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Reformation Sunday

prayers of the people: restore us!

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Shepherd of Israel, listen!
You, who lead your people like sheep;
you, who reign over all things from heaven;
you, who make promises to every generation:
Restore us!
Shine your face on us,
so that we can be saved!

Lord God of might,
won’t you listen to your people’s prayer?
We pray with your people
whose tears never seem to quit,
because of chronic illness or chronic injustice.
We pray with your people who are consumed by conflict,
in fear of oppression,
longing for justice.
We pray especially for those
whose needs are closest to us today…
Restore us!
Shine your face on us,
so that we can be saved!

Redeemer of the world,
we pray for the church you have gathered.
You call us out of the world’s ways
and plant us deep in the life of Christ.
We celebrate that the gospel has reached far and wide,
through faithful ministry
and despite human unfaithfulness.
We pray for the church in a time of upheaval and change,
when it seems like our life is uprooted
and our institutions are torn down.

Return to us, God of might!
Plant us again in Christ.
Make us your very own,
through your very own son.
Revive us, reclaim us, reform us,
so we may call on your name rightly
and never turn from your ways.
Restore us, God of might!
Shine your face on us,
so that we can be saved!
Amen.

based on Psalm 80

submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA

CTW: Reformation Sunday

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God of Sarah and Hagar,
We praise you for protecting and guiding us.
God of Moses and Miriam,
We thank you for liberating your children from oppression.
God of Peter and Paul,
We bless you even in the midst of conflict.
God of Hildegaard and Julian,
We glory in your tangible presence among us.
God of Luther and Calvin,
We rejoice in your Spirit’s presence in all times and places.
Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End,
Holy God, we welcome you to this place today!

 

Submitted by Rev. Katya Ouchakof

ctw: beginnings, middles, and ends

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Here, we worship God as one Church:
The Church Reformed and always Reforming.

Here, the Holy Spirit pours over us:
Reforming us into the Body of Christ.

Here, we return to our roots:
Seeking the beginnings, middles, and ends of our faith. Amen!

Submitted by Rev. Lucus Keppel, Ancho Community + Corona United Presbyterian Churches, New Mexico

prayer for Reformation Sunday

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Eternal God, infinite in power, wisdom and goodness: Let the desire of our souls be to you; let us draw near you with our hearts, and not only with our lips; and worship you in spirit and truth. Let your word be spoken and heard by us as the word of God. Give us attentive, hearing ears, and opened, believing, understanding hearts, that we may no more refuse your calls, or disregard your merciful, outstretched hand, or slight your counsels, but be more ready to hear. Put your laws into our hearts, and write them in our minds, and let us all be taught by you. Let us magnify you with thanksgiving, and triumph in your praise. Let us rejoice in your salvation, and glory in your holy name. Open our lips, O Lord, and let our mouths show forth your praise. And let the words of our mouths, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in your sight, through Jesus Christ our Lord and only Saviour. Amen.

Adapted from Richard Baxter’s Savoy Liturgy of the English Presbyterians, 1661, by Daniel Hayward, South Stormont Pastoral Charge, The United Church of Canada, South Stormont Township ON.

confession: reform and transform

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Call to Reconciliation
Seeking to follow Jesus, we often wander down the wrong roads. Impatient
with God’s schedule, we rush off to do things our way. Let us confess our
foolishness, that we might receive God’s hope for our lives.

Unison Prayer of Confession
Your words are given to us, Author of Life, so we might be reformed,
but we are intent on changing others.  Your words are offered to us so we
might be transformed, but we are focused on conforming to our culture. Your
words are spoken to lead us into new life, but we hold our old ways tight to
our chests.
Forgive us, God of Wonder. Do not remember our sins, but continue to
touch us with your steadfast mercy. Show us how to be persistent in living
out our faith, even as you were so tenacious in offering us your grace and
life in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon
L:  Jesus reminds us that we are to be resolute in our lives of faithfulness
and service.  The good news is that God is steadfast in filling us with love
and grace.
P:  We are forgiven people. May we live as sisters and brothers in Christ,
God’s children in word and deed, in hope and joy. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Submitted by Rev. Thom Shuman, Lectionary Liturgies.