Call to Worship

Jesus teaches us, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” But who are the others?

Our enemies and friends, family and strangers.

Jesus teaches us, “Be merciful as your Father is merciful.” But what is mercy?

To act with compassion, to help without expecting anything in return.

Jesus teaches us, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” But how do we forgive?

By recognizing enemies, friends, family, strangers, and ourselves as people in need of compassion.

Let us worship God, who loves us and empowers us to love one another with mercy and compassion.

Come, let us worship! Thanks be to God! Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, August 2024.

Opening Prayer

Holy Jesus,
You call us into a life that others have told us is easy, but it is not.
You challenge us to forgive, to love our enemies,
to bless those who curse us.
We want the easy way,
but You have given us the hard path.
Grant us the patience and endurance to journey with You,
to allow ourselves at times to stumble,
to live into the hard way
so that we might fully experience
Your love, grace, and peace in this world,
by becoming a people full of love and grace
and forgiving others.
In Your name, we pray. Amen.

Written by Rev. Mindi and posted on Rev-o-lution, http://rev-o-lution.org/. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2014/02/prayer-people-of-love-and-grace.html.

Prayer of Confession

God, we are so conditioned to respond in kind.
We are so worried that when the reckoning comes,
we will find ourselves left with the short end of the stick.
And not without reason.
The powerful take and take and lie and lie
and oppress and oppress,
seemingly without consequence.

Teach us to love with skill.
Teach us to love with precision.
Teach us to love with abandon,
trusting that when we step into
the ocean of your abundant love,
we will receive the blessings of your abundant life. Amen.

Written by Todd Yonkman and posted on his website, Todd Grant Yonkman, https://todd-grant-yonkman.net/2019/02/11/worship-resources-for-epiphany-7c-february-24-2019/. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2019/02/prayer-of-confession-teach-us-to-love.html.

Benediction

Beloved, go from this place ready to listen. Listen for the opportunities to extend mercy. Notice the moments to forgive instead of condemn. Watch for the person who needs help without any strings attached. For the blessing of the Triune God goes with you, pouring out mercy and compassion on you so that you may share mercy and compassion with everyone you meet. Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, August 2024.