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Ordinary Time

confession: no sense of direction

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Healing God,
sometimes we have no sense of direction.
You point us one way…we stumble the other way;
You tell us to do one thing…we alter your plans;
You give us a clear vision…it often doesn’t suit our notions.
We create our own rules…our own criteria…
and our lives become complicated…
the church becomes smug and exclusive…
and the needs of the world are not served,
because we’re too busy serving ourselves.
So draw us from the limitations of our own minds,
and help us to see the landscape of possibility through your eyes…
so that we might be a healed and healing presence in the world…
even now…as we offer our silent confessions…

Submitted by Rev. Scott Cervas, Meadowthorpe Presbyterian Church (Lexington, KY)

confession: we settle

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“Beloved, as those who are in need of true and lasting healing, let us, as the family of God, approach the One who heals, saves and redeems us. Let us pray…”
Gracious, tender God, we bring to you our wounded souls, our selfish impulses, our arrogance. You offer us the kindom of heaven, yet we settle for earthly pursuits. Your ways are sometimes so simple, as you tell us “wash and be made clean”, but we insist on complicating grace. Forgive us, loving God. Replace our self-centeredness with your vision for the whole world. Restore us once again with your healing mercy, we pray in the name of the Christ, Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON:
“Brothers and sisters, children of the living God, it matters not who you are, how you got here, or what you brought with you. Christ chooses this day to make you clean. We are all forgiven. Thanks be to God!”

 

Submitted by the Rev. Julie Craig, who writes, prays, preaches and wears cute shoes as a minister member of Milwaukee Presbytery. She blogs at winsomelearnsome.wordpress.com.

CTW: you are…

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CALL TO WORSHIP (based on Psalm 30)
Leader: We will praise you, O God, for when we are surrounded by enemies,
People: You are on our side.
Leader: Sick and hurting, we cry out to you for healing,
People: And you are faithful.
Leader: When life feels like the deepest pit,
People: You lift us up.
Leader: In the midst of our sadness and grief,
People: You bring us joy.
Leader: In the midst of such blessing, how can we possibly keep it a secret?
All: Praise the Lord!

 

Submitted by the Rev. Julie Craig who writes, prays, preaches and wears cute shoes as a minister member of Milwaukee Presbytery.  She blogs at winsomelearnsome.wordpress.com

CTW: lift up

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One: God is our helper, our healer, our hope.
Many: We lift our voices in thanksgiving and praise!
One: God lifts us up and protects us.
Many: We lift our voices in thanksgiving and praise.
One: God restores our joy after times of mourning.
Many: We lift our voices in thanksgiving and praise.
We cannot be silent! We give thanks to you forever!

 

Submitted by the Rev. Sarah F. Erickson, director of Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur GA.

confession: our way

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Call to confession:
If we say our thoughts are pure, hearts clean, and actions blameless, we are not telling the truth. As people in need of God’s cleansing, life-sustaining grace, let us confess together those things that separate us from God and one another.

Prayer of Confession:
God of all creation, we call ourselves your followers and disciples, but we routinely stray from your teachings. We imagine that we set the pace, racing to the finish, certain that winning means doing it our way. We hurt others by our words and our deeds. We harm the earth you entrust to our care. We find it easy to lie, and hard to be truthful.
Lord, we need you to heal us, to cleanse us of our sin, and to return us to the path you would have us follow.
~time for silent prayer~

Assurance of Grace:
One: God gifts us with steadfast love and abundant grace. We can accept these gifts, confident that the God who loves us is faithful and forgiving.
All: We give thanks and praise to God for the gifts of steadfast love and grace. As God’s forgiven people, we can live into the hope of everlasting life today and every day. Amen.

 

Submitted by the Rev. Sarah F. Erickson, director of Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur GA.