Affirmation of Faith: Abundant God

Here’s an affirmation of faith which celebrates the extravagance of God.  It was written by Bruce Prewer.

Creed

We believe in the debonaire God

who clothes the wild flowers

dressing them so superbly

that they outdo Solomon in all his glory;

who is the true Friend

of all creatures great and small

who feeds magpies and laughing kookaburras,

and even doleful ravens and drongos.

We believe in the God of Christ Jesus

the Source of abundance,

full of grace and truth.

We believe in the extravagant God

who turns the other cheek,

goes the second mile,

turns water into the best wine,

brings healing with his every touch,

and who welcomes a woman’s of love

as she fills the house with unforgettable fragrance.

We believe in the faith-full God of Jesus Christ,

who sweated blood in an Olive Grove,

and kept the faith to the very end.

We believe in the redeeming God

who spared no cost,

forgave even his brutal crucifiers,

had time for a dying thief at his side,

and who on the third day

did a thing so prodigious

that even his friends were dismayed with joy.

We believe in the God of Jesus Christ,

the Source of abundance

wherever we turn

and no matter what we do.

Amen

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

Epiphany Prayer: Christ of the West

Here’s a prayer for the second Sunday after Epiphany Sunday from the Christian Aid website. It was adapted from “Invocation to the Christ of the Four Directions” (South, West, North, East), written by Suzanne Fageol.

Epiphany Prayer:

Christ of the West

We call upon the Christ of the West:

You, who saw the harvest bounty of your mission,
You, who reaped the wisdom of the Spirit,
You, who sat in thanksgiving with your friends,
You, who were betrayed at the price of your body and your blood,
You, who prayed alone in the garden 

contemplating that which could not be altered,
You, who understood that transfiguration comes 

through the gateway of death,
You, who bore your death for us all.

As sunset and twilight come upon us,
O Christ of the West:

Comfort us with your knowledge of the darkness.
Lead us, in silence and solitude, to see that which we must allow to die in us.
Teach us to pray, 'Your Kingdom come, Your will be done.' 

Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts 

and give us the pure water of righteousness 

to quench our everlasting thirst.

O Christ of the West, protector of our souls,
we call upon you. Amen. 

~ adapted from “Invocation to the Christ of the Four Directions” written by Suzanne Fageol. Posted on the Monthly Prayers page (now Weekly Worship) of the Christian Aid website. https://www.christianaid.org.uk/churches/weekly-worship

Prayer of Confession: Many Gifts

Here’s a prayer of confession (and words of assurance) from Rev Gord’s Worship Offerings blog.

Prayer of Confession

God you have given each of us many gifts,

but sometimes we cannot recognize

what gift we have to share,

so we hide it under a bushel.

God you remind us that all gifts are needed,

but sometimes we let ourselves be convinced

that some gifts are more special than others.

God you call us to work, to live, to love together as parts of one body,

but sometimes we decide that membership in the body

is limited by our understandings.

God, for the times we have ignored or mislabeled Your gifts,

for those times we have cut another off from the body,

We offer words of repentance,

we ask for forgiveness and grace.

...time of silent prayer...

Words of Assurance/Forgiveness

God is the giver of MANY gifts.

God is the Creator of the ONE body.

God is slow to anger and quick to forgive.

God helps us to share and honour the gifts of all,

God helps us to heal the wounds and reunite the body.

We are forgiven, loved, and accepted.

Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Amen 

~ posted by Rev Gord on his blog, Worship Offerings. http://worshipofferings.blogspot.ca/

Opening Prayer: Parts of the Body

Here’s an opening prayer from Rev Gord’s Worship Offerings blog.

Opening Prayer

Gift-giver, you call us together,
with our different gifts,

our different ideas,

our different tastes. 

You call us together,
to share what makes us special,

to build each other up,

to serve each other in love. 

You call us together,
knowing that we need all parts of the body

if we are to be whole. 

You call us together,
to sing, to pray, to listen, to speak.

To be refreshed

so that we can go out and serve. 
You call us together

in the name of the One

who taught his friends to pray saying:

“Our Father, who art in heaven….”

~ posted by Rev Gord on his blog, Worship Offerings. http://worshipofferings.blogspot.ca/

Benediction: Wedding at Cana

Here’s a closing benediction inspired by the events in John 2:1-11 (the wedding in Cana).  It was written by Katie Cook.

 

Closing Benediction

(inspired by John 2: 1-11)

 

Go now from this place, 
remembering that the God who calls us to mission
also calls us to feasting and dancing.

Let us remember that there are holy days 
described in the Jewish texts,
in which there is to be no fasting,
but eating, drinking, and sharing of miracles.

May the one who turned water into wine
turn our tedium into festival,
and show us how to alternate 
between commitment
and carnival.

May God’s will be done here where we live;

may impossible things come to pass.

May we find strength in the journey

and joy in the struggle, 
through the grace of God,
Amen. 

~ written by Katie Cook.  From Sacred Seasons, Pentecost/Ordinary Time 2000. Posted on Simple Living Works. http://simpleliving.startlogic.com/indexoth.php?place=archives/Articles/WorshipAltItems3.php

Confession: Psalm 36: 7-9

Here’s a litany of confession inspired by Psalm 36: 7-9

 

Litany of Confession

(inspired by Psalm 36: 7-9)

 

“How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house,

and you give them drink from the river of delights.

For with you is the fountain of life;

in your light we see light.”

 

O God,

we confess we take so much for granted:

a roof over our heads,

water whenever we want it,

air-conditioning when it is too warm

and furnace heat when it is too cold.

 

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

 

O God,

we confess that too many times we believe

that people are poor because they do not work hard enough,

that they suffer because they make bad choices

or they do not act responsibly.

 

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

 

O God,

we confess we have failed to see

that you want EVERYONE to be protected

from the scorching sun above

and from the withering judgment of others below.

Forgive us when we have been thoughtless.

Have mercy on us when we have been reckless

with what you have provided us.

Help us to be mindful of others

who need some of the shade and fresh water

we have at our disposal.

And so that our repentance might be found true in your sight,

may our change of hearts and actions

bring relief and joy to those who suffer.

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

~ Chris Suerdieck, 2008  http://www.roanokeumc.org/clientimages/45038/litanies.pdf

Confession: Gifts of the Spirit

Here’s a prayer of confession from the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Prayer of Confession

O God, who sent gifts
of the Holy Spirit to those first saints,
We know you continue to send gifts to us,
even though we do not claim them.
We confess that we have not always opened our gifts.
We have often chosen to keep them packed away or buried.

Move us, by your Spirit,
to pick up our presents, that you so freely give,
to open them and to spend them lavishly
on the stewardship of your world.

We confess to you how often our thoughts and motives are confused,
both individually
and when we are together as your people,
and that this confusion has often blinded us
to your interest in our lives.

Break in on our confusion,
and astonish us anew, O God!
Our prayer is that you will claim us again
and silence within us our desire
to always have words for every occasion,
that we might hear the whisper of the wings of your Spirit dove.

In the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we pray.

Amen.

~ from the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand website. http://presbyterian.org.nz/for-ministers/worship-resources

Pastoral Prayer: John 2: 1-11

Here’s a prayer inspired by John 2:1-11, the wedding at Cana.  It comes from An Old Song with a New Dance. It was written for the Advent season, but would also be appropriate if you’re using the text for Epiphany 2, Year C.

 

Pastoral Prayer

(inspired by John 2: 1-11)

 

Long-awaited Jesus,

bring us rest for our weary hearts,

bring us peace for our troubled minds,

and bring us joy at seeing your face.

 

We anticipate the wedding feast,

the celebration of your presence

and our connection forever with you.

 

When our lives run dry,

we rest in the hope that you will replenish us.

We await the hour when you come and reinvent the world.

 

With patience at times and sometimes without it,

we plead with you to transform our lives

and provide what we can never provide for ourselves.

 

We trust you to take the emptiness of religion

and fill us with the richness of new creation in you.

We submit ourselves to your transforming power

and your wisdom to make us into our true selves,

the people you made us to be.

 

With joy, we praise you for your wonderful power and grace,

coming once to give us what we needed

and coming again to make all things complete.

 

We place our trust in you.

Help us also to believe in the glory you have revealed

as we look expectantly toward the fullness of the future you bring.

Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

 

~ posted on An Old Song with a New Dance. http://oldsongnewdance.wordpress.com/

Call to Worship: Psalm 36

Here’s a call to worship based on Psalm 36: 5-10.  It comes from the Ministry Matters website.

 

Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 36:5-10)

No matter how far we wander from you, O God,
your steadfast love finds us. 
No matter how unjust the world seems to us, O God, 
your steadfast righteousness sustains us.
No matter how vulnerable our lives seem to us, O God, 
your steadfast presence gives us hope.
No matter how unloved and uncared for we feel, O God, 
you hear our cries and answer our prayers.
Thanks be to God!

 

~ written by Erik Alsgaard, and posted on the Worship Elements page of the Ministry Matters website. http://www.ministrymatters.com/

Prayers of the People: John 2:1-11

Here’s a prayer of intercession inspired by the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11).  It was written by Bruce Prewer.

 

Prayer of Intercession

 

God of wedding parties and new wine,

of love and laughter, dancing and singing,

we pause to pray for those among your worldwide family

who today may be feeling left out in the cold.

 

Bless the many people who must toil for such long hours

that there is no time or energy to laugh or sing.

 

Bless your children who feel so demeaned and exploited

that they view even angels of mercy with suspicion and fear.

 

Bless the many folk who are caught in vicious circles of evil

and can see no way to escape.

 

Bless those among your children whose every waking hour is spent in pain,

and whose sleep is at the best fitful.

 

Bless those people who are drawn to Christ and new life,

yet who fear the scorn of family, friends or workmates.

 

Bless your children who once tasted the new wine of Christ

but have now slipped away into indifference, or maybe despair.

 

Bless those folk who with much trembling,

hand their lives over to you this day.

May they find faith and courage for the days to come.

 

Bless the people of your church,

that abundant love may flow in our prayers

and our prayers flow into generous words and deeds.

 

In the name of the Christ who makes all things new. Amen!

 

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

Prayer Reflection: 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11

Here’s a prayer reflection on 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. It was written by Anne Osdieck.

 

Prayer Reflection: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

 

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts,

but the same Spirit. 1 Cor. 12:4

Was Puccini’s
music for his ears alone?
Or was Starry Night only for Van Gogh’s eyes?

 

Are discerners of spirits
better than those who prophesy?
Is it better to be a healer than a preacher?
Was Mother Teresa more important
than the Jesuit brother who
held the door?

 

Is red a better than blue?

 

All gifts are
from the same Spirit.
They are each a part of the whole
and given to each of us for each other
or for the common good.

Lord, help us understand.
Thank you for all
gifts.

 

 

~ written by Anne Osdieck.  Posted on The Sunday Website of Saint Louis University. http://liturgy.slu.edu/BapLordC011313/main.html 

Call to Worship: Epiphany 2 C

Here’s a contemporary call to worship inspired by the suggested scripture readings for the second Sunday after Epiphany, Year C.  It was written by Thom Shuman.

 

Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 36:5-10, John 2:1-11)

We come this day, Precious God,
as people in need of your steadfast love:
with you is the fountain of life;
in your Light we see light.
We gather this day, Water-changing God,
as people looking for signs:
with you is the fountain of life;
in your Light we see light.
We worship this day, Gifting God,
as people who confess Jesus as our Lord:
with you is the fountain of life;
in your Light we see light.

 

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

Prayer of Praise: Psalm 36: 5-10

Here’s a prayer of praise based on Psalm 36: 5-10.  Inspiration comes from The Voice translation of scripture.

Prayer of Praise

(based closely on Psalm 36: 5-10)

Your love, O God, is as immeasurable as the heavens.

Your faithfulness reaches higher than the clouds in the sky.

Your justice is like the majestic mountains—firm and unshakeable,

and your judgments are as deep as the ocean depths.

And yet, in your greatness, you care for all of creation—

people and animals alike.

How precious is your unfailing love, O God!

All humanity finds rest in your presence.

We eat and are satisfied at Your table;

we drink from the river of Your overflowing kindness.

For You alone can quench our thirst;

You alone can open our eyes and awaken our souls.

May Your love continue to grow deeply in the lives of all who know You.

May Your salvation come to all who follow in Your paths.  Amen.

Readers' Theatre: John 2: 1-11

Here’s a readers’ theatre setting of John 2:1-11, where Jesus changes water into wine at the wedding in Cana.  It is set for two voices.

 

The Wedding at Cana

(John 2:1-11)

 

ereHehskskslsOne:     The next day there was a wedding celebration 

            in the village of Cana in Galilee.

            Jesus’ mother was there, 

            and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 

            The wine supply ran out during the festivities,

            so Jesus’ mother came to him and said,

            “Son, they have no more wine.”

 

Three:   Dear woman, that’s not our problem.

            My time has not yet come.

 

One:     But his mother told the servants,

            “Do whatever he tells you.”

            Standing nearby were six stone water jars,

            used for Jewish ceremonial washing.

            Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons.

            Jesus told the servants, 

 

Two:     Fill the jars with water.

 

One:     When the jars had been filled, he said, 

 

Two:     Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.

 

One:     So the servants followed his instructions.

            When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine,

            not knowing where it had come from       

            (though, of course, the servants knew),

            he called the bridegroom over and said:

            “A host always serves the best wine first,

            Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink,

            he brings out the less expensive wine.

            But you have kept the best until now!”

 

            This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee

            was the first time Jesus revealed his glory.

            And his disciples believed in him.

Confession: 1 Corinthians 12: 1-11

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by 1 Corinthians 12: 1-11. It was written by Moira Laidlaw.

 

Prayer of Confession

Sing together: “Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me/us”

 

As we sing about the Spirit of God falling fresh on us,

we pray for forgiveness when our words and actions

are shaped and molded by other than the Holy Spirit.

For the times when we have used the gifts 
of your Spirit to enhance our own glory

rather than using them to serve others. 
Forgive us, O God.

(silent reflection)

When our use of your gifts has led to division and discord

rather than increasing understanding and unity.
Forgive us, O God.

(silent reflection)

For believing one gift to be superior to another

rather than celebrating the various ways in which they complement each other

and build up the whole community.
Forgive us, O God.

(silent reflection)

The Holy Spirit enables us to confess Jesus as Lord

and in so doing,

we are acknowledging our total allegiance to, and love for Jesus.
Merciful God, forgive any lack of commitment by us

to love as Jesus loved and to serve as he served.  
Fill us anew with the Holy Spirit

so that our worship, witness and service may reflect our unity

and the faithful use of our diverse gifts. 

This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen

Assurance of Forgiveness
The good news is that God has continued to love and save us (Psalm 36:10)

in and through Jesus,

whom we confess as Saviour and Lord

through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Friends, believe these words of grace:

In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Thanks be to God!

 

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