2nd
Quarter 2002
Call to Worship
Leader: O come let us sing a new song.
People: We will sing a song of the Lamb.
Leader: For the Lamb is also our Shepherd,
People And we are the sheep of his pasture.
All: We will sing a new song, a song of the Lamb who died for all, and who sends out the Sheep to bring others into the fold.
Prayer of Confession (Based on 1 Peter 2:22-24)
Lord God, we confess that we are a people of many sins, and that we too often speak deceptive words to one another. God, have mercy upon us.
Lord God, we pay lip service to forgiveness, but all too often harbor grudges and seek ways to get even for the wrongs, serious and trivial, committed against us.
Lord God, our own faith is weak, so we fear to place our trust in you and resist following your Son into those places he would send us, preferring instead to spend our time and energy pursuing our own hobbies and interests. Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Prayer of Dedication
Gracious God, what can we bring in response to the great love you have given us in Christ Jesus, our Lord? Nothing, of course, but ourselves. And so we bring these gifts as symbols of ourselves, asking that you use them, and us. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
Gracious God, our Creator, we come today thanking you for the gracious ways in which you have dealt with us. Although the song is true, "that we are poor little sheep who have lost our way," we thank you that you sent us the One who shows us the Way back to you, for he is indeed, "the way. The truth, and the life." We find great comfort and power in your son Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd, who gave his life for us upon the cross. We thank you, too, that you choose to work your deeds of healing love and grace through those whom Christ calls to join his flock.
We would at times prefer to stay in the fold, using it as a safe and secure escape from the trials and temptations of the world, but he sends us forth to bring the good news of love and hope to others. Help us each day to see and respond to the needs of neighbors, near and far, known and unknown, as opportunities for serving you, rather than as interruptions of our daily routines. Open our eyes to see beyond the scary headlines of a world that seems to have gone mad, filled with reports of so much strife and violence and other signs of brokenness.
Strengthen our faith so that we will always believe that you are still in control, that beyond the Good Friday acts caused by human sin looms the divinely emptied tomb of Easter. For life based on Christ is stronger than death, love centered in him, overcomes hatred. May you be with and encourage all who carry on Christ's mission: with those who teach and preach your word; with those who share wisdom and knowledge in schools; those who dispense medicine and care in hospitals and clinics; those who seek justice in our courts; with all who legislate and administer laws on our behalf. May those who seek to bring warring parties together be truly blessed as your sons and daughters. Keep alive in your people the vision of a world of peace and justice, for we pray this in the name of the Lamb who died for all, Amen
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