a community creating for the relentless return of Sunday
Praise our God everyone; give the Lord a raucous greeting!
God is our Advocate, our Helper, the one who gives life.
We search and grasp, even though God is as close as our breath.
Glory to the One who suffered in order to bring us to God!
Submitted by Rev. Will Ryan, First Christian Church, Burlington IA
Leader: Praise God who made the world
People: …and everything in it
Leader: Worship God who gives all life
People: …their breath and nourishment.
Leader: Come search and Find God
People: ..for God is not far from each one of us.
Submitted by Christy Ramsey
Pulpit side: Come, people of God—make a joyful noise!
Lectern side: Come, beloved of Christ—lift up your offering of praise!
Travellers: We gather in the presence of mystery,
grace known and unknown,
promises fulfilled and still awaited.
“Locals”: We have received beyond measure,
building our hope on a foundation of love.
Morning ppl: The Spirit of truth fills this place,
empowering us to lead lives
worthy of Christ’s calling.
Night owls: The Spirit of truth fills this place,
revealing the Way:
to love as we have been loved.
Light eyes: In the triune God we live and move
and have our being,
and so we come to worship, one by one,
Dark eyes: to be remade as the Body of Christ,
together and whole,
Outdoorsy: making God’s justice and peace visible
Indoorsy: even in our days.
Over 45: Come, Body of Christ—see what God has done
Under 45: and see what God will do!
Submitted by Rev Teri Peterson–originally written for a liturgy class at Montreat Conference Center’s Arts Recreation and Worship Conference, as examples of options other than “one – all” or “women – men” responsive liturgy.
Risen Christ,
you opened the scriptures to your disciples
and made their hearts burn within them.
Open our eyes, our ears, and our hearts,
so we might recognize you once again
in these words of scripture,
by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids, IA
Prayers of the People (based on Psalm 66:8-20)
We bless you, O God,
for you hold our souls in life
and will not allow us to stumble or fall.
We pray for those whose faith is being tested,
who are ensnared in the troubles of life,
or who are burdened with injustice or fear.
We pray to you, O Lord, for you are good;
your mercy endures forever.
We pray for all who watch chaos swirl around them:
refugees, victims of war or natural disaster, and those in poverty.
We pray to you, O Lord, for you are good;
your mercy endures forever.
We pray for those who seek spiritual peace,
who long to hear the promise of your love made real;
we pray that we might have the courage to speak your word.
We pray to you, O Lord, for you are good;
your mercy endures forever.
We pray for those who cry out due to pain, illness, or grief.
Pour out your healing, so that everyone might tell of your goodness.
We pray to you, O Lord, for you are good;
your mercy endures forever.
We pray for those who seek forgiveness,
and for those who might extend the hand of reconciliation.
We pray to you, O Lord, for you are good;
your mercy endures forever.
Blessed be God, for you hear our prayers,
even as we pray together as Jesus taught, saying:
The Lord’s Prayer
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids, IA
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