LiturgyLink

a community creating for the relentless return of Sunday

You are here: Home / Archives for TeriP

TeriP

Maundy Thursday invitation

By Leave a Comment

It was a feast night, much like tonight. It was the time of celebration—celebration of God giving freedom, celebration of life and light and love being stronger than the powers of oppression and violence that seem to rule the world.

It was a feast night, a dinner party, with storytelling and laughter and more food than anyone knew what to do with.

And at this feast, a meal with traditions and family jokes and songs of hope, Jesus called his friends to see the world differently.

To see not just bread, not just wine, not just a traditional meal, but to allow their eyes to be opened to see the kingdom of God—the kingdom of abundance, love, sharing, hope…the kingdom of LIFE—laid before them.

So tonight, we are invited to share this same feast, to break bread and let our eyes be opened, to share the cup and know the power of a life poured out in love and obedience.

let us pray…

Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church, Crystal Lake IL.

Prayer At The Table

By Leave a Comment

God of Love, we give you thanks for your creative work visible in the world and in our lives.
For the ways in which you call us, empower us, and believe in us.
When we are forgetful, you remind us of your promise.
When we turn away, you reach out.
When we shy away, you feed us with life itself.
We offer praise, dear God, and hearts lifted high.
In the communion of your love Christ comes close to us and we come close to Christ.
Therefore with the whole realm of nature around us, with earth, sea and sky we sing to you, our Maker.
With all those we love and have loved and gone before us, still close in the mystery of faith.
With all those we know not, but who also call you lord.
With voices around the world, in times past and times yet to come we join in the endless song of hope, praise and thanksgiving.
Remembering  all things come from you and all is for you, we offer all we have in a song to your unending greatness, bounty and love…

Sanctus
holy holy holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Hear us, O Christ and breathe your Spirit upon us and this bread and wine.
May all become vibrant with your life.
As we share this meal, move among and within us, healing, renewing and making us whole.
We pray in the name of Christ, who broke bread in an upper room and who taught us to pray together, Our Father…

 

Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson & Rev. John Dillon, Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church, Crystal Lake IL.

Invitation to the Table–palm sunday

By Leave a Comment

Jesus shared his meals with all kinds of people—doubters, believers, and skeptics; rich and poor; leaders and followers; scholars and fishermen and tax collectors, palm wavers and parade watchers.
He calls us all to come, taste, and see that God is good, that there is enough for everyone, that there is another way.
This is the table where all kinds of people, from all kinds of places, in all kinds of times, meet.
This table does not belong to the Presbyterian church, or to this congregation, it belongs to Christ, and he is the one who promises to meet us here.
This is the table where we can begin a journey, where we can make a turn, where we can be strengthened for the road ahead.
So come, not because you understand, but because you want to know God more.
Come, not because you love God a lot, but because you love God a little and want to love more.
Come, not because your faith is unshakeable, but because you could use some strength for the journey.
Come, not because you are already perfect and worthy, but because it is Christ himself who invites you to share in the feast.

(Let us pray…)

 

Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church, Crystal Lake IL.

confession: we kind of like the empire

By Leave a Comment

One: We are mostly the kind of people
who know how to do what must be done, and we do it.
We do it well, and we do well for ourselves.
All: Surely we have earned our success and well-being.
Surely we are entitled to the benefits of our station.
One: We have learned to use the system to our advantage
in order to create a future of opportunity for ourselves.
All: We enjoy the privileges of living in this empire,
and don’t want to do anything
to endanger that privilege.
One: And into that privilege, You speak.
“Those who would be first must be last.”
“Those who want to be great must serve.”
All: In the midst of the empire,
You offer a vision of Your kingdom.
“Let the little children come.”
“Blessed are the peacemakers.”
One: Forgive our opportunistic ways, Lord,
and guide us to follow your way,
though it is not the easy way.
All: Give us grace to hear You.
Give us freedom to trust Your promise.
Give us patience and humility
to yield our privilege to your purpose.
We pray in the name of the One
who calls us to this life. Amen.

 

Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church, Crystal Lake IL.

prayers of the people–lent 5

By Leave a Comment

God, your faithful love surrounds us,
and we give you thanks
for the gift of life, and the gift of new life,
and for the many ways you sustain and nurture us.

We come before you this day,
some of us tired and hungry,
looking for your word to sustain us,
your spirit to comfort us.
some of us come bruised and sore,
looking for healing,
longing for wholeness.
some of us come despairing,
wondering what has happened
and where the joy of life has gone.
some of us come with heavy hearts,
praying for young people harmed by those who should protect,
praying for those who look different and so are suspect,
praying for a world on edge, tense with fear and hate and violence.
We come, looking for good news in the midst of the world’s bad news.
We come, seeking forgiveness for our wrongs,
seeking to know your presence when we feel so alone,
seeking to know your heart and will for a world with so much need.
In the silence, we offer you our prayers, and we listen for yours.

Let your grace rain down on us, O God.
May we be surrounded by your love, your peace, your hope.
Open our eyes and our hearts to see you in unexpected places,
guide our hands to show your love.
You are a God of surprises,
a God of peace, a God of hope,
a God of love.
Fill us with your spirit, that we may widen the circle until all the world knows your grace.

We pray these and all things in the name of Christ, who taught us to pray together…

 

Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church, Crystal Lake IL.