a community creating for the relentless return of Sunday
People of God,
you were set apart even before you came into being,
to proclaim the goodness and grace of our God,
in word and in deed, wherever you go.
Go out into the world this week, sharing God’s love with all people
in Jesus’ name.
And may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit,
be with you, now and forever. Amen
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Marion, IA
To you, O Lord, we call out for help,
for you are our rock and our fortress.
Listen to the prayers we raise before you today.
Rescue those who are under the power of injustice and cruelty,
and cleanse our hearts of the desires that do violence against your people.
O God our protector: Be our rock of refuge.
Protect and nurture the young,
who are just learning the promise of your constant presence;
keep them safe and cover them with your gracious love.
O God our protector: Be our rock of refuge.
Let your mercy surround those who are old,
especially those whose health or mind or family fail them;
let your strength lift them up, and let your praises be on their lips.
O God our protector: Be our rock of refuge.
Stand with all who seek to serve you faithfully.
Give them steadfast hope by the power of your Holy Spirit,
and let them celebrate the righteous acts you do through them day after day.
O God our protector: Be our rock of refuge.
Reveal yourself in family and community gatherings this week,
that as loved ones gather together for Thanksgiving,
each generation may tell another about the wonders of your love.
Bless and watch over all who travel.
O God our protector: Be our rock of refuge.
Revive and comfort those who face trouble and calamity among us,
and let your healing presence be with all who are ill (especially ___).
Bring your people up from the depths, to your honor.
O God our protector: Be our rock of refuge.
Show your faithfulness to those who face death or walk in the shadow of grief (especially ___).
Strengthen your people to sing your praises even in the darkness,
and watch over the souls of all who rest in you.
O God our protector: Be our rock of refuge.
God our rock, we call to you now and always,
trusting in the name of Jesus the Christ,
who taught us to pray as we say together:
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Marion, IA
Have mercy on us, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
cleanse this world and all our lives,
that we might shine with the glory of your love.
We call for your mercy in our own lives,
for forgiveness of what we have done or left undone
that violates your image in every human life.
O God, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
We call for your mercy on those from whom we are estranged,
by our own fault or despite our deepest hopes,
that your reconciliation may bind us together again.
O God, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
We call for your mercy on all who seek your truth,
that the seeds of wisdom would take root in every heart,
and that knowledge would bring joy and gladness.
O God, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
We seek your mercy on those whose hearts fail them –
or their minds, their joints, their balance, their health –
that your healing power would be with them and restore them to life.
O God, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
We seek our mercy on this church,
that we would be strengthened in love for one another
and for all your people,
united in service and understanding.
O God, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
We seek your mercy on all your world, in every part of our lives,
calling upon your grace in Jesus’ name,
for we pray together in him, saying:
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Marion, IA
Choose This Day
Choosing and choice are hard.
I first thought this as I looked at row upon row
of conditioner and shampoo
after living where I had a choice of
having one or none-
Forty to fifty choices!
What if I choose the wrong one?
“Choose!”, commands Joshua.
Choose between your liberator,
or one who has done nothing.
Choose between false promises of prosperity, rain and good crops
And freedom.
And I imagine, being an Israelite, being myself,
seeing gods lined up on the shelf
like shampoo and conditioners,
IRAs, pension plans, the “right School” the “right Major”, the right candidate for office, the job, the little gods of everyday life that pull and push me
and I turn and walk outside
buying nothing,
choosing to live as though God has already grabbed me up.
How can I choose?
I’ve already been claimed.
Submitted by Rev. Jason Carle, Overland Park Presbyterian Church, Overland Park KS
You, Lord, have been our dwelling place in all generations. You free us, you provide for us, you have even given your self to us. Yet so often we forget that this is your story, and try to take the lead. We confess that we have turned from your way and gone our own ways. We have served other gods. We have loved you with our words but not with our actions. Forgive us, and turn us yet again to your path. Give us courage to follow you, and to proclaim in our lives that we worship and serve only you.
Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, the Presbyterian Church of Palatine, IL
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