re:Worship: Proper 9 B

Showing posts with label Proper 9 B. Show all posts

Prayer of Confession: Mark 6

Here is a prayer of confession followed by words of assurance inspired by Mark 6:7-13 and 2 Corinthians 12:9, two of the suggested scripture readings for Proper 9, Year B. They were written by Joanna Harader, and posted on Spacious Faith.

Prayer of Confession

(based on Mark 6:7-13)

Holy One of Nazareth,
We see you calm storms, heal illness, even restore life,
Yet we still struggle to trust you.
You send us out,
But we want to stay home.
You provide partners for the journey,
But we want to go it alone.
You give us authority over evil,
But we don’t know how to use it.
You say we need only the clothes on our back and a staff in our hand,
But we pile the car full of food, clothes, tools and toys.

We make sure our phones are charged and our GPS is on.
You tell us to accept hospitality,
But we don’t like to put people out.
You say that if people are unkind,

we should simply shake the dust off of our feet,
But we would rather get mad and post about it on Facebook.
We have much to learn from you, Jesus,

about traveling gracefully through this life.
Forgive our failings and grant us a deeper trust.

Assurance of Pardon

(from 2 Corinthians 12:9)

Hear these words from Christ:

“My grace is sufficient for you,

for power is made perfect in weakness.”

So go forth in the power of the almighty,

who forgives you and loves you. Amen.

~ written by Joanna Harader and posted on Spacious Faith. https://spaciousfaith.com

Call to Worship: Lift Your Eyes to God

Here’s a call to worship inspired by Psalm 123. It comes from Anita Monro’s MAD-e-Lena blog.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 123)

Lift your eyes to God:
in the highest heavens, we see your glory, Great Creator.
Reach out your hands to Jesus:
in the compassion of an enemy, we know your love, O Christ.
Feel the breathe of the Spirit:
in our sinews and in our souls, the Spirit whispers hope.
Let us worship the God who reigns,
by entering the depths of our humanity
and setting the humble soaring on the wings of the Spirit
for the sake of eternity.

— written by Anita Monro and posted on the MAD-e-Lena blog. http://mad-e-lena.blogspot.com/

Prayers of the People

Here’s an invitation to the offering and a prayer of dedication. It comes from the Life in Liturgy website (link below).

Prayer of Intercession

“My grace is sufficient for you,

for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12:9

Gracious and loving God,

we come to you with hearts that need to be opened

to your word and your love.

There is so much around us that tears at us

and causes us to tremble.

Keep us ever mindful of your presence

and the hope that you have given us

in your Son Jesus Christ.

Guide us, we pray, as your church,

struggling to spread the good news.

Keep us focused on the mission and ministry

to which you have called us and lead us forward.

We know, Lord,

that there will often be bumps and holes in the road along the way.

Save us from dwelling on them

and make us secure in the goals you have placed before us.

Hear our prayers for all who need

your tender touch of healing in their lives—

those we name before you each day,

and those who are known only to you in the depths of our hearts.

Be with those who mourn.

May we all remember the love and grace

that your faithful people have brought to our world.

We pray for all your creation, always at odds with one another.

Guide our leaders and those of other nations

that this world might truly be as you created it to be—

a world of peace, hope and love.

These are our prayers,

together with those that lie on the hearts of all your faithful people,

which we offer to you in the spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who said “not my will, but thine be done.”

~ posted on Life in Liturgy. https://lifeinliturgy.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.

Prayer of Commitment: Stepping Out in Faith

Here’s a prayer of commitment or closing prayer based on two of the scripture texts for Proper 9 B (Ordinary 14 B).

Prayer of Commitment

(based on 2 Samuel 5, Mark 6: 7-13)

God,

just as You called King David so long ago,

so You call each one of us

to speak and act on Your behalf in our world today.

Forgive us when we are hesitant to follow:

when we question Your call

or make excuses for our abilities;

when we complain about our lack of time

or hoard our resources.

Give us courage to step out in faith,

to go where you send us without hesitation or fear,

trusting that Your presence goes with us,

and that You will provide all that we need.

Amen.

Prayer: Reveal Yourself

Here’s a prayer of petition and invocation. It was written by John Birch, and posted on Faith and Worship.

Reveal Yourself

“As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master…

so our eyes look to the Lord our God,

until he has mercy upon us.” Psalm 123:2

Lord of heaven and earth
of all nations and peoples
all faiths and no faith
reveal yourself
to those who are suffering,
reveal yourself
to all who are refugees,
reveal yourself
to those who are powerful,
reveal yourself
to all who are powerless,
reveal yourself
to ordinary people
in their everyday lives,
that this world
might reflect your love
and your glory.

Psalm Paraphrase: Psalm 122, Psalm 123

Here’s a re-working of Psalm 122 and Psalm 123 from Francis Mcnab.

He writes: “These psalms speak of a sacred place. In its biblical version its focus is on Jerusalem the so-called "holy city". Today as much as any time, we should pray for the peace of Jerusalem. But we all need our Jerusalem - our sacred place, where we discover a strong peace emanating from the Good Presence.”

Psalm 122 and Psalm 123

What a scramble our lives can be.

We rush from place to place.

We live on a knife-edge, ready it would seem,

to throw our lot in with those who surrender to the negatives of our humanity.

What a relief to come into a place like this

where we can feel a quietening presence;

where people can come together

and find a common purpose and a unifying spirit.

This whole city needs to re-find its sanity

lest people come to believe that all their stresses are inevitable.

So I say, let a good peace come over this city;

let peace come to these walls;

let all who come here, all their friends and their families

know a strong and healthy peace with them.

O God, we have been too long and too much

with our eyes on the wrong things,

even though we believe them to be right.

Lift our eyes to a bigger better dimension,

to be participants in your broadening good presence.

We know the pains and the prejudices of life…

Help us to experience the best kindness and the gentlest healing

that flow from the very heart of the universe.

I name you to be God;

I believe you to be God.

God, the source of all that is good!

~ written by Francis Macnab (A fine wind is blowing). http://www.stmichaels.org.au/dr-macnab/books-by-dr-macnab

Posted on Rex A.E. Hunt website. http://www.rexaehuntprogressive.com/liturgy_collection/year_a_liturgy_collection/year_a_-_advent/advent1a28112010.html

Prayer: Revelation 21: 1-6

Here’s a prayer of petition inspired by Revelation 21: 1-6. It was written by Michael Saward.

Prayer of Petition

(inspired by Revelation 21: 1-6)

Architect and builder of the heavenly city yet to come,

look in judgment on the cities of the world,
where greed forces many to live in squalor and filth;
where indifference condemns many to live alone and unwanted;

where lust tempts many to use others callously,

thoughtlessly and heartlessly;
where hate drives many to crowd together for protection

because their skin, their race or their belief
is unpopular or unwanted.
Look in mercy on those who suffer at the hands of their fellows,

and teach us all that in Christ we can find the power to live
generously, compassionately and lovingly,
that cities of the world may become true reflections
of the city of God;
for Jesus' sake. Amen.

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

Closing Benediction

Here’s a closing benediction from Bruce Prewer.

Benediction

(inspired by 2 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Peter 2:9)

You are a baptised people,

a community of hope,

the new race dedicated to doing the unlikely deeds of grace,

and sometimes even taking on the impossible.

Thanks be to Christ,

whose power is made perfect in human weakness.

The blessing of the Creator, Redeemer and Inspirer

will always be with you.

Amen!

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

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/

Gospel Reflection: Mark 6: 7-13

Here’s a thoughtful reflection on Mark 6: 7-13, the gospel reading suggested for Proper 9 B (Ordinary 14 B). It was written by Bruce Prewer.

Authority

(inspired by Mark 6: 7-13)

Not the wise, not the skilled,

neither scholars, nor saints;

mere ordinary folk,

warts-and-all characters,

and that Peter bloke;

caught up in the freedom of Jesus.

Authority: called and empowered

to release the bedevilled;

the diseased and the lame,

the crazy and the lost,

the soul filled with shame;

caught up in the love of Jesus.

Not cluttered with possessions,

free as the wind of heaven;

inviting the crowd,

anointing the sick,

rebuking the proud;

caught up in the spirit of Jesus.

Pastoral Prayer: Proper 9 B

Here’s a pastoral prayer inspired by Mark 6: 1-13 and 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, two of the suggested scripture readings for Proper 9 B (Ordinary 14 B). It was written by Rev. Abi.

Prayer

(inspired by Mark 6:1-13, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10)

God of all,
We know you sent us out to do your work, to face rejection, to spread the good news of the Kingdom of God, to have people turn their backs on us, to be your prophets, to be laughed at, to heal the sick, to be dismissed, to travel light, sometimes broke and sometimes penniless, and sometimes rich and wealthy.

We are reminded to shake the dust off of our shoes when we are not welcome and not listened to. We are reminded that in our weakness you are strong. We are reminded that in all of this Jesus, too, was rejected and a scandal to many.

Lord, today some of us today some of step into pulpits as your prophets in places where we have been treated less than kind, and sometimes outright rejected. Lord, pour your healing salve into the wounds we carry.

Today, some of us are so wounded from the attacks that it is hard to lift our feet to shake the dust off our shoes. Pour your healing grace over us that makes Christ’s power perfect in our weakness.

Today, some of us feel like total failures or like giving up. Pour your steadfast love into us that we may see ourselves as you see us, and not give up as you yourself did not give up. Amen.

— written by Rev Abi, and posted on RevGalBlogPals blog. http://revgalblogpals.blogspot.ca/

Confession: 2 Corinthians 12: 2-10

Here’s a thoughtful prayer of confession from Moira Laidlaw’s Liturgies Online website.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by 2 Corinthians 12: 2-10)

Merciful God, of what do we boast?

Can we truly say with Paul that we do not boast about ourselves

or our achievements?

Does the danger in such thinking lie in the next step—

the thought that we can do anything, or all things—by ourselves?

Forgive us the times when we ignore you, O God,

and depend on our own strength to do things our own way.

Paul talks about power being made perfect in weakness.
Forgive us for believing

that we have to be hard and domineering

if we want to get ahead in life.

Paul says that he boasts of his weaknesses

so that the power of Christ may dwell in him.
Forgive us when we use our power selfishly or aggressively,

ignoring that indwelling, Christ-given power

which frees us to be vulnerable.

Jesus says “My grace is sufficient for you,

for power is made perfect in weakness.”

Permeate our lives with your grace, Lord,

so that we can affirm with Paul

that we are content with weaknesses for your sake,

and fill us with the knowledge

that it is when we allow ourselves to be empowered by you,

that we are truly strong. Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness
Hear again the good news: that Jesus’ grace is sufficient for us all—

sufficient for us to be forgiven in his name.

Receive that grace and rejoice in the power to live in his strength.
Thanks be to God!

~ written by Moira Laidlaw, on Liturgies Online. http://www.liturgiesonline.com.au/ Visit that site for many other excellent lectionary-based worship resources.

Gospel Reflection: Mark 6: 1-6

Here is a reflection on Mark 6:1-6, the suggested gospel text for Proper 9 B (Ordinary 14 B)—the sixth Sunday of Pentecost. It was written by Anne Osdieck.

Gospel Reflection

“And many who heard him were astonished.” Mark 6: 2

Isn’t he the carpenter?
Mary’s son?

Yes,
and God’s.

In the beginning was the Word
and the Word was with God
and the Word was God
and the world came
to be through
him,

but
the world
did not know

the
carpenter.

Christ,
Fix our hearts.
Shape us into your Body.

~ written by Anne Osdieck, and published on The Center for Liturgy Sunday website of Saint Louis University. http://liturgy.slu.edu/

Call to Worship Litany: Who will hear?

Here’s a litany based on Mark 6: 1-13, the suggested gospel reading for Proper 9 B (Ordinary 14 B), the sixth Sunday of Pentecost. It was written by Rev. Dr. Laurel Koepf Taylor.

Litany

(based on Mark 6: 1-13)

The prophets of old spoke of God’s justice,

even when it was unwelcome.

Who will hear their message?

We will listen and we will hear!

Responding to God’s call, Jesus traveled,

preaching and teaching all who would listen.

Who will hear his message?

We will listen and we will hear!

Christ sent out disciples two by two,

to spread the good news in any place

that would welcome them.

Who will hear their message?

We will listen and we will hear!

God’s prophets are among us still,

around the world and in these pews.

Who will hear their message?

We will listen and we will hear!

— from To Hear and Be Heard, An Intergenerational Liturgy for the Sixth Sunday of Pentecost, year B, written by the Rev. Dr. Laurel Koepf Taylor. Posted on the United Church of Christ Worship Ways website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/

Confession: Proper 9 B

Here’s an act of confession based on two of the suggested scripture readings for Proper 9 B, the sixth Sunday of Pentecost. It comes from the Ministry Matters website.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Mark 6:7-13)

Merciful God,
forgive us when we are paralyzed
by confusion and doubt.
Strengthen our faith,
that we may not only believe,
but may be filled with the power
to help and heal.
When others reject or refuse our ministry,
help us to be forgiving and grace-filled.
Grant us the courage
to accept those things that cannot be changed,
that we may be freed from anger and resentment.
Forgive us when our disappointment
clouds our wisdom
and confuses our actions.
Guide us on this path of ministry,
that we may be filled
with the joy of our ministry. Amen.

Words of Assurance

(inspired by 2 Corinthians 12: 2-10)

God’s grace is sufficient for all our needs,
covering all our sins.
God’s power is made perfect in our weakness,
as Christ redeems our lives
and reconciles us fully and completely to God.
Amen and amen.

Benediction: Go proclaim the love of God

Go now, and wherever people will hear you,
proclaim the life-changing love of God.
Do not fear your weakness,
for when you are weakest, Christ’s strength is known.
Travel lightly, live simply,
and honour those who welcome the gospel.

And may God be your protection and safe haven;
May the power of Christ Jesus dwell in you;
and may the Holy Spirit be your guide forever.

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

~ Copyright © 2003 Nathan Nettleton http://www.laughingbird.net/

Prayers of the People: Proper 9 B

Here’s a prayer of intercession for Proper 9 B (Ordinary 14 B). It was written by Paul Sauer.

Prayer of Intercession

(2 Samuel 5, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Mark 6:1-13)

Heavenly Father, you knew that your prophets would often be ignored, yet you sent them out as messengers to speak your word with power. Open our ears, that we may hear your call to repentance.