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Trinity C

Posted in - RCL and other Common Lectionaries, Feasts, Liturgical Texts: Eucharist, Year C, tagged Father's Day, Trinity C on June 11, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Trinity Sunday C

June 16

This ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia is supported by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund.

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Scripture (from the Revised Common Lectionary, with links provided by TextWeek.com – a source for thoughtful worship and preaching throughout the year):

Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources:

Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
Psalm 8
Romans 5:1-5

John 16:12-15

Suggested Hymns from Chalice Hymnal

27-Come, thou Almighty King

4-Holy, holy, holy

651-God who stretched the spangled heavens

22-All creatures of our God and King

59-This is my Father’s world

450-Lord, you give the great commission

409-I hunger and I thirst

395-Seed, scattered and sown

More hymn suggestions, as well as helpful references for use of the arts in worship, are available from the United Church of Christ website.

On Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31

Provided the call that echoes so long,

resounding in awe and full of God’s peace,

now Wisdom allures; yes, the Dame of God’s joy,

to tease us to joy, be fulfilled in God’s fare.

So called to consider, we come in hope,

aspiring to learn the yearning is true.

Indeed we in eager desire do attend

that in the fresh flux of our Savior we joy.

Beginning before the first word we find

here in courtesy that Wisdom impels.

Come to our awaiting; our longing fore’er

is for the rich handmaid that God has sent forth.

Indeed is all joy, in hope and desire,

we echo the sound that founds our design.

For God in all wisdom provides us afresh

the urgency, carefulness Wisdom arrays.

10.10.11.11. Suggested tune: Hanover

Dealing with the Psalm of the Day:

Since Chalice Hymnal does not provide a complete Psalter, there will be occasions when suggestions may be made for alternate Psalm use (or hymn equivalent). A metrical version of the Psalter, for those Psalms not provided in Chalice Hymnal, is being prepared by Rev. David Chafin. Where practical, these may be offered here as well. You may also want to visit http://lectionarypsalms.org/

This week: Psalm 8 is on p. 728

Concerning the Following Items: Except where otherwise noted, items are created or adapted by the editor. If you are aware of source notations which are missing, please bring them to his attention. No copyright infringement is intended, but is sure to happen.

Call to Worship

L: We gather in the name of the living Christ to worship God.

P: Surely, God is in this place and calls us to worship in spirit and in truth.

L: God’s love is for you and for all people everywhere.

P: May we be renewed in the refreshing Spirit of the living Christ, that we may share God’s love and life.

L: The living Christ is with us.

P: Praise the Lord!

L: By the calling of God’s Holy Spirit, we gather in the name of the living Christ to worship God.

P: Surely, God is in this place and calls us to worship in spirit and in truth.

L: God’s love is for you and for all people everywhere.

P: That we may share the love and life of God the Father, may we be renewed in the refreshing Holy Spirit in the presence of the living Christ.

OR (adapted from John Birch, and posted on Faith and Worship. http://www.faithandworship.com/)

L: The blessing of Father, Spirit, Son, Holy Trinity, Three in One, be in our meeting and our greeting,

P: In the worship we share and the words of our prayer.

L: The blessing of Father, Spirit, Son, Holy Trinity, Three in One, be in our living and our breathing,

P: That through our hearts and our words your truth may be heard.

OR (from ministrymatters.com)

L: We stand in the presence of God, Sovereign of the Universe, Lord of Hosts!

P: The whole earth is full of God’s glory!

L: God’s voice peals like thunder over the waters, the deserts, the forests!

P: The whole earth is full of God’s glory!

L: Do you hear the angels’ loud praise and feel the shaking of the very foundations of this place? God’s presence surrounds us, fills this very place!

P: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts!

OR (from On Earth as in Heaven: Praying for Peace, MCC Peace Sunday Packet 2008)

L: In a world filled with violence and war,

P: we gather together to celebrate the promise of peace.

L: In a world filled with tyranny and oppression,

P: we gather together to celebrate the promise of justice for all.

L: In a world filled with hunger and greed,

P: we gather together to celebrate the promise of plenty for all.

L: Our hope is in the name of the Almighty God,

P: the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of heaven and earth.

OR (Father’s Day/Trinity)

L: With fatherly care, God welcomes us to our shared experience of worship, fellowship, prayer, and praise.

P: We gather to be re-invigorated in our witness, and in the relationships that flow from life in Christ’s family.

L: Together and individually, we will be cleansed and refreshed by the holy winds of God’s Spirit, as it blows around and within us.

P: New life and new blessings are ours, as we come together in unity to praise and glorify our Triune God.

Invocation or Prayer of Approach

God of grace and glory, make your presence known to us as we worship this morning. Jesus our Christ, may your name be praised from the rising of the sun to the midnight hour, may your name always be honored among us. Spirit of holiness, breathe on us all and bind us in Christian love and servant hood. O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be known to us today. Transform our lives and our community into the image of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray (as he taught us, saying, “Our Father…”) from Flames of the Spirit

You are holy, O Lord our Creator and God, giving us mercies beyond number. You are holy, O Savior Jesus Christ, loving and setting us free. You are holy, O Spirit of truth and peace, leading us in ways that are right. O holy eternal Trinity, we praise you for ever and ever. (And now we are bold to pray as our Savior Christ has taught us, “Our Father…”)

OR (from Oremus)

Almighty and eternal God, you have revealed yourself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and live and reign in the perfect unity of love: hold us firm in this faith, that we may know you in all your ways and evermore rejoice in your eternal glory, who are three Persons yet one God, now and for ever (for with the confidence of your children we pray as Christ has taught us to pray, saying, “Our Father…”)

OR (adapted from Arnold Ruddat http://www.arnold.theruddats.com/)

O God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in your name we are baptized, and in your fellowship we have found our home. We cling in faith to you, Father, for having loved us and sent your Son to die for our sins. We praise you, dear Jesus, for having redeemed us from our sins by giving yourself for us. We give thanks to you, Holy Spirit, for giving us faith and leading us toward your holiness. O Triune God, graciously enable us always to believe and obey, and to worship and confess you; Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, one God, eternal and all-glorious forever.

O God, we ask you to pour out your spirit on us. Help us serve you more cheerfully so we can serve our brothers and sisters. Cast out everything which breaks or hinders the growing bonds of love between us. Give us the determination to make progress so that all our lives we may seek after your holy and perfect will. This we pray through Christ our Lord (who taught us to pray, “Our Father…”)

OR (Father’s Day/Trinity)

We call on your name, O God, whose fathering love is extended into all the world you have made, for you have offered us the cup of salvation and welcomed us into your family. How can we thank you for the love you have shown us in your Son Jesus Christ? May your Holy Spirit move among us in this hour, that we may grow in faith and be responsive to your truth. Fill us with hope, renewing our confidence to face life in faithful trust and obedience. This we pray through Christ our Lord (who taught us to pray…)

Pastoral Prayer – Prayers of the People – Intercessions

Almighty God, maker of all, with joy we give thanks for all your goodness. We praise you for the love which has created and sustained us to this day, and for the gift of your Christ who brings us into covenant with you and with all your people of faith. Help us to treasure your gifts and to show our thankfulness by lives wholly given to your service.

We pray for your church whom you have redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus. Give it pastors and ministers filled with your spirit, and strength to serve by the guidance of your word. Perfect it in love and in compassion, and establish it in the faith of your saints. Unite all your people that one holy church may bear witness to you and your glory.

We pray that you would move our nation toward the justice of your peace. Bless our national, state and local leaders to serve all people with integrity. Purge from us all hatred and prejudice, and build within us your love, that even in our dealings with the other nations of earth we may be servants of peace, truth and justice.

Bless our homes with the joy of your presence. Strengthen our covenants of family and of faith, that our children may grow into fullness of faith, that together we may show forth your praise in our world through deeds and words of love and compassion—especially with those who are alone and lonely.

Let your grace be seen in seed-time and harvest, in labor and business, in leisure and rest, in arts and culture of our people. May all who do work find fulfillment of their vocations, and all who are in need of work find the relief of new endeavors.

Comfort those who sorrow and are in need, sickness or adversity. Have mercy on those to whom death draws near. Bring consolation to those in mourning, and to all give your peace, for these and all our prayers we bring to you in the name of Jesus our Christ. Amen.

OR (adapted from Words for Worship. Posted on the http://pilgrimwr.unitingchurch.org.au/ website)

To you, O God, be all glory, the One who visits us in three persons, the Holy Trinity of hope and love. For there is no place which is without you, O God, and no time when you are not there. For you are the beginning and the end, the source of all that is in the wonder of universal life. And yet, you take us by the hand and lead us, as the life of Christ walks our human way and shows us that life is stronger than death. In the Holy Spirit, we are gifted, again and again, and are called onwards toward a future in which we are surrounded with love and grace.

Hear our prayers for those of our world who do not realize the presence of your love in their lives, for those who are lonely or hurting, sick or oppressed, grieving or broken in spirit. We pray that by our lives, we might bring into their presence an awareness of your love and your healing strength.

As we seek your guidance to be the church you have called us to be, may the power of your Spirit infuse us with the hope of fulfilling your will, and of working with you to transform your world, even as you transform our lives. May the peace that is ours in Christ Jesus be spread throughout this earth, and may your glory be shown by all that we do. For we praise and worship you, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Indeed, there is no other God like you. Amen.

Prayers from Common Worship*

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God,

you have given us your servants grace,

by the confession of a true faith,

to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity

and in the power of the divine majesty to worship the Unity:

keep us steadfast in this faith,

that we may evermore be defended from all adversities;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion

Almighty and eternal God,

you have revealed yourself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

and live and reign in the perfect unity of love:

hold us firm in this faith,

that we may know you in all your ways

and evermore rejoice in your eternal glory,

who are three Persons yet one God,

now and for ever.

Additional Collect

Holy God,

faithful and unchanging:

enlarge our minds with the knowledge of your truth,

and draw us more deeply into the mystery of your love,

that we may truly worship you,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Collect of the Day (from Book of Common Prayer, 1979**)

Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us

your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to

acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the

power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep

us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to

see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with

the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever

and ever. Amen.

John 16:12-15

Beyond the boundaries we must suppose, O God,

encounter us with all your word.

For in the Spirit truth begins

and overwhelms our dreads.

And, in the Spirit must you speak

into the heart that longs to keep

arrest of awe, adoring all

by your enticing call.

Service of Table

While all of our congregations navigate the Sacred Board in a different way, it seems, there are common elements in most, which are provided here. We would love to hear if your congregation has variations to these elements which we might address in the future.

Offertory / Invitation to Give

All good things come from God, the giver of life. We are called as stewards of God’s gifts to share in fulfillment of God’s purposes for creation. As stewards of the kingdom of God, let us give from our abundance with thanksgiving.

Offertory Prayer

In these gifts, O God, we acclaim you as our Lord. May they be useful to you in bringing your kingdom into full flower through the ministries of your church, we pray in Christ’s name.

Holy one, your heart abounds with gifts. Receive this offering as a sign of our trust in you and our intention to live surrounded by your mercy, inspired by your Spirit, open to the joy of your presence, hospitable to one another, and generous toward your world.

Invitation to the Table

It is into the name of the Holy Trinity that each of us are baptized. And it is in the confession of God’s saving power in our lives that we continue to live in God’s presence. At this holy Table, we again affirm that Jesus, the Son of God, is indeed the Messiah and Lord, and it is only in the power of the Holy Spirit that we can make that affirmation. This is God’s feast, now, prepared for you and for all people; a feast of good things, a feast of peace. Come and taste. Eat and be filled. Drink deep and never thirst again.

As the Spirit moved upon the face of the waters, God created the world and called it good. God breathed life into humans, each made in God’s image, and called them good as well. God so loved us, in fact, that when we failed to stay in communion with God, the Son was sent into the world, so that all of us might find life abundant. As we give thanks today for the gift of life, and for God’s sustaining presence in it, we have the opportunity to offer up ourselves to God afresh, and open our lives to the movement of God’s Spirit among us, so that we may be re-created to be what God has seen in us all along – truly good, and signs of God’s love for the whole world.

Prayer of Thanksgiving (Prayers for Bread and Cup)

(The following may be offered as one prayer, or broken between two Elders, if that is the tradition to be followed)

Almighty God, as your Spirit moved upon the face of the waters, you have created the world and called it good. As you breathed life into human beings, you made each of us in your image. In the fullness of time, you sent your Son into the world that all the world might find life and life abundant in his fellowship. As we give thanks to you for the gift of life, and your sustaining presence in all of it, we offer up these gifts of bread and wine along with our very selves, that your Spirit might come upon them and upon us, that they may be for us the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ, who living perfectly in your image offered himself up for us all. Through this breaking of bread and drinking of cup, may we who love you be conformed to his likeness, to follow you in the days which lie before us as creative, life-giving signs of your sustaining presence in our world.

Eternal Three in One, you care for each one of us as if you had no one else to care for, and you care for all of us even as you care for each. We are here because you have invited us. We recognize at the deepest levels of our beings that it is at this table that we are affirmed and made whole. Enable us to know now the presence of the Christ, the one who calls us to be one family, the one in whose presence no other can be called a stranger. Forgive us that we have been hard of heart, that we have failed to acknowledge others as brothers and sisters. Enable us now to accept the fact that we are members of one another, that we are family with all of your creation, and that we are all loved by you. We pray these things in the name of the Christ who has called us to you.

Eternal God, you make yourself known to us in three Persons, yet bound together in one perfect communion of love. As we break this bread, may we come to a more perfect awareness of the unity of the Church you have called together as one through your Son Jesus Christ.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us, gracious Lord, and upon these gifts of bread and wine. May we who drink from the cup Christ has offered be united with you and united with each other in the one body of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Conclusion: Through him, with him, and in him, in the power of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor be to you, O God, now and forever. Amen.

If not previously offered: “And now with the confidence of your children, we offer the prayer our Savior taught us, ‘Our Father…’”

MORE…

Resources from the Jubilee Fund: This stewardship ministry serving the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) offers weekly emails for each Sunday’s service. Visit http://www.thejubileefund.com/ to learn more.

Rev. Tim Graves offers Liturgy Bits with valuable, culturally sensitive and creatively contemplative works, well worth your time.

You may also want to visit Worship Connection at MinistryMatters.com, which offers numerous helps, including electronic versions of print resources for worship and preaching planning.

Intercessions and other helpful planning materials geared to the Lectionary (using Roman Catholic version, but normally quite useful for all traditions) for preaching and worship are supplied for several weeks in advance at The Sunday Website of St. Louis University.

Common Worship Almanac and Lectionary for the year beginning Advent Sunday 2018. Calendar for 2019

Sun 2 Dec 2018. CW* Almanac and Lectionary 2018-19. Common Worship Almanac and Lectionary. for the year beginning Advent Sunday 2018. Compiled by Simon Kershaw August 2018 from the Common Worship Calendar and Lectionaries

using Almanac Maker. compilation © Simon Kershaw 2018 Almanac Maker © Simon Kershaw 2010-2018.

Book of Common Prayer (1979), Public domain.

NOTE: We hope you return to this posting often (and are subscribed to the feed by email, on Facebook or your favorite reader), since the content of each week’s posting may change several times before Sunday. We’d also like to include your content, even after the fact, since everything will roll around again in 3 years, and your contributions may find new life in the great cycle of the lectionary. Send your comments or content here.

Pentecost C

Posted in - RCL and other Common Lectionaries, Feasts, Liturgical Texts: Eucharist, Year C, tagged Pentecost C on June 4, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Pentecost C

June 9

This ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia is supported by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund.

Support Our Work … read how you can help keep lifeinliturgy.org available for use without subscription charges.

Scripture (from the Revised Common Lectionary, with links provided by TextWeek.com – a source for thoughtful worship and preaching throughout the year):

Acts 2:1-21 or Genesis 11:1-9
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Romans 8:14-17 or Acts 2:1-21
John 14:8-17, (25-27)

Suggested Hymns from Chalice Hymnal

237-On Pentecost they gathered

241-Holy Spirit, truth divine

254-Breathe on me, Breath of God

236-Wind who makes all winds that blow

392-Draw us in the Spirit’s tether

404-A hymn of joy we sing

422-Let us talents and tongues employ

393-One Bread, one Body

More hymn suggestions, as well as helpful references for use of the arts in worship, are available from the United Church of Christ website.

On John 14:8-17

Seekers are we to find our God,

to find, behold, adore.

In Jesus does our sight unfold

before all wondering.

For in the moment and the works

in all the mercy found,

we are discovering the truth

as molded to desire.

Intent on all that Jesus shows

in hand and eye and heart,

we come to satisfy our joy

within this beauty seen.

All, is indeed, completed here

and raised into our view.

We find the Spirit owning heart

and joy to God’s delight.

Into the seething love of Christ

we come in constancy.

And hear the Lord as he proclaims

we are as one in love.

To one another be the love

like to the love Christ gives

that in the fellowship we own

the Spirit, truth abide.

DCM Suggested tune: Kingsfold

Dealing with the Psalm of the Day:

This week: No suggestions; see Call to Worship below

Call to Worship

L: The Spirit descends like a dove, bringing peace to unite the world in a just and caring community.

P: The Spirit comes like a breath, bringing life to renew the people of God.

L: The Spirit spreads like fire, bringing energy for witnessing to the love of God.

P: Spirit of the living God, come to us and transform our lives by your power.

OR (adapted by the editor from portions of the Psalm of the day; given in two parts, either or both of which may be useful.)

L: Bless the Lord, O my soul, who is clothed with honor and majesty,

P: God set the earth on its foundations, so that it shall never be shaken.¹

God waters the mountains, and satisfies the earth with plentiful fruit.

L: God causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for people to use,

gives wine to gladden the human heart, oil to make the face shine,

and bread to strengthen the human heart.

P: O Lord, how manifold are your works! The earth is full of your creatures.

II.

L: When you send forth your spirit, O God, all things are created; and you renew the face of the ground.

P: May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works.

L: I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;

P: I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

L: May my meditation be pleasing to God, for I rejoice in the Lord.

P: Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord!

OR (from ministrymatters.com)

L: Come, Holy Spirit. Inspire our hearts with your fiery presence!

P: Let your flame burn within us, stirring us to action.

L: Come, Holy Spirit. Energize our lives to work for God.

P: Let your wind of hope swirl around us, lifting and moving us from complacency.

L: Come, Holy Spirit. Pour your blessing on us.

P: Let your presence challenge us to proclaim God’s presence and love in everything we say and do.

OR (from ministrymatters.com)

L: Rushing Wind of the Spirit, breathe new life into us!

P: Blazing Flame of the Spirit, burn away our fears!

L: Comforting Presence of the Spirit, heal our wounds

P: Let us be prepared to worship and praise you, O Holy Spirit.

L: Spirit of God, come upon us this day and fill us with your love.

P: Make us people who will proclaim God’s good news in all that we do.

Invocation or Prayer of Approach

Almighty God, you give life and power to your church through the gift of your Spirit. Inspire us to bear witness to our living Lord. Quicken us to a recognition of your presence. Create in us grateful hearts. Challenge our minds with your wisdom. Encourage us with a heightened vision and hope. This we pray in the name of your Son Jesus Christ (who taught us to pray, “Our Father…”)

OR (from ministrymatters.com)

Almighty God, your Holy Spirit came to Jesus’ disciples, hidden in an upper room in Jerusalem. A violent wind and tongues of fire were the symbols of a new thing happening in their lives. May your Holy Spirit burst into our lives today, encouraging and inspiring us to proclaim boldly the good news of Jesus Christ who offers healing and hope to all people.

Pastoral Prayer – Prayers of the People – Intercessions

R may indicate silent prayer, or a simple response, such as “Lord, hear our prayer.”

Through Christ, who ever lives to make intercession for us, let us pray to the Lord. (silence)

Lift up our hearts to the heavenly places and inspire us to serve you as a royal priesthood: R

Let all peoples acknowledge your kingdom and grant on earth the blessing of peace: R

Send down upon us the gift of the Spirit and renew your Church with power from on high: R

May peace abound and righteousness flourish, that we may vanquish injustice and wrong: R

Help us to proclaim the good news of salvation, and grant us the needful gifts of your grace: R

Let us commend the world, for which Christ prays, to the mercy and protection of God. (silence)

A concluding collect or Prayer for the Day may follow.

OR (adapted from “Prayers from the Book of Common Order,” Church of Scotland, on oremus.org)

O God, the creator and preserver of all, we pray for people of all sorts and conditions. Make your purpose known in the earth, your saving power among the nations. We pray for the well-being of the catholic Church. So guide and guard it by your good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in the unity of the Spirit and in righteousness of life. We commend to your generous goodness all those who are in any way afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or circumstances, especially as we lift to you ______________ and those we name to you in the silence of our hearts. (silent prayer) Comfort and relieve them according to their individual needs; give them patience under their sufferings, and a happy release out of all their afflictions. All this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ.

OR (The following 6 petitions may be used as collects, or brought into one pastoral prayer.)

O Holy Spirit, Tongue of Fire, descend upon us as you descended upon the disciples gathered in the upper room for prayer. Sanctify us, free us from the bondage of sin, and give us your power to speak with one voice.

Rushing Wind, sweep over our lands and make your sound gather again your devout people from every nation under heaven. Help us to manifest together the victory of life over death given through the resurrection. Make us signs of the living hope and witnesses for your peace.

Giver of Life, abide in us, transform our former selves into a new life in faithfulness to God’s will. Along with all others with whom we live, with all nations and peoples, we would enter a new time of transformation, when hatred is replaced by love, violence by meaningful discourse, condemnation by forgiveness, and self-centeredness by sharing.

Power of Unity, help us to move from the Babel of division toward the Pentecost of unity, even here amidst the diversity of gifts, traditions, and cultures. Make your church to be ministers of reconciliation among the children of the world.

Spirit of Truth, free us from our alienation from you. Liberate us from the powers and principalities which oppress and alienate. Make us instruments of your just peace, to which we have been called by prophets, apostles, and martyrs.

O Holy Spirit, the splendor of Christ’s realm is through your power, now available to us all. Make us messengers of the good news, apostles of your peace, that we may be known as children of God.

Prayers from Common Worship*

Collect

God, who as at this time

taught the hearts of your faithful people

by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit:

grant us by the same Spirit

to have a right judgement in all things

and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort;

through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion

Faithful God,

who fulfilled the promises of Easter

by sending us your Holy Spirit

and opening to every race and nation

the way of life eternal:

open our lips by your Spirit,

that every tongue may tell of your glory;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Additional Collect

Holy Spirit, sent by the Father,

ignite in us your holy fire;

strengthen your children with the gift of faith,

revive your Church with the breath of love,

and renew the face of the earth,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Collect of the Day (from Book of Common Prayer, 1979**)

Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life

to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy

Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the

preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the

earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns

with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever

and ever. Amen.

or this

O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful

people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit:

Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all

things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through

Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with

you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and

ever. Amen.

John 14:8-17

Create in us, O God, the yield

that faiths into our Lord Jesus Christ,

involving us within his love,

within his doing of his love

for us, for all, for you.

For in his owned capacity for love,

the doing does the more

by fulness in his store,

completing us forevermore.

Service of Table

Offertory / Invitation to Give

By the goodness of God, we are called into the family of the church. By God’s grace, we rejoice to share in the church’s life of mission and ministry. Let us offer our tithes and gifts to God’s glory as a token of the offering of our very lives.

Offertory Prayer

O God, we thank you for your great generosity. All that we are and all that we have is a gift from you. Help us to serve one another and so reflect your spirit and goodness. Accept these offerings and grant that the cause to which they are devoted may prosper under your guidance.

We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the beauty of earth and sky and sea; for the richness of mountains, plains and rivers; for the songs of birds and the loveliness of flowers. We praise you for these good gifts and pray that we may safeguard them for your children. Help us to use the gifts of work and service to your glory and grant that we may continue to grow in our grateful enjoyment of your abundance, to the honor and glory of your name.

Invitation to the Table

Friends, this is the joyful feast of the people of God. They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit at the table in the kingdom of God. This is the Lord’s table. Jesus invites all who seek to trust him to share in the feast which he has prepared. Let us come to his table now with hope and confidence as God’s children.

Prayer of Thanksgiving (Prayers for Bread and Cup)

(The following may be offered as one prayer, or broken between two Elders, if that is the tradition to be followed)

Blessed are you, Lord our God; you bring forth bread from the earth, and wine in its season. Your holiness calls to us today, Lord, as you called to your people in the life of Jesus Christ. Although many rejected him and reject him still, we remember and celebrate his presence with us in the power of your Holy Spirit. Send your power and strength to us, Lord, as we gather here in love for you, and upon these gifts of bread and wine. Make them to be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we might be his true body, empowered by your Spirit to give glory and honor to you through the life of your holy Church.

Come, Holy Spirit, upon your people, we pray, and upon this sacred Table, that this bread which we break may be for us the body of Christ, and that we who are his body may live in unity and at peace with you and all of your creation.
Come, Holy Spirit, upon this gift of wine, that as we receive it, we may know the fullness of salvation, and bear witness to the faith which is ours in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Conclusion: Through him, with him, and in him, in the power of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor be to you, O God, now and forever. Amen.

If not previously offered: “And now with the confidence of your children, we offer the prayer our Savior taught us, ‘Our Father…’”

MORE…

Rev. Tim Graves offers Liturgy Bits with valuable, culturally sensitive and creatively contemplative works, well worth your time.

You may also want to visit Worship Connection at MinistryMatters.com, which offers numerous helps, including electronic versions of print resources for worship and preaching planning.

Common Worship Almanac and Lectionary for the year beginning Advent Sunday 2018. Calendar for 2019

using Almanac Maker. compilation © Simon Kershaw 2018 Almanac Maker © Simon Kershaw 2010-2018.

Book of Common Prayer (1979), Public domain.

Read Full Post »

Ascension Sunday or Easter 7

Posted in - RCL and other Common Lectionaries, Feasts, Liturgical Texts: Eucharist, Year C, tagged Ascension ABC, Easter 7C on May 28, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Easter 7 – Ascension Sunday

June 2

This ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia is supported by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund.

Support Our Work … read how you can help keep lifeinliturgy.org available for use without subscription charges.

Scripture (from the Revised Common Lectionary, with links provided by TextWeek.com – a source for thoughtful worship and preaching throughout the year):

For Easter 7:

Acts 16:16-34
Psalm 97
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21
John 17:20-26

For Ascension

Acts 1:1-11

Psalm 47 or Psalm 93
Ephesians 1:15-23
Luke 24:44-53

Suggested Hymns from Chalice Hymnal

Ascension:
233 Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!
234 Crown Him with many crowns
91/92 All hail the power of Jesus’ name
95 Jesus shall reign
586 Open my eyes

Easter 7:
104 Of the Father’s love begotten
699 Rejoice, the Lord is King
493 We’re united
494 They’ll know we are Christians

Either Set of Texts:
491 As grain on scattered hillsides
397 Come, Risen Lord
393 One Bread, one Body
356 We, your people, God, confessing
495 Weave

More hymn suggestions, as well as helpful references for use of the arts in worship, are available from the United Church of Christ website.

On Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21

O Come! Say the Spirit and Bride.

Come answers the listener/

Come, thirsty and drink without price

the fresh water of life.

Come for the coming Lord, come soon

and savor his entrance.

For with him is grace so sublime,

the gift for all the saints.

We come to behold him, the Lord,

the recompense of life.

The Alpha and Omega comes,

the first and last, divine.

So greet we now in complete joy

the great and welling life,

that at this coming to provide

we answer joy with praise.

CM Suggested tune: Crediton

Dealing with the Psalm of the Day:

This week: Psalm 97 (Easter 7) is on 749; neither of the Ascension Psalms are easily dealt with.

Call to Worship

Psalm 96 alt. (from Daily Prayer, Supplement Lit. Resources 5)

L: O Lord, open my lips.
P: And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
L: The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing.
P: And all the trees of the forest shall clap their hands.
L: Behold, our Sovereign Lord is coming to reign forever.
P: Alleluia!

OR (adapted from ministrymatters.com)

L: Shout to the rooftops! Our Lord Jesus Christ is seated at God’s right hand!

P: The same Christ who was given by God to help us learn how to live together and love each other is now seated with God!

L: Don’t stand staring into the heavens! Christ’s spirit is with us, in us, and through us!

P: Rejoice! It is not time to mourn!

L: Come, join us in song, praising God with our whole lives and spirits!

P: We praise our God with song!

OR from Psalm 93

L: The Lord our king is robed in majesty, robed and girded with strength.

P: God has established the world; it shall never be moved.

L: Your throne is established from of old.

P: You are from everlasting.

L: The floods have lifted up their roaring voice.

P: But more majestic than the thunders of mighty waters, more majestic than the waves of the sea, majestic on high is the LORD!

Invocation or Prayer of Approach

God of light and truth, you are beyond our grasp or conceiving. Before the brightness of your presence, the angels veil their faces. With lowly reverence and adoring love, we acclaim your glory and sing your praise, for you have shown us your truth and love in Jesus Christ our Savior. (who taught us to pray, “Our Father…”)

O God, in the risen Christ you have called us into new life. Transform us to receive your Holy Spirit afresh, that in our love for you we may be made ready to serve the world in his name (who taught us to pray, “Our Father…”)

We adore you, Christ, as the One who promised to be with us to the end of the age. We now lay claim to that promise, for we are gathered here, as your disciples, in anticipation of your blessing and your commission, and for the promised coming of your Holy Spirit. Come to us, Lord, and may we know you in your coming, (for we pray as you have taught us, saying, “Our father…”)

OR (from ministrymatters.com)

God of incredible surprises, as we gaze into the clouds, remind us that we are standing on holy ground. Place our feet on the pathways of peace and hope. Draw our attention from the vision of the Lord rising to the heavens to be with you and help us to focus on the ministries that you would have us do. Keep us ready and willing always to serve you all our days.

Pastoral Prayer – Prayers of the People – Intercessions

God of Sun and Moon, Star and Sky, your wonder is beyond our imagining. We thank you for the gift of this world we share, and for the common bonds that we share as your children.
Bless us God, as we seek to find a way toward the peace you invite us to share. Guide us God as we walk that delicate line between being faithful to our own relationship with you, and yet remain understanding of those whose path is vastly different from our own. Remind us often that being faithful does not require that we close ourselves off from the faith of others.
Open our hearts, minds and spirits to people of every faith and culture. May the Mystery of your ways be the bridge that draws all of your people together in prayer for peace in our time.
We pray for those who are in special need of your grace and healing today. For those who live in fear of violence; for refugees everywhere; for political prisoners and for those who imprison them; God, we ask for peace. For those who are grieving, or hungry, or in despair; for the lonely, and all who are ill or suffering, for any who struggle with addiction, and for all who live with chronic illness.
God, we trust in your power to be present with the suffering. We trust in your Spirit’s power to bring comfort, faith and strength where it is needed. We pray, bring your radical, scandalous peace into our midst, and touch us all with your love, for we ask it in the name of the One who calls us ever forward, Jesus Christ our Sovereign Lord. Amen.

Lord of life, hear us as we lift to you our hopes and prayers for the church and the world. Let your grace empower us as people of faith to better serve you in the common places of our lives, and in the people we meet on our faith journeys. Open our eyes to the living Christ as we pray for and work with the poor, the broken-hearted, the sick and the bereaved. Hear our prayers for those who are close to our hearts. In your resurrecting power, lift them up and give them renewed strength and hope; and give to us all new faith by which to live our days with you. Then will our lives be living witness to your resurrection, made whole by your love and care. In Christ’s Spirit we pray.

A Bidding Prayer. At “R” the people respond with silent prayer or one that is planned, such as “Lord, hear our prayer.”

For the peace from above, for the loving kindness of God, and for the salvation of all, let us pray to the Lord. R

For the peace of the world, for the welfare of the holy church of God, and the unity of all peoples, let us pray to the Lord. R

For our church family, our leaders and all ministers of God’s grace, let us pray to the Lord. R

For our nation’s leaders and the leaders of all peoples, and for all who bear authority, let us pray to the Lord. R

For this city and every community, and for all who live in them, l let us pray to the Lord. R

For seasonable weather and for abundance in the fruits of earth and labor, let us pray to the Lord. R

For the good earth, God’s creation, and for the wisdom and will to care for it, let us pray to the Lord. R

For the aged and infirm, the widowed and orphaned, and for the sick and suffering, let us pray to the Lord. R

For _______let us pray to the Lord. R

For the poor and oppressed, the unemployed and destitute, for prisoners and captives, and for all who remember and care for them, let us pray to the Lord. R

For deliverance from danger, violence, degradation and oppression, let us pray to the Lord. R

For the forgiveness of sins and the wrongs we have done to others, let us pray to the Lord. R

For those who have died in faith, whose memories are dear to us, let us give thanks to God and offer our own needs in faith. (Silence)

Hear the prayers of your people, O God, for we offer them in faith and hope, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayers from Common Worship*

For Ascension:

Collect

Grant, we pray, almighty God,

that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ

to have ascended into the heavens,

so we in heart and mind may also ascend

and with him continually dwell;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion

God our Father,

you have raised our humanity in Christ

and have fed us with the bread of heaven:

mercifully grant that, nourished with such spiritual blessings,

we may set our hearts in the heavenly places;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Additional Collect

Risen Christ,

you have raised our human nature to the throne of heaven:

help us to seek and serve you,

that we may join you at the Father’s side,

where you reign with the Spirit in glory,

now and for ever.

For Easter 7:

Collect

O God the King of glory,

you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ

with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:

we beseech you, leave us not comfortless,

but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us

and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion

Eternal God, giver of love and power,

your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world

to preach the gospel of his kingdom:

confirm us in this mission,

and help us to live the good news we proclaim;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Additional Collect

Risen, ascended Lord,

as we rejoice at your triumph,

fill your Church on earth with power and compassion,

that all who are estranged by sin

may find forgiveness and know your peace,

to the glory of God the Father.

Collect of the Day (from Book of Common Prayer, 1979**)

Ascension Day

Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ

ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things:

Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his

promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end

of the ages; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and

reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory

everlasting. Amen.

or this

Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that as we believe your

only begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended

into heaven, so we may also in heart and mind there ascend,

and with him continually dwell; who lives and reigns with

you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Easter 7

O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son

Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:

Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to

strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior

Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and

the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

John 17:20-26

Within your unity, O God, we find

imagined, realized, the gift of unity

that makes of us fulfillment of your hope.

Indeed, Lord God, in your allure

is found the promise life completes,

the promise you provide

that we reveal your sanctity

in satisfactory design.

Service of Table

Offertory / Invitation to Give

The story is told of an old Sufi prophet, Nasrudin, who was asked by his neighbor to borrow his clothesline. Nasrudin replied, “Sorry, I cannot lend you my clothesline, because I am drying flour on it.” The neighbor yelled, “I didn’t know you could dry flour on a clothesline.” Nasruden explained, “It is amazing how many things can be done with a clothesline when you don’t want to lend it out.”

The same is true when it comes to serving wealth instead of serving God. There is no limit to our excuses. But if our desire is strong enough, we can always find the means to serve God. Let it be so in our stewardship giving today and always.

Offertory Prayer

We give thanks to you, O God, for the promise of your abiding presence among us, and for your abundant life within and around us. As we offer our gifts to you, may they be made useful in this world, that your saving presence may be known among all people.

We dedicate this money as one evidence of our stewardship, loving God. Our silver and gold have no value except as they are invested according to your purposes. Our lives gain value as we give our time and talents in loving service. Use all that we have and give to build the community you intend, through Christ our Lord.

O God, through the offering of these gifts, we become a more open people—open-minded in hearing your word and wisdom, open-hearted in healing a broken world, open-handed in heeding your call to charity and enacted love. With thanks for all good gifts, we present a portion of our substance and the whole of ourselves. Amen.

Invitation to the Table

Beloved in Christ, the gospel tells us that on the first day of the week, Jesus Christ was raised from death, appeared to Mary Magdalene, on that same day sat at the table with two disciples and was made known to them in the breaking of bread. This is the joyful feast of the people of God. Men and women, youth and children, come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and gather about Christ’s table. This table is for all who wish to know the presence of Christ and to share in the community of God’s people. (UCC – adapted from resp. form)

The Risen One is here among us, here and now. He calls to us not to look toward the sky, but into the faces of those who surround us; to listen to them; to commune with them; to give live peaceably with them. May we hear his voice and invitation to come and receive the gift of this new life, here and now.

Prayer of Thanksgiving (Prayers for Bread and Cup)

(The following may be offered as one prayer, or broken between two Elders, if that is the tradition to be followed)

Holy God, creator of heaven and earth, we joyfully thank you and praise your name. You formed the universe in your wisdom, and created all things by your power. You set us in families on the earth to live with you in faith. We praise you for good gifts of bread and wine, and for the table you spread in the world as a sign of your love for all people.
Even having taken up his cross and dying that we might live, our Lord Jesus overcame death and is risen in power. He is still the friend of sinners. We trust him to overcome every power that can hurt or divide us, and believe that when he comes again in glory, we will celebrate victory with him throughout eternity at his heavenly table.
And so, in remembrance of him, we take this bread and cup and give you thanks and praise. Pour out your Spirit upon us, that this bread and cup may be for us the body and blood of Christ, and that we, and all who share this feast, may be one with Christ and he with us. Fill us with eternal life, that with joy we may be his faithful people until we feast with him in glory.

Blessed are you, Lord our God. You bring forth bread from the earth and the fruit of the vine in its season, to be worked by human hands and offered up to you for the good of all the world. Send down the power of your Spirit upon this bread and wine, and upon us gathered here out of love for you, that as we receive these gifts we may be made one with you, one with each other, and one in service to the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessed are you, Lord our God. You bring forth bread from the earth, to be worked by human hands and offered up to you for the good of all the world. Bless this bread which we break, that we may receive the body of Christ and be so empowered to live as his body in the world until he comes again.

Blessed are you, Lord our God. You bring forth the fruit of the vine in its season, to be worked by human hands and offered up to you as the cup of our salvation. Send down the power of your Spirit upon this bread and wine, and upon us gathered here out of love for you, that as we receive these gifts we may be made one with you, one with each other, and one in service to the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Conclusion: Through him, with him, and in him, in the power of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor be to you, O God, now and forever. Amen.

If not previously offered: “And now with the confidence of your children, we offer the prayer our Savior taught us, ‘Our Father…’”

MORE…

Rev. Tim Graves offers Liturgy Bits with valuable, culturally sensitive and creatively contemplative works, well worth your time.

You may also want to visit Worship Connection at MinistryMatters.com, which offers numerous helps, including electronic versions of print resources for worship and preaching planning.

Common Worship Almanac and Lectionary for the year beginning Advent Sunday 2018. Calendar for 2019

using Almanac Maker. compilation © Simon Kershaw 2018 Almanac Maker © Simon Kershaw 2010-2018.

Book of Common Prayer (1979), Public domain.

Read Full Post »

Easter 6C

Posted in - RCL and other Common Lectionaries, Liturgical Texts: Eucharist, Year C, tagged Easter 6C on May 21, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Easter 6C

May 26

This ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia is supported by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund.

Support Our Work … read how you can help keep lifeinliturgy.org available for use without subscription charges.

Scripture (from the Revised Common Lectionary, with links provided by TextWeek.com – a source for thoughtful worship and preaching throughout the year):

Acts 16:9-15
Psalm 67
Revelation 21:10, 22 – 22:5
John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9

Suggested Hymns from Chalice Hymnal

17 O worship the King

582 Come Down, O Love Divine

517-Love divine, all loves excelling

699-Rejoice, the Lord is King

241-Holy Spirit, Truth divine

249-Spirit

585-What a friend we have in Jesus

453-Called as partners in Christ’s service

404-A hymn of joy we sing

392 Draw us in the Spirit’s tether

More hymn suggestions, as well as helpful references for use of the arts in worship, are available from the United Church of Christ website.

On Acts 16:9-15

Come over and help; we long for your word;

the vision comes fair, exposing desire.

In such a provision we answer the Lord

and follow the Spirit who urges our gift.

Come, certain and bold, as open to share,

to answer the urgent desires of hope

and find in the partnership Jesus is come,

enticing in graciousness that we adore.

Come, find in this time the welcome delight

as faith entertains the share of this hour.

Indeed in the welcome we savor the life

that ever prevails by now-sanctified love.

10.10.11.11. Suggested tune: Laudate Dominum (Parry)

Dealing with the Psalm of the Day:

This week: See p. 744

Call to Worship

L: Jesus has passed through the door of death and opened the way to the blessing of life.

P: Still today, his presence can penetrate the barrier of our fears and give us peace.

L: Now we may proclaim the beauty of forgiveness and the strength that community supplies.

P: Christ is risen and he is here. Let us worship God, who blesses us with life.

L: When all seem to have abandoned us and left us to face the world alone, the Risen One comes to us.

P: The Spirit of Truth, our Advocate with God, is here to walk with us and lead us to the truth.

L: This is the One whom the world cannot see, and yet the One who abides with us forever.

P: We are not alone! We are lavishly loved by God, led faithfully by the Spirit, and living fully in the presence of Christ. Thanks be to God!

Invocation or Prayer of Approach

Most precious God, as we continue to celebrate the resurrection of Christ, we pray that we may be bound together in Christian love and that our faith and fellowship may be a witness through which your spirit will bring others into your church. We humbly thank you for your many blessings you have given us. We ask that we may learn how to truly be Easter people and always remember that we are celebrating resurrection day every day, for we pray through Jesus our Christ (who taught us to pray, “Our Father…”)

We give thanks, O Lord, that Jesus’ resurrection has a meaning for us – that his life can become our life; that his victory can become our victory; that his triumph can become our triumph; and that his joy can become our joy. And so we lift our voices together in praise of you, our life-giving God, in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord (who taught us to pray, “Our Father…”)

Pastoral Prayer – Prayers of the People – Intercessions

Center us now, O God, on your presence in this place among your people, as we lift up our hearts desires, our soul’s deep needs, our hungers, fears and failures.

As we have often failed to be obedient to your will in our lives as individual disciples and as church, we pray that you will forgive us and enliven us to be and to do the gospel of Christ. Open us to your Spirit’s urgings, and awaken us to live faithfully as your people in a changing, often hurting world.

We pray for those around us who need your care, and ask that you would make of us your instruments of healing, peace and redemption. We pray especially for those we have named to you this day, and others we lift to you in the silence of our hearts.

Reveal your presence with them and with us, God of life, that as people of renewed faith and vitality, we may be empowered to serve your world, and so give glory to you; for we offer our prayers and our lives in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Gracious and loving God, we come to you with hearts that need to be opened to your word and your love. There is so much around us that tears at us and causes us to tremble. Keep us ever mindful of your presence and the hope that you have given us in your Son Jesus Christ.

Guide us, we pray, as your church, struggling to spread the good news. Keep us focused on the mission and ministry to which you have called us and lead us forward. We know, Lord, that there will often be bumps and holes in the road along the way. Save us from dwelling on them and make us secure in the goals you have placed before us.

Hear our prayers for all who need your tender touch of healing in their lives—those we name before you each day, and those who are known only to you in the depths of our hearts. Be with those who mourn. May we all remember the love and grace that your faithful people have brought to our world.

We pray for all your creation, always at odds with one another. Guide our leaders and those of other nations that this world might truly be as you created it to be—a world of peace, hope and love.

These are our prayers, together with those that lie on the hearts of all your faithful people, which we offer to you in the spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ who said “not my will, but thine be done.” Amen.

Prayers from Common Worship*

Collect

God our redeemer,

you have delivered us from the power of darkness

and brought us into the kingdom of your Son:

grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life,

so by his continual presence in us he may raise us

to eternal joy;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion

God our Father,

whose Son Jesus Christ gives the water of eternal life:

may we thirst for you,

the spring of life and source of goodness,

through him who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

Additional Collect

Risen Christ,

by the lakeside you renewed your call to your disciples:

help your Church to obey your command

and draw the nations to the fire of your love,

to the glory of God the Father.

Collect of the Day (from Book of Common Prayer, 1979**)

O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good

things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such

love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above

all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we

can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

John 14:23-29

In your peace, Lord God,

you grant us savor in the Deep

wherein we know the favor of your arms,

the countenance which garners charms.

Herein, O Lord, we rise to greet,

apprise to own in satiety and joy

the word you plant into our hearts,

the love you rouse in our delight.

Service of Table

Offertory / Invitation to Give

God has shown us the meaning of generosity in the beautiful diversity of creation, in the overflowing love of Jesus Christ, and in the never-ending gift of the Holy Spirit. God has blessed us abundantly and called us to be a community that blesses others through the sharing of our love, our talents and our material possessions. Let us rejoice now in what we have been given and in what is ours to give as we receive our morning offering.

Offertory Prayer

Receive the offerings we bring, O God, and sanctify them to the holy purpose of extending your gifts to all who are in need and to all who would desire them, even as you sanctify our lives in the presence of the Holy Christ who is in our midst today.

By your goodness, O God, we have received all things, and all that we have and all that we are we offer up to you. May these gifts, tokens of our gratitude, be made complete in our commitment to living transformed lives of service and love.

Invitation to the Table

There are, no doubt, people who wish there was more to our communion liturgy in Disciples tradition—more magic words, more bells and whistles, more special effects, to get us in the mood. But we don’t do that—we simply gather to eat and drink in memory and in love.

There is a story from the 3^rd century that may help us here. St. Anthony was a leader among the desert monastics, and the story says that 3 religious men used to go to visit him each year. 2 would discuss their thoughts about the salvation of their souls with him, but the 3^rd kept his mouth shut and never asked a question. Abba Anthony said to him, You often come here to see me, but you never ask me anything; and the other man replied “It is enough for me to see you, Father.”

One of the great needs of our consumer-oriented society is a sense of enough. And our time around this table helps us with this. It is enough for us to be here, to know of the sacrifice that brought us here, and of the spiritual resources available to us here. We do not fancy up the service, because we do not need fancying up ourselves—we need simplifying. We need the bread of life and the cup of salvation. And here they are. It is enough.

We are invited by Christ to receive the fullness of faith at a feast prepared for all of God’s people. Open your hearts and minds to the possibilities which this Table presents: of a world at one and in peace, of a people reconciled and loved, of lives made new and grounded in the hope of Christ’s resurrection.

Prayer of Thanksgiving (Prayers for Bread and Cup)

(The following may be offered as one prayer, or broken between two Elders, if that is the tradition to be followed)

We praise you, Lord, for sending your only Son Jesus to live among us, full of grace and truth. He made you known to all who receive him. Sharing our joy and sorrow, he healed the sick, befriended sinners, and showed us the way to fulfillment in partnership with other people. Two by two he sent his disciples to extend your promise of friendship and love, and two by two he calls us still to work in your spirit of love.

Even having taken up his cross and dying that we might live, he overcame death and is risen in power. He is still the friend of sinners. We trust him to overcome every power that can hurt or divide us.

Pour out your Spirit upon us, that this bread and cup may be for us the body and blood of Christ, and that we, and all who share this feast, may be one with Christ and he with us. Fill us with eternal life, that with joy we may be his faithful people until we feast with him in glory.

O God, whose desire is that all of your children live together in peace, and that none should be hungry, we offer up our thanks to you for the gift of bread. As we break the bread together and share it with our neighbors, may we be nourished by the presence of your Spirit, so that we who claim the faith may be bold to share it in the days that are to come.

Pour out your Spirit, O God, upon this (bread and) cup. Make it to be for us the (bread of life and) cup of salvation. Renew us in Christ’s love and in refresh us to serve the world in his spirit.

God of life, as we give thanks to you for all of your gifts to us in Christ Jesus, we offer up this bread and wine to you, along with our own lives. Send forth your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts, that as we break the bread and bless the up we may be remade and renewed in Christ’s image. Give us new hearts with which to serve you and the world in his enduring love.

Conclusion: Through him, with him, and in him, in the power of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor be to you, O God, now and forever. Amen.

If not previously offered: “And now with the confidence of your children, we offer the prayer our Savior taught us, ‘Our Father…’”

MORE…

Rev. Tim Graves offers Liturgy Bits with valuable, culturally sensitive and creatively contemplative works, well worth your time.

You may also want to visit Worship Connection at MinistryMatters.com, which offers numerous helps, including electronic versions of print resources for worship and preaching planning.

Common Worship Almanac and Lectionary for the year beginning Advent Sunday 2018. Calendar for 2019

using Almanac Maker. compilation © Simon Kershaw 2018 Almanac Maker © Simon Kershaw 2010-2018.

Book of Common Prayer (1979), Public domain.

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Easter 5C

Posted in - RCL and other Common Lectionaries, Liturgical Texts: Eucharist, Year C, tagged Easter 5C on May 14, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Easter 5C

May 19

This ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia is supported by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund.

Support Our Work … read how you can help keep lifeinliturgy.org available for use without subscription charges.

Scripture (from the Revised Common Lectionary, with links provided by TextWeek.com – a source for thoughtful worship and preaching throughout the year):

Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources:

Acts 11:1-18
Psalm 148
Revelation 21:1-6
John 13:31-35

Suggested Hymns from Chalice Hymnal

90 – Come, Christians, join to sing

259 – Spirit of the living God

600-Jesu, Jesu

581-Near to the heart of God

461 – Lord, whose love through humble service

391 – These I lay down

423-Become to us the Living Bread

More hymn suggestions, as well as helpful references for use of the arts in worship, are available from the United Church of Christ website.

On John 13:31-35

The hour to glorify is come;

in open wonder we approach

to find of Jesus brighter ways

than we anticipated yet –

all in the fervent air.

The rule of ordinary fare

is love each other as he loves:

this Jesus opens to our hearts

the bearing of a freshened dare

meant to be lissome, fair.

Let us together all be known

as Jesus’ own disciples now;

by his command, we come to love,

love one another as he loves,

this Jesus we adore.

8.8.8.8.6. Suggested tune: St. Margret

Dealing with the Psalm of the Day:

This week: Hymns #21 & 22 (Let the whole creation cry, and All creatures of our God and King) are based in part on Psalm 148.

Call to Worship

L: We gather in the name of the living Christ to worship God.

P: Surely, God is in this place and calls us to worship in spirit and in truth.

L: God’s love is for you and for all people everywhere.

P: That we may share God’s love and life, may we be renewed in the refreshing Spirit of the living Christ.

L: The living Christ is with us.

P: Praise the Lord!

L: The God of all creation makes us one in the flesh.

P: Let us join hearts and voices in praise.

L: In Jesus Christ, we are made one in spirit.

P: Let us be united in his faith and in his mission.

L: Through the mothering love of the Holy Spirit, we are joined into God’s one family.

P: Let us be known as Christ’s true disciples by the love in which we hold one another and all of God’s children on earth.

Invocation or Prayer of Approach

Gracious God, Power of Life, we praise you that you have not abandoned us to the living death of sin and despair, but that with Jesus Christ, you have lifted us up from the grave. Grant that we might ourselves know the power of the resurrection, now and in the world to come; for it is in the name of the risen Christ that we pray (as he taught us to pray, “Our Father…”)

Most gracious God, as we continue to celebrate the resurrection of Christ, we pray that we may be bound together in Christian love and that our faith and fellowship may be a witness through which your spirit will bring others into your church. We humbly thank you for your many blessings you have given us. We ask that we may learn how to truly be Easter people and always remember that we are celebrating resurrection day every day, for we pray through Jesus our Christ (who taught us to pray, “Our Father…”)

Loving God, it is you who gives life and breath to everyone, and in you alone can we find life, breath, and meaning for ourselves and for our world. For those who have been blessed with an awareness of your love, we give you thanks. We pray that you would inspire us to bring that love visibly into the lives of all your children, and unite us as your people, that all may enjoy full life within your family. This we pray through Christ our Lord (who taught us to pray, saying, “Our Father…”)

Pastoral Prayer – Prayers of the People – Intercessions

How wondrous is your great forgiving love, mighty God. How wondrous is your life-giving power. With joy we revel in the glow of the sun this day, and we wonder at the life everlasting that you have opened for us in raising Jesus from the dead.

As people born of his spirit, we are awakened to a world that is caught still in the night-shades of sin, and broken by its suffering. And here, in the midst of all death, we long to bring life; we would see Jesus, and we would lift him up as a beacon of your love and promise to our world.

Hear our prayers for those who are suffering this day—the hungry and homeless, the sick and imprisoned, the angry, the lonely and lost. We pray that you would not let our concern pass from our hearts as these words pass from our lips, but rather that you would empower us to do your work of healing and reconciliation in their lives.

We especially lift to you this day all those who are close to our hearts, whose needs we are so often reminded of, and for ourselves in our own needs.

As you made a fearful and disjointed band of disciples into your holy church, we pray that you would make us anew, that we, your body in our world, would serve you in joy and hope and thankfulness all the days of our life together in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whose glorious name we pray.

Lord God, we give you thanks for all your gifts to us—for daily food, for health, for each breath we take, for freedom to choose, and for the gifts of your word, your power and your love. Our hearts are truly overwhelmed, O God, when we consider how you have entrusted so much to us. May we be worthy of that trust—may we be a people who are unafraid to live as fully and as richly as you want us to live.

Help us, O God, as followers of Jesus, to multiply all that you have given us, to risk spreading your word and perhaps see it misunderstood, to gamble by loving those whom others think worthy only of hate, to take chances by doing good to those who have not done good to us. Help us be faith filled and desire to increase your glory and your goodness in this world. Make us people who share in both word and deed that which you have given to us.

We pray for the church gathered today, both here and around the world, that it may encourage all of its members to discover, develop and use all their gifts, those of nature and those of grace.

We pray for those who are poor in body or in spirit, for those oppressed and heavy laden, for those sick or in despair, especially___________. Minister by your Spirit and by us, to all those for whom we have prayed, and help us walk faithfully in the path of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayers from Common Worship*

Collect

Almighty God,

who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ

have overcome death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life:

grant that, as by your grace going before us

you put into our minds good desires,

so by your continual help

we may bring them to good effect;

through Jesus Christ our risen Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion

Eternal God,

whose Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life:

grant us to walk in his way,

to rejoice in his truth,

and to share his risen life;

who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

Additional Collect

Risen Christ,

your wounds declare your love for the world

and the wonder of your risen life:

give us compassion and courage

to risk ourselves for those we serve,

to the glory of God the Father.

Collect of the Day (from Book of Common Prayer, 1979**)

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant

us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way,

the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his

steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ

your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity

of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

John 13:31-35

Draw us afresh, O God,

to savor your capacity for vision and delight.

For in our seeing, as this hour sets forth,

we would behold your constancy

about your apt humility

and find our human core sublime

in loving one another

as you love.

Service of Table

Offertory / Invitation to Give

Through our offerings, we are invited to put God first in our lives, to show our gratitude and our commitment. We owe everything to God: our lives, our health, people who love us, meaningful work and activities. Let us respond in proportion to our gratitude.

As we remember Jesus, we are reminded of just how clearly his life demonstrated the truth that giving is the only proper expression of loving. Surely one can give without loving, but one cannot love without giving. So God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son.

But Jesus turned a corner in our understanding of the relationship between loving and giving when he indicated that not only does love result in giving, but giving also results in loving. He reminded us that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be.”

In our stewardship – our conscientious Christian management of resources—we find our concern achieving a wider and wider circle to include all those in our embrace whose needs are alleviated by our giving. In giving, we are able to go where we have never been, to embrace those whom we have never met, and express God’s love to them in languages we have never learned.

Our young ones love to sing “He’s got the whole world in his hands.” And when we follow God’s leadership, demonstrated in the loving ministry of Jesus Christ, we discover that “We’ve got the whole world in our arms,” embraced with more than sentiment, loved in more than words.

Offertory Prayer

Thank you, God, for this high and holy moment in worship and in life when we have something to give that others need. Take our bread, our witness, our lives to benefit all your human family. May your glory be known among us and in all the world.

Invitation to the Table

Christ’s table is spread for all of us—a place of gathering, of fellowship and of praise. Let us rejoice as we respond to God’s gracious invitation to receive these gifts of Christ’s body and blood that we may be strengthened to live as faithful disciples.

Prayer of Thanksgiving (Prayers for Bread and Cup)

(The following may be offered as one prayer, or broken between two Elders, if that is the tradition to be followed)

from William Flewelling:

When we were barely looking, Lord God, you came upon us.

In the mystery of our despair, you raised the touch of love.

In the anguish of our uncertainty you lifted the grace of Christ.

In the hour of our dejection you raised for us the cup of thanksgiving.

In the torment of our fright you held us in the risen arms of Christ.

Holy God, we rejoice in your arising.

As your raised our Lord Jesus, raise us in hope to love and to share.

As the broken bread, our Manna, the body of Christ is given to feed our souls,

raise us in life to join our hearts in tenderness and care.

As the fresh wine cup, the blood of Christ, our new covenant, refreshes our souls,

raise us with Jesus to share together the feast of your kingdom.

Anoint us in your Spirit that we might fully live, your people and witnesses of resurrection;

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

It is right and good to give thanks to you almighty God, creator of heaven and earth; for by your word was the world created, and by your breath did the first mortals come to life. In the life of Christ, we have receive life that is abundant and transformative. Bless, we pray, this Bread which we offer up to you, that as we receive it we might be strengthened to abide in the way that leads to life eternal.

Pour out your Spirit upon us, O Lord, and upon this cup of salvation. May we who receive the blood of Christ be cleansed by his offering of self for us and for the world, and refreshed in spirit and will to do his bidding in the days which lie ahead. This we offer in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Conclusion: Through him, with him, and in him, in the power of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor be to you, O God, now and forever. Amen.

If not previously offered: “And now with the confidence of your children, we offer the prayer our Savior taught us, ‘Our Father…’”

MORE…

Rev. Tim Graves offers Liturgy Bits with valuable, culturally sensitive and creatively contemplative works, well worth your time.

You may also want to visit Worship Connection at MinistryMatters.com, which offers numerous helps, including electronic versions of print resources for worship and preaching planning.

Common Worship Almanac and Lectionary for the year beginning Advent Sunday 2018. Calendar for 2019

Book of Common Prayer (1979), Public domain.

Read Full Post »

Easter 4C

Posted in - RCL and other Common Lectionaries, Liturgical Texts: Eucharist, Year C, tagged Easter 4C on May 8, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Easter 4C

May 12

This ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia is supported by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund.

Support Our Work … read how you can help keep lifeinliturgy.org available for use without subscription charges.

Scripture (from the Revised Common Lectionary, with links provided by TextWeek.com – a source for thoughtful worship and preaching throughout the year):

Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources:

Acts 9:36-43
Psalm 23
Revelation 7:9-17
John 10:22-30

Suggested Hymns from Chalice Hymnal

234-Crown him with many crowns

110-You servants of God

Psalm 23 settings: 78-79-80

543-Blessed Assurance

558-Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us

426-The voice of Jesus calls his people

More hymn suggestions, as well as helpful references for use of the arts in worship, are available from the United Church of Christ website.

On Revelation 7:9-17

Out of the troubles do arise

the faithful of our gracious Lord:

We see them dancing, bold.

Their clothes are bathed in pure lamb’s blood

then whitened by the sacrifice

that breathes of holy love.

We find these faithful risen now

to sing refreshment unto God:

Salvation is of God!

For God who sits upon the throne

and for the Lamb salvation reigns,

the gift of glory’s bliss.

Now, Amen! Blessing glory rise

with wisdom and thanksgiving – all

with honor, power might:

We lift them all in open joy

unto our God and to the Lamb

forever and ever.

8.8.3.8.8.6. Suggested tune: Cornwall

Dealing with the Psalm of the Day:

This week: Psalm 23 is on p. 734; in addition, see musical settings on 78-79-80

Call to Worship

L: Open the gate! The Shepherd is coming!

P: We hear his glad voice, calling us by name, leading us to green pastures.

L: No stranger’s voice will we follow. We follow only the One who brings us home.

P: One door, one flock, one fold, one Shepherd. Open the gate! The Good Shepherd comes!

Invocation or Prayer of Approach

Almighty God, who sent Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to gather us together, may we not wander from your flock, but follow where he leads us, knowing his voice and staying near, until we are safely in your fold, to live with you forever. This we pray in the name of Christ (who taught us to pray, “Our Father…”)

Almighty God, who sent Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to gather us together, receive the praises of your thankful people this day. As we offer ourselves to you that our lives might be re-ordered to meet the days ahead, may we not wander from your flock, but follow where he leads us, knowing his voice and staying near, until we are safely in your fold, to live with you forever. (This we pray in the name of Christ our Lord who taught us to pray, “Our Father…”)

O shepherd God, you have blessed us with peace as tranquil as a flowing stream; peace that nourishes as food and sleep; peace that is stronger than death. You call us to rest in your care that we may live with courage. Though fears beset us, your love will comfort us again. Though death is no stranger, you shall be our last and best friend. We thank you, Shepherd God, for your love that fills us to overflowing, for we pray in the name of Christ (who taught us to pray, “Our Father…”)

Pastoral Prayer – Prayers of the People – Intercessions

O God, our loving Shepherd, you come to us with the strength and love of a father, and the tender mercies, patience and protection of a loving mother. We see you in the very living of our days, and yet we so often fail to praise you or to offer our burdens to you. Hear us, Lord, as we lift to you our prayers for others and for ourselves.

We pray for those in need–those who hunger or are homeless. We pray for those in pain—the abused, brokenhearted and lonely. We pray for the sick in body and in mind, and for those who grieve.

For the life of this community and all those who put their trust in you for all their todays and all their tomorrows, we pray that your loving-kindness to the world would be offered through our hands, our words, our deeds, our hearts.

Free us, Lord, as your own people, to sing your praise in the work of our everyday lives. In those comings and goings of our simple and complicated living, make us instruments of your peace and grace in weary days with weary people.

Bless our memories, O God, that in our remembering we may partake of the mystery that is eternal life in its fullness. For we pray in the presence of your risen Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Holy God, we come before you in prayer, lifting to you the joys and concerns, the hopes and dreams of our lives. May we also be open to your voice in our lives that we may see with new eyes, and hear with new ears, the direction you will have us to go.

Bless, we pray, this gathering of your people that we may grow and flourish in your love and grace for the purpose to which you have called us.

Hear our prayers for those whose lives have touched us—those who are in pain, those who are ill, those who grieve. May we touch their lives not only through our prayers, but through our lives and actions as well.

Guide us, bless us, uplift us, and hold us, for we are your children called to our purpose in your world. Hear our prayers, those spoken and those hidden in our hearts, we pray in the name of Christ our Lord.

Loving God, it is you who gave life and breath to everyone in our world, and in you alone can we find life, breath and meaning for ourselves and our world. For those who have been blessed with an awareness of your shepherding care, who have looked to you for guidance and nurture, we give you thanks, and we pray that you would unite us within your family to be a shepherding influence on others, that they too may enjoy life within your family.

For those who hunger and thirst, who are lost and alone, who yearn to be given new direction, new hope and new life, we pray that you would care for them through us. Let us be seen and known as your faithful flock in this community of faith to which you have given birth. Help us to uphold your name by living with faithfulness and trust in you.

Gather us, Lord, as we lift to you the special needs we bring to this day, in silence. (silence)

Carried upon your shoulders, we find our refuge. In your gentle care we find our home. And in your living Spirit we are united this day, Lord, as we offer to you our prayers in the name of your holy Child, Jesus Christ, the guardian and shepherd of our souls. Amen.

Prayers from Common Worship*

Collect

Almighty God,

whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life:

raise us, who trust in him,

from the death of sin to the life of righteousness,

that we may seek those things which are above,

where he reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion

Merciful Father,

you gave your Son Jesus Christ to be the good shepherd,

and in his love for us to lay down his life and rise again:

keep us always under his protection,

and give us grace to follow in his steps;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Additional Collect

Risen Christ,

faithful shepherd of your Father’s sheep:

teach us to hear your voice

and to follow your command,

that all your people may be gathered into one flock,

to the glory of God the Father.

Collect of the Day (from Book of Common Prayer, 1979**)

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people:

Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who

calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with

you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever

John 10:22-30

With your acclaiming voice, O God,

become the invitation we aspire

to know in deepest love and care.

For in this moment, as you speak,

you lure our loving hearts

that in the sharing of delight divine

we find sublime the unity of grace

becoming our sufficiency in life.

Service of Table

Offertory / Invitation to Give

One of the favorite texts of God’s people of faith for centuries lies in the heart of the 23rd Psalm, as we recall, as Isaac Watts interpreted, “Your sure provisions, gracious God, attend me all my days; O may your house be my abode, and all my work be praise.” Indeed, all of our work – whatever we do, and however we do it – can be turned to the praise of God as we begin to know ourselves as stewards of God’s grace. Everything we are and everything we have are the gifts of the most gracious Giver, whose provisions are sure, unending, and generous. May we respond out of hearts of gratitude and love as we bring forth the fruits of our lives and labors.

Offertory Prayer

May we follow you, Good Shepherd, not only on the mountains of pleasure, or in the plains of comfort, but also through valleys of difficulty, and in pathways of service. Receive these gifts, we pray, as part of that life which we offer up to you, to be transformed into your ministries of grace and goodness in our world. Amen.

Invitation to the Table

Christ the Good Shepherd has prepared a feast for us, even in the presence of our enemies. Indeed, it is offered here, among our friends and strangers and neighbors, week by week, that we might know Christ’s guiding and loving presence, and might be strengthened to share him with the world around us as he calls us each by name. Let us come to the feast of the Risen One.

God has provided for us a great feast of love and redemption through the gift of God’s own Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Let all who would receive life and life abundant from his hand come to the Table of the Lord with thanksgiving.

Prayer of Thanksgiving (Prayers for Bread and Cup)

(The following may be offered as one prayer, or broken between two Elders, if that is the tradition to be followed)

We thank you, God that you have provided for all of us who ever were or ever will be by giving yourself to us in love. If we go to the heights of the mountains, or if we make the grave our bed, you are there with us. If we go to the depths of the sea, your right hand holds us securely. Here, in the green pasture of your gathered body, you nourish us with the bread of life. Give us grace to receive this gift with new gratitude.

We ask now that you bless us, O God, as we share this cup which you offer, that we might be nourished by your unbounded love, and so be encouraged to be your servants in the world, in the example of our Shepherd, your Son Jesus Christ.

(The following is designed for responsive use, but may be offered without the responses)

We thank you, God that you have provided for all of us who ever were or ever will be by giving yourself to us in love. If we go to the heights of the mountains, or if we make the grave our bed, you are there with us. If we go to the depths of the sea, your right hand holds us securely.

You are our shepherd. We praise you.

Holy are you and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. When the time was right, you, the Creator of all that is, sent him to be a creature like us. Instead of a servant, you sent your own Son that he might be servant of all. He alone, who is closest to your heart, made you known to us. He walked among us, ate with us, showed us his glory in signs, and gave to us this feast of joy to be a symbol of our redemption and the promise of our salvation from sin and death.

You are our shepherd. We glorify you.

(Words of Institution are offered, concluding): Do this in remembrance of me.

You are our shepherd. We give thanks to you for your great glory. Glory to you, O Lord Most High.

We ask now that you bless us, as we share this bread and cup, that we might be nourished by that same unbounded love and so be encouraged to be your servants in the world, in the example of our Shepherd, your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy church: All your people and all your works glorify and honor you, Father, now and for ever.

Amen.

Conclusion: Through him, with him, and in him, in the power of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor be to you, O God, now and forever. Amen.

If not previously offered: “And now with the confidence of your children, we offer the prayer our Savior taught us, ‘Our Father…’”

MORE…

Rev. Tim Graves offers Liturgy Bits with valuable, culturally sensitive and creatively contemplative works, well worth your time.

You may also want to visit Worship Connection at MinistryMatters.com, which offers numerous helps, including electronic versions of print resources for worship and preaching planning.

Common Worship Almanac and Lectionary for the year beginning Advent Sunday 2018. Calendar for 2019

Book of Common Prayer (1979), Public domain.

Read Full Post »

Easter 3C

Posted in - RCL and other Common Lectionaries, Liturgical Texts: Eucharist, Year C, tagged Easter 3C on May 1, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Easter 3C

May 5

This ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia is supported by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund.

Support Our Work … read how you can help keep lifeinliturgy.org available for use without subscription charges.

Scripture (from the Revised Common Lectionary, with links provided by TextWeek.com – a source for thoughtful worship and preaching throughout the year):

Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources:

Acts 9:1-6, (7-20)
Psalm 30
Revelation 5:11-14

John 21:1-19

Suggested Hymns from Chalice Hymnal

90 – Come, Christians, join to sing

259 – Spirit of the living God

322-O Word of God Incarnate

453-Called as partners

461 – Lord, whose love through humble service

391 – These I lay down

429-You satisfy the hungry heart

More hymn suggestions, as well as helpful references for use of the arts in worship, are available from the United Church of Christ website.

On Acts 9:1-6

In focus of our favored rage,

that circus of despair and fear,

we are encountered once again

and called to peace.

Life’s fond composure rattles now

when rage engages at your call,

when life is met with earnest plea:

why rage at me?

Yes, in the moment insight flares,

within that instant flash of care:

why do you persecute me now?

The heart lies bare.

So at the bare affront of call,

as you, Lord Jesus, do appeal,

we echo in the throes of hope

and tremble so.

Yet, in this confrontation, life

ignites the hearing, prods the heart

that at this echo of desire

we follow him.

8.8.8.4. Suggested tune: Almsgiving

Dealing with the Psalm of the Day:

This week: Hymns #21 & 22 (Let the whole creation cry, and All creatures of our God and King) are based in part on Psalm 148.

Call to Worship

L: We gather in the name of the living Christ to worship God.

P: Surely, God is in this place and calls us to worship in spirit and in truth.

L: God’s love is for you and for all people everywhere.

P: That we may share God’s love and life, may we be renewed in the refreshing Spirit of the living Christ.

L: The living Christ is with us.

P: Praise the Lord!

Invocation or Prayer of Approach

God of grace, you have given us minds to know you, hearts to love you, and voices to sing your praise. Fill us with your spirit that we may celebrate your glory and truly worship you; through Jesus Christ our Lord (who taught us to pray, “Our Father…”)

You who have created us and sustain us: we come with thanksgiving for these moments when we can ease the pace of our lives and listen for your voice. Create a spirit within us that truly draws us toward you and toward our brothers and sisters; a spirit deep, perceptive, gentle and bold. Clear our minds, open our hearts and touch us with your presence and your power. We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord (who taught us to pray, “Our Father…”)

Pastoral Prayer – Prayers of the People – Intercessions

We especially lift to you this day all those who are close to our hearts, whose needs we are so often reminded of, and for ourselves in our own needs.

Bless, we pray, this gathering of your people that we may grow and flourish in your love and grace for the purpose to which you have called us.

Hear our prayers for those who are close to our hearts. In your resurrecting power, lift them up and give them renewed strength and hope; and give to us all new faith by which to live our days with you. Then will our lives be living witness to your resurrection, made whole by your love and care. In Christ’s Spirit we pray.

Prayers from Common Worship*

Collect

Almighty Father,

who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples

with the sight of the risen Lord:

give us such knowledge of his presence with us,

that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life

and serve you continually in righteousness and truth;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion

Living God,

your Son made himself known to his disciples

in the breaking of bread:

open the eyes of our faith,

that we may see him in all his redeeming work;

who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

Additional Collect

Risen Christ,

you filled your disciples with boldness and fresh hope:

strengthen us to proclaim your risen life

and fill us with your peace,

to the glory of God the Father.

Collect of the Day (from Book of Common Prayer, 1979**)

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his

disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith,

that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives

and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,

now and for ever. Amen.

John 21:1-19

Familiar interruptions bring us face to face

with life and mystery and love divine.

We come in wonder, stay in awe,

discover bread and fish,

the opulence of your provision, O God.

We come in your fulfillment,

the gracious way of Jesus our Lord.

Service of Table

Offertory / Invitation to Give

Offertory Prayer

With hearts of praise, O Lord, we dedicate to you these gifts as tokens of our lives and work. Use them, as you use us, to the fulfilling of your purposes for creation, that we might give glory to you not only in the hearing, but in the doing of your word.

Invitation to the Table

As a people who have been reborn by the power of Christ’s resurrection, we are gathered by our loving God to share the gifts of Christ’s table. He has offered himself to us in this meal, and promises to be known in our midst when we gather in his name. The gifts of God are for all the people of God. Let us unite our hearts and minds in this sacrament of memory, of unity, and of love.

Prayer of Thanksgiving (Prayers for Bread and Cup)

(The following may be offered as one prayer, or broken between two Elders, if that is the tradition to be followed)

from William Flewelling

When we were barely looking, Lord God, you came upon us.

In the mystery of our despair, you raised the touch of love.

In the anguish of our uncertainty you lifted the grace of Christ.

In the hour of our dejection you raised for us the cup of thanksgiving.

In the torment of our fright you held us in the risen arms of Christ.

Holy God, we rejoice in your arising.

As your raised our Lord Jesus, raise us in hope to love and to share.

As the broken bread, our Manna, the body of Christ is given to feed our souls,

raise us in life to join our hearts in tenderness and care.

As the fresh wine cup, the blood of Christ, our new covenant, refreshes our souls,

raise us with Jesus to share together the feast of your kingdom.

Anoint us in your Spirit that we might fully live, your people and witnesses of resurrection;

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Holy One, you speak to us in silence, yet all languages interpret you. Because you call us into this community, we are able to become a gift to one another. We pray for your Holy Spirit to descend upon us and upon these gifts of bread and wine, that in sharing them we may discern your presence which becomes our life. We thank you for your anointed one, Jesus, who through his life, crucifixion, death and resurrection lived fully the promise of redemptive wholeness that is available to all who would obey your creating will. We celebrate his gifts, we rejoice in your presence, loving God, now and always.

You, O Lord, have given yourself to us in Jesus Christ our Savior. By his offering of himself for the sake of the world, you have gathered together your Church. Send forth the power of your Holy Spirit upon us gathered here out of love for you, and upon these gifts of bread and wine, which we offer up in unity with Christ’s offering of himself; so that empowered by your grace and enabled by your love, we may be his body in this world, bringing his good news of life to every corner of it. Through him, with him, and in him, in the power of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor be to you, O God, now and forever. Amen.

Conclusion: Through him, with him, and in him, in the power of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor be to you, O God, now and forever. Amen.

If not previously offered: “And now with the confidence of your children, we offer the prayer our Savior taught us, ‘Our Father…’”

MORE…

Rev. Tim Graves offers Liturgy Bits with valuable, culturally sensitive and creatively contemplative works, well worth your time.

You may also want to visit Worship Connection at MinistryMatters.com, which offers numerous helps, including electronic versions of print resources for worship and preaching planning.

Common Worship Almanac and Lectionary for the year beginning Advent Sunday 2018. Calendar for 2019

Book of Common Prayer (1979), Public domain.

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