Worship Prayers Jan 26

CENTERING PRAYER*    *J. Birch, Worship Resources

“Clear our minds of all that hurts ourselves and others, and in the space a song of joy, a word of praise, a smile, a hug, sharing your love, the simple things that make this world a better place.”

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

God built the heavens, the earth, and everything in them.

God calls us to be builders as well.

God calls us to build our lives:

to restore broken places and continue to grow.

God calls us to build our faith:

To study the Word and ponder its interpretation.

God calls us to build our community:

to build bridges of understanding and systems of justice.

God calls us to build history by fulfilling the promises of Scripture:

to preach the good news of God’s love and liberation for all people.

Come, let us worship our God together.

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

God of our Restoration, whenever we come home to you, we realize how far we strayed and how much of your law and your love we forget. We do not love you with our whole hearts or love our neighbors as ourselves. Forgive us, heal us, and restore us to our relationship with you. We continue to pray in the name of Jesus Christ. (Silent Confession)

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – WCF SC 1

 

OFFERING

 

Each one of us is essential

to the life and well-being of the whole body of Christ.

So we come now to share our gifts and resources

in order to care for one another

and, without dissension,

for the world Christ came to save.

 

Let us pray…                                                                 

God of life and of new life,

bless these gifts that we give

that they may further your reign in this your world.

 

Scripture for January 26

 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Unity and Diversity in the Body

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[a] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[b]? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

Love Is Indispensable

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

Worship Prayers

 CENTERING PRAYER 

Gentle Jesus, you call us to live in your name with honor and respect, fully known to you and precious in your sight. Draw us near to you each day as you teach us how to feed on your gifts, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen

CALL TO WORSHIP T

he voice of God resounds upon the water. The Spirit of the Lord hovers over the stream. The Son of God is named, “Beloved.” And all who worship shout out, “Glory!” Ascribe to the Lord majesty and strength. Let us worship God in holy splendor.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostles’ Creed 

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Scripture for January 19

 John 2:1-11

Jesus Changes Water Into Wine

2 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

4 “Woman,[a] why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.[b]

7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

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Illustration:  Marriage at Cana by Giotto di Bondone, 14th century

Worship Prayers January 12

 CENTERING PRAYER

 

Loving God, we begin this new day in the sure knowledge you have claimed us as your children. In all that we do, keep us mindful of actions that are pleasing in your sight. In all that we say, make us attentive to the witness we give to your love. Let our lives be an example to all whom we encounter, living as children of God who follow in the path of Jesus, our Lord and our brother. Amen.

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

The voice of God resounds upon the water.

The Spirit of the Lord hovers over the stream.

The Son of God is named, “Beloved.”

And all who worship shout out, “Glory!”

Ascribe to the Lord majesty and strength.

Let us worship God in holy splendor.

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

We are precious in your sight, yet we often forget we are your beloved. We confess our love is fickle and inconstant. We follow selfish goals and deny our way of life harms others and hurts your world. We are sorry, and we want to change. Create in us a clean heart, strengthen our resolve, reconcile us one to another, and bless us with your peace. We continue to pray in Christ’s name. (Silent Confession)

 

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed

 

 

OFFERING

 

As people who have passed through the waters of baptism,

let us make our grateful offering to God our Redeemer.

 

Let us pray…O God, at his baptism, you acknowledged Jesus as your beloved Son,

and through him you opened to us a way

to become your children by grace.

May these gifts we return to you

be a sign of our dedication to live as your faithful children,

born anew in the waters of baptism by the power of the Holy Spirit;

through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Scripture for Jan. 12

 Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with[a] water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

By José Ferraz de Almeida Júnior - artsandculture.google.com, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78290933

Worship Prayers January 5

 CENTERING PRAYER

 

God of glory, your WORD made a home with us so that we might be at home in you. Gather your children from the farthest places in the world and lead us to that home where the human race can become a human family; through Jesus Christ and in the Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

The WORD became flesh and lived among us

And we have seen his glory.

The true light that enlightens everyone

has come into the world.

Glory to God who has blessed us in Christ.

Glory to God forever.

 

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Holy God, we confess we are a distracted people and forgetful of your love. We make selfish choices, hurt each other, and perpetuate injustice in your world. We sin against you, and we repent of our many wrongdoings. By the power of your Spirit, forgive, restore, and strengthen us to live in your light and to walk in your truth. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, your WORD made flesh. (Silent Confession)

 

OFFERING

 

Invitation to the Offering

 

Christ lavishes upon us the riches of his grace. Therefore, let us offer our lives and the fruits of our labor to God.

 

Prayer after Offering

 

Let us pray… Lord Jesus Christ, your goodness to us is beyond the reaches of our imagination, a fullness of love that embraces all of life. From you, we receive grace upon grace. Accept our offering for the sake of the world. All that we have is yours, and all we return to you is but a reflection of your love for us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.