1st
Quarter 2001-2002
Invocation
Faith can move mountains.
But we have so little.
Still faith can move mountains.
And they are so large.
Yes, we have seen faith move mountains.
Let us see some motion in our lives.
If we can't move mountains,
Let us at least move ourselves towards You. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
You have heard a lot from us, O God, this week. You have heard our ups and downs, our little stuff and our big stuff. You have even heard our hearts' ache—and some hearts break. You don't seem to be afraid, O God—instead You just hold us tighter. Forgive us our lack of faith, and forgive us our lack of trust. Let us let ourselves be held, even if we know we don't deserve it. Come soon to our side and to that of those who are even more afraid than we. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
What little we have, O God, we return to you. What little we know, O God, we offer to you in service. What little we trust, O God, we offer to each other, in increasing hopes for the time when all trust is restored. Use what we offer and use it soon and well. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
For those who have lost hope, we pray. For those who have lost faith, we pray. And for those who want to believe with all their hearts, but cannot, we pray. Let those who think they'll never be employed again be surprised by a job. Let those who think they have nothing to give, be ashamed at how their personal merit interferes with your plan. Stun Your world with a cure for AIDS and a solution to poverty. Stun Your world with a sudden vision of peace. Let the stingy become generous and the self-righteous be humbled. Let those of us who know too much become amazed at our ignorance, and those who think we are dumb be graced with some wisdom.
For the sick and the injured, we pray. For those in charge of large and difficult things, we pray. Let faith be the glue that keeps us together and connected to you, even if that faith is as small as a mustard seed. Let it become mighty enough to move mountains. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
