Call to Worship: Hunger and Thirst

Here’s an opening call to worship from Ann Siddall. It was posted on the website of the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre website.

Call to Worship

(inspired by scripture passages 

like Isaiah 55:1-9, Psalm 63:1-8, etc.)

Only the hungry search for bread.

Only the thirsty look for water.

This is a place for those who are hungry and thirsty in spirit.

Only those who ache for meaning will pursue it.

Only those who yearn for a deeper life will seek it.

This is a place for those who ache and yearn for something more.

So let us come here today with our hunger and thirst,

our unsatisfied longings, our heart-felt yearnings,

and let the God of life satisfy our souls.

 

~ written by Ann Siddall, and posted on the website of the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre.  http://www.stillpointsa.org.au/

Prayer: Hunger and Thirst

Here’s a prayer of petition from the Weekly Worship page of the Christian Aid website.

Prayer

With those who live 
in dry and weary lands, 
who know what it is to hunger 
and to thirst, 
we pray.

We pray 
that we may learn what it is 
to hunger for you, 
to thirst for justice, 
so all may have daily bread.

 ~ originally posted on the Monthly Prayers page (now Weekly Worship) of the Christian Aid website. https://www.christianaid.org.uk/churches/weekly-worship

Prayer of Lament

Becky Bonham from Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) recently shared this beautiful prayer of lament with me. She wrote it on September 27, 2017, in response to recent political events and humanitarian crises. Not long after, the city of Edmonton experienced a terrorist attack.

Prayer of Lament

To the One who calls us Beloved,

We bring hurting hearts to you this morning,

Our fearfulness, and our worry.

Our anger.

Our world is not as it should be.

The ones with power make decisions for their own benefit

In a show of might,

they flirt with war and destruction

But the most desperate among us are left to fend for themselves.

The proud and the comfortable say,

“Everything is fine. There is no problem.”

But those without privilege know better.

They hunger, they weep, they bleed.

They wait for your justice to vindicate them – before it’s too late!

In a world where hate is a virtue and exclusion a way of life

It is hard to hold on to what unites

It is tough to find common ground

Our humanity is lost in the scuffle.

Those of us who wish for peace forget how to make it

Or where to begin

And fall into hopelessness, cynicism or despair

We too begin to feel powerless

in the face of widespread suffering and systemic evil

Even our planet seems ready to crack

under the pressure of forces that are beyond us

Earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, volcanoes

Nature groans – and with it, your people.

Come, Lord Jesus, we pray.

When will you come?

When will you make right?

We are not strong enough, not wise enough, not good enough

To make peace, to bring healing

But you are,

You are the one who planted peace in our hearts

You are the one who will make it come to pass.

Come, Lord Jesus.

Strengthen the bruised reed.

Make weapons into ploughshares.

Comfort the weary and heavy-laden.

Make a home for the homeless.

Still the waters.

Calm the storm.

Come, Lord Jesus, you and your kingdom,

Come.

On earth as it is in heaven.

Your will be done.

Amen.

~ written by Becky Bonham for a chapel service at Taylor Seminary in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Prayer for Unity Amidst Diversity

Here’s a thoughtful prayer of petition for unity. It seems particularly timely these days.  It was posted on the “Monthly Prayers” page of the Christian Aid website.

Prayer for Unity

God of all creation 
who called every being into life 
who is mindful of humankind in all its diversity 
who embodies us with dignity, 
granting different gifts and talents to shape life in this world 
we ask for your Spirit to unite us 
where we face lack of understanding and disunity 
in our churches, in our communities, in our countries. 
And in silence we lay before you the burdens of our hearts.

(Silence)

We ask for your Spirit to unite us 
in the face of the conflicts, hatred and violation of life 
experienced in so many regions of the earth 
and in silence we bring to you the pain of the victims.

(Silence)

We ask for your Spirit to unite us 
wherever fear prevents us from caring for our neighbour, 
from meeting people of different ethnicities, cultures

and faith communities with respect 
and in silence we bring to you the brokenness of human relationships.

(Silence)

God of all creation, 
in Christ we are reconciled, 
and so we ask for your uniting Spirit 
to help us to overcome all our divisions 
that we may live in peace.

~ posted on the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/

Prayer: Called to be One

Here’s a prayer of confession and intercession on the subject of Christian unity. It was written by Christine Sine and posted on Godspace.

Litany of Confession

(inspired by passages like Ephesians 2:14,

John 17, Galatians 3:28, Romans 12:5)

God, we believe you have called us to unity,

but often we have isolated ourselves from others,

God, forgive us for the times we have turned our backs

on those who are different.

God, we believe you have called us

to live together as one body,

God, forgive us for the times we have created division

within your worldwide church.

God, we believe you ask us to look, listen,

and learn from others,

God, forgive us for the times we have ridiculed and attacked

those with different viewpoints.

God, we believe you ask us to accept and seek to understand

all who are called by your name,

Forgive us for the times we have offended you

by failing to love others as we do ourselves.

God, we believe you call us to be one

even as you are one,

Forgive us for the disunity we have harbored

and make us one.

Pause to offer up prayers for unity within the church

God and Creator of all humankind,

your son Jesus Christ prayed that your church might be one

even as you our God are one.

May you renew our minds and rekindle your love in our hearts,

so that by the power of the Spirit,

we might find the Oneness that you intend for us.

God, may we see in your Oneness

our need for unity,

God, may we see in your Three-ness

our need for community

God, may we see in your creativity

our need for diversity,

God, may we see in your Self

our need to love each other.

Amen.

~ from the Lenten series Journey into Wholeness written by Christine Sine. Published in 2009 by Mustard Seed Associates.  The entire series is available on the Godspace website.  http://godspace.wordpress.com/

Pastoral Prayer: United in Christ

Here’s a prayer of confession and petition from the World Council of Churches. It was posted on the Starters for Sunday website.

Prayer

God of grace,

together we turn to you in prayer,

for it is you who unite us:

you are the one God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit –

in whom we believe,

you alone empower us for good,

you send us out across the earth

in mission and service in the name of Christ.

We confess before you and all people:

We have been unworthy servants.

We have misused and abused the creation.

We have wounded one another by divisions everywhere.

We have often failed to take decisive action

against environmental destruction, poverty, racism,

caste-ism, war and genocide.

We are not only victims but also perpetrators of violence.

In all this, we have fallen short as disciples of Jesus Christ

who in his incarnation came to save us and teach us how to love.

Forgive us, God, and teach us to forgive one another.

God, in your grace, transform the world.

God, hear the cries of all creation,

the cries of the waters, the air, the land and all living things;

the cries of all who are exploited, marginalized, abused and victimized,

all who are dispossessed and silenced, their humanity ignored,

all who suffer from any form of disease, from war

and from the crimes of the arrogant

who hide from the truth, distort memory

and deny the possibility of reconciliation.

God, guide all in seats of authority

towards decisions of moral integrity.

God, in your grace, transform the world.

We give thanks for your blessings and signs of hope

that are already present in the world,

in people of all ages and in those who have gone before us in faith;

in movements to overcome violence in all its forms,

not just for a decade but for always;

in the deep and open dialogues that have begun

both within our own churches and with those of other faiths

in the search for mutual understanding and respect;

in all those working together for justice and peace –

both in exceptional circumstances and every day.

We thank you for the good news of Jesus Christ,

and the assurance of resurrection.

God, in your grace, transform the world.

By the power and guidance of your Holy Spirit, O God,

may our prayers never be empty words

but an urgent response to your living Word –

in non-violent direct action for positive change,

in bold, clear, specific acts of solidarity,

liberation, healing and compassion,

readily sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

Open our hearts to love

and to see that all people are made in your image,

to care for creation and affirm life in all its wondrous diversity.

Transform us in the offering of ourselves

so that we may be your partners in transformation

to strive for the full, visible unity

of the one Church of Jesus Christ,

to become neighbours to all,

as we await with eager longing

the full revelation of your rule

in the coming of a new heaven and a new earth.

God, in your grace, transform the world.

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

~  written for the 2006 Assembly of the World Council of Churches. Posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website.  http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/

Prayer: You Have Made Us One

Here’s a prayer of petition and commitment from Terri on the RevGalBlogPals website.

Prayer

(inspired by Ephesians 2:14, John 17, Galatians 3:28, Romans 12:5)

Almighty God,

by your Holy Spirit

you have made us one with your saints

in heaven and on earth:

Help us to see your presence

burning in the hearts of others;

grant that we may be united

in a fellowship of love and prayer;

give us the courage to pick up our cross

and respond to the needs of the world,

give us the stamina to follow you,

to be your hands and heart in the world;

enable us to witness to your grace and mercy.

We pray all this

through the love your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

~ written by Terri, and posted on RevGalBlogPals.  http://revgalblogpals.blogspot.ca/2008/08/take-up-your-cross.html

Benediction: Go Now in Peace

Here’s a closing commission and benediction from Rev. Elizabeth Dilley.

 

Benediction

Go now in peace,

for Christ has called you to live in peace

among your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Go now in courage,

for Christ has called you from the places of your life

to be agents of redemption and partners in healing.

Go now in joy and thanksgiving,

for Christ is our light!

Go now as one body,

to love and serve God as you love and serve the world!

~ written by Rev. Elizabeth Dilley, and posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/

Prayer for Unity

Father of all who live in the Spirit,
you have brought unity through your Son Jesus Christ:
help all who profess his name to show in their lives,
   in their worship,
      and their evangelism
that oneness which springs from the truth
as it is found in Jesus,
and fill your church with the desire
both to seek and find that unity
throughout the world; in his name. Amen.

~ written by Michael Saward, and posted on The Jubilate Group website. http://www.jubilate.co.uk/

Benediction: We Are One

Here’s a benediction about Christian Unity.  It was written by Paul Randall.

Benediction

(inspired by John 17:21, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18)

My fellow servants, we are one.

The bread we share makes us one.

The cup we pour makes us one.

Even as our dearest sisters and brothers

     come and go from us, we are one. 

Even as we scatter from this place

     to so many diverse pursuits

     throughout this city, this state, this globe,

     we are one. 

With gratitude we share the Table.

With gratitude we depart. 

With gratitude we release one another,

     trusting in the One

     Who makes us one.

  Go in peace.

~ Benediction for November 25, 2012, written by Paul Randall, and posted on Ecclesia.  http://www.ecclesiahouston.org/

Reflection: John 17: 21

Here’s a thoughtful reflection on Christian Unity inspired by John 17:21.  It was written by Thom Shuman.

Maybe

(inspired by John 17:21)

“I am not praying only for these,

but for all those who will believe in me through their message,

that they may all be one.” John 17:21

we would be one

if that place
across the street
   would stop braggin'
   about all its
              missions;

if those big box
        entertainmentplexes
      would realize
      how serious worship
           must be;

if others
      would recognize
    that certain doctrines
         just can't be
         compromised;

if everyone
      would just stop
            fighting
        over the questions
        we already have
               answered.

we could be one
                if
       it wasn't for
  us. 

~ Copyright © 2013 Thom M. Shuman.  Posted on Prayers4Today. http://prayersfortoday.blogspot.ca/

Unity Prayer

Here’s a prayer for unity from 20^th century Catholic priest and mystic, Thomas Merton.

Prayer for Unity

“My prayer for all of them is that they will be one….

Then the world will know that you sent me

and will understand that you love them

as much as you love me.” John 17:21, 23

O God, we are one with you.

You have made us one with you.

You have taught us that if we are open to one another,

you dwell in us.

Help us to preserve this openness

and to fight for it with all our hearts.

Help us to realize that there can be no understanding

where there is mutual rejection.

O God, in accepting one another wholeheartedly, fully, completely,

we accept you, and we thank you, and we adore you,

and we love you with our whole being,

because our being is in your being,

our spirit is rooted in your spirit.

Fill us then with love,

and let us be bound together with love as we go our diverse ways,

united in this one spirit which makes you present in the world,

and makes you witness to the ultimate reality that is love.

Love has overcome.

Love is victorious. 

~ written by Thomas Merton (1915-1968)

Call to Worship: Revelation 22

Here’s a call to worship inspired by Revelation 22.  It was written by Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson.

Call to Worship

(based on Revelation 22)

The Spirit of God bids us, “Come.”

Let everyone who hears within their hearts “Come.”

Hear the whole earth rejoice and

the coastlands sing of our God’s steadfast love.

We come to rejoice in the Holy One, our God.

We give thanks for God sets us free!

Let everyone who is thirsty for the Spirit “Come.” 

Let anyone who wishes “Come,”

and receive the water of life as a gift.

We come to rejoice in the Holy One, our God.

We give thanks for God’s steadfast love

that brings joy to our hearts in the night,

lights our lives like the dawn,

and sets us free.  Amen.

~ from Free Indeed, written by Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson. Posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways Archive. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/

Pastoral Prayer: Easter 7 C

Here’s a pastoral prayer inspired by the suggested scripture readings for the seventh Sunday of Easter (Year C).  It comes from the Presbyterian Church in Canada website.

Pastoral Prayer

(inspired by Revelation 22 and John 17)

Merciful God, we say that we want you to come and be among us.  And yet we acknowledge that you already are among us, fully and completely at all times. We say that we want Jesus to return and we pray, “Come, Lord Jesus.” And yet, we confess our fears and uncertainty about the return of Christ and what it will mean for us and for the world. Jesus prayed that we might be one with you and with each other. And yet, so often, if we are honest, we wish to remain separate from you, maintaining our independence and control. We resist the burden of being unified with those around us, especially when those around us want different things than we do or pull us in directions we do not wish to go. Soften our resistance, gracious Lord, and draw us into an authentic relationship with you and true community with one another. We pray this in the name of your Son, who prayed and still prays for us. Amen.

~ from the Presbyterian Church in Canada website. http://presbyterian.ca/worship/

Confession: Responding to God's Call

Here’s a prayer of confession from the Community of Christ website.

Prayer of Confession

O Lord,

forgive us when we fail to respond to your call with faith.

Through your Spirit

we stand in the assurance of your acceptance.

Forgive us when we are shackled

by our narrow understandings of discipleship

and our clouded sense of purpose.

Through your Spirit

we are drawn into the illumination of your empowering love.

Forgive us when we are frightened of the future

or pull back from the demand of your calling.

Forgive us when we fail to sense your presence in our past,

to acknowledge your grace in the present moment,

and to trust you for our future.

Through your Spirit we offer ourselves in discipleship.

We stand together as your disciples.

We seek renewed and renewing faith.

Touch us now with your Spirit, Lord.

Touch us now with your Spirit.

~ from Prayers and Readings for Worship, Volume 2, Peter Judd, ed. (Herald Publishing House, 1996, ISBN 9780830907199), 22. Posted on the Community of Christ website. http://www.cofchrist.org/worship12-13/13-05-12.asp

Responsive Call to Worship: Psalm 97

Here’s a responsive call to worship inspired by Psalm 97.  It was written by Rev. Susan A. Blain.

Responsive Call to Worship

(based on Psalm 97)

God rules the Earth with justice:

Earth and Earth’s people rejoice!

           

All nature serves God:

Fire clears the way and lightening lights God’s path:

Earth and Earth’s people rejoice!

The heavens proclaim God’s righteousness;

All peoples behold God’s glory:

Earth and Earth’s people rejoice!

Delight in God, O coastlands and heartlands;

Give thanks to God, O faithful ones:

Earth and Earth’s people rejoice!

~ from One in Love and Mission, written by Rev. Susan A. Blain.  Posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways archive. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/

Confession: John 17

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by Jesus’ prayer in John 17.  It comes from the website of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by John 17)

Forgive us, O God,
when we treat people as though they are just a nuisance.
when we are annoyed with others’ behaviour
when people unexpectedly assert themselves
when we find it difficult to include those who think or act
differently from the norm
when we are cruel in our judgements or exclusion

Forgive us, O God, when we do not hear or heed Jesus’ prayer for unity

We pray for all who exploit their workers for profit.
We pray for all those who experience exploitation and feel their helplessness.
Open our eyes to any ways in which we can encourage justice.

~ from the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand website.

http://www.presbyterian.org.nz/for-ministers/worship-resources/

Prayer of Intercession: Easter 7 C

Here’s a prayer of intercession based on the suggested scripture readings for the seventh Sunday of Easter, Year C.  It comes from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada website.

Prayers of the People

In this Easter season, we celebrate the many gifts which you bestow upon your people. We also reflect upon the challenging call to live as a new creation in Christ.  Recognizing both the blessing and call to service in Christ's resurrection, we pray saying "Christ is risen" and respond, "Christ is risen indeed".

God of the Church, your apostles were persecuted for the sake of the gospel. Such suffering continues today in the face of human cruelty and intolerance. We pray for all who are  persecuted for the sake of their faith and political beliefs. Strengthen the work of organizations such as Amnesty International, which seek to disclose and put an end to these great injustices.

Christ is risen!

Christ is risen indeed!

God of righteousness, empower us weak-willed human beings to be faithful to the promises made in affirming our baptisms: to reject Satan and all his empty promises. Help us to discern your will from our own selfish desires.

Christ is risen!

Christ is risen indeed!

God of justice, your Son began his ministry proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom of God, in which the blind are given sight and the oppressed released from bondage. Give us grace to enact the vision of that kingdom, by living lives of service that are dedicated to justice.

Christ is risen!

Christ is risen indeed!

God of the weak, be with those who suffer and their friends and families who keep vigil with them. We remember_____ in our prayers.

Christ is risen!

Christ is risen indeed!

God of all people, it is both a gift and a responsibility to have Christ dwelling in us. Let us be truly grateful and willing to live as one with the Lord.

Christ is risen!

Christ is risen indeed!

Hear our prayers, Heavenly Father, considering all things spoken and unspoken. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

~ from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s Lift Up Your Hearts archive. http://www.worship.ca/

Readers' Theatre: Acts 16: 16-34

Here’s a readers’ theatre setting of Acts 16: 16-34, one of the suggested scripture readings for the 7^th Sunday of Easter, Year C.  It is set for three voices.

Readers’ Theatre

(Acts 16: 16-34)

One:     One day as we were going down to the place of prayer,

we met a demon-possessed slave girl.

She was a fortune-teller

who earned a lot of money for her masters. 

She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting,

Two:     These men are servants of the Most High God,

and they have come to tell you how to be saved.

One;     This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated

that he turned and said to the demon within her,

Three:   I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.

One;     And instantly it left her.

Her masters’ hopes of wealth were now shattered,

so they grabbed Paul and Silas

and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace. 

Two:     The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!

They are teaching customs that are illegal for us Romans to practice.

One;     A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas,

and the city officials ordered them stripped

and beaten with wooden rods.

 They were severely beaten,

and then they were thrown into prison.

The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. 

So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon

and clamped their feet in the stocks.

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God,

and the other prisoners were listening. 

Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake,

and the prison was shaken to its foundations.

All the doors immediately flew open,

and the chains of every prisoner fell off! 

The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open.

He assumed the prisoners had escaped,

so he drew his sword to kill himself.

 But Paul shouted to him,

Three:   Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!

One:     The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon

and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 

Then he brought them out and asked,

Two:     Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Three:   Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved,

along with everyone in your household.

One:     And they shared the word of the Lord with him

and with all who lived in his household. 

Even at that hour of the night,

the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds.

Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized.

 He brought them into his house and set a meal before them,

and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.