Opening Prayer: Feed Us, Lord

Opening Prayer

(based on Psalm 145:15-16, Isaiah 55:1-3, John 6:35)

Lord,

the eyes of all look to You in hope;

and You give them what they need.

You open Your hand

and satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

We, too, turn to You again, longing to be filled—

to eat of the Bread of Life,

to drink from Your life-giving streams,

to taste Your goodness and live.

May the time we spend together in Your presence

nourish our hearts and minds;

may it strengthen our relationship with You,

and renew our commitment to live in this world as Your faithful disciples.

For You alone are God,

the Source and Sustainer of life.

In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

~ Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

Opening Prayer: Psalm 130

Here’s an opening prayer based on Psalm 130 from Rev. Nancy J.

Opening Prayer

(based on Psalm 130)

Holy God, Creator of Life,
you call us out of our dark places,

offering us the grace of new life.
When we see nothing but hopelessness,

you surprise us with the breath of your spirit.
Call us out of our complacency and routines,
set us free from our self-imposed bonds,
and fill us with your spirit of life, compassion, and peace,
In the name of Jesus, your anointed one, we pray. Amen.

~ written by Rev. Nancy J., and posted on her wonderings through life and other such nonsense. http://ruminari.wordpress.com/

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

Call to Worship: Psalm 34: 1-3

Here’s a call to worship inspired by Psalm 34:1-3.

Call to Worship

(based on Psalm 34:1-3)

I will praise God in every moment,

and through every situation.

Through my words and action,

my life will pay tribute to Him.

Whenever the poor and humble hear of His greatness,

they will celebrate, too!

Come and lift up God’s name with me;

let’s praise His name together!

~ Christine Longhurst. re:Worship blog. Inspired by Psalm 34:1-3 (The Voice translation) 

Prayer: Words Matter

Here’s a prayer of intercession inspired by what scripture says about how we use words (especially James 3:1-12). It was written by Stephen Fearing, and posted on LiturgyLink.

Prayer for Others

Gracious God,

today’s scripture reminds us that words matter

and that the way we choose our words

holds within it the capacity to either harm or heal, to wound or welcome.

In this time when words are tossed around so casually,

may our words be used to build up the Body of Christ

and share love and compassion in a broken and battered world.

Holy and Merciful God, hear our prayer.

Healing God,

we pray for those who have been hurt by words of late:

for refugees and immigrants with or without documentation,

for women and girls who have endured words of sexism,

for people of color who hear words of racism,

for people with disabilities who are told they are “less than,”

for elderly people who are told they are useless,

for young adults who are told they are entitled, selfish, and irresponsible.

God of the Living Word, help us speak the truth in love

and to care for one another with the words we choose to speak.

Holy and Merciful God, hear our prayer.

God of Healing and Wholeness,

we lift up to you our words of prayer

for the people near and dear to our hearts

as we lift them up silently before you…

Holy and Merciful God, hear our prayer.

Triune God,

we love you for you hear our voice and our supplications.

We lift these prayers to your ears

along with the prayer you taught us to pray, saying:

Our Father… 

~ excerpted from a long prayer written by Stephen M. Fearing, Beaumont Presbyterian Church, Lexington, KY. Posted on Liturgy Link.  https://www.liturgylink.net/  

Gospel Reflection: The Bread of Life

Here’s a reflection on John 6, where Jesus describes himself as the Bread of Life.  It was written by Bruce Prewer.

Gospel Reflection

(inspired by John 6)

Much more of soft bread

   much-loved by the world

   and sweet on the tongue

and we shall be dead.

Much more of this bread

   fresh from the baking

   and scenting the air

and we shall be dead.

Much more of this bread

   though it come to us

   packaged and sliced

and we shall be dead.

Yet a crust of Christ’s bread

   with the meek and poor

   who dare to adore

and death is no more.

~ Copyright Bruce Prewer, 2002.  Posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home Page. http://www.bruceprewer.com/

Words of Assurance: Psalm 130

If God kept track of all our mistakes—

the harmful things we say and do,

the callous way we sometimes treat the people around us,

the selfishness that puts our needs ahead of the needs of others—

if God kept track, what chance would we have?

But with unfailing love, God offers us forgiveness—

complete forgiveness that erases our sins completely,

and allows us to begin again.

So be at peace – your sins are forgiven!

Praise be to God!

~ Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

Prayer for the Offering

Here’s a prayer for the offering from Thom Schuman’s Lectionary Liturgies website.

Prayer for the Offering

As we offer our gifts and lives in this moment,

may we become imitators of you, Gracious God,

who holds nothing back from us,

but is generous and gracious with all that is yours. 

In Jesus' name, we pray.  Amen.

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

Opening Litany: Psalm 130

Here’s an opening litany based on Psalm 130.  It was written by Joan Stott.

 

Opening Litany

(based on Psalm 130)

Healing God, we come together in our brokenness,
to call to you in your mercy, to make us whole again.
Wholeness–giving God, listen to our prayers, we pray.

Restoring God, we gather to worship you, even as
we hopefully seek to be renewed and restored again.
God, our Quiet-Centre, listen to our prayers this day.

Foundational God, we come to praise and thank you!
In the depths of your Holy Being we find peace and rest.
God – our Beginning and our End, we hope always in you. Amen.

— written by Joan Stott, and posted on Geelong City Parish UCA website.  http://www.wesleychurchgeelong.net/ 

 

 If used in shared worship, please provide an acknowledgement as follows: © 2012 Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year B, used with permission. 

 

Prayer of Intercession: Psalm 130

Here’s a prayer for others inspired by a reading of Psalm 130. It comes from the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website.

Prayer for Others

(inspired by Psalm 130)

Breath of life, 
We think of those who cry out to you today, 
of those who long for the morning, 
of those who are waiting for the long Lent to end. 

We pray that our ears will be attentive to their cry, 
that we will stand with them, 
steadfast together in your love, 
bringing life before death. 
Amen.

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

Contemporary Songs: Psalm 130

If you’re looking for contemporary Praise & Worship song suggestions to use with Psalm 130 (the suggested psalm for Lent 5 A, Proper 8 B, Proper 14 B, Proper 5 B), you can find a list at my Contemporary Psalms blog. 

http://contemporarypsalms.blogspot.ca/  

The blog is not finished (and likely never will be, since I keep coming across new songs!), but it’s a start.

Follow this link to Psalm 130: http://contemporarypsalms.blogspot.ca/2013/05/psalm-130.html

"Credo" for a "Bread" Service

Here’s an affirmation of faith suitable for use at the Table, or in a service in which the primary metaphor was bread (see John 6).

Affirmation

I believe that bread comes from grain

that grows in the wind

and the rain

with the farmers’ help

far from the eyes of city folk.

I believe that bread comes from love

the love of [God]

the love of the farmer

the love of the baker’s hands

the love of those who bring it to me.

I believe that bread can be

and should be broken

and shared

and given to all persons

until all have enough

and then some.

I believe that Jesus loved bread

and took it

and broke it

and blessed it

and fed his disciples

and asked them to feed us forever.

I believe enough in bread

to want it from Jesus

to want it to nurture me

to want his life through it

to want to give life through it.

I believe that his body as bread feeds me

and as part of his body

I want to be bread for others.

I believe the Spirit will help me

as well Jesus’ people. Amen.

~ from Bread for the World Worship Aids II, posted in Liturgy, Justice and the Reign of God.  http://www.jfrankhenderson.com/pdf/ljrg.pdf

Opening Prayer: Psalm 130

Here’s an opening prayer inspired by Psalm 130.  It was written by Joan Stott, and posted on The Timeless Psalms.

Opening Prayer

(inspired by Psalm 130)

O Lord our God, we come to you, seeking to

rise up from the depths and agony of despair.

Please listen, our Saving God—

we need your help and blessing.

Lord, through the tenderness

of your mercy towards us

we have learned to worship you—

and to revere your Holy Name;

therefore, we place our entire trust

and hope in you, our Trustworthy God.

We gather to offer you our thanks,

for we know that you offer us

your unfailing love and mercy

that is beyond our understanding.

You know our longing for forgiveness,

and you offer us your presence - which

blesses us from God’s overflowing store

of mercy, hope, freedom and joy. Amen.

~ written by Joan Stott, and posted on The Timeless Psalms. If any part of these Prayers and/or Meditations is used in shared worship, please provide the following acknowledgement: © 2011 Joan Stott – ‘The Timeless Psalms’ RCL Psalms Year A. Used with permission.

Confession: Proper 20 C

Here’s an act of confession inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Proper 20, Year C.  It was written by Thom Shuman.

Call to Reconciliation 

Before we speak,

God knows our needs,

yet our words open our hearts to God's grace.

Let us prepare ourselves for God's healing

as, in words and silence,

we tell of all that separates us from God and one another.

Please join me as we pray,

Unison Prayer of Confession

First of all, Everlasting God,

we must confess how we have not lived as your people.

We serve many masters—work, wealth, power, addictions—

yet find no hope in them.

We hear the cries of the poor,

and shut the doors of our hearts to them.

We ridicule those who expose their hopes and dreams to us.

Forgive us, Compassion's Heart,

and heal us of our brokenness.

Make us well, so that by our healing,

we might be the hope and love others need in their lives,

even as Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior,

brought these gifts to us,

calling us to be faithful with the grace, peace, and joy entrusted to us.

Silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon

(inspired by Ephesians 4:32)

Now that we have let go of the pain, the bitterness, the anger of our lives,

let us be kind, tender-hearted, and gentle towards each other,

forgiving as God has forgiven us.
We are God's beloved children,

and will model God's grace and love in our hearts.

Thanks be to God! We are forgiven! Amen.

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

Prayer for Others: Send in the Angels

Here’s a prayer of intercession from Bruce Prewer.

Prayer of Intercession

The word angel originally meant “messenger.”

For God’s angels on this earth,

let us now pray.

We thank you, loving God,

that you do not leave us without helpers.

thank for your special agents, those guardian angels—

both human and heavenly—who never cease to care.

Wherever there are situations of confusion,

where doubts proliferate and anxieties spawn,  

please send in your angels of light.

Wherever people are crippled by guilt,

or deeply regret damage to others which they can never rectify,

send in your angels of mercy.

Wherever there is arrogance and deceit,

corruption and rapacious greed,

send in your fiery angels of judgement.

Wherever ignorance reigns

or superstition cripples individuals or communities,

please send in your angels of truth.

Wherever persons or nations become obsessed with aggression,

or resort to terrorism and warfare,

send in your agents of peace and goodwill.

Wherever families are at loggerheads,

or in the workplace folk feel alienated from one another,

send in your angels of reconciliation.

Wherever people see their future as bleak or dangerous,

and fall into the trap of inertia or despair,

please send in your angels of hope.

Wherever the church becomes exclusive,

or gets caught up in its own regulations, traditions, or inflexible dogma,

send in your angels of reformation.

Wherever ministers lose their passion for the Gospel,

or congregations become self-satisfied or apathetic,

please send in your angels of rebuke.

Wherever there are people who are afflicted by disease

or injured in accidents,

struggle against mental ills

or suffer from criminal violence,

send in your angels of healing.

Wherever the dying endure fears or pain,

and the bereaved either shed the hot tears of a fresh grief

or endure the long-term loss of a partner or friend,

send in your angels of comfort.

Loving God,

Lord of all the messengers of grace on earth and in heaven,

hear our prayers and enlist us, please God,  

within the ranks of your caring angels.

Through Jesus Christ your only True Son,

our Saviour and our inspiration.

Amen!

~ written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Homepage. http://www.bruceprewer.com/DocC/C38sun9.htm

Words of Assurance: Psalm 34

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.

He rescues them from all their troubles.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;

he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.

The Lord will redeem those who serve him.

Everyone who trusts in him will be freely pardoned.

~ Psalm 34:17-18, 22 NLT translation

Call to Worship: Psalm 34

I will bless the Lord at all times—

praise will continually be in my mouth.

My soul shall rejoice in the Lord;

let the humble hear it and rejoice.

Come, glorify our God with me.

Let’s exalt God’s name together!

Prayer: Breadmaker Supreme

Here’s a prayer of thanksgiving from the Diocese of Bath and Wells website.

Breadmaker Supreme

Take 3 kilos of flour says the recipe …

We thank you, Lord, for flour:

flour made from wheat or other grain,

grown in the mystery of the earth,

ripened in the warmth of the sun;

ripened, then cut down at the hearvest by the farmer’s skill,

ground by the miller,

sold by the shop assistant,

placed in the bowl…

we thank you, Lord, for flour.

We thank you, Lord, for salt:

Jesus told us we were to be salt of the earth,

and we must never lose our flavour.

The salt, which adds flavour to our food,

is also antiseptic to our wounds,

reminding us of the challenge to our faith

and the healing power of Jesus …

We thank you, Lord, for salt.

We thank you, Lord, for yeast:

that small yet living organism

that enables the bread to rise,

that reminds us of the fact that even small works done in Jesus’ name

can enable the kingdom to grow …

we thank you, Lord, for yeast.

We thank you, Lord, for water:

water, without which none of us could live,

water, which forms the other elements of our bread into dough,

which, having risen, and been formed and drawn into shape by human

hands, is baked to give us the staff of life;

water, which cleanses and renews us,

refreshes and revives us,

the water of baptism, which commits us to our faith …

we thank you, Lord, for water…

We thank you, Lord, for bread:

Bread, the basis of the food we eat,

bread for toast, for sandwiches, for bread and jam,

bread for bread pudding and bread for buns –

and bread that is broken and shared in communion with one another,

in remembrance –

remembrance of that night when Jesus sat with his friends at supper,

and broke the bread and gave it to them,

saying, “This is my body broken for you.”

We thank you, Lord, for bread.

~ posted on the Diocese of Bath and Wells website. http://www.bathandwells.org.uk/

Gospel Reflection: John 6: 41-51

Here’s a beautiful reflection on John 6:41-51, the gospel reading for Proper 14 B (Ordinary 19 B).  It was written by Anne Osdieck.

Gospel Reflection

(John 6:41-51)

Amen, amen, I say to you,

whoever believes has eternal life. John 6:41-51

They
murmured.

Bread?
Down
from heaven?
We know his mother and father.
They live
down the street!

This is not about knowing,
but believing,
Jesus
says.

Believe
that I love you
and want to be a part of you forever.

What better way than
to be your
food?

Jesus, we believe.
Be our food.

~ written by Anne Osdieck, and posted on The Sunday Website of St. Louis University.

http://liturgy.slu.edu/