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Ordinary 9B-33B

confession: we think too highly

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Call to Confession

It is tempting to gloss over our sin and focus on our strengths, but God calls us to focus on the strength of Christ, not ourselves. God, who is faithful and just, offers us a new way to live, and so we join together to confess our faults and failings. Let us pray.

Prayer of Confession

All: God, we are prone to think too highly of ourselves. We forget that it is you who are good, you who are the greatest. We forget that you call us to do your will, not the other way around. When we have fallen into arrogance, forgive us. When we have allowed our good intentions to stand in the way of your grace, forgive us. When we have directed attention away from you, forgive us. Empty us of all things that do not give glory to you, so we are ready to be filled with your love.

 ~silence~

One: We pray in the name of the One who emptied himself in order to live your will. Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness

Hear and live this good news: Love could not be contained in the tomb and will not be constrained by our understanding! Christ is risen, bringing forgiveness and hope to all people. Alleluia! Amen!

 

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

confession: and we…

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One:      God, you call us to love you with all our heart,
All:      and we are happy to confine love to our hearts,
      though we reserve the right to define “all,”
      loving only when we “feel” it.
One:      You call us to love you with all our soul,
All:      and that sounds easier,
      because souls we only have to deal with at church.
One:      You call us to love you with all our mind,
All:      and we definitely know how to think about love!
One:      You call us to love you with all our strength,
All:      and we have used these words to justify
      using our strength against others in your name.
One:      You call us to love our neighbor, and our enemy,
as we love ourselves,
All:      and we confess that now You are getting too personal.
      How can we love those to whom we do not speak?
      How can we love those with whom we disagree?
      How can we love…how can You love…those people?
One:      Forgive us, Lord, for drawing the circle too tightly,
for presuming to know your mind,
for being quick to judge and quick to anger.
All:      Open our hearts, our souls, our minds, our strength
                        to love you, and our neighbor, with our whole being.
                        We pray in the name of the One who loved us first.
                        Amen.

Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church, Crystal Lake, IL.

hurricane or no hurricane, Sunday’s Coming: working toward November 4

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Many prayers for all our faithful contributors and readers who are in the path of the storm–may you be dry, warm, and safe!

What happened in worship yesterday? What worked, or didn’t work? Was there a moment when the liturgy truly became the “work of the people”?

And looking toward this Sunday…are you going for All Saints, or Ordinary 31, Stewardship Commitment, or some other season/theme/series?

If you’re working on All Saints, then yesterday’s Prayers of the People post might be of use to you as you ponder and prepare. If you write something, or have just a phrase you want to work with but aren’t sure what to do with it yet, put it all in the comments and we’ll all join in the creating–a virtual cloud of witnesses to celebrate the more literal one.

If you’re working on Ordinary 31, perhaps you’ll be pondering the relationships of 3 women in Ruth, or the High Priestly nature of Jesus, or Praising the Lord!!!! with the Psalm, or answering the eternal question about the most important commandment.

If you have stewardship commitment this Sunday…is it also a communion Sunday for you? How do you combine those two things in the service without giving the impression that one pays for the privilege of coming to the table?

Lots to think about this week–let’s create together!

CTW: hear, see, call, and heal us

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Leader: Brother Jesus, We pray this morning that you hear, see, call and heal us.
People: Jesus, have mercy on us!
Leader: Sometimes we are deaf to your voice. Other times, we can hear you so clearly that we are guides for others, pointing the way to you. Call us now.
People: Son of David, have mercy on us!
Leader: Sometimes we are blind to your signs and wonders all around us. Sometimes we can see clearly where the path ahead lies. Show us your way now.
People: Teacher, let us see again!
All: Brother Jesus, we pray this morning that you hear, see, call and heal us. Amen.

Submitted by Rev. Jennifer Brownell, Portland, Oregon

Sunday’s Coming: working toward October 28

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so–are you on Reformation Sunday? All Saints? Something else? The usual lectionary? The narrative lectionary?

Perhaps you’ll be thinking about Blind Bartimaeus and his request: “let me see again.”

Perhaps you’ll be thinking about a psalm–either the Mighty Fortress one or taste-and-see.

Perhaps you’ll be contemplating Job or Jeremiah.

Or are you thinking about Hebrews and the atoning sacrifice and the priestly nature of Jesus?

Or something else entirely?

Grab some coffee or tea, a snack, and a brainstorming hat–join the conversation as we create for this week!