Call to Worship

Pilgrims on the way, when we feel lost and ask for a sign to show us the way out of our confusion,

We remember that when we gather to worship, we find God in our midst.

When we face obstacles and barriers that keep us from the life God has called us to,

We remember that God is always at work among us, protecting and tending our well-being.

When cannot find our way out of conflict and discord,

We remember that God calls and equips us for the work of reconciliation.

When we struggle to pay attention to how God is at work all around us,

We remember God’s call to sit, eat, and tell one another the stories of God’s faithfulness.

Pilgrims on the way, when we watch for signs of God among us,

Let us remember that we too are signs of God’s presence for others! Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, March 2023.

Prayers of the People

When we pray for the church and the world, we lock into the loving things God wants for humanity.

Let us pray.

Loving God, Friend of the neglected and the despised folk, Friend also of the cherished and honoured ones, we offer to you our prayers for this world for which Christ gave his all.

We pray for the overthrow of the arrogant and cruel, and for discontent in the souls of the greedy and the careless.

We pray for the uplifting of the meek and merciful, and for the encouragement of the poor and the pure.

We pray for the recovery of the bruised and the lost, and the peace of those who thirst for righteousness.

We pray for the feeding of the hungry in body or spirit, and for the healing of those who are dis-eased in body or mind.

We pray for the comfort of the suffering and the grieving, and for the befriending of the lonely, timid, or socially awkward people.

We pray for the humbling of the church if it becomes proud, and for courage wherever it is shunned or persecuted.

We pray for the strong and the weak in this congregation, and for the spiritual health of all other churches in the community.

You, Holy Friend, are more eager to give than we are to receive. Deal firmly with your servants gathered here now, that we get rid of everything that clutters our souls and make way for all the new blessings you have in store for us. Through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Amen!

Written by Bruce Prewer, posted at http://bruceprewer.com/DocA/52SUN23.htm.

Prayer of Confession

The act of confessing our sin is not simply a recitation of our faults and wrongs, but also an opportunity to receive God’s mercy and share in that abundant grace. Confident of God’s love for us, let us offer our prayers, first in silence.

Silent prayer.

Holy God, we ask for your help, your power, your Spirit, so that we can amend our lives and grow more each day into the image of Christ.

We confess that we fear what is different. We confess that it’s easier to lock the doors of our community than to receive those who don’t look like we look, love like we love, or vote the way we vote. We confess that we have not lived out your call to share in abundant life and unconditional love.

We believe that you have the power to turn us around to a more inclusive way of living, so we ask you to do that. We ask you to give us the courage to change. We ask that you give us the energy, intelligence, imagination, and love to be your people in all we say and do.

Amen.

Written by Beth Merrill Neel on her blog, ‘Hold Fast to What Is Good,’ https://holdfasttowhatisgood.com. Used with permission.

Benediction

Travelers on the journey of faith, pay attention! God is at work all around you. May you go ready to witness the signs of God’s love in your midst and to be a sign of God’s love wherever you go. Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, March 2023.