1 Kings 3:4-9
Matt 6:9-10
Additional Scripture
Psalm 5
Ecclesiastes 7
Meditative Thought: What is the wisdom of the Saints?
Call to Worship
Lord let us approach you with wisdom
Let us approach you with hope
Let us approach you with love
Come let us approach the Lord
Prayer of Confession Holy God, we confess that we do not always approach you with wisdom. Sometimes we are afraid, that we do not know everything, and we feel foolish to approach you. Yet, you are always inviting, all people of differing ages, faiths, intelligences and abilities. You promise that all can be used to glorify you. Though we may be aware of our limitations, open our eyes to the possibilities we pray.
Assurance of Pardon
God wisely sent his only son to teach us, but also to love us. Remember the truth. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
Additional Prayer
Call to Worship (from Psalm 5)
Give ear to our words, O Lord;
Give heed to our sighing.
Listen to the sound of our cry, O Lord;
We pray to you, our God and our King.
You hear our voice in the morning.
At sunrise we offer our prayer.
O God, we wait for your answer.
*Hymn # 80 I Greet Thee Who My True Redeemer
*Call to Confession
*Prayer of Confession (adapted from prayer by Brenda Kuyper)
One: Our Father in who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Many: Forgive us when we act in ways that shame your name; empower us to honor and praise you by all we think, say, and do.
One: Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Many: Forgive us when we are so caught up in our own lives that we fail to share your love and grace with the world around us.
One: Give us this day our daily bread.
Many: Forgive us when we trust too much in the things and people
you have given us, forgetting they come from you.
One: Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Many: Forgive us when we harden our hearts toward those who have hurt us, forgetting that, time and again, you forgive us when we have hurt you.
One: Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
Many: Show us the ways we hurt you and the work of the Kingdom. Embolden us to stand firm against temptation..
One: For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Many: Make us your people, serving your kingdom.
ALL: IN CHRIST’S NAME WE PRAY, AMEN.
*Assurance of Forgiveness
One: Christ Jesus came that we might know forgiveness and be renewed,
becoming more and more like him.
ALL: THANKS BE TO GOD FOR THE GOOD NEWS: IN JESUS CHRIST,
WE ARE FORGIVEN.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson: 2 Chronicles 6:18-21
Special Music: Make My Life A Prayer to You Len & Barb Hedges-Goettl
Gospel Scripture Lesson: Matthew 6:5-13
Epistle Scripture Lesson: Romans 8:26-27
*Hymn #350 Open My Eyes, That I May See
Teach Us to Pray Rev. Dr. Len Hedges-Goettl
*Hymn #435 What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Prayer of Confession adapted from https://www.reformedworship.org/article/june-2013/lord%E2%80%99s-prayer. Cover image from https://www.puttingonthenew.com/2014/04/01/make-my-life-a-prayer-to-you/
Rev. Dr. Len Hedges-Goettl (GATE-L) is an ordained PC(USA) pastor who became a clinical psychologist after discovering he needed more training to continue and deepen his pastoral work with survivors of abuse. Len (and his wife Barb) returned to the East Coast several years ago to be nearer to their grown children, most of whom settled on the East Coast after living in Jenkintown for ten years as kids. Katy, a pastor in Albany, NY, and her librarian husband Anthony have three boys ages 10, 8 and 6. Bob, an Information Tech guy who lives in Philly, will be married to Brenna next year. Social worker Izzy lives with lawyer husband James in NYC. Their youngest daughter Noelle, a theater person, inexplicably lives in Chicago.
Possible Lord’s Prayer hymns
Presbyterian Hymnal:
347: Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive
349: Let All Who Pray the Prayer Christ Taught
358: Help Us Accept Each Other
God’s will
#86 (refrain) When We Are Tempted to Deny Your Son
#178 (verse 1) Lord, to You My Soul Is Lifted
#287 (verse 1) God Folds the Mountains Out of Rock
#316 (verse 2) Breathe on Me, Breath of God
#324 (refrain) Open My Eyes That I May See
#387 (verse 3) Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
#391 (verse 5) Take My Life
#409 (verse 1) Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice
#553 (verse 2) For the Fruit of All Creation
Hymns for the Living Church (1974)
#370 Teach Me Thy Will, O Lord
#516 Father Eternal, Ruler of Creation
Paraphrase(ish)
#203 (verse 2) God of Mercy, God of Grace
Lord’s Prayer as service music:
#571 (John Weaver 1988)
#589 (West Indian Folk Melody transcribed by Olive Pattison)
#590 (Vater Unser/Schumann’s Gestliche Lieder, harmonized by Bach; Vers. Henry J. deJong, 1982)