Benediction: Philippians 3: 4-14

Here’s a commission and benediction based on Philippians 3:4-14, It was written by Nathan Nettleton.

Commission & Benediction

(based on Philippians 3:4-14)

Go now in the righteousness of faith
and live by God’s just demands.
Let nothing claim your devotion above the Lord,
and count nothing of value above knowing Christ.
Press on towards the ultimate prize, of being one with him.

And may God’s perfect word revive your soul;
May Christ Jesus be your saviour and your rock;
And may the Holy Spirit strengthen you to press ever onward.

We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
........In the name of Christ. Amen.

Copyright © 2002 Nathan Nettleton www.laughingbird.net

Prayer: You are making all things new

Here’s a prayer litany from the Weekly Worship page of the Christian Aid website. It was inspired by passages like Isaiah 43, Revelation 21:5 and others.

Prayer Litany

(inspired by Isaiah 43:18-19; 65:17, Revelation 21:5, Romans 12:2)

You are making all things new.
A new heaven 
A new earth 
A new way of thinking 
A new way of being. 

You are making all things new.
No more Death 
No more mourning 
No more crying 
No more pain. 

 
You are making all things new.
Renew our minds 
to renew the world 
by living out your 
commandment of love. 

You are making all things new.

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

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/

Prayer: A fragrant offering

Here’s a prayer of confession and commitment inspired by John 12: 1-8, where Mary anoints Jesus' feet.  It was written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Prayers4Today.

 

Because

(inspired by John 12: 1-8)

 

because

we have preserved our joy

in manna jars

for the long winter of despair,

storing them in the dark corners

of our souls,

we have forgotten

its gritty taste;

because

we have put a tight lid

on our joy,

and put it in the back

of the pantry,

we have forgotten

how it can tickle

our noses;

because

we are so busy

prattling pious platitudes

about the poor, the least, the lost,

we ignore your words

which anoint them

as your children;

because

we have put up

the shutters and storm doors

to keep your future

from sneaking in,

we have missed

the sweet breeze

carrying your hope

to us;

because

we are who we are,

restore us, Holy Grace,

and make us

a fragrant offering

to the world.

~ copyright © Thom M. Shuman. Posted on Prayers for Today. http://prayersfortoday.blogspot.ca/

Prayer: Extravagant God

Here’s a prayer of commitment and/or dedication inspired by John 12:-18, where Mary anoints Jesus’ feet.  It comes from the Anglican Church of Canada.

 

Collect for Lent 5 C

(inspired by John 12:1-8)

 

Extravagant God,

lavishing your love on our poverty of heart:

inspire us to give with generosity,

to love life so that we may find it again,

and thus the world will be filled

with the fragrance of your love;

through Jesus Christ, who offers himself for us. Amen.

~ from Prayers for an Inclusive Church 2009, alt. Posted in “Trial Use Collects and Prayers Over the Gifts for Year C” on the Anglican Church of Canada website. http://www.anglican.ca/wp-content/uploads/Trial-Use-Collects-Lent-1C-through-Lent-5C.pdf

Prayer near the end of Lent

Here’s a Lenten prayer from Rev. Mary Austin. It was posted on RevGalBlogPals.

 

Prayer as Lent winds down

 

Lent’s days are winding down, Merciful God,

and we are no closer to having contrite hearts.

Our small complains still loom large,

and we don’t hurry to show mercy, or rush to be kind.

 

The old habits of Fat Tuesday are still alluring,

and we resist the emptiness of the desert that reveals you –

the places where you make yourself known to us,

where you wait in the quiet for us to be ready, still feel alien.

 

Yet, Loving God, we come to you,

trying to lose our lives for the life you offer,

seeking the wisdom of our brother Jesus,

hoping to be blown open by the Spirit.

 

Bring us fully into your Lenten gifts, we pray,

and accept the Lenten gifts we offer to you.  Amen.

 

~ written by Rev. Mary Austin and posted on RevGalBlogPals. https://revgalblogpals.org/

Opening Prayer for Lent 5, Year C

Creator God,

you prepare a new way in the wilderness

and water the desert.

 

Help us to recognize your hand

working miracles beyond our imagining.

 

Open our hearts to be transformed

by the new thing you are doing,

so that our lives may proclaim

the extravagance of your love for all,

and its presence in Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

~ from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers 2002, alt. Posted in “Trial Use Collects and Prayers Over the Gifts for Year C” on the Anglican Church of Canada website. http://www.anglican.ca/wp-content/uploads/Trial-Use-Collects-Lent-1C-through-Lent-5C.pdf