Call to Worship (Based on Psalm 105:1-5)

Leader: Give thanks to the Lord! Call on God’s name! Proclaim God’s deeds to all the people!

People: Sing to the Lord! Sing praises to God! Sing of all God’s wonderful works!

Leader: Rejoice in God’s holy name! Seek the Lord, and celebrate God’s wonderful love!

People: Seek the Lord! God’s mighty presence will be our strength forever!

Prayer of Confession

Merciful Lord, You speak, but often we fail to listen. You reach out to us across the dark chasms, but we hesitate to take Your hand. We want to be self-sufficient. We want to be autonomous. We want to make it through this life on our own terms and by our own power. But eventually we realize that we can’t do it. Almighty God, forgive us for the ways we exalt ourselves, instead of exalting You. Even when we turn away from You, never allow the bonds between us to become broken. Draw us back, and hold us forever in Your loving and life-giving embrace. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer

Heavenly Father, at times we wonder if perhaps we are cut off from You. We witness so much sadness in the world, and it causes us to question whether You have abandoned us. We see reports of battles and bloodshed on TV. We listen to accounts of kidnappings and killings on the radio. We read about robberies and rapes in the newspaper. We feel overwhelmed. We wonder if You really care.

In our times of trial, draw near and reassure us. Help us to see that there is nothing in all creation that is truly able to separate us from Your loving embrace. In times of doubt, touch us with Your loving hands. In times of fear, hold us close with Your compassionate arms. In times of loneliness, wrap us with the comfort of Your tender care. For You are our one true hope now and forevermore. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication

Awesome and mighty God, we trust that You are at work through all things to bring about what is good. We pray that even now, as You receive our gifts and offerings, You would take them and use them to accomplish good and wonderful things in our community and throughout the world. Amen.