a community creating for the relentless return of Sunday
Our gracious Master and our God,
you have entrusted to us
gifts of time, talent, and treasure.
Here is a portion of what we have gained
as a sign that everything we have belongs to you.
Receive with blessing
what we return to you,
in the name of our merciful Savior. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA
you are making all things new
Creator God, Advent reminds us that you built our world to move in cycles.
As we begin a new church year with joy and expectation, mid-winter
surrounds us with what seems like an absence of life and an ebb of energy.
Remind us when we feel depressed and unmotivated that even now
you are making all things new
Redeemer, remind us of the beauty of the darkness:
of the stillness of the new moon when the stars burn brighter–
of times of grief that cause us to pull you closer for our comfort.
Reveal to us the sacredness of longer nights and the potential they bring for more rest.
Show us during the long night when dawn seems impossibly far away that even now
you are making all things new
Mothering God, keep us constantly aware that you are the beginning and end of everything, seen and unseen,
you are the God who hold summer flowers and the winter storms in your hands simultaneously.
Keep us mindful that the seeds of Summer lay underneath the frozen ground of Winter.
Sustain us to care for your creation even when we weep for the state of our broken World.
Send your Holy Spirit into our souls and gift us with the knowledge that even now
you are making all things new
Newborn Christ, as we kindle hearth fires and Advent candles set our hearts on fire with the desire to care for each other deeply.
Let us see in each other and in all your people the face of you as a newborn:
fragile, expectant, and deserving of care.
God of power and might, break open our cynical hearts and strengthen them for even now
you are making all things new
Restore us, renew us, create clean hearts within us.
We ask all of these things in the name of your Beloved:
Our Redeemer,
Creator-Sets-Free,
God-with-us,
our soon-to-be-born,
always was
and always will be
savior, Jesus.
Amen.
We praise and thank you, Lord,
because you do wonderful things.
In Jesus Christ, you make your salvation known
for all people,
completing the faithfulness you promised
to the house of Israel,
which you remember still.
Through these gifts of bread and cup,
we join all the earth in praising you.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
as we share in this meal.
As you feed us,
make us instruments of your praise
and servants of your faithfulness.
Keep us faithful in Christ’s service
until he comes at long last to establish justice and plenty on the earth.
We pray with and for all people,
joining in the prayer Christ taught, saying…
The Lord’s Prayer
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA
Christ our Lord,
at this table you have given us a taste
of the joyful feast you promise to your blessed ones.
Let this meal strengthen us for the work of discipleship,
and let us serve you in all that we do
for the least of these your siblings. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA
Fire of the Holy Spirit, light the lamps of our hearts. Shine with the light of your Truth, that as we read your scriptures, we see your love flowing through everyone we meet. Amen.
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