a community creating for the relentless return of Sunday
Holy God, we give you our hearts and our lives in worship. Receive these gifts of your creation as signs of our commitment to love, serve, and worship you in all things, through the constant grace of Jesus Christ, in whom we pray. Amen.
Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids IA
God of the ages, you have spoken your word of life to us.
We confess that we have chosen death instead of life.
We have denied the reflection of your image in every person,
behaving as if our comfort and our needs were more important
than the needs and the lives of those around us.
We have turned our backs on our neighbors,
despoiled your creation,
and forgotten your love for all.
Forgive us, we pray.
Cleanse our hearts,
set us free from sin,
and raise us to new life in Christ,
in whom we pray by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids IA
Prayer of Confession:
God of storm and stillness, who hears and helps his children, we build forts of fear, blocking us from walking with others in your path of loving service. Forgive us. Calm us. May faith bring out the love and affection You have for us so that we may share your love with others in the same boat.
Assurance of Pardon:
Open wide your hearts! Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. We are forgiven and redeemed.
Submitted by Christy Ramsey
Leader: There are storms surrounding us,
People: Furious waves and biting wind
Leader: We fear that God does not care
People: which frightens us more than the storms
Leader : Be Quiet. Be Still. God is with us.
People: Come into the calm, there is no fear here.
All: Let us live in faith!
Submitted by Christy Ramsey.
Beloved God, it is often hard for us to see anything special in something so small as a seed. We look at others we encounter in our lives, and think, “How could they be worthy of love?” But you call us, again and again, to shower love upon the world – on the impressive flowers and on the tiny seeds. Help us to see each other as you see us – needing your grace poured out, and through your grace, being worthy of your love. Help us to grow into sheltering plants, able not only to rise toward your outpouring of grace and love, but to point others to your life-giving light. Amen.
~Rev. Lucus Levy Keppel, Ancho + Corona Presbyterian Churches, New Mexico
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