PRAYERS FOR WORSHIP March 7, 2010
Greeting
Come, at Christ’s invitation,
all you who have sinned and need to be forgiven;
all you who hunger for New Life and need to be
nourished;
all you who accept God’s abundance and need to
give thanks;
all you who experience God’s Love and need to
give praise.
Penitential Prayer
In many ways, Lord, we have been like the people of
Israel, wandering in the wilderness.
Even though our diet is far more opulent than the
manna and quail of the people of Israel, we too have
grumbled.
Even though our homes are far more elaborate than
their tattered tents, we too have complained.
Even though we have received far more of Your
revelation than they had, we too have wandered.
Even though we have received the inner power of
the Holy Spirit, we too are filled with fear.
So we offer no excuses. We can only lay hold on
Your Grace, repent, and ask forgiveness for our sins.
Blessing
Return now to your homes
with a firm will to repent,
and a warm heart,
and a pure mind,
and with a joyful spirit.
PRAYERS FOR WORSHIP March 14, 2010
Greeting
If you are lost in
a bewildering world
an impersonal society
or your own self-importance;
Come, find your true self
in this House of God.
Come, seek the One Way
in this House of Direction.
Penitential Prayer
Father, we know You have not abandoned us. We know
that we are a Lost People only because we do not
follow Your Way.
You say “north” — and we head south.
You say “right” — and we turn left.
You say “forgive” — we harbor grudges.
You say “compassion” — we stay indifferent.
You say “justice” — we maintain the “status quo.”
You say “peace” — we argue war.
You say “ministry” — we point to others.
You say “commitment” — we reply “no risk — no obligation.”
You say “Follow Me” — but we foolishly chart our own
course.
Forgive us, Lord, for turning away from
Your Guiding Light,
and losing ourselves in the darkness of sin.
Blessing
May you follow
the Beacon of Light
which will illuminate
the Path of Christ
which will lead you to a life of
meaning
service
and love.
PRAYERS FOR WORSHIP March 21, 2010
Greeting
We are one in the Father,
We are one in the Son,
We are one in the Holy Spirit.
When we work, play, worship and pray,
Let us do these things as one.
Penitential Prayer
Father, we know that the water of baptism purified our
bodies, hearts, souls, and minds, but human error has
allowed us to again tarnish ourselves.
Father, we come before You with the hope of cleansing
ourselves; with the hope that You will reclaim us into
Your heart.
Father, we ask forgiveness for our sins; we ask for
strength to keep us in the purifying Light of Almighty
God’s Love.
Blessing
Your sins are forgiven,
Your lives are made new,
Your faith is your treasure,
Your light will shine through.
PRAYERS FOR WORSHIP March 28, 2010
Greeting
Come, let us worship the King —
the King who made His triumphal entry upon a
humble beast of burden;
the King who established His Kingdom upon a cross;
the King who gained His victory in apparent defeat.
Penitential Prayer
As we meditate today on how much it cost You to love the world, we become aware of how superficial our own love is by comparison.
We find that our love is quickly cooled by a cold shoulder or an angry glance.
We are reluctant to commit ourselves, lest we be rejected or hurt.
We find it far easier to love in word than to love in deed.
We are so quick to take offense at an uncomplimentary remark.
We find it so hard to love those who are of another background, another faith, or another social status.
We ask forgiveness in the Name of Him whose love knew none of these limitations, and who accepts us just the way we are.
Blessing
Leave now,
with a new appreciation of Christ’s sacrifice,
with a new confidence in His Love,
with a new joy in His salvation,
and with a new dedication to His cause.
