Category: narrative lectionary

Prayer Links for Advent Narrative Lectionary Dec. 17th

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A broad number of prayers from a variety of pastors/denominations. All variations of theology and kinds of prayers were accepted to show the vast richness of God’s work.
 These prayers are meant for personal spiritual practice or for congregations who follow the narrative lectionary.

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer written by XXX) appreciated.

Dec 17th, 2017 Prayer Resource Created by Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks

Isaiah 55:1-13 and John 4:13-14

Call to Worship from Psalm 126

One Voice:  Beloved, as we gather on this third Sunday of Advent, let us recall with gladness the God who has kept us thus far.

ALL:  We gather with mouths filled with laughter, and we lift our voices with shouts of joy.  Even through our tears and our struggles in these times, we rejoice for we know that we are never alone.  Today, we can boldly declare in all circumstances that the Lord has done great things for us.  Our joyful praise belongs to God. Alleluia and amen.

Call to Confession

Too often we lose sight of what is important and what is good for our souls—our bodies even! We spend our resources, our time and our energy on things that are not life-affirming or joy-inspiring—and sometimes we even fill up on things that cause harm to us, others and our planet.

Let us take a moment and reflect on the things we need to let go of? those places in our lives we need God to restore? Let us confess our sins, not out of guilt but with a desire to have our joy made complete in God. Let us pray in silence…

(Moment of Silent Prayer)

Prayer of Assurance

Sisters, brothers, siblings—God desires to be in right relationship with each and every one of us.  Just as God forgave David and promised God’s steadfast love to him—so it is for us.  Let us with joyful hearts turn back to God and as the prophet Isaiah declares “be led back in peace.” Having claimed this peace for ourselves, let us now share the sign of peace with one another.

Lighting of the Advent Candle

One Voice:  Today we light the 3rd Advent Candle—the candle which represents joy.

ALL:  In the lighting of this candle—we invoke God’s joy into this holy season, which can be painful and lonely for so many.  We declare God’s joy in these times when the world is filled with hardness and hate.  We believe that God’s promise of joy is everlasting and burns boldly within each and every one of us.  Like the light of this flame, today we let our joy shine for all the world to see! Amen.

Dec 3rd by Rev. Johanna Rehbaum

Dec 10th by Rev. Mike Williams

Dec. 24th Christmas Morning by Rev. Kate Johnson Martin

Dec 24th Christmas Eve by Rev. Lee Ann Higgins

 

Prayer Links for Advent Narrative Lectionary Dec. 10th

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Dec 10th 2017 Prayer Resource Created by Mike Williams

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer written by XXX) appreciated.

Call to Worship:
Leader: The frenzied pace of the holiday season and a frantic news cycle can leave us dry and brittle.
People: And yet, the hand of the Lord still comes upon us.
Leader: We find ourselves in the valley wondering whether life is possible.
People: And yet, the Spirit sets us down where we need to be.
Leader: We come together today seeking to hear the Word of the Lord.
People: Come, Lord God, speak to us. Breathe upon us, that we may live.
Call to Confession:
The Lord has spoken to us through prophets and through God’s own Son, Jesus Christ. Despite this, we often feel lost and completely cut off. Confession is an opportunity to take an honest look at ourselves and to ask for the Holy Spirit to come upon us once more. Please join me as we pray together the prayer of confession…
Prayer of Confession:
O Lord, our God, you have called us to be your people and to stand on your Word. Even though you have granted us hope, breath, and life itself, we confess that we have allowed the noise, violence, and injustice of this world to dry up our faith. Sin leads us to graves of our own making. Speak to us once more, O God. Bring us back. Help us to live. Cause us once more to know that your Son, Jesus Christ, is our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Words of Assurance:
Mortals, the good news of our faith is this, Jesus has opened up the grave and brought us back to the land of the living. We have been forgiven. The Holy Spirit is at work within us. We shall live as God’s own people. Know that the Lord has spoken and acted on our behalf. Through Christ we can be at peace. Amen.
Passing of the Peace:
In his vision, Ezekiel saw the life-giving power of God’s Spirit at work. That same Holy Spirit is present with us in worship today. Let us share the peace that we have received through the passing of the peace.
Lighting of the Advent Candle:
Reader 1: Our world is often frightening and overwhelming. Peace seems absent from the headlines. Such situations are nothing new. Ezekiel lived in a time of exile. His vision of a valley of dry bones reminds us that people have always dealt with violence and injustice. Peace was in as short supply then as it is today. Fortunately, God did not allow the story to end there. Ezekiel was called to prophesy a message of restoration, life, and peace.
Reader 2: During Advent we prepare to receive the one who was able to overcome death and offer us everlasting peace. Today we light the candle of peace. We remember that Jesus was called the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. In John 14:27 he offered that peace to his disciples, and to all of us, when he said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”
Reader 1: We light this candle as a sign of the peace of Christ given to us. (light the candle)
Reader 2: May we always remember this peace and allow it to sustain us throughout this Advent season. Let us pray…
People: Almighty God, we seek to love you and live in the Spirit of truth. Often, however, we find ourselves overcome by the world. In this moment we ask you to reveal yourself to us once more. Help us to remember the peace that your Son offers. Prepare us once more to receive him throughout this Advent season. Amen.

Prayer Links for Advent Narrative Lectionary Dec. 3rd

Prayer Resource for Narrative Lectionary in Advent, written by diverse pastors

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A broad number of prayers from a variety of pastors/denominations. All variations of theology and kinds of prayers were accepted to show the vast richness of God’s work.
 These prayers are meant for personal spiritual practice or for congregations who follow the narrative lectionary.

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer written by XXX) appreciated.

Dec 3rd 2017 Prayer Resource Created by Rev. Johanna  Rehbaum 

Daniel 3:1, 8-30 and John 18:36-37

CALL TO WORSHIP from Psalm 40

I waited patiently for the Lord;
 he inclined to me and heard my cry. 
He put a new song in my mouth,
   a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord. 
Happy are those who make the Lord their trust,
   who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods. 

  

PRAYER AND CONFESSION

We wait in hope for a God who enters the fiery furnace of the unstable places of our world, who enters the world’s darkness, who enters into our sin. Let us prepare to meet God, but entering into a time of prayer and confession…

 

Silence for reflection: when has your trust in God faltered this week? When have you put your trust in false promises?

 

God of the Fiery Furnace, Have mercy on us. We confess that when our feet are to the flames of life’s demands, our response is too often to turn our attention away from you and away from our neighbor. We put our trust in other gods, other idols, that offer false promises of relief. We seek consolation from quick fixes, and not from a relationship with you. Forgive us, God, for the times we have turned inward instead of toward you, and help us to trust in you and walk in your will and ways.

 

Assurance of Pardon:

Comfort, O comfort my people,

says your God. God is with us in the fiery furnaces of life.

In ☩ Jesus Christ your sins are forgiven

and all things are made new.

Amen.

 

LIGHTING OF THE WREATH

Despite the shadows of this world, we dare to hope. As we light this candle, we gave thanks to God that even when we are overcome with sin and doubt, God’s light promises to scatter the darkness.

 

Light Advent wreath.

 

Let us pray… Come, Lord Jesus,

Come and upset our carefully guarded routine, our carefully ordered structure.

Come crashing in
, making yourself heard in the cacophony.

Come tiptoeing in
, making us sit up and take notice.

Surprise us with all the ways you are present for us.

Bring calm and reassurance
 that your love never falters
 and that your spirit never leaves us.

Come, Lord Jesus,
 be known in our imperfect lives today and by your presence, cleanse and renew us
 with your unpredictable spirit today.
 Amen.

(adapted from Spill the Beans)

 

OPENING SONG: O Come, O Come Emmanuel

 

O come, O come, Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel.

 

O come, O Branch of Jesse, free

Your own from Satan’s tyranny;

From depths of hell your people save,

And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel.

 

O come, O Dayspring, come and cheer;

O Sun of justice, now draw near

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death’s dark shadow put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel.

 

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY

God of fiery flames,

Even the most raging fire could not destroy your servants when they called upon you in faith. Give us faith to withstand anything that rages to deter us from following you.

Amen

(by Kimberly Leetch)

Being Open to Interpretation, #faith

Faith is opening oneself up to interpretation. Laying your whole being and existence of the line in order to interpret

the who of oneself

the why of existence

the where to now of being

These interpretations are done, usually, using a text, speaking from the Presbyterian perspective that text is the Bible, followed by the Confessions of faith and the Book of Order (our rules/discipline/consistituational documents)

But opening ourselves up to interpretation means being open to the interpretations varying, and interpretations themselves to change, because GOD is not a static being.

Consistent and faithful–God can be counted on.

Generally most people think God does not change, altho this does little for the times in scripture when God changes God’s mind (go figure).

But I say, if God can change God’s mind so can we.

If God is not static, neither should our faith.

If something is not growing, its not alive, we want a lively faith, we need to be growing in our interpretation and our understanding.

I have learned so much, by listening closely to all those people whose faith is especially different than mine. To my one best friend who never was churched but has a strong sense of God and Jesus. To my other best friend who was raised more Pagan than anything else and has a strong sense of the Greek & Roman Mythos of the world.

To my siblings all of whom are millennials, none of whom attend church regularly.

To all the fellow-clergy on twitter & Facebook who are feeling our way through social justice issues and the state of the world.

To my LGBTQUIA community who can interpret scripture in ways that are beyond my ken as a hegemonic individual.

To my brown sibs and and black sibs who are empowered, loving and honest in ways that need to be heard.

Here I am, open to interpretation, and my faith informs that, and the scriptures equally are being interpreted and re-interpreted.

And I read the Bible, and that is Canon, but I read the other texts too, Langston Hughes and Madeline L’engle, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Malala Yousafzai, Elias Chacour, and so much more.

If you are asking a questions of faith, be sure to be open to interpretation, hard as it is.

For you know, that’s the kind of faith that will change you.

Invisible People

April 3
Vision
Katy Stenta
Luke 18:35-43

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“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” Shush, says the crowd, big quiet, do not talk. This blind man, who couldn’t see Jesus, yet knew he was there. Jesus is on his way to certain death, making the final journey to Jerusalem. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on ME!” Louder, this time, and Jesus hears it. (Part of me thinks of course Jesus hears him, Jesus always hears him). The ignored one, the incomplete, imperfect one, the no-doubt-annoying-one. The fussy child who can’t sit still, the family that can never get to church on time, the elder who has a lot of trouble hearing, the one in pain, the one alone, the one who for whatever reason cannot see Jesus today. The one who can’t see Jesus, because of their perspective, the one who has to climb a tree just to see Jesus.

In a time where still people are ignored, erased or shunted to the side, in an age of constant chatter, still so many need to try out to be heard.

And then, Jesus stops. He stands still, and says not only “receive sight” but also “your faith has saved you.” We are given not only the vision, but also the salvation we need. What has been granted is so much more than “Be Thou my Vision.” We are given the time and notice and love we need—those things we need to have faith and be saved. Praise God.

Pastor Katy Stenta is the Solo at a Bigger-on-the-inside & Revitalized New Covenant Presbyterian Church in Albany, NY

 

Easter/Resurrection Links of Prayer

 

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Invitation to be Raised by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer/prayers written by Rev Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl) appreciated.

Luke 24:1-12 and Psalm 118: 17, 21-24 or Psalm 118:20 

Call to Worship/Opening Prayer

Option A: Gospel

Bring us to your place of resurrection, Lord.

Perplex us. Terrify us. Make us remember.

Send us out to tell the good news.

Bring us back to see for ourselves.

Amaze us by what has happened, and by what continues to happen.

Make us your resurrection people.

Option B: Gospel

We are perplexed when Christ Jesus is not in the tomb.When confronted by your messengers, we are moved to worship.They tell us we are looking for the living among the dead and testify to who Jesus is and what he has promised.Confront us. Speak to us. Fulfill your promises to us.Embolden us to carry Easter news to the world:Christ is risen!   ALL: Christ is risen indeed!

Option C: Psalm

I shall not die, but I shall live

I shall recount the deeds of the Lord.

I thank you that you have answered me and become my salvation.

The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.

This is the Lord’s doing

It is marvelous in our eyes.

This is the day that the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Prayer of Confession

God, many times we do not pay attention to the tales of what you do. We think they are idle nonsense, full of wishful thinking and overactive imaginings. We are afraid to believe them. We don’t want to be ridiculed or disappointed. When we do not see you, we think that you are missing-in-action. We expect death and tombs, not resurrection and new life. Often we do not remember what you have promised or what you have done. We think that you acted in other times and place, not our own, or we want to be in charge of how and when and why you are act. Forgive us, Lord, and help our unbelief.

Easter Litany

(Possibly for Communion)

One; On this Easter morning,

Many: on this day of resurrection,

ALL: O Lord, raise us up.

One: As Jesus rose up from the grave.

Many: and Peter rose up to go and see

ALL: O Lord, raise us up.

One: Raise us up to the surface

Many: where we can breathe.

One; Raise us up to the mountain

Many: where you can be seen and heard.

ALL: O Lord, raise us up.

One: Raise us up from the tomb

Many: renouncing the old life in favor of the new.

One: Raise us up in mutiny against the powers of evil

Many: resisting hate and injustice.

One: Raise us up in rebellion against all that would separate and divide

Many: Straighten us up in the face of overwhelming threats

ALL O Lord, raise us up.

One: Raise us up from death.

Many: Raise us up with your burgeoning life.

One: Raise us up with your effervescent Spirit.

Many: As your resurrection people

ALL: O Lord, raise us up.

More Narrative Lectionary Lenten Themed Prayers  

Crucifixion/Good Friday Links of Prayer Lenten Resource

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Invitation to by Rev. Rev Lee Ann Higgins

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer/prayers written by Rev Lee Ann Higgins) appreciated.

Luke 23:32-47 and Psalm 31:5-13 ro Palm 31:5a

Call to Worship

(Based on  KJV – Psalm 31:1, 5-13)

Into thine hand I commit my spirit:  thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.

 I have hated them that regard lying vanities:  but I trust in the Lord.

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy:  for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

And has not shut me up into the hand of my enemy:  thou hast set my feet in a large room.

Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble:  mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.

For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing:  my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance:  they that did see me without fled from me.

I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind:  I am like a broken vessel.

For I have heard the slander of many:  fear was on every side:  while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

But I trusted in thee, O Lord:  I said, Thou art my God.

My times are in thy hand:  deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.  Amen.

Opening Prayer:

Loving Father,

We come today, not only to worship and praise you,

But also to remember Your Son, Jesus Christ,

Who gave up his life for us.

Be present with us here today as we remember

This sad day and why it had to happen.

Help us to see the joy within the tragedy,

A life so willingly given, …

For me … for us … Amen!

Prayer of Confession

Forgiving Father,

On that Friday, oh so long ago,

Your Son asked you to forgive his killers,

Because “they know not what they do.”

As we stand here in our humanness

Not always knowing what we do,

We cannot possible understand the

Great love you had for those people, and

We do not understand the great love you have for us.

You allowed your Son to be put to death

In a cruel fashion, yet, we know it was because of

Your unceasing love for us.

Just like those soldiers, we have sinned

And fall short of your glory.

We aren’t always aware of where we fall short,

But we don’t mean to disappoint you.

You are our perfect God who wants nothing

But the love of Your children.

Through Your Son’s death we are assured of your love

And we ask for your unconditional forgiveness.

Lead us to your way.  Guide us in our path.

Forgive us, we pray.  AMEN!

Assurance of Pardon

(from Chalice Worship)

Our redeemer God, we bless you for meeting us in Jesus Christ,

Who for our salvation humbled himself to die for us.

We bless you for all the burdens Christ has borne,

For all the tears he has wept,

For all the pains he has suffered,

For every word of comfort he spoke on the cross,

For every conflict with the power of darkness,

And for his eternal victory over the terrors of death.

 

Lead us through the valley of the shadow of death,

That we may fear no evil, for you are eternally with us;

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

Communion & Communion Prayer

On the night He was betrayed, Jesus met with His disciples in the upper room and they ate a meal together.  This began the tradition of the Lord’s Supper that we now observe every Sunday.

Paul wrote about Communion in 1 Corinthians 11:26.  He said, “whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes”.

The meal that Jesus ate with His disciples on the night He was betrayed is known as the Passover meal.

  • When Passover was 1st observed, the Israelites were slaves in Egypt.  God sent Moses to confront Pharaoh, and to bring God’s people out of slavery.
  • Part of the way God “convinced” Pharaoh to release the Israelites, was through the 10 plagues.

The last of those plagues was the death of the firstborn of every household that did not have the blood of a spotless lamb painted on its doorposts.

  • The people of Israel were commanded to slaughter an innocent spotless lamb, paint its blood on their doorposts
    • And eat the meal that would now be known as the “Passover”, because God told His people,
    • That when He saw the blood of the lamb on their homes, He would pass over their homes, and death would not visit their families.
  • They were to eat the Passover meal dressed to leave the next day – BECAUSE on the next day they would leave the land of their slavery and enter into freedom.

Let us Pray:

Gracious and loving Heavenly Father.  A lamb died on that first Passover so that the people of Israel would live.  Our lamb (Jesus Christ) died so that we might live.

A lamb died so that the people of Israel would be freed from the fear of enslavement.  Our Lamb (Jesus, the Lamb of God) died so that we might be freed from the slavery of our fear of death.

Thank you dear Lord, that, in communion, we receive the message of freedom from the grave.

Thank you that this message is not received only at Easter.  Thank you that we receive this message every time we gather around this Table as believers.

Thank you for the message that:  DEATH HAS BEEN CONQUERED!  AMEN!

Offering Prayer/Prayer of Dedication

Heavenly Father,

We give back but a portion of ourselves,

Wishing we could give so much more.

You have made many things out of nothing;

You fed thousands with a basket of bread and fish,

You made wine from mere water,

And You made Saul into Paul.

We have faith that you will magnify these morals.

Allow us to see Your perfect vision,

And to continue your work on Earth.

Gird us up to share with the world; that You sent YOUR Son as

THE ultimate offering and sacrifice.

That by accepting this truth, all would be forgiven

And spend eternity in your presence.

AMEN.

A Link to a Good Friday Liturgy of the Nails http://wp.me/p2rhxZ-25W

More Narrative Lectionary Lenten Themed Prayers  

 

Rich Man and Lazarus: Lenten Links of Prayer for Narrative Lectionary

Invitation to by Rev. Tracy Spencer-Brown

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer/prayers written by Rev Tracy Spencer-Brown) appreciated.

Luke 16:19-31 and Psalm 41:1-3 or Psalm 41:1

Call to Worship

You call us to you, O God, that we may worship together.

You call us away from our preoccupations and preconceptions,

That we might hear the words of life;

Words that call us to reflect, to repent, and to be replenished.

May we hear your Word to us as we worship.

Prayer of Confession

Compassionate God, we confess that we are a people that ignore that which is around us.  We are so focused on what we have to do and who we have to see, that we pass by those who are suffering.  We choose to turn away.  We ignore those begging for what they need to live.  We neglect those who are in need of healing.  We disregard our sisters and brothers who are oppressed by systems of our own creation.

Forgive us our willful ignorance, O God.  Break through the walls that we have erected to keep us safe and secure.  Open our eyes to those who are in pain.  Open our ears to their cries of injustice.  Compel us to change the systems that imprison so many, so that all your children might live in freedom.  In the name of Jesus, we pray…

Assurance of Pardon

Our God, who is faithful and just, sees us as we are in all our sinfulness.                                 Our God, who is full of grace and glory, forgives us our sin and restores us.                                 Our God, who breathed breath into us, gives us new life through our Lord Jesus Christ.

In gratitude and thanksgiving, we give thanks to God.  Amen.

Communion Prayer

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

We give you praise, O God, for all that is comes from you.  Creation flowed through your mighty hand, singing your power and praise to the universe.  Through it, you provided all that we could need or want.  For all those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, its beauty proclaims your glory and gives us a glimpse of your eternal love for us.  Throughout the ages, you have continued to provide for us, sending mothers and fathers of the faith to lead us.  Even when we strayed from your way, you sent your prophets to call us to account and to call us back to you.  In your time, you sent your Son, Jesus, that we might be healed and made whole, and reconciled to you forever.

Therefore we join our voices with the voices of the prophets and the apostles, and all the angels of heaven who forever sing to the glory of your name:

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

Blessed are you, O God, and blessed is your Son, Jesus Christ.  You sent Jesus, taking on our human nature, to live among us in truth and grace.  In his life – as he share our joys and sorrows, healed and taught, worked miracles and reconciled sinners, – he showed forth your love and grace.  Through his death and resurrection, he proclaimed victory over death, and reconciled us to you for eternity.  Remembering all that you have done, we take from your creation this bread and this wine, and joyfully offer these gifts to you:

We praise you, we bless you, we give thanks to you, and we pray to you, Lord our God.

Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless, may be the communion of the body and the blood of Christ.  Send us out into the world in the power of the Spirit, that we may live for others as Christ lived for us.  By your Spirit, draw us together into the one body of Christ, the church, to be a witness to your work in the world.  Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, Almighty God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication

Gracious God, you have created all that is for our provision, that we might have all we need and more.  You have entrusted us with the responsibilities of caring for your creation and each other.

Bless these gifts, that through your grace, there might be enough for all.  Bless our lives, that we might be your servants in this time and place, reaching out to those who are suffering, so that your love might be known.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.  Amen.

More Narrative Lectionary Lenten Themed Prayers  

Prayer Station by Rev. Shea Zellweger

Psalm 41:1-3

How blessed is the one who treats the poor properly!
When trouble comes, the Lord delivers them.
2 May the Lord protect them and save their life!
May they be blessed in the land!
Do not turn them over to his enemies!
3 The Lord supports them on their sickbed;
you completely heal them from their illness.

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Guide:

Read the psalm once, and ponder it for a moment.

Pick up a coin and consider its value.

Read the psalm a second time, this time paying special attention to verse 1.

Select a piece of literature on how to aid the poor, either through Kiva or Heifer. Place your coin upright in the sand as a commitment not just to read the information contained therein, but to take action concerning what you read.

Read the psalm a third time as a prayer of offering.

 

 

 

Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Lost Son: Narrative Lectionary Lenten Links of Prayer

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Invitation to be Found by Mike Williams

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer/prayers written by Rev Mike Williams) appreciated.

Luke 15:1-32 and Psalm 119:167-176 or Psalm 119:176

Call to Worship (based on Psalm 119:157-176)

The sum of God’s word is truth. The righteous ordinances of our God endure forever.

We rejoice in God’s word like those who find great spoil                                                                               

We come together today to praise God and to find the peace granted to those who love God’s law.                                                                                                                                       

We hope for the Lord’s salvation and love the Lord’s decrees.                                                                                                     

In this time of worship let our supplication come before our Lord, who gives understanding from God’s word.                                                                                                           

Let our lips pour forth praise and let us sing of God’s promise.

Let us live to praise our God and let God’s ordinances help us in our worship.                                           

For we have gone astray like lost sheep, but the Lord has sought us out, and sent us God’s Son so that we might once more remember God’s commandments.

Prayer of Invocation

Holy Father of prodigal children everywhere, as we come into your presence today, we praise you for the assurance of your love. We thank you for gift of your Son who comes to us with stories of redemption and forgiveness. In this time of worship, pour out your Spirit upon us, that we may hear the promise of your grace. Fill us with compassion for your world. Help us to celebrate with those who come to life by finding you. Amen

Call to Confession

No matter how familiar we are with them, the stories of Jesus continually catch us off guard. Whether we think of ourselves as righteous, dutiful children, or as sheep who have gone astray, Christ reminds us of our continuous need for him. Let us now acknowledge our shortcomings, and remind ourselves of God’s grace, by praying together the prayer of confession…

Prayer of Confession

Great Shepherd, we come to you today recognizing that, like lost sheep, we have gone astray. You have given us your word and called us to live by your commandments. Yet, seeking greener pastures, we have squandered the riches you have given us and lived lives focused on ourselves. We have also failed to see the needs of others and refused to offer forgiveness to those who have wronged us. Remind us, O God, of the gift of your Son. Empower us with your grace, and call us to rejoice as sheep who have been returned to your fold. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Sisters and brothers, the promise of Gospel is that we have a shepherd who will never stop looking for us. Christ comes to us and brings us home once more, leading us into the presence of the God who loves us. Jesus assures us that grace is real. Indeed, he tells us “there is joy in the presence of God over one sinner who repents.” Know that you are forgiven and be at peace.

Passing of the Peace

The father of the prodigal son called everyone together to celebrate the return of the child he thought he had lost. In the same way, let us celebrate together the forgiveness we have received through the passing of the peace.

Communion Prayer:

Gracious God, like lost sheep we wander far from your love. We chase after things that do not satisfy and end up far from where you would have us be. We find ourselves spiritually dying from hunger. In your mercy, O God, you have not abandoned us to our own wills. Although we are not worthy to stand before you, you have sent your Son, the good shepherd, to pursue us and call us back to the fold. In this moment we ask you to pour out your Holy Spirit on these elements. Make this sacrament a foretaste of your heavenly kingdom where there is bread enough to spare. You are always with us and have given us everything. Let us now celebrate with you and all the angels of heaven as repentant sinners who once were lost, but now are found. This we ask, trusting in your precious name, Amen.

Offering Prayer/Prayer of Dedication

Generous and giving God, you have reminded us of your prodigal love. You have bestowed upon us blessings beyond measure. We praise you for your kindness and for the chance to return a portion of that back into your service. Take what we have given and let it be a symbol of the compassion that you have for your world. Use it to fill those who have little, and guide those who are lost. Pour out your Holy Spirit on these tithes and offerings, so that your grace might be known throughout the world. Amen.

Prayer Station by Rev. Shea Zellweger

Psalm 119:167-176

167 I keep your rules;
I love them greatly.
168 I keep your precepts and rules,
for you are aware of everything I do.
169 Listen to my cry for help, O Lord!
Give me insight by your word!
170 Listen to my appeal for mercy!
Deliver me, as you promised.
171 May praise flow freely from my lips,
for you teach me your statutes.
172 May my tongue sing about your instructions,
for all your commands are just.
173 May your hand help me,
for I choose to obey your precepts.
174 I long for your deliverance, O Lord;
I find delight in your law.
175 May I live and praise you!
May your regulations help me!
176 I have wandered off like a lost sheep.
Come looking for your servant,
for I do not forget your commands.

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Guide:

Read the psalm once, and ponder it for a moment.

Place a cup in the sand.

Read the psalm a second time, this time paying special attention to verse 171.

Pour water from the pitcher into the cup as you say (aloud or silently) “May praise flow freely from my lips.” Just as freely flowing water quickly fills the cup, so freely flowing praise can quickly fill our lives.

Read the psalm a third time as a song of praise.

More Narrative Lectionary Lenten Themed Prayers  

Lament Over Jerusalem: Narrative Lectionary Lent Links of Prayer

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Invitation to Gather by Rev. Courtney D. Arntzen

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer/prayers written by Rev Courtney D. Arntzen) appreciated.

Luke 9:1-9, 31-35 and Psalm 122 or Psalm 122:1

Call to Worship

Voice 1: Come

Voice 2: Come stay

Voice 1: Come stay near

Voice 2: Come stay near me

Voice 1: My wings

Voice 2: My wings are broad

Voice 1: My wings are broad enough to keep you

Voice 2: Gather here.

Voice 1: Gather and hear.

Voice 2: There is room for you.

Voice 1: Just as you are

Voice 2: Gather and hear.

Voice 1: Gather here.

Call to Confession
The Pharisees come warning Jesus, “Get out of here! Herod wants to kill you.”
Jesus responds, “Not today!  Today I have lives to heal and people to release.  Today I will tell people again that I am the lifesaver.”  Let us pray:

Prayer of Confession                                                                                                                  

Faithful God, You presented the law to release us from slavery,

and we turn it into a rulebook dictating who is in and who is out.

You provide the prophets with messages of life for all

and we mock their words, abusing their message for our benefit.

Through Jesus you fulfill the release from capture and we choose enslavement. Through Jesus you fulfill the message of life for all and we abuse the message. Over and over we ignore the call to pay attention.(Wake us up!) Over and over again you call us to yourself, longing to gather us, protect us, and save us by your life. (Wake us up!) You call us to life, and we wander aimlessly in the path of death. (Wake us up!) Hear us now as we confess our wandering ways (Silent Confession)…Amen

Assurance of Pardon

Jesus says, unless you turn to me, you will die.  He then describes himself as a sacrificial hen that longs to protect her chicks from the sly fox.

This is the good news: Jesus wings are always spread

There is room, enough room

For you.

For you all.

Turn toward Jesus, nestle under the wings of Jesus, receive the grace and peace that comes alone from him.  In the safety of Jesus’ embrace, let us be sent out to share the news that there is room enough for all.

Offertory Prayer/Prayer of Dedication                                                                        

Receive these offerings as an expression of our desire to place our lives again in your hands.  Multiply these gifts for the expansion of your life saving message to be shared through this community faith, both here and far beyond.  In Jesus name and in expectation of his return, we pray.  Amen

Communion Prayer                                                                                                         

Gracious God, we praise you for your handiwork in creation, the wonders of the mighty mountains and the stillness of the silent snowfall.  We praise you for wooing us into your fold through the life-work and life-saving ministry of Jesus.  We are reminded that a mother hen may extend her wings to hold and protect her young.  On the cross we remember Jesus’ arms extended, that we might come to him as we come to this table and receive all that is offered.  You held nothing back on our behalf, may we hold nothing back as we come.  Let us bring our full selves to the table where we receive once again your fullness.             

Prayer Station by Rev. Shea Zellweger

Psalm 122

1 I was glad because they said to me,
“We will go to the Lord’s temple.”
2 Our feet are standing
inside your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem – built as a city bound firmly together.
4 The tribes go up there,
the tribes of the Lord,
where it is required that Israel
give thanks to the name of the Lord.
5 Indeed, the leaders sit there on thrones and make legal decisions,
on the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May those who love her prosper!
7 May there be peace inside your defenses,
and prosperity inside your fortresses!
8 For the sake of my brothers and my neighbors
I will say, “May there be peace in you!”
9 For the sake of the temple of the Lord our God
I will pray for you to prosper.

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Guide:

Read the psalm once, and ponder it for a moment.

Pick up several sticks (at least 3) and hold them.

Read the psalm a second time, this time paying special attention to verse 3.

Using a piece of twine, tie your sticks so that they are “bound firmly together” Place your bound sticks upright in the sand. Remember that God has called the church to be bound together, and that we are the temple of the Lord

Read the psalm a third time as a prayer of thanksgiving.                                                                                                                                                                          

More Narrative Lectionary Lenten Themed Prayers