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CTW: let go and pick up

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As we gather for worship, O Lord, help us let go . . .
Of the things that trap us, the fears that silence us, the anger that haunts us.
As we gather for worship, O Lord, help us let go . . .
Of the worry, stress or anxiety that have filled us since the last time we gathered in your presence.
As we gather for worship, O Lord, help us let go . . .
Of grief, sadness, or a desire for something else.
As we gather for worship, O Lord, help us pick up . . .
The gift of your grace, your love and your life that fills us.
As we gather for worship, O Lord, help us pick up . . .
The gift of each other, the gift of this community, the gift of this time of worship.
As we gather for worship O Lord, help us say together,
We are here.  We are not alone.
Jesus Christ is among us today.
Alleluia!  Amen.  

Submitted by Rev. Shannan R. Vance-Ocampo, Transitional Presbyter. Albany Presbytery. New York

Maundy Thursday prayers

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Opening Prayer (in unison)

O Lord our God, tonight we gather to remember our Savior Jesus and his sacrifice of love for us.  We pause to remember his last meal with his closest friends and disciples.  We pause to remember the betrayal he would suffer.  We pause to remember the pain that would be His to bear.  We gather to bear witness to our Savior.  We gather to grow in our faith and be renewed once again by the Story of mystery, Story of the Resurrection.  Send your Spirit to be with us this night till Easter morning.  In Christ we pray.  Amen.  

Prayer of Confession (in unison)

We confess tonight that we are like those who crucified our Lord.  

We are like those who denied Jesus—refusing to claim him as Lord of our whole life.  

We are like those who have mocked him—forgetting his power in this world.  

We are like those who made him a crown of thorns—diminishing his authority in our lives.  

We are like those who hung him on a Cross—choosing the allure of violence and fear rather than justice and peace.  

We are like those who turned away their gaze—afraid to enter into the suffering of this world.  

Forgive us.  Have mercy upon us.  

On these days of emptiness and death before the Resurrection we begin tonight to offer our confessions to you in silence…..

 

-Silence is Kept-

 

Assurance of Pardon (responsive)

Even in the darkness of this night, even in the emptiness of these hours that stretch out before Easter morning the promise of the Resurrection is still at hand.

It is a dim light, and yet to the light we cling.

Give us grace to receive this assurance of your love.

Grant us peace on this night.  Amen.  

 

Submitted by Rev. Shannan R. Vance-Ocampo, Transitional Presbyter, Albany Presbytery

poem: On This Day

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On this day,

we gather.

Wandering into the pews,

wondering what the next hour might bring.

Some of it familiar,

some will be new.

Bringing God alongside with us, we beckon the Spirit.

Remembering saints of the beloved past

our hearts stir, our spirits cry out.

 

Concerns, worries, joys, delights

all sit in these pews with us.

Common friends, old friends, new friends, strangers, enemies.

Mixed together.

Just like last Sunday.

just like next Sunday.

Over and over and over again.

The rhythm of worship.

 

All muddled together.

Yet we are here.

Some broken and bruised.

Others shouting our alleluias.

God is here in this place.

Jesus is challenging us once again.

Are you living the prophets life?

The Spirit is breathing new life.

Do you hear her whispers?

Alleluias.

Once again.

 

Submitted by Rev. Shannan R. Vance-Ocampo, Transitional Presbyter, Albany Presbytery.

Confession: season of anxiety

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Jesus our Christ, Prince of Peace, Savior of the Creation, we praise you.  We give you thanks for this holy time of preparing for your birth, of renewing our calling as your people.  And yet as get closer and closer to the stable, we acknowledge that we have fallen short of following Your Way.  We have allowed the allure of other gods in this season to draw us in.  We have permitted anxiety to rule our lives and fallen victim to the myth of scarcity when you have already prepared the Table of abundance for us.  We are always in need of your renewal, and so we open our souls today that the Baby in the Manger–full of trouble and full of opportunity will be our only Guide.  We offer our very selves to you this day, this community, all of who we are.  Walk alongside us O Lord our God, who is always birthing and renewing.  In Christ we pray.  Amen.

 

Submitted by Rev. Shannan Vance-Ocampo, Watchung Avenue Presbyterian Church, North Plainfield, NJ

confession: forgotten prophets

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Your Prophets call us!
Your Promises invite us!
And yet we have forgotten our prophets and we no longer believe so many of Your promises.  Have mercy upon us O Lord of Love…
(Silence is kept)
Be with us as we journey through Advent.  We confess to you our doubts, worries and fears that hold us back….
(Silence is kept)
Be with us as we prepare for the birthing of the Christ Child into this world.  We confess to you our failings as we seek to follow him alone….
(Silence is kept)
O Lord our God, hear our prayers of confession this day.  Remind us of your love and the high calling you place on the live of discipleship we seek.
Have mercy upon us this day and send us out from this place refreshed and renewed.
Submitted by Rev. Shannan Vance-Ocampo, Watchung Avenue Presbyterian Church, North Plainfield, NJ