The Water’s Fine

Call to Worship

The Voice of God prods our hearing
The activity of God stretches our seeing.
Together they invite us down into the waters of life where the Spirit flows.
From there we may rise to go, to dare, to walk, and to serve beyond where we have been before.

Martha Brunell, The Abingdon Women’s Preaching Annual, Series 2, Year A (Abingdon Press, 2001), 58.

Litany - “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian”

(Sing) Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart.
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.
You alone can change me, Lord.
Wash me in the waters of baptism that I may become a new person.
Wash away everything that stands between me and your holiness.

(Sing) In my heart, in my heart.
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.
You alone can change me, Lord.
Wash away this temper that gets me into more trouble than I can handle.
Wash away the massive wants that place me in constant financial jeopardy.

(Sing) In my heart, in my heart.
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.
You alone can change me, Lord.
Wash away my envy that separates me from the people I should love.
Wash away everything that stands between me and your holiness.

(Sing) Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart.
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.
You alone can change me, Lord.
Wash me with your cleansing power that I may be a child of God.
You alone can change me, Lord.

(Sing) Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart.
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.

Kwasi I. Kena, The Africana Worship Book, Year A, Valerie Bridgeman Davis and Safiyah Fosua, eds., (Discipleship Resources, 2006), 103.

Prayer of the Church: Epiphany 1

(inspired by Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-13, Luke 3:21-22)

In the waters of baptism we were made God’s children
and called to serve one another as we have been served by Christ.
Therefore let us pray for one another and for all people
who will not or cannot pray for themselves.

Dear heavenly Father, we give you thanks and praise that in your mercy you brought us to baptism, and there gave us Jesus’ holiness in exchange for our sin and impurity. Thank you for our parents who brought us up in the faith and to baptism, thank you for those other people whom you used to bring us the gospel, and thank you for our pastors and teachers in the faith.

Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer.

We pray for the baptised people of God, that we may hang on to your promises in true faith, especially when we experience the wilderness of sin and evil within, and temptations and trials from outside. Strengthen us with your Holy Spirit so that Jesus’ victory may be our victory.

Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer.

We pray for all people, that the good news of Christ will be proclaimed and heard by all people, and that many will believe and be baptised. To this end, send and support pastors, missionaries, teachers, and lay people able to give truthful and loving witness to Christ.

Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer.

Have mercy on those in need, those who are struggling because of domestic violence and break-down, those who are suffering from harmful behaviour and hurting relationships. Heal, restore, and renew dear Lord.

Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer.

We pray for the sick, those who are disabled, those in hospital, those facing death. Show them the light of the gospel, provide helpers and carers and medical resources, and heal both body and soul. Be with those among us who are sick or recovering from surgery, and in particular (insert names), and others whom we name in our hearts… (brief silence)

Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, you have shown us your love and salvation in the baptism of your Son. Accept these prayers of your children in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

From the Lutheran Church of Australia’s Worship Planning Page. Reposted: https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/12/prayers-of-people-january-8-2012.html.

Benediction

Greet yourself as God’s beloved. Greet one another as God’s beloved. Greet all you encounter as God’s beloved. In that greeting, we will be and we will become the Body of Christ. In that greeting, we will behold the image of God, ever among us and around.

Martha Brunell, The Abingdon Women’s Preaching Annual, Series 2, Year A (Abingdon Press, 2001), 59.