Prayer of Confession: Mark 6: 17-29

Here’s a unison prayer of confession inspired by the events in Mark 6:17-29. It was written by Rev. Jan Brooks, Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Mark 6:17-29)

How many times, O Lord, do we live in unbelief?

Our doubts surround us

and we find it hard to know what is true and what is real.

Help us, gracious Savior,

to know what is the right way to live

according to God’s Holy Word.

Forgive us for the ways in which we live

according to what is right in our own eyes.

Help us, merciful God,

to look beyond knowing Jesus only as a good teacher,

a righteous and holy person.

Forgive us when we fail to understand and accept

that Christ is truly the promised Messiah, Your Son.

Help us, guiding Holy Spirit,

to open our hearts to be led and taught

in the ways of the kingdom of God.

Forgive us when we seek to please others

more than we seek to love and please God.

Help us, O Holy One, to turn our hearts,

to offer our prayers

and to accept the forgiveness you offer

to all who come to You,

in the acceptance of Your Son Jesus,

our Savior and Lord!

(a time of silent confession, ending with…In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.)

Assurance of Forgiveness

(based on Isaiah 29: 22-24)

This is what the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, says,

“No longer will their faces grow pale.

They will keep my name holy;

and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.

When they do,

those who are wayward in spirit

will gain understanding

and those who complain

will accept instruction.”

And those who are faithful

will know that forgiveness is ours

through the promised Son of God!

Believe and have faith in God’s mercy and grace,

given to all who proclaim and believe

that in Jesus Christ we are forgiven!

~ written by Rev. Jan Brooks, Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.

Contemporary Call to Worship: Psalm 24

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it!

From the east to the west, from the north to the south,

God’s Spirit moves across the face of the earth.

From the east to the west, from the north to the south,

we gather together, united by God’s Spirit,

to celebrate God’s glory

and proclaim His praise!

Let’s worship God together!

 

~ Christine Longhurst, re:Worship. Inspired by Psalm 24. 

Prayer of Illumination: Ephesians 1: 3-14

Here is a prayer of illumination (usually spoken before the reading and preaching of the Word). It comes from the Worship@North website.

Prayer of Illumination

(inspired by Eph 1:3-14)

Father God,

teach us how to dance

to the rhythm of your wisdom;

show us how to laugh

with the insights of your truth,

so that we can live for the praise of your glory

in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~ from a collection of prayers posted on the Worship@North website. https://northchurchindy.wordpress.com/

Prayer: The Life of David

O God,

sustain us in the complexity of our humanity

as you sustained David--

playing the harp of youth,

throwing stones at giant problems,

loving our friends beyond wisdom,

dancing worship,

mourning children,

breaking our hearts in psalms, and

longing for warmth in our old bones. Amen.

~ from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.  Posted on Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.

Thanksgiving Prayer: To the Lord of the Harvest

Here’s a prayer of intercession for thanksgiving.

Prayer to the Lord of the Harvest

Yes, the Lord pours down his blessings.

Our land will yield its bountiful harvest. Psalm 85:12

Lord of the harvest,

we rejoice in the bounty of your world;

we thank you for the rich harvests it produces.

As we do so,

we remember those who do not have enough,

the thousands who are daily dying of hunger.

We pray for those who have more than they require,

for ourselves and our churches.

Show us what needs to be done,

and how to share the world’s harvest more fairly.

Teach us to value people more than things.

Above all, help us to set our hearts

on your kingdom of love and justice,

and to seek to do your will here on earth,

as servants of Jesus Christ our Lord.

~ from A Treasury of Prayer, compiled by Tony Castle (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1983), 179.

Opening Prayer of Praise

Here’s a prayer of thanksgiving and praise for the start of worship. It was posted on My Redeemer Lives website.

Prayer of Praise

O God from whom every gift derives,

we gather to worship You this day.

You are an awesome God,

greater than our comprehension or our imagination.

You are beyond any word we could ever use to describe You.

And yet, through Jesus, we know the intimacy of Your vast love.

We have come to You in thanksgiving and praise,

to know that You are God

and to place our lives anew into Your perspective.

Enlarge our vision this hour with Your Word.

Instill in us, again,

Your hope in place of our despair,

Your peace where our hatred threatens,

Your joy amidst our depression,

Your love overwhelming our apathy.

May Your Holy Spirit surround

and indwell this congregation now,

and forevermore.

In Jesus we pray. Amen.

~ posted on My Redeemer Lives website. http://www.myredeemerlives.com/prayers.html

Opening Prayer for Grace

Here is an opening prayer for grace. It was written by Michael Saward.

Prayer for Grace

O God our Father,

we thank you that today you have called us

to worship you and learn of you.

You alone know our needs.

Satisfy them with your unchanging love.

In your presence may we find comfort in sorrow,

guidance in perplexity,

strength to meet temptation,

grace to overcome the fascination of disobedience,

and courage to face up to the hostility of this rebellious world.

Above all, may we meet Jesus

and go out from our worship indwelt by his spirit.

This prayer we ask to your glory and in his name.

Amen.

~ written by Michael Saward.  Posted on The Jubilate Group website. http://www.jubilate.co.uk/liturgy/

Prayer of Thanksgiving: God of All Blessings

Here’s a prayer of thanksgiving adapted from a prayer by Vienna Cobb Anderson.

Thanksgiving Prayer

God of all blessings,
source of all life,
giver of all grace:

We thank you for the gift of life:
for the breath
that sustains life,
for the food of this earth
that nurtures life,
for the love of family and friends
without which there would be no life.

We thank you for the mystery of creation:
for the beauty
that the eye can see,
for the joy
that the ear may hear,
for the unknown
that we cannot behold filling the universe with wonder,
for the expanse of space
that draws us beyond the definitions of our selves.

We thank you for setting us in communities:
for families
who nurture our becoming,
for friends
who love us by choice,
for companions at work,
who share our burdens and daily tasks,
for strangers
who welcome us into their midst,
for people from other lands
who call us to grow in understanding,
for children
who lighten our moments with delight,
for the unborn,
who offer us hope for the future.

We thank you for this day:
for life
and one more day to love,
for opportunity
and one more day to work for justice and peace,
for neighbors
and one more person to love
and by whom be loved,
for your grace
and one more experience of your presence,
for your promise:
to be with us,
to be our God,
and to give salvation.

For these, and all blessings,
we give you thanks, eternal, loving God,
through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

~ adapted from "Prayers of Our Hearts" © 1991 Vienna Cobb Anderson. Posted on BeliefNet.com

http://www.beliefnet.com/Prayers/Christian/Gratitude/Prayer-Of-Thanksgiving.aspx

Opening Prayer: Psalm 85

O Lord, be gracious to us.

Look upon your people with mercy.

Forgive our sin.

Bring us back again,

as you have done before.

Speak your word to us—

a word of peace to those who follow faithfully. 

For we know, without doubt, that Your salvation is near;

your glory fills this place.

Let your unfailing love and truth come together among us;

let your righteousness and peace surround us.

Pour out your goodness upon us,

that we may worship and serve you all our days. 

Amen.

Prayer Litany: Psalm 85

Here’s a prayer litany from Psalm 85.  It was written by L.G. Parkhurst, Jr.

Prayer Litany

(based on Psalm 85)

Lord, you were favorable to your land.

You restored our fortunes.

You forgave the iniquity of your people.

You pardoned all our sin.

Restore us again,

O God of our salvation.

Will you not revive us again,

so we may rejoice in you?

Show us your steadfast love, O Lord.

Grant us your salvation.

Let us hear what God the Lord will speak,

for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful,

to those who turn to him in their hearts.

Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,

that his glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet.

Righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

Faithfulness will spring up from the ground.

Righteousness will look down from the sky.

The Lord will give what is good.

Our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness will go before him

and make a path for his steps.

~ written by L.G. Parkhurst, Jr.  Posted on A Psalm and a Prayer. http://apsalmandaprayer.com/

Prayer: Psalm 85

Here’s a prayer inspired by Psalm 85.  It was written by Nan C. Merrill in Psalms for Praying.

Prayer

(inspired by Psalm 85)

Beloved, how gracious You are to your people;

You restore their souls time and time again.

You forgive their distractions

when they wander far from You;

You give them new life.

Yes, You bless them and raise up new hope;

You awaken their hearts to love.

Restore us again, O Spirit of Truth;

burn us with the refining Fire of Love!

We cannot live separated from You;

cast out the demons of fear, doubt, and illusion.

Revive us again, we pray; may your people rejoice in You!

Have compassion on your people, O Holy One,

and grant us your forgiveness.

Listen, O People, in the silent Chapel of your heart;

and the Beloved will speak of peace to you,

to the hidden saints, to all who turn their hearts to Love.

Surely new life is at hand for those who reverence Love;

O, that harmony might dwell among the nations.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;

righteousness and peace will embrace one another.

Wisdom will spring up from the ground

and truth will look down from the sky.

Yes, the Eternal Giver will grant what is good,

and the lands will yield abundantly.

Mercy and compassion are Love’s way;

You will guide our footsteps upon the path of peace

as we recognize with open hearts that You are our peace.

~ Nan C. Merrill, in Psalms for  Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness.  Posted on First Lutheran website. http://www.firstlutheran.com/sites/default/files/file-uploads/0715%20Devotional.pdf

Confession: Psalm 24: 1-5

Here’s a prayer of confession based on Psalm 25:1-4.  It was written by Moira Laidlaw.

Prayer of Confession

(based on Psalm 25: 1-4)

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
I put my trust in you,O God,

do not let me be put to shame; 
do not let my enemies exult over me.
Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; 
let those be ashamed who neglect your faithfulness,

and who act with evil intent. 
Teach me your ways, O God

and guide me in your paths. 

We bring to mind these things for which we are ashamed—- 
for wilfully acting with less than good intentions— 
for abusing the faithfulness of God by our failure to live faith-full lives.

A time of silence to reflect on these words

Forgive us, O God—

cleanse our hearts and minds

of all that prevents us from loving you

and loving our neighbour.

May our lives be marked by faith active in love

as we watch and wait for your breaking into our world once more.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Assurance of Forgiveness

(1Thessalonians 3:12-13)

 
The apostle Paul prayed that “the Lord may make our love overflow for each other and for everyone.... that the Lord may strengthen our hearts in holiness so that we will be blameless before God.” The good news therefore, is this: in and through Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven.
Thanks be to God! 

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

Reader's Theatre: Mark 6: 14-29

Here’s a reader’s theatre setting of Mark 6: 14-29, the story of the beheading of John the Baptist.  It is based on the New Living Translation. 

This reading is set for four voices.  Voice 1 (the narrator) could be either male or female.  Voice 3 (Herod) should be male; Voices 2 and 4 should be female.

Reader’s Theatre: The Beheading of John the Baptist

(Mark 6:14-29)

One:     Herod Antipas, the king, soon heard about Jesus,

            because everyone was talking about him.            

            Some were saying,

Two:     This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead.

            That is why he can do such miracles.”

One:     Others said,

Three:   He’s the prophet Elijah.

One:     Still others said,

Two:     He’s a prophet like the other great prophets of the past.

One:     When Herod heard about Jesus, he said,

Four:     John, the man I beheaded, has come back from the dead!

One:     You see, Herod had sent soldiers to arrest and imprison John

            as a favor to his wife, Herodias.

            She had been his brother Philip’s wife,

            but Herod had married her.

            John the Baptist had been telling Herod that it was against God’ law

            for him to marry his brother’s wife.

            So Herodias bore a grudge against John, and wanted him dead.

            But she couldn’t do anything without Herod’s approval.

            Herod respected John and protected him,

            for he knew that he was a good and godly man.

            He enjoyed listening to John,

            even though what John said often disturbed him.

            But on Herod’s birthday, Herodias’s chance finally came.

            Herod gave a large party,

            and invited high-ranking government officials, army officers,

            and other leading citizens of Galilee.

            His daughter came in to dance for them,

            and her dancing pleased Herod and his guests  a great deal.

            So Herod told her,

Four:     Ask me for anything you like, and I will give it to you.

            You can have anything you want, even up to half my kingdom!

One:     The girl went out and told her mother what Herod had said.

Two:     What should I ask for, mother?

Three:   Ask for the head of John the Baptist!

One:     So the girl hurried back to the King, and said,

Two:     I want the head of John the Baptist, right now, on a tray!

One:     The king deeply regretted what he had said;

            but because of the vows he had made in front of his guests,

            he couldn’t refuse her.

            So he immediately sent an executioner to the prison to cut off John’s head.

            The soldier beheaded John in the prison,

            and brought back his head on a tray.

            He gave it to the girl, who took it to her mother.

            When John’s disciples heard what had happened,

            they came to get his body and buried it in a tomb.

Opening Prayer: Proper 10 B

Here’s an opening prayer from Bruce Prewer, inspired Ephesians 1:3 and Psalm 24, two of the suggested scripture texts for Proper 10 B (Ordinary 15 B).

Prayer: Seeking God’s Help

(inspired by Ephesians 1:3, Psalm 24)

Let us pray.

God of secret purposes and extravagant blessings,

we come to praise you.

We come because we want to,

we sing our songs because we are glad to,

we pray for your grace because we need to,

and we ask for the love of Christ in our hearts

because without it we are a dead loss.

Please lift every shutter within our mind,

and open every door within our soul,

that you, the Lord of glory, the God of countless hosts,

may come in.

Through Christ Jesus, the joy of loving hearts.  Amen!

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

Litany: Lord of the Dance

Here’s a litany from Nancy C. Townley, using the metaphor of dance….

Lord of the Dance

In the beginning......
The dance began to swirl and ponder.
In the beginning, all was dark.
And the dance cast forth bright light.
In the beginning, the earth burst forth with wondrous things,

creatures of all sorts, mountains and hills,

vast seas and rivers, valleys and desert areas.
And the Lord of the Dance saw that it was good

and blessed it all.

In our beginning, God blessed us.
And the dance went on,

through our lives, into all that we have done.
Sometimes the dance was slow and plodding;

at other times it was sprightly and fast.
Yet in the midst of it all,

the Lord of the Dance is with us.
This dance, called Life, is everywhere—

in the light and in the dark.

It is in places of hope and in places of deepest sorrow and tragedy.

How shall we dance our dance for God?
We shall live lives of hope and peace,

bringing the good news of Jesus Christ

and all that he taught to us,

so that others may join the dance.
Praise be to the Lord of the Dance,

the Lord of Creation, the Lord of Life! Amen.

~ written by Nancy C. Townley, and posted on the Ministry Matters website. http://www.ministrymatters.com/

Prayer: Ephesians 1: 3-14

Here’s a beautiful prayer inspired by Ephesians 1:3-14.  It was written by Thom Shuman.

 

Only

 

“How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms

because we belong to Christ.” Ephesians 1:3

we sit down
with our sharpened pencils,
to chart out the
longitude and latitude
of your grace
only
to keep running
out of paper;

we tie a string
around each sin,
dropping them into
your sea of forgiveness,
only
to discover we can
never plumb its depths;

we scrabble and scrape,
push and pummel ourselves
from Land's End to John o' Groats
on our self-planned journey,
only
to find
we are at the
starting point
of your Way;

how foolish we are
to try to limit you
by our imagination
only.

— copyright © 2009 Thom M. Shuman. Posted on Prayers4Today.  http://prayersfortoday.blogspot.ca/

Opening Prayer: Psalm 85

Here’s an opening prayer inspired by Psalm 85: 8-13. It comes from the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren.

Opening Prayer

(inspired by Psalm 85:8-13)

Lord God,

speak your peace to your people, gathered here in Jesus’ name.

We confess that our faithfulness to you,

our obedience to your calling,

our righteousness is not steadfast and true.

In living out our praise, we too easily falter after the first page.

Were it not for the lavish gift of your Son, we would be lost.

Through him, however, we turn to you in our hearts,

knowing your steadfast love and faithfulness,

your righteousness and peace.

In him your salvation is at hand.

We thank you.

May this worship reflect your goodness,

as we respond to you with our heart, soul, and mind.

Make a path in the middle of this congregation today,

and walk among us through your Holy Spirit.

This we pray in the name of the One who is your peace, your salvation—

Jesus Christ. Amen.

~ posted on the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren website.  http://rockhay.tripod.com/

Benediction: Proper 10 B

Here’s a closing commission inspired by 2 Samuel 6:12-15, where David dances before the Lord as the ark is brought to Jerusalem.  It was written by the Rev. Dr. Bertrice Wood.

Sending for Proper 10 B

(inspired by 2 Samuel 6: 12-15)

Go forth into the world in faithfulness. 

Join all those who have danced with the Lord

throughout the generations.

Take the song and rhythm of God’s Word into the world

and invite others to celebrate the joy with you.

[And may....]

— from God Inspired Joy: Service Prayers for Pentecost Seven was written by the Rev. Dr. Bertrice Wood of Cleveland OH. Posted on the United Church of Christ Worship Ways website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/

Benediction: Spreading the Secret

Bruce Prewer has written by wonderful benediction based on the beautiful passage in Ephesians 1:3-14.

Spreading the Secret

(inspired by Ephesians 1:3-14)

It is time to go out and share God’ secret purpose

which has been disclosed in Jesus Christ.

With God’s help, Amen!

Share that secret with others by the way you live:

   with the words on your lips,

   by the deeds of your hands,

   with the prayers in your minds,

   and through the love in your hearts.

With God’s help, Amen!

The grace of Christ will redeem you

the enduring love of God will support you,

the friendship of the Holy Spirit will accompany you,

this day and ever more.

Amen!

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

Call to Worship: Ephesians 1: 3-14

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world,
who destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ,
who has forgiven our sins according to the riches of his grace,
and has made known to us the mystery of his will.

This is our God! 

Let’s worship him together.