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God of abundant mercy, you have fed us with the bread of redemption and set us free to share our lives with the world for Jesus’ sake. Therefore we dedicate the offering we have presented, and the gifts we share, for the sake of your service. Through our lives, may we make your promises real and offer your hope to all, to the glory of your name. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids IA
Holy and merciful God,
in your presence we confess
our failure to be what you created us to be.
You call us to be your people,
but we have allowed ourselves to serve other powers.
We have ignored your call to stand for justice,
choosing instead the path of least resistance
or greatest return on investment.
We find ourselves stuck in patterns and relationships
that we no longer know how to change.
Turn to us again, liberating God!
Forgive us our sins and free us from our bondage.
Restore us to the life you created us to live,
through the power of Jesus Christ.
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids IA
O Lord, God of mystery and blessing,
hear our prayers and the earnest cries of our hearts.
Uphold your people in your strength,
and give your attention to doing justice in our world.
Judge of our hearts, come to us in the quietness;
examine us and make us pure so we might do your will.
Teach our mouths to speak your blessings,
and keep us walking in the paths of your perfect love.
We call upon you, O God, on behalf of those who long for your presence;
hear the prayers of your people and give an answer to those who seek you.
Protect all those who are in danger,
from those they know as enemies,
from those they knew as friends or family,
or from the unseeing forces of nature.
Gather your people under the shadow of your wings.
Rise up to protect those who suffer from sickness, resentment, oppression, or poverty.
Open our hearts to compassion for all who are in need,
and teach us to extend your mercy and healing.
Deliver us, O Lord, from all fear,
and give hope even to those who face death,
that in this world and in the next we may see your face and hear your blessing.
We pray in Jesus’ name, saying together:
The Lord’s Prayer
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids IA
Holy and merciful God,
in your presence we confess
our failure to be what you created us to be.
You created us to receive your blessing
and give your blessings to others,
but we act as if we would run out of your love
if we were to offer it to each other.
We imagine that we have your ways all figured out,
and so we reject or ignore those who see you differently.
We accumulate goods for ourselves,
forgetting that you intend for us to share and celebrate.
In your mercy, forgive us.
Name us as your people again,
and restore us to your favor,
in Jesus’ name.
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids IA
O Lord, faithful and joyful God,
we can scarcely believe the good things you intend for your people.
When we recognize your generosity and hear your promises,
our mouths are filled with laughter, and our tongues shout for joy.
We rejoice and are glad indeed for the great things you promise for us.
Fulfill your promises in the lives of all whom we lift up before you.
For those whose good fortune seems to have dried up:
Restore your promises and make your people whole.
For those who weep today:
May they sing songs of joy once more.
For those who anxiously wait for the seeds of life to sprout once more:
May your abundant harvest be known.
Faithful God, we entrust our future to your steadfast promises,
and we wait patiently for you,
strengthened by the name of Jesus Christ, in which we pray together:
The Lord’s Prayer
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids IA
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