PRAYERS FOR WORSHIP
November 1, 2015
Greeting
“Although I may have the gift of prophesy and know all secrets;
Although I may have the faith to move mountains;
if I have not love, I am nothing” (I Cor. 13:2).
Enter this House,
to discover the mystery of God’s Love;
to experience the power of God’s Love.
Penitential Prayer
Lord, we are an insincere people!
We say, “Cheers!” without being of good cheer.
We say, “Good morning!” but do not make the
morning good.
We say, “How are things?” and then act as though we don’t really care.
We say, “God loves you!” but do not become the channel of God’s Love.
We say, “I love you!” when we really mean, “What can I get from you?”
We use the phrase, “I’ll pray for you,” as a mere
substitute for a casual “goodbye.”
Lord, forgive us for our casual approach to the Biblical command: Love your neighbor as yourself.
Lord, forgive us for our insincerity!
Blessing
Go forth from your Father’s House in obedience to the command:
love your neighbor as yourself.
Go forth, saying “God loves you … I love you …
I will pray for you” —
with all possible sincerity.
PRAYERS FOR WORSHIP
November 8, 2015
Greeting
We can love God
because He first loved us.
We can love others
because He first loved them.
Penitential Prayer
Father, forgive us if, like the Pharisees of old, we have kept the letter of the law without keeping its spirit –
–if we have worshiped no other gods, but have not really loved You;
–if we have made no graven image, but have not publicly honored You;
–if we have honored our parents, but have not really loved them;
–if we have refrained from killing, but have not refrained from holding a grudge;
–if we have not committed adultery, but secretly wish we could;
–if we have not stolen, but have been discontented with what we have;
–if we have avoided covetousness, but have resented others for what they have.
Blessing
Having been blessed,
let us bless.
Having been loved,
let us love.
PRAYERS FOR WORSHIP
November 15, 2015
Greeting
Lift up your hearts
Lift up your minds
Lift up your spirits
Lift up your hands
the Lord is reaching down
to greet us!
Penitential Prayer
Father, forgive us for ignoring the outstretched
hand of a brother and sister in need.
For condemning instead of offering the helping
hand of fellowship;
For isolating instead of offering the helping
hand of understanding;
For back-biting instead of offering the helping
hand of forgiveness;
For gossiping instead of offering the helping
hand of prayer.
Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy on us sinners!
Blessing
The Time is now!
— The Lord is with us today.
The Time is now!
— Put your hand in His, and rejoice.
The Time is now!
–Take your sisters and brothers by the
hand, and let them rejoice.
PRAYERS FOR WORSHIP
November 22, 2015
Greeting
There are many kings,
but only One can rule forever.
There are many presidents,
but only One can save.
Come, let us worship Him.
Penitential Prayer
We know, Lord, that our lives have not lived up to our convictions.
We have felt defeated, even though we know that Jesus is Victor.
We have been discouraged, even though we know that with God all things are possible.
We have fallen into temptation, even though we know that power is available to resist it.
Blessing
The reign of the Lord will remain
forever and ever.
With this promise, go on your way rejoicing.
PRAYERS FOR WORSHIP
November 29, 2015
Greeting
Today, on this first Sunday of Advent, let us look to the past, to the present, and to the future.
Let us look to the past, for we celebrate the birth of a
Child born 2,000 years ago.
Let us look to the present, for Christ is here today,
living among us by means of His Spirit.
Let us look to the future, for He will come again in
the clouds of Heaven, to bring this Age to an end
and to take His own to Himself.
Penitential Prayer
We acknowledge, Father, that our holiday preparations often detract from our holy preparations.
We allow the sounds of Santa Claus jingles to drown
out the carols of the Christ-child.
We allow the hustle of Christmas shopping to make
us too upset to experience the peace of God.
We allow the excitement of Christmas presents to
over-shadow the wonder of God’s miracle.
We allow the loud and repeated claims of advertisers
to drown out the voices of the angels.
We allow the vast expenditures of money to distort
our priorities.
For our easy readiness to become involved in the pandemonium which transforms the Holy Day into a holiday, we ask Your Divine forgiveness.
Blessing
May your Christmas songs
be songs of the King.
May your Christmas expectations
be for the coming of Christ.
May your Christmas preparation
be the preparation of the soul.
May your Christmas story
be the story of Jesus.
