a community creating for the relentless return of Sunday
God of Love, we seek to serve you.
Whether our gift is given freely or whether we hold back;
whether we offer abundantly or scrape off a portion;
whether we give joyfully or resentfully—
bless these gifts, we pray.
Lead us in your way,
so that through our gifts,
we may continue to grow
in your freedom, your abundance, and your joy.
Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Jennifer Garrison Brownell, Hillsdale Community Church – UCC, Portland, OR
Shepherd of the lost,
each one of us,
no matter how insignificant or how important we are in the eyes of the world,
belongs to you.
Shepherd of the found,
we rejoice that each gift we give,
no matter how large or how small,
is appreciated by you.
Thank you for lifting us up and carrying us
today and every day.
Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Jennifer Garrison Brownell, Hillsdale Community Church – UCC, Portland, OR
One: Gracious God, you know each of us by name, and you have given each of us a particular set of gifts and a calling in this world. So often, we don’t make the most of these gifts and we act as though we are inadequate to answer your call. We say things like,
Men: I’m too old.
Women: I’m too scared.
Children & Youth: I’m too young.
All: Forgive us, Lord, when we ignore your call.
. . . silence . . .
One: Even when we hear your call, even when we sense that you have a particular purpose for us, we come up with reasons why we can’t or shouldn’t respond. We say things like,
Men: I’m too busy.
Women: I’m too tired.
Children & Youth: I don’t know how.
All: Forgive us, Lord, when we protest your call. Help us to see that you have a purpose and a calling for each of us. By your Spirit, remind us of your constant presence with us as we seek to be in your witnesses in our local community and beyond. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Katelyn Gordon, Providence Presbyterian Church
Some people say the great addiction of our age is busy-ness. Being busy confirms our importance in the world. Sitting still leaves time to consider the things we have done and the things we have left undone. This is hard work, but it is necessary for our relationship with God. Let us open our hearts in prayer.
Prayer of Confession
All-seeing God, You know the condition of our hearts. You know the words we never should have said and the words that might have helped but remained unspoken. You know the ways we spend our time. You know the things we leave undone and the things we did but wish we hadn’t. You know the reasons our lives spin apart. You know the ways we hold on too tight to what we don’t need and let important connections slip through our fingers. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us.
a call to worship based on Psalm 15
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