Benediction: John 3: 16-17

Here’s a benediction based on John 3:16-17.  It comes from the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website.

Benediction

(based on John 3: 16-17)

Just as God’s Word was sent into the world

to heal and redeem,

so God sends you into the world this day

to be light and love, healing and hope.

Go now to be light for the world!

And may the grace and peace of God the Creator,

the Redeemer, and the Sustainer

come upon you this day

and remain with you always. Amen.

— taken from “O Merciful God: God of Wisdom: Prayers for the Fourth Sunday in Lent,” written by Rev. Kathryn Matthews Huey and the Rev. Susan A. Blain.  Posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website.

Prayer: Abundant Life

“For God so loved the world

that he gave his one and only Son….” John 3:16

God, you loved this world so much

that you sent your own son, Jesus Christ

to live and die among us,

in order that we might have life.

Forgive us for keeping that abundant life to ourselves,

for jealously hoarding your generous gifts,

for choosing self-interest over compassion and justice.

Teach us what it means to live as children of the light,

generously sharing your abundance

with our brothers and sisters in need.  Amen.

— Christine Longhurst, posted on the Canadian Foodgrains Bank website. 

For more prayer resources on this blog, see the Scriptural Index of Prayers at the upper right side of the page.

Reflection: John 3: 16

Here’s a thoughtful reflection inspired by John 3:16.  It was written by Roddy Hamilton.

A Story of Love

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son….” John 3:16

gather round
I have a story to tell
of one who reached inside himself
and took a handful of love
like a pile of stardust
and said: this is for you
it is all you need
it is all you will ever need
there is enough here
to change the whole world
take it

many laughed at him
mocked him
and ignored the invitation

but some dared to take it
and those who did
noticed something about this love
they found they could do what the gift-giver could do
they could stand with the lost
welcome the traveler
eat with the hungry
they found themselves doing what the man first did to them
give something of themselves to others
they became like the man
offering themselves
and as they offered themselves
others took the invitation
and many still do
and many still trust
it is enough to change the whole world

~ written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Listening to the Stones. http://newkilpatrickblog.typepad.com/nk-blogging/mucky-paws/  

Confession: John 3: 14-15

Here’s a thoughtful invitation into confession from Steve Garnaas-Holmes. It was posted on Unfolding Light.

Invitation to Confession

(inspired by John 3:14-15

Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,
so must the New Human be lifted up,
that whoever trusts may have eternal life.
~ John 3.14-15

You have to look your evil in the face to be healed.
The snakes that plagued the Hebrews in the desert
were their betrayal come back to bite them,
their being Eden's serpent.
The cure was to gaze at their sin.

So we gaze upon the Crucified One, our victim,
and look our awfulness in the eye
and only there grasp forgiveness,
and only then become truly alive.

On the cross is lifted up
our racism, our violence, our materialism,
our deep seated me-first-ism.
Posted there is our last text to God,
“I'll let you know when I need you.”
We look at it, look at it hard,
to get free of the lie that we're just fine,
the lie that keeps us from knowing
how deeply we are forgiven,
how vastly we are blessed,
how infinitely we are loved. 

~ written by Steve Garnaas-Holmes and posted on Unfolding Light. https://www.unfoldinglight.net/

Prayer: Children of Abram

Here’s a prayer of petition and intercession from John van de Laar at Sacredise.com.

Prayer

(inspired by events in Genesis 12-18)

Long before the change of name,

before the first signs of new life

showed the beginnings of promises fulfilled,

You asked Abram to make his home among foreigners,

and share the blessing that was to come.

And now, O God, you ask the same faith of us:

The faith to count ourselves among the least,

to find our place alongside the poor and broken;

The faith to trust in your mercy and your promises,

and to share what we have received;

The faith to wait expectantly for your reign of justice and equity,

together with those who most need its gifts.

Teach us to be children of Abram, sharers of the blessings we enjoy:

The blessing of plenty shared with those who have need,

The blessing of healing shared with those who are sick and wounded,

The blessing of joy shared with those who celebrate

and of tears shared with those who grieve,

The blessing of friendship shared with those who are excluded,

and of solidarity with those who fight injustice,

The blessing of peace shared with those in conflict,

and of confrontation shared with those who bring harm;

And in some small way, may our faith and our sharing,

help to bring your promises into being

in our world.

Amen.

~ written by John van de Laar and posted on Sacredise. http://sacredise.com/prayers/type/intercession/children-of-abram/

Sunday Prayer: Transfiguration

Here’s a prayer for Transfiguration Sunday.  It was written by rev karla, and posted on RevGalBlogPals.

Transfiguration Prayer

Holy One,

We come before you,

many of us feeling like we have climbed just a part of the mountain,

and there is so much more of a climb left to even get to point

to dream that we might be dazzled by what is Divine.

Our loads are heavy,

with worry, with regret,

with fatigue, with illness,

with despair for all in the world

that is hurting, in danger, in bondage and more.

We trudge ahead, following you,

stumbling, hoping, praying...

breathing hard, hearts pounding, and yes,

even some of us are nimble and skipping.

Lead us Lord,

to the top of that mountain,

where we might be dazzled by your Light,

lifted by what is Divine,

filled by the sheer delight

of what is numinous and ethereal and grounded and real.

We pray this,

for ourselves, for one another,

and for the worlds in which we live in.

Amen.

~ written by rev karla, and posted on RevGalBlogPals. http://revgalblogpals.blogspot.ca/

Prayer of Confession: Transfiguration

Here is a prayer of confession and words of assurance for Transfiguration Sunday. It was written by the Rev. Dr. Renee C. Jackson, and posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website.

Prayer of Confession

God of Mercy and Grace,

you come to us in Jesus of Nazareth

to break down the dividing walls of hostility between us:

Yet we maintain walls that separate and isolate.

You give us the ministry of reconciliation:

Yet we nurse our wounds and withhold mercy and forgiveness.

You invite us to join with Peter, James, and John

on the mountain of Transfiguration:

Yet we deny the wonders you have worked in our own lives.

You ask us to acknowledge and share our wealth:

Yet we refuse to recognize and relieve the poverty around us.

You bless our lives with boundless love:

Yet we fail to witness to that love,

and so keep others from knowing you.

Forgive our selfishness, we pray.

Transform us by your Spirit and your Word

into that which pleases you,

the image of Christ.   Amen.

Words of Assurance

Jesus admonished Peter, James, and John

not to tell of what they witnessed on the mountain

until he was resurrected.

But we can tell what we have seen and heard of God’s glory!

Here is the good news:

Jesus lives! He is raised! We are forgiven!

Go, share the vision!

Tell of God’s love! In this God is well pleased!

~ from “God of Awe and Glory,” written by the Rev. Dr. Renee C. Jackson,  Southeast Area Minister for the Michigan Conference, UCC. Posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website. http://www.ucc.org/worship_worship-ways

Prayer for Transfiguration: Glory

Here’s a prayer for Transfiguration from Christine Jerrett’s blog (see below for link).

Prayer: Glory

(inspired by Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36, 2 Peter 1:16-18)

We worship you, O God, with songs of praise.

We worship you with words of prayer

and with ears that listen for you to speak

   your saving truth into our lives.

We worship you in the silent spaces

   where we struggle for hope and for courage.

We long for a glimpse of your glory:

   the glory that shines in the darkness

         and the darkness cannot overcome it;

   the glory that touches lives with a beauty so holy

         that it heals the wounded soul;

   the glory that gives strength to the weary.

We, who stumble and fall so often,

worship you,

longing for your light to shine upon us.

Dazzle us with your holy love,

draw us into your purifying presence,

speak to us your transforming truth.

Then, grant us grace

   to live every moment

  changed by such glory—

daring to live with hope and courage and love

reflecting the life of Jesus,

through whom your glory shines

in the most unexpected ways.  Amen.

~ written by Christine Jerrett, and posted on Christine Jerrett: Reflections on being the Church in God’s new creation. http://christinejerrett.wordpress.com/tag/prayer/

Transfiguration Prayer

Lord Jesus,

lead me to that mountain place

of stronger light and sure sound

where I may see your glory.

Light and truth, bright as blinding snow,

whom Peter, James, and John saw,

“Bring me to your holy mountain,

to your dwelling place.” Amen.

~ written by Victor Hoagland, and posted on Victor’s Place. http://vhoagland.wordpress.com/

Psalm 121 Blessing

Here is a paraphrase of Psalm 121 from Reverend Sarah Agnew. It was posted on pray the story.

Psalm 121

I lift my eyes
from world to sky,
from where will I find help? 

My help will come
from Holy One,
maker of earth and sky. 

Beneath your feet
the ground may tremble,
but you will never fall;

Holy One slumbers not,
is watchful ever
over the people of God. 

Holy One will keep you,
Holy One will save you,
from trouble and from harm. 

Fear not the sun’s hot flame,
nor moon’s shards of silver;
Holy One will be your shield. 

Holy One will keep you, 
Holy One will hold you;
your life is precious to God.

Holy One will keep you,
Holy One will seek you,
going and coming and ever more. 

Lift your eyes 
towards the light,
however thick the dark;

help will come
from Holy One,
maker of day and night.

~ written by Reverend Sarah Agnew. Posted on pray the story.  http://praythestory.blogspot.ca/