a community creating for the relentless return of Sunday
God of compassion,
in Jesus Christ you reveal the light of your glory,
made flesh for us and for the sake of the world.
These gifts are a reflection of your grace
and an offering of our love,
for the healing and restoration of all people.
We give ourselves to you for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams (he/him), Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA
Holy and Beloved God, you call us by name, declaring us precious, honored, and loved. Yet we confess that we often fail to see ourselves as you see us. We cling to the chaff in our lives—fear, selfishness, and pride—instead of releasing it to you. We admit that we sometimes view others as rivals rather than as your beloved children, forgetting that your salvation extends to all.
Forgive us, O God, for the ways we resist your refining love. Help us to live as those who are redeemed, sharing your grace and mercy with a world longing to feel precious, honored, and loved. Remind us of your boundless love, and help us carry a portion within our hearts. Amen.
A time of silent prayer and reflection
Beloved of God, hear this good news: The One who formed you and called you by name declares, “You are mine.” Through Christ, all that is evil within us is taken away, while all that is good within us is redeemed and restored. In love, God gathers us in, and pours out mercy beyond measure. In Christ, we are forgiven, and God says to us all: “You are dearly loved.” Amen.
Based on Isaiah 43:1-7 and Luke 3:15-22
Submitted by Rev. Lucus Levy Keppel, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Bixby, OK
O Lord, the earth belongs to you,
and everyone in the world is your creation.
You established the solid earth
and bear us up above the waters.
Give us the ability to recognize your presence and grace
in everything and in everyone.
Keep our hands clean by your justice;
keep our hearts pure by your mercy;
keep our wills faithful by your truth;
make our lives righteous by your salvation.
We pray for those who seek your face:
for those who suffer illness or injustice;
for those who hunger and thirst for sustenance or for peace;
for those who grieve;
for those who seek forgiveness or the grace to forgive others.
Open the way for your love and mercy
to enter our hearts, our lives, and our world.
Make your home in our lives and shine your glory through us.
We pray in the name of Jesus, forever our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA
God of Grace and Mercy, wide and deep
Since the beginning, Your creative power has been poured out in abundance
With every pat and piece:
sky, earth, and sea,
mountain valley and plains,
trees rock, rivers,
birds, fish, creeping things
Woman, man, and child
Having room, having a role, having a purpose that you called good.
Yet we acknowledge how we, created in your image, took a mile whenever we were given an inch, distorting your intent, polluting your creation, turning away from your call.
So our gratitude is great not only for your act of creation in the beginning but your ongoing action of love, revealed again in abundance through prophets and poets, nomads wandering the wilderness and sages studying in the temple, women and men of faith in every time and place who sought to redirect our steps back to your wide embrace.
But our deepest thanks is for your son, our savior, and brother Jesus Christ, who was himself the bread of life that restored, redeemed, and renewed us; who taught us how to live, how to die, and how we also can live again according to your promise of everlasting life.
As we gather around the table he has prepared for us, may we make room for his word again in our lives and room also always for one more. Breathe your Holy Spirit upon the gifts of the table and upon us so that the bread we break and the cup might be a true communion of your body, unified yet unique and ready to share your love with the world.
May that love continue to be poured out in acts of mercy and hospitality, in our actions after we leave this meal. May we share gifts of joy, generosity, and grace so that all may know peace, dignity, and have room to belong, to grow, to serve.
And even when we are apart, may we continue to trust in our ongoing unity with one another, with all who gather at table today, and with your ever present Spirit, until at last the day comes when we will feast together face to face in the time and place you have promised. For we make our payer in your Holy name. Amen.
submitted by Rev. Ben Acton, First Presbyterian Church of Garner, NC
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