CALL TO WORSHIP
Rejoice in the Lord, whose word is upright, and whose work is done in faithfulness.
God loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people chosen to be God’s heritage.
May steadfast love be the path we follow, even as we hope in God.
OPENING PRAYER
Rejoice in the Lord, whose word is upright, and whose work is done in faithfulness.
God loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people chosen to be God’s heritage.
May steadfast love be the path we follow, even as we hope in God.
—from Ps. 33
OPENING PRAYER
Almighty God,
you are the fount of all wisdom and the crown of all knowledge.
During this hour of worship,
we pray that you will give us eyes to see your presence in the world,
and minds able to understand your word.
Thus may we know you through your creation,
and better serve you and our neighbor in the week to come.
We ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Almighty God, Giver of all good things: We thank you for the natural majesty and beauty of this land. And though we often take them for granted, they restore us with your healing power.
[A silence is kept]
We praise you for all the resources of this nation. Help us to use them wisely.
[A silence is kept]
Thank you for the rich diversity of people who inhabit this country. Through modeling wisdom and perseverance, they have made all of us strong. May we show them our gratitude.
[A silence is kept]
We praise you for the torch of liberty that has been lit in this land. It has drawn people from every nation. Help us not to hide from it, but to live openly in its light.
[A silence is kept]
We thank you for the faith we have inherited in all its rich variety. Though sometimes we fail to trust you as we ought, it is your faithfulness that sustains our life.
[A silence is kept]
Help us, O Lord, to finish the good work here begun. Strengthen our efforts to blot our ignorance and division. Inspire us to do away with poverty and oppression. And hasten that day when all people with many voices in one united chorus will glorify your holy Name; for it is in that Name that we pray. Amen.
INVITATION
Jesus once promised that people would come from the east and west, from the north and south, and eat in the kingdom of God. Whenever we gather around his table, we know that that promise has been fulfilled. So no matter who you are, where you come from, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome at the table: Come.
COMMUNION PRAYER
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Almighty God, Giver of all good things: We thank you for the natural majesty and beauty of this land. And though we often take them for granted, they restore us with your healing power.
[A silence is kept]
We praise you for all the resources of this nation. Help us to use them wisely.
[A silence is kept]
Thank you for the rich diversity of people who inhabit this country. Through modeling wisdom and perseverance, they have made all of us strong. May we show them our gratitude.
[A silence is kept]
We praise you for the torch of liberty that has been lit in this land. It has drawn people from every nation. Help us not to hide from it, but to live openly in its light.
[A silence is kept]
We thank you for the faith we have inherited in all its rich variety. Though sometimes we fail to trust you as we ought, it is your faithfulness that sustains our life.
[A silence is kept]
Help us, O Lord, to finish the good work here begun. Strengthen our efforts to blot our ignorance and division. Inspire us to do away with poverty and oppression. And hasten that day when all people with many voices in one united chorus will glorify your holy Name; for it is in that Name that we pray. Amen.
—based on Chalice Worship
INVITATION
Jesus once promised that people would come from the east and west, from the north and south, and eat in the kingdom of God. Whenever we gather around his table, we know that that promise has been fulfilled. So no matter who you are, where you come from, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome at the table: Come.
COMMUNION PRAYER
We praise you, O Loving God,
for the glories of your creation, and our place in your world.
We give you special thanks for the freedom to worship you in peace,
even as we remember those who are oppressed.
We pray that you will grant your people gratitude and unity.
And we ask you now to send your Holy Spirit
to settle on the gifts we have laid on your table.
In eating the bread and drinking from the cup,
may we discern the body and blood of your Son.
Grant that this holy meal strengthen us as a
church
to do your will among our neighbors. We ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
