Index
of 1st QuarterIndex
of 1st Quarter
Invocation or Call to Worship (Based on Jeremiah 1:4-10)
Leader: Before God formed us, God knew us.
People: Before we were born, God sanctified us.
Leader: God appointed us to proclaim the good news to all.
People: Let us therefore go to all, and say to all what God has told us.
Prayer of Confession
Holy God, you are the one God of all. Yet sometimes we act as if you were only our God. You command us to go forth into the world to spread Your Word. But too often we fail to do that. We sit quietly in our churches, ignoring the pressing needs that are all around us. People cry out to us for help, but instead of offering words of hope, we silently look away. Eternal Lord, forgive our sin, for the way that we all too often take our faith for granted. Turn to us, and use us to usher in Your Kingdom. We ask this in the name of our Redeemer Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
Creator God, for the food that is set on our tables, for the rain that falls from the sky, for the beauty of Your world, we offer our prayers of thanks. Receive now our gifts as a sign of our gratitude for Your never-ending goodness toward us. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
Almighty Lord, there are so many troubles that exist in our world. We hear about them daily: from the constant one of hunger to the concerns we have today about ______________________ (fill in latest problem). At times, it all seems to be more than we can bear. The needs of this world seem to be greater than we can deal with, leaving us feeling paralyzed, not knowing how to respond. In fact after a while we want to close our ears and stop listening, we just don't want to know about yet another problem.
There are so many reasons for us to give up hope, to feel inadequate for the tasks at hand. And it is true, that by ourselves we are powerless. Yet as You, O Lord, draw near to us, You make great things possible.
Help us in each of our lives to discover the special mission that you have assigned to us. Instead of allowing us to focus on what we aren't able to do, direct our attention to what we can do. Help us envision the future that you have prepared for us. Challenge us and guide us. We pray this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.