Affirmation: You Call Us to Service

Here is an affirmation or statement of commitment from John Birch. It was posted on his Faith and Worship website.

Affirmation: You Call Us to Service

You call us to service;
to be your eyes and ears,
hands and voice in this, your world.

To open our eyes not only
to the beauty and love which you create,
but the injustice,
hate and suffering that humankind generates.

To open our ears not only
to the chattering of this coming week,
but the searching,
fears and questioning of all whom we shall meet.

To open our hands not only
to those we choose our lives to share,
but in welcome,
love and fellowship to all who you draw near.

To open our mouths not only
to speak platitudes and simple words,
but the truths you lay upon our hearts.
Your Word for this, your world.

You call us to service,
to be your eyes and ears,
hands and voice in this, your world.

~ written by John Birch and posted on his Faith and Worship website. http://www.faithandworship.com/liturgy_Lent_3.htm#ixzz1lkU9wBx2

Prayer: Late Have I Loved You

Here’s an excerpt from St. Augustine’s Confessions, in which he laments his hesitant embrace of faith in God.

Late have I loved you

Late have I loved you,

Beauty so ancient and so new,

late have I loved you!

Lo, you were within,
but I outside, seeking there for you,
and upon the shapely things you have made
I rushed headlong – I, misshapen.
You were with me, but I was not with you.
They held me back far from you,
those things which would have no being,
were they not in you.

You called, shouted, broke through my deafness;
you flared, blazed, banished my blindness;
you lavished your fragrance, I gasped;

and now I pant for you;
I tasted you,

and now I hunger and thirst;
you touched me,

and I burned for your peace.

When at last I cling to you with my whole being

there will be no more anguish or labor for me,

and my life will be alive indeed,

alive because filled with you.

~ Augustine of Hippo, Confessions. Posted on Crossroads Initiative. https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/

Blessing after Baptism

Here is a post-baptism blessing from the Third Space website.

Blessing after Baptism

May the blessing of the three-in-one God be yours.

May the Spirit bless you with hope

poured out like water and flowing as the river.

May Jesus bless you with discomfort

at injustice and oppression.

May the Creator who holds the Earth

as an artist holds brush and palette

fill your imagination

so that you always find the world inspiring and wonderful.

May God in whose being beauty shines on you

journey with you.

God says to you, “you are my beloved,

Be blessed this day and always.”

~ posted on Third Space. http://third-space.org.uk/

Confession of Faith: Baptism of Jesus

Here’s an affirmation of faith inspired by the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River.  It was written by Bruce Prewer.

A Creed

(inspired by Mark 1:9-11, Matthew 3:13-17, Luke 3:21-23,

Galatians 3:27, Romans 6:3-6)

I believe in God

who speaks through the prophets

and lifts our gaze up to high and beautiful paths and peaks.

I believe in Christ Jesus,

free of corruption yet willingly numbered among the sinners,

baptised in the waters of the Jordan.

I believe in the Spirit

who rested on Jesus like a dove,

and who inspired him with such love

as the world has not seen before or since.

I believe that those who are baptised into Christ

shall share his Spirit, his mission

and his ultimate victory over sin and death.

I believe that there is no human ability that cannot be enlarged,

and no weakness that cannot be used by Christ to the praise of God.

I believe that this believing is a gift from God,

not to be used for self-gratification

but for the building up of the church

and for humble service the world

I believe in myself as a baptised child of God,

the recipient of a healing grace

which precedes and supersedes all my efforts to be true.

With the help of God,

I will attempt to live my belief all the days of my life,

and by his grace, dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Amen!

~ written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home page. http://www.bruceprewer.com/DocA/10BAPTIS.htm

Blessing

Here’s a blessing written by Jan L. Richardson.

Blessing

May your life be a river.

May you flow with the purpose

of the One who created

and called you,

who directs your course

and turns you ever

toward home.

May your way shimmer

with the light of Christ

who goes with you

who bears you up

who calls you by name.

May you move

with the grace of the Spirit

who brooded over

the face of the waters

at the beginning

and who will gather you in

at the end.

~ written by Jan L. Richardson, and posted on The Painted Prayerbook. http://paintedprayerbook.com/

Benediction: Epiphany 1 C

Here’s a closing commission and benediction for Epiphany 1 C (the Baptism of Jesus).  It was written by Nathan Nettleton.

 

Commission and Benediction

(inspired by Isaiah 43:1, Luke 3:21-23)

Go now,

confident that you are God’s precious and pleasing children.
Trust in God and do not fear.
Accept the Word of God
and point others to the one who baptises with Spirit and fire.

And may God be your protection and your strength;
May Christ baptise you with his Holy Spirit.
And may the Spirit be with you
to empower you and give you peace.

We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,

…In the name of Christ. Amen.

~ Copyright © 2001 Nathan Nettleton www.laughingbird.net

Benediction: Philippians 1: 9-11

May God, who has begun a good work within you,

continue that work until the day when Christ Jesus returns.

May your love overflow more and more;

may you continue to grow in knowledge and understanding,

so that you can clearly discern what really matters,

and so that you may stand pure and blameless before God

on the day of Christ’s return.

The God who calls you is faithful,

and He will do it.

Go in peace.

Litany of Covenant Renewal

Here’s a covenant renewal litany from Rev. Christine Sobania Johnson.

Covenant Renewal Litany

Every day we journey on this earth is a day in which we make choices:

left or right, up or down, in or out, yes or no?

Some choices are simple, and some are very complex,

but one choice informs all the others:

Who will be our God?

Who will we trust to see us through this journey?

Who has been with us from before the beginning,

bringing us into existence?

Who has loved us and blessed us and sent us on our way?

Who has pointed us toward the path

and posted the signs we need to find our way?

Who has been at our side when the road has been smooth

and gently curving?

Who has kept with us through hairpin turns

and construction zones and potholes and detours?

Who will celebrate with us when we complete our course

and seek the comfort of eternity?

Only One. The One and Only.

Holy One. The One and Holy.

Will you choose this day to stay faithful to the One who is faithful to us?

Count us in.

Will you choose this day to place your whole trust

in the One who is trustworthy?

Count us in.

Will you choose this day to commit your talents and your resources

to the One who first endowed them?

Count us in.

Will you choose this day to love the One who loved us first?

Count us in.

Praying together,

We devote ourselves to you by renewing the covenant—

the promise you made to humanity so long ago.

Because you are our God, we will be your people.

Enlarge our faithfulness, our trust, our commitment and our love

so that we may graciously uphold our side of the deal.

Help us always to recognize your presence and your blessings

throughout our journey.

Keep us in your care.

Amen.

— written by Rev. Christine Sobania Johnson on her blog, Freshly Squeezed Liturgy.  http://freshlysqueezedliturgy.blogspot.com/

Blessing: 1 Thessalonians 5

Here’s a blessing from Rev. Richard J. Fairchild’s Kir-shalom website.

Blessing

(inspired by 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

Go in peace;

Remember the Lord's presence often

and take strength from the knowledge

that the One who calls and sends also sustains.

 

May the Lord bless you as you walk the way of Christ Jesus,

in thought, word and deed. 

May His life be yours, now and always.  Amen.

— posted on Rev. Richard J. Fairchild’s Kirshalom website. http://www.rockies.net/

Graduation Call to Worship

Here’s a lovely graduation litany written by Dan Wilt.  He’s written it as a call to worship, but it could also function very well at the end of a graduation worship service. It could also be used in a variety of other settings: as a congregational prayer of commitment, or a litany for confirmation or adult baptism.

Graduation Call to Worship

Call:                 Many voices are speaking to us today

                        in the movie theaters,

                        on the concert stages,

                        on the television.

Response:        Today, Lord, we choose to listen to Your voice,

                        to respond to Your desires,

                        to follow Your highest path for us.

Call:                 Many voices are speaking to us today

                        in our homes,

                        in our friendships,

                        and in our community.

Response:        Today, Lord, we choose to listen to Your voice,

                        to respond to Your desires,

                        to follow Your highest path for us.

Call:                 Many voices are speaking to us today

                        through celebrities, commercials

                        and through media.

Response:        Today, Lord, we choose to listen to Your voice,

                        to respond to Your desires,

                        to follow Your highest path for us.

All:                   As many voices ring in our ears,

                        we say that we choose to listen for Your voice,

                        to do what pleases you,

                        and to stay true to the path You have lovingly set before us.

                        Strengthen each of us to choose the high road,

                        to live up to the greatness you placed within us,

                        and to honor You in all our ways.

                        Lord, we will listen for Your voice. Amen.

— Dan Wilt, on his website, Dan Wilt.com. 

For other graduation prayers and blessings, click on Graduation prayers in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.

Scriptural Blessings for Graduates

Here are two scriptural blessings for those who are graduating (or reaching other significant milestones).  Both rely heavily on The Voice translation of scripture (see below for copyright information).

If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, see also New Testament Blessings, Old Testament Blessings, Graduation Blessing: Proverbs 3, or Congregational Litany for Graduating Students.  Also try clicking on Graduation prayers, blessings or Benedictions in the list of "Labels" at the far right of the page.

Prayer of Blessing for Graduates I

(Ephesians 3:16-19, The Voice, altered slightly)

Father, out of Your honorable and glorious riches,

strengthen these, Your people.

Fill their souls with the power of Your Spirit,

so that through faith, You will come to reside in their hearts.

May love be the rich soil where their lives take root.

May it be the bedrock where their lives are founded so that,

together with all of Your people,

they will have the power to understand

that Your love is infinitely long, wide, high, and deep,

surpassing everything anyone previously experienced.

God, may Your fullness flood through their entire beings.

Amen.

Prayer of Blessing for Graduates II

(Colossians 1:9-11, The Voice, altered slightly)

Gracious God,

we pray that these, your children,

may clearly know Your will

and achieve the height and depth of spiritual wisdom and understanding.

May their lives be a credit to You, Lord;

and what’s more,

may they continue to delight You

by doing every good work

and growing in the true knowledge that comes

from being close to You.

Strengthen them with Your infinite power,

according to Your glorious might,

so that they will have everything they need

to hold on and endure hardship patiently and joyfully.

Amen.

Scripture taken from The Voice™.

Copyright ©2006, 2007, 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society.

Used by permission. All rights reserved

New Testament Blessings

Here are a number of scriptural blessings from the New Testament, suitable at baptism, graduation or other significant life milestone (e.g. leaving home for studies, employment or ministry opportunities, etc.).

If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, see also Old Testament Blessings, Graduation Blessing: Proverbs 3, Scriptural Blessings for Graduates, or Congregational Litany for Graduating Students.  Also try clicking on Graduation prayers, blessings or Benedictions in the list of "Labels" at the far right of the page.

Blessing I

(Romans 8:35, 37-39)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine

or nakedness or danger or sword?

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors

through him who loved us.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life,

neither angels nor demons,

neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,

neither height nor depth,

nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us from the love of God

that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Blessing II

(based on Ephesians 1:18)

We thank God for you,

and will be in prayer for you,

asking God,

the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding,

so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

We will pray that your heart will be flooded with light

so that you can understand

the wonderful future God has promised to those who follow him;

the glorious inheritance that is waiting for you;

and the incredible power that is at work in your life.

Blessing III

(Ephesians 3:16-19, New Living Translation)

I pray that out of God’s glorious riches

he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

may have power to grasp

how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—

that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Blessing IV

(based on Philippians 1:6, 9-11)

May God,

who began the good work within you,

continue to be at work in your life,

bringing everything to completion

on the day when Christ Jesus comes back again.

May your love for others overflow more and more,

and may you keep growing in your knowledge and understanding.

Never forget what really matters,

so that you may live a pure and blameless life until Christ returns.

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—

those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ—

for living this way will bring much glory and praise to God.

Blessing V

(based on Colossians 1:9-12)

May God give you full insight into his will for your lives,

along with all wisdom and spiritual understanding,

so that your life may be worthy of the Lord

and entirely pleasing to him.

And may you bear fruit in active goodness of every kind,

continually growing in your knowledge and understanding of God.

And may God give you the strength you need

to endure whatever comes with patience and fortitude,

all the while giving thanks to God

who has enabled you to share

in the inheritance that belongs to God’s holy people.

Blessing VI

(Matthew 6:31-34, The Voice)

Do not consume yourselves with questions:

What will we eat?

What will we drink?

What will we wear?

Outsiders make themselves frantic over such questions—

they don’t realize that your heavenly Father knows exactly what you need.

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,

and then all these things will be given to you too.

So do not worry about tomorrow.

Let tomorrow worry about itself.

Living faithfully is a large enough task for today.

Old Testament Blessings

Here are a number of scriptural blessings from the Old Testament, suitable at baptism, graduation or any other significant milestone (e.g. leaving home for studies, employment or ministry opportunities, etc.).

If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, see also New Testament Blessings, Graduation Blessing: Proverbs 3, Scriptural Blessings for Graduates, or Congregational Litany for Graduating Students. Also try clicking on Graduation prayers, blessings or Benedictions in the list of "Labels" at the far right of the page.

Blessing I

(Psalm 37:3-6, New Living Translation)

Trust in the Lord, and do good.

Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

Take delight in the Lord,

and he will give you your heart’s desires.

Commit everything you do to the Lord.

Trust him, and he will help you.

Blessing II

(Psalm 1:1-3, New Living Translation)

Oh, the joys of those

who do not follow the advice of the wicked,

or stand around with sinners,

or join in with scoffers.

But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants;

day and night they think about his law.

They are like trees planted along the riverbank,

bearing fruit each season without fail.

Their leaves never wither,

and in all they do, they prosper.

Blessing III

(Psalm 32:8, New Living Translation)

The Lord says,

“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.

I will advise you and watch over you.”

Blessing IV

(based on Psalm 84:11-12)

The Lord is our light and our protector.

He gives us grace and glory.

No good thing will the Lord withhold

from those who do what is right.

Blessed are those who trust in him.

Blessing V

(Psalm 121, Common English Bible)

I raise my eyes toward the mountains.

Where will my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the maker of heaven and earth.

God won’t let your foot slip.

Your protector won’t fall asleep on the job.

No! Israel’s protector never sleeps or rests!

The Lord is your protector;

the Lord is your shade right beside you.

The sun won’t strike you during the day;

neither will the moon at night.

The Lord will protect you from all evil;

God will protect your very life.

The Lord will protect you on your journeys—

whether going or coming—

from now until forever from now.

Blessing VI

(Isaiah 26:3-4, New Living Translation)

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you,

whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Trust in the Lord always,

for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

Blessing VII

(Isaiah 40:28-31, New Revised Standard Version)

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary;

his understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the faint,

and strengthens the powerless.

Even youths will faint and be weary,

and the young will fall exhausted;

but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,

they shall mount up with wings like eagles,

they shall run and not be weary,

they shall walk and not faint.

Blessing VIII

(Isaiah 43:1-3a, 5a)

“Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you.

I have called you by name—you are mine!

When you go through deep waters and great trouble,

I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty,

you will not drown!

When you walk through the fire of oppression,

you will not be burned up;

the flames will not consume you.

For I am the Lord, your God,

the Holy One of Israel.

Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”

Blessing IX

(Jeremiah 17:7-8, New Living Translation)

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord

and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

They are like trees planted along a riverbank,

with roots that reach deep into the water.

Such trees are not bothered by the heat

or worried by long months of drought.

Their leaves stay green,

and they go right on producing delicious fruit.

Blessing X

(Proverbs 3:5-6, New Living Translation)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek God’s will in all you do,

and he will direct your paths.