Prayer for Illumination: Psalm 99

Here is a prayer for illumination, a prayer traditionally spoken before the reading and preaching of the Word in worship. It was written by Amy Loving, and posted on The Worship Cloud.

Prayer of Illumination

(inspired by Exodus 13-16, Psalm 99)

Mighty God,

you spoke to your people in the pillar of cloud

as they walked together in the wilderness.

Speak to us through your Word today,

that we may hear you calling us

out of the wilderness places in our lives

and into new places you have promised to show us.

In the name of Christ, we pray.  Amen.

~ written by Amy Loving, and posted on The Worship Closet. http://worshipcloset.com/words-for-worship-18th-sunday-after-pentecost/

Benediction: Proper 24A

Here’s a benediction for October 16, 2011 (Proper 24A) written by Rev. Elsa Peters and posted on the United Church of Christ website. 

Benediction

(inspired by I Thessalonians 1:1-10, Exodus 33:12-23)

Growing God, we have known your presence.

We have lived in your love.

Show us your glory.

Reveal your glory in us.

We will carry your glory from here.

We will show it to all your children. Amen.

~ written by the Rev. Elsa A. Peters, Pastor of the First Congregational UCC in South Portland, ME.  She blogs at http://impossiblethingswithgod.blogspot.com/.

Prayer Litany: God's Glory

If your worship this week includes a reading of Exodus 33:12-23 (where Moses asks God to show him His glory), here’s a prayer suggestion you might want to consider.  It comes from Carolyn Brown on her excellent Worshipping with Children website.

She writes: “To further explore the idea of God’s glory and do some worship education about a line in the Lord’s Prayer, create a litany naming attributes of the glorious God.  To each one the congregation responds, ‘Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever.’”

Prayer

God, you are the Alpha and Omega. 

You were here before anything else existed

and you will be here when everything and everyone has come to an end.

Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Creating God, you spoke and the entire universe came into existence. 

You know the secrets of stars and dark holes and far flung galaxies. 

Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Lord of the Whole Creation,

you are aware of each tiny creature on each planet. 

You pay attention to insects and birds and even us.

Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

God of History, you call us to be your people.  

You appointed us to take care of this planet Earth. 

You gave us rules for living well together. 

You call us to great things.

Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Loving God you created each one of us. 

You know us by name and watch over us. 

You are with us when everything is wonderful. 

And, you walk with us through our worst days.

Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

God of Mercy, 

You know everything we do, the good and the bad. 

And, still you do not give up on us. 

When we mess up, you call us back to yourself

and you forgive us when we don’t deserve it.

Thine is the Kingdom and power and the glory forever.

You are greater than we can understand,

vaster than we can imagine,

more amazing than we can put into words. 

So with awe and deep gratitude we pray…

Our Father…

— Carolyn Brown, on her Worshipping with Children website. 

For more worship resources related to the scripture texts for October 16, 2011 (the eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost), click on Proper 24A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.

For other prayers and prayer resources on this blog, see this Prayer index.  See also Offering in the list of “Labels” at the lower right.

 

 

Prayer of Commitment: Matthew 22: 15-22

Here’s a prayer of commitment based on Matthew 22:15-22, one of the suggested readings for October 16, 2011 (Proper 24A, Ordinary 29A).

Prayer of Commitment

(based on Matthew 22:15-22)

Let us pray that the Lord may guide our world.

(pause)

Lord, mighty God,
you lead the world and all humanity to their destiny in you.

Give to the leaders of the world and of our country
a vision of the future that is both imaginative and realistic,
and respectful of human rights and dignity.

Help us to bear witness in everyday life
to the values of the gospel
and to be involved in the work
of freedom, integrity and justice.

May we thus build up a community
that foreshadows our heavenly homeland.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

— from Liturgies Alive: Models of Celebrations website.

Prayer of Confession: 2 Corinthians 9: 6-11

Here’s a responsive prayer of confession inspired by 2 Corinthians 9:6-11. It was posted on the Giving in Grace website.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by 2 Corinthians 9:6-11)

When we have sown sparingly;

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

When we have given reluctantly;

so often we make excuses.

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

That we may know the joy of cheerful giving;

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

May Almighty God have mercy on us,

forgive us our sins,

and keep us in eternal life. Amen.  

~ from “Giving in Grace: Liturgical Services – Matthew.” http://www.givingingrace.org/userfiles/files/Design/Matthew_liturgical_services.pdf

Call to Worship: Exodus 33

Here’s a responsive call to worship adapted from Exodus 33:18-19. It was written by Amy Loving, and posted on The Worship Closet.  

Call to Worship

(adapted from Exodus 33:18-19)

The goodness of the Lord passes before us;

The name of the Holy One is proclaimed for all to hear.

God is gracious and merciful to whomever God chooses;

Show us your glory, O Lord, we pray!  

~ written by Amy Loving, and posted on The Worship Closet. http://worshipcloset.com/words-for-worship-18th-sunday-after-pentecost/

Prayer of Confession: Proper 24A

Here’s an act of confession inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Proper 24, Year A (Exodus 33, Matthew 22, Psalm 99).

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Exodus 33, Matthew 22:15-22)

God of mercy,
we place our trust in tangible things—
things we can see and touch—
and question whether you are really there.

Forgive us, Holy One,
when we fail to recognize
that you are always nearby,
patiently waiting for us to recognize
your presence and your glory.

Help us when we lose our way,
and forgive us when we forget
to whom we truly belong.

Lover of justice,
open our eyes to see you;
open our ears to hear you;
open our hearts to love you;
and open our hands to serve you.

Words of Assurance

(inspired by Exodus 33:14, Psalm 99)

When we cry to God, looking for favor in God’s sight,
God answers: “My presence will go with you,
and I will give you rest.”
In the power of the Spirit and in the name of Jesus,
we are forgiven!
We will rest in God’s mercy! 

~ posted on the Worship Elements page of the Ministry Matters website. http://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/5455/worship-elements-october-19-2014

Confession: 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10

Here’s a prayer of confession based on 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10. It was written by Amy Loving and posted on The Worship Closet.

Prayer of Confession

(based on 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10)

God of Grace,

we know that you have chosen us,

but we often forget that you have also chosen others.  

You call us to be imitators of Christ, 

yet many times we are imitators of the world. 

You challenge us to turn from our idols,

but we are tempted to turn back to them again and again. 

Rescue us, Lord, from ourselves. 

Show us your way.  

Guide our every action,

that we may live as you call us to live.  

~ written by Amy Loving, and posted on The Worship Closet. http://worshipcloset.com/words-for-worship-18th-sunday-after-pentecost/

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/

Call to Worship: Proper 24A

Though there are rulers, presidents, kings, queens,

God is the Lord of all life.
In God we live and move and have our being.
God requires our faithfulness and our service.
We reach out to others with the same kind of love

with which God has touched our lives.
Come, let us worship the Lord who is always with us.
Let us praise God who walks daily by our side.  Amen.

— Nancy C. Townley, posted on the Ministry Matters website.  Visit that site for many other good lectionary-based worship resources.

Reflection: Matthew 22: 15-22

Here’s a brief reflection on Matthew 22: 15-22 from the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand website.

Reflection: Matthew 22: 15-22

For many years
we have had the mistaken notion
that all the problems of the world
can be solved with a few dollar bills.

In Jesus' time
the Pharisees came to ask him if they should
pay taxes,
and Jesus, looking at a silver coin,
asked whose face and name were engraved on it.
"The Emperor's," they said.
"Well then, pay to the Emperor what is his" Jesus replied.

Has God's face
ever been on a coin?
We are the coin
that bears the living likeness of God.
Giving of ourselves
with whatever that may include,
is the only legal currency
of the kingdom of heaven.

~ from the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand website. <http://www.presbyterian.org.nz/for-ministers/worship-resources/special-services/stewardship/call-to-worship

Prayer of Praise: Psalm 96

Here’s an opening prayer of praise based on Psalm 96.  It was written by Chris Altrock.

Prayer of Praise: Earth Chorus

(based on Psalm 96)

There is none like you Lord!

Such splendor and strength!

May all the earth sing to you:

the families of the nations,

the fish of the sea,

the fields brimming with crops,

and the forests filled with creatures.

May your whole creation become a chorus whose song is you.

May my voice join creation’s chorus in praising you today.

~ written by Chris Altrock, and posted on True North. http://chrisaltrock.com/2011/12/prayer-from-psalm-96-earth-chorus/

Call to Worship: Psalm 99

Here’s a responsive call to worship inspired by Psalm 99.  It was written by Joan Stott.

 

Call to Worship

(based on Psalm 99)

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord our God and King!
Glorious and powerful is the God of all creation!
In reverent awe, we gather to worship our God.

The Lord our God is King and the Just Judge
of all things for all eternity, all people and all places.
In reverent awe, we gather to praise our God.

The Lord our God is King and the Forgiving God!
‘Fairness’ and ‘Justice’ are the names of our God.
In reverent awe, we gather to worship God, within
the light of God’s holiness, justice, mercy and love. Amen.

~ written by Joan Stott, on the Geelong City Parish UCA website.  http://www.wesleychurchgeelong.net/w_resources/pentecost18%5b29%5da_2011.htm  If used in shared worship, please provide an acknowledgement as follows: © 2011 Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year A, used with permission.

Confession: Singing Our Own Songs

Here’s a confession based based on a musical metaphor. It was written by Rev. Dr. Bertrice Wood.

Prayer of Confession

This is a moment given by God to confess our sins

against each other, all that God has created, and God. 

Let us take this moment to account

for the ways in which we have not embodied

what it means to be created in the image of God.

Holy God, we confess that too often we have not been open

to the rhythms of life you offer to us.

We let ourselves be put off your pace

and allow ourselves to wander off into our own songs.

Too often the melodies of the world confuse us. 

We have led ourselves and others to paths

that are not according to your loving pace and direction. 

Help us pay attention with all of our senses. 

Make our dancing faithful;

help us take the risks that are part of letting you lead. 

Pull us back into your rhythms.

Clean our hearts, purify our hands and steady our feet

that we might know and share your blessings. 

The God of Hosts assures us that if we trust God’s Word,

we will be led back to the songs that God would have us sing. 

God is eager to show us the path home. 

Accept the offer of the new song we have been given through Jesus the Christ. 

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

Prayer of Confession: Psalm 99

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by Psalm 99.  It comes from the Cokesbury website.

Confession

(inspired by Psalm 99)

Forgive us, O God,
when we stumble in the darkness
and turn away from your face.
Strengthen us to walk in your brightness
and live in your ways.
Enlighten the shadows
that keep us from growing
in your love and light.
Shower us with your grace,
that we might shine as your people
upon this earth.

~ from the Abingdon Worship Annual, posted on the Cokesbury website. http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/DynamicContent.aspx?pageid=830&id=198

Contemporary Songs: Psalm 96

If you’re looking for contemporary Praise & Worship song suggestions to use with Psalm 96 (the suggested psalm for Christmas Day, Proper 4C, Proper 24A, and Epiphany 9C), you can find a list at my new blog, Contemporary Psalms. 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 96:  http://contemporarypsalms.blogspot.ca/2013/05/psalm-96.html

Responsive Call to Worship: Psalm 96: 11-13

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice!

Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!

Let the fields and their crops burst forth with joy!

Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise before the Lord!

For the Lord is coming!

He is coming to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with righteousness

and all the nations with his truth.

Call to Worship: Psalm 96

Give to the Lord the glory he deserves!

Bring your offering and come to worship him.

Worship the Lord in all his holy splendour.

Let all the earth tremble before him.

For our God is great,

and worthy of our praise!

Call to Worship: Psalm 96

Here’s a responsive call to worship inspired by Psalm 96.  It was written by Joan Stott, and posted on the Geelong City Parish UCA website.

Call to Worship

(based on Psalm 96)

We come in reverent awe before the Lord our God—

for great is the Lord!
We come, to join with all creation

in singing new songs to the Lord our God.

We come in worship and praise—

for the Lord God is worthy of our praise!
We come, to share together

the news of our Glorious Lord’s saving deeds.

We come with songs and prayers—

to give well-deserved glory to the Lord!
We come, to bring our offerings of worship and praise

to the Lord our God—
whose holy splendour, honour and majesty

shines forth from God’s presence. Amen.

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

If used in worship, please include the following acknowledgement: “Copyright © 2013 Joan Stott – ‘The Timeless Psalms’ RCL Psalms Year C. Used with permission.”

Offering Prayer: Psalm 96

Here’s an offering prayer inspired by Psalm 96.  It was written by Jeff Shrowder.

Offering Prayer

(inspired by Psalm 96)

Bring an offering, and come into the courts of the Lord….

Healing One,
generous in love
and forever faithful,
we bring an offering;
our time, talent, and treasure.
With the help of the gracious One
may these gifts be used
with wisdom and justice
in the church and its mission
in the name of the Risen one. Amen.

~ written by Jeff Shrowder, and posted on The Billabong.  http://thebillabong.info/

If used, in worship, please acknowledge as follows: © Jeff Shrowder 2000, 2013.