a community creating for the relentless return of Sunday
God of Light and Love,
help us this day to worship you
with all of our hearts, minds, and bodies.
Shower us with the grace of your Spirit
that we might joyfully receive
the message you have for us today. Amen.
Submitted by Stephen M. Fearing, Beaumont Presbyterian Church, Lexington, KY
Call to Confession
Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
in order to speak the truth in love,
we are called to speak the hard truth of our sins.
Let us together confess our sins.
Confession
Merciful God,
you call us to lay aside immaturity and walk in the ways of wisdom. (Proverbs 9:6)
But too often we revert to our silly and selfish ways;
focusing on ourselves instead of others,
fighting over issues that belong in the past,
and fretting over the future with no sense of trust or imagination.
Holy God, save us from ourselves
and free us to embrace the promise you offer us. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Beloved sisters and brothers in Christ,
God has heard our plea for forgiveness
and offers us mercy in abundant supply.
Our sins have been forgiven!
Alleluia! Amen.
Submitted by Stephen M. Fearing, Beaumont Presbyterian Church, Lexington, KY
Come, children of the Light, come to worship your Maker.
We were once in darkness, but now we are light in the Lord.
Light produces the fruits of goodness, justice, and truth.
May we plant seeds that sprout forth such gifts to the world.
Come, let us worship God!
Submitted by Stephen M. Fearing, Beaumont Presbyterian Church, Lexington, KY
O Lord our Shepherd, maker of heaven and earth,
we lift up our eyes to the hills,
looking for your mercy and forgiveness.
You watch over us night and day,
and yet our feet go astray;
we slip, stumble, and fall into sin.
We confess that we do not watch for your guidance,
trust in your protection,
or offer your comfort to others.
Forgive us.
We need you to save us from the evil we bring on ourselves.
We need you to guide us as we go out into the world
and come back into your presence.
Restore us, we pray in Jesus’ name,
for he promises your mercy from this time forth and forevermore. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA
Holy and Beloved God, you are the one worthy of praise, who fills our hearts with extraordinary joy, and who weeps with us when we lash out and hurt each other. In your infinite love, you care for us, and teach us to love each other as you do. Instead, we too often use our feelings as a shortcut for manipulation, trying to get others to do what we want instead of listening for your guidance. Help us to change, to listen to each other, trusting in you and each other to love again in vulnerability, knowing that all shall be well. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Lucus Levy Keppel, Trinity Presbyterian Church in Bixby, Okla.
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