Worship Prayers May 18

 

CENTERING PRAYER

Surprising God, in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, you make all things new. Long ago, you called your church to a love beyond all social and cultural differences and gave them the gift of your Holy Spirit to open hearts to enact such love. Give us that same spirit of openness, that we too might discern new directions in our day for your dream to reconcile and heal all creation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 148)

 

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord in the heavens;

Praise him in the heights!

Praise him, all his angels;

praise him, all his host!

Praise him, sun and moon;

praise him, all you shining stars!

Praise him, you highest heavens.

Let us praise the name of the Lord!

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

God of mercy, your command to love one another across all differences opens us to new horizons, yet we often respond with fear and judgment and hinder your goal for humanity. Forgive us our sins, we pray, and give us a true repentance that leads to life for all creation. We continue to pray in Jesus’ name. (Silent Confession)

SCRIPTURE: John 13:31-35

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him,[a] God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.

33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

 

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed

 

 

OFFERING

 

Invitation to the Offering

 

Jesus tells all his disciples, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” Let us with gladness offer to God the gifts of our labor, life, and love.

 

 

Prayer after Offering

 

Let us pray… Loving God, we give you thanks for calling us to the ministry of reconciliation. Accept these gifts for your mission to heal all creation. May they testify to your love for all creation and our love for you. Amen.