream your dreams.
Give them eyes to see your visions.
Give us willing hearts to follow those dreams and visions.
Mold and shape us by those dreams and visions
to be faithful and passionate witnesses
of your love, grace, and truth in the twenty-first century.
May it be so, in the name of our Lord. Amen.


Prayer of Confession: Joel 2: 28-29

Here’s a corporate prayer of confession inspired by Joel 2: 28-29.  It was written by Rev. Christopher Ney.

Call to Confession

We turn to God in prayer
not because we are compelled
but because God invites us.
We come to God
not because of our righteousness
but because of God’s grace.
In that spirit,
we offer this prayer of confession and unburdening.

Unison Prayer of Confession

Loving God, we know that in every generation
you call forth prophets to proclaim your word.
We give you thanks that you are still speaking even today.
Your Spirit inspires the young to see visions of a new creation
and elders to dream of a time not yet known.
Yet we confess that we fail to hear your voice
when it comes from an unexpected place.
Convinced that we are right,
we miss the Good News of your reconciling love.
Forgive us, God.
Restore us with humility and awaken us anew
to your presence and your promise. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

The God of creation is a God of mercy.
God is quick to forgive
and God’s promise of restoration is for all people.
Friends believe the Good News of the Gospel

~ written by Rev. Christopher Ney, in Prophecy, Dreams and Visions: Service Prayers for the Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost. Posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/

Calls to Worship: Waters of God

Here’s a contemporary call to worship from Katherine Hawker’s Liturgies Outside website.

Contemporary Call to Worship:
Waters of God

Soft summer rain falling on parched earth
Waters of God, flow down upon us.
Torrential floods ripping lives into pieces
Waters of God, have mercy upon us.
Soaking waters which nourish the seed
Waters of God, replenish us.

~ written by Katherine Hawker, and posted on Liturgies Outside. http://liturgyoutside.net/

Prayer: Proclaiming More of You

Here’s a prayer of commitment from John Birch’s Faith and Worship website.

Prayer of Commitment

You call us to be
your light
in the darkness,
your voice
in the wilderness,
your hope
for the hopeless.

You give us
strength
in our weakness,
peace
and gentleness,
words
and boldness,
to proclaim
more of you
and of us, less.

~ 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/

Responsive Benediction: Psalm 121

From where will help come in times of trouble?

Our help comes from God,
who created the heavens and the earth.

God will not let us stumble or fall;
the one who watches over us never tires and never sleeps.

It is God who watches over us,
whose protective presence stands beside us.
Neither the bright light of the sun,
nor the dim light of the moon will harm us.

May God continue to watch over you as you come and go,
keeping you safe from harm, this day and forever.

Benediction: Proper 24 C

Here’s a closing commission and benediction inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Proper 24, Year C.  It was comes from the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren website.

Commission & Benediction

Go now, awakened to the voice of God
who speaks in his Word and his world.
As you leave this place,
be listening amid the noise of your everyday life.
Be persistent, for the One whom you follow is not dead,
nor are his teachings and his promises.
Don’t get discouraged.
Keep asking … seeking … knocking,
for times of receiving, finding, and opening will come.
Christ Jesus is alive.
Be alive in him,
the Word written upon your heart, always there.
Amen.

~ posted on the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren website. http://rockhay.tripod.com/worship/orders/2010/10-10-03.htm

Responsive Reading: We Be Preachers!

Here’s a responsive reading inspired by 2 Timothy 4:2: “Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not.”

We be Preachers
(inspired by 2 Timothy 4:2)

One:     Preachers, preach!

All:       In season, out of season;
wandering, wondering;
speaking, listening;
saying what must be said,
leaving some things unsaid ...

One:     we preach.
Here, there, and everywhere,
we preach.

All:       Connecting our lives to the gospel,
and this gospel to our world, we preach.

One:     As the Spirit leads, in word and deed,
we preach!

All:       As we uplift and inspire,
as we challenge and change—ourselves and our world….

One:     we be preachers!

All:       We be preachers! Amen?

One:     Amen!

~ written by David Radcliff, director New Community Project Elgin, Illinois.  Posted on the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren website. http://rockhay.tripod.com/worship/orders/2010/10-10-03.htm

Call to Worship: Receptive to the Word

Here’s a responsive call to worship from Katherine Hawker’s Liturgy Outside website.

Responsive Call to Worship

The Word of God is planted in our hearts.
May our hearts be receptive to the Word.
The Love of God rains down on us.
May our souls soak in the wonder of God’s love.
The Breathe of God blows softly within us.
May our minds be stirred by the power of God’s spirit.

Written for Evangelical United Church of Christ, October 2001. Copyright Katherine Hawker. http://liturgyoutside.net/CPr27.html