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Ordinary 9B-33B

CTW: a new world

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Jesus said the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed; it starts out as a small thing, but it grows and grows until it gives a home to the birds of the air.

Can we believe a new day is coming? As surely as the sun rises over the horizon God is creating a new world. 

Jesus said the Kingdom of God is like that someone who casts seed on the ground, and then sleeps and wakes, day after day, while the earth produces the fruit from the seed that was cast.

We do not know how God works out the fullness of redemption. But we know we are partners in that work. 

Praise the name of the Lord who still cares for the world!

Praise the name of the Lord who leads with power and grace. 

 

Submitted by Rev. Lisa Lopez, Christ Presbyterian Church, Hanover Park IL

confession: love, promise, call

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God we thank you that you love, you promise, you call—in that order. We confess that we often see you in reverse, believing we must earn your regard. When we see you only as a rule-enforcer, forgetting that obedience to your way is true freedom, forgive us. When we see you as doling out rewards we think we have earned, forgive us. When we are so consumed with the letter of your law that we miss your Spirit, forgive us. Guide us again into your path and lead us in your truth—the truth of unending love. Amen. ~silence~

 

Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, the Presbyterian Church of Palatine, IL

confession–co-creators?

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Invitation to Tell the Truth About Ourselves
One: God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and God’s mercy endures to all generations. When we confess our brokenness, God’s grace offers us a glimpse of healing. Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, let us confess with open and honest hearts our failure to live up to God’s call. Let us pray.

Prayer of Confession (we tell the truth)
All: God our creator, you asked man and woman to tend this garden of your creating, to care for the creatures of your making, to speak and so join you in creating your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. We confess that we have sinned: we have used your creation rather than cherished it, we have lived greedily rather than gratefully, we have spoken words of destruction rather than love. We acknowledge the damage our heavy footprints, our hard hearts, and our rash tongues have done, and we pray for your forgiveness. Take the dust of our lives and re-form us into your image, and then breathe into us the grace to live for you. Amen. ~silence~

Assurance of Forgiveness
One: In the beginning, God breathed life into being, and every morning God’s mercies are new. Know that you, child of God, made in God’s image, are forgiven, loved and free. Believe and live the good news:
All: God’s goodness is planted more deeply than all that is wrong. Thanks be to God!

 

Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, The Presbyterian Church of Palatine, IL

communion: taste and see

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The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

 

We do praise you, O Lord, at all times,

and our souls boast in you.

From the beginning, you have reached down to the depths

and lifted your people into new relationship with you.

You shine your light on the world, and we are radiant with your joy.

When we cried out to you, drowning in our sins,

you heard us and came to us in Jesus Christ.

Through his life, death, and resurrection,

you have delivered your people from every trouble.

 

Therefore, we join with the faithful of every nation,

singing joyfully to the glory of your name:

 

Holy, holy, holy…

 

You are great and holy, O God, and blessed is our Lord Jesus.

By his grace, you have provided for all your people,

and we have all we need.

Pour out then your Holy Spirit upon these gifts of bread and cup

that we have taken from your bounty,

that as we eat and drink in Jesus’ name,

we might taste and see that the Lord is good indeed.

 

Let your eyes remain on your people, and listen to our prayer.

More than that, walk with us as we take refuge in you,

so we might carry your good news to the brokenhearted

and lift up those who are crushed in spirit.

Bind us to you and to all your people, now and forever,

in the name of Jesus, with whom we pray, saying together:

The Lord’s Prayer

 

Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids, IA

POP–we pray for…

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Living and Holy God, we give you thanks for your word of life

and the gift of your invitation to know and serve you in Jesus Christ.

Hear our prayers, in the name of Christ, the holy and blameless one.

 

We pray for those who seek you,

who work to keep your blessed way.

Teach them in the quiet and gentle voice of the heart.

 

We pray for those who teach and those who learn,

that their work together would reveal the love you have for all your people.

 

We pray for all whose way falters, due to sin, weakness, or despair.

Strengthen your people, restore the broken, and rescue the lost.

 

We pray for those who are excluded or put to shame,

that they would be strengthened by the gift of your word

and the presence of your church.

 

We pray for all who are sick, struggling, grieving, or worried,

that they might know your healing

and delight to praise you with upright hearts.

 

We pray for your will to be done,

and we offer ourselves to your service,

in Jesus’ name, saying together:

The Lord’s Prayer

 

Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids IA