October 27, 2024
CALL TO WORSHIP
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; therefore we will not fear.
Though the earth should quake and the mountains shake and topple into the depths of the sea.
There is a river, whose streams make glad the city of God.
The Lord makes wars to cease throughout the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear.
The Lord of hosts is with us.
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
—from Ps. 46
OPENING PRAYER
Gracious Father, we pray for your holy catholic church.
Fill it with all truth and peace.
Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it.
Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is want, provide for it: where it is divided, reunite it.
We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God our Creator, you have made us, and you have loved us even when we have failed in our faithfulness to you.
O Jesus Christ, Word-made-flesh, you have shown us the face of God, taught us perfect love and obedience, and offered yourself for us, that we might experience abundant life. In your Name, we offer our prayers for healing and wholeness, for peace and justice. Hear us in the silence…
[A silence is kept.]
Holy Spirit of God— both gentle, refreshing breath and strong and powerful wind: Come to us and revive us. Spirit of God, rush into our lives and into the life of our church, sweep away all falsehood and deceit. Fill us, turn our lives around, and show us the possibility of new beginnings. Shine on us and cast out our darkness. O Spirit of God, kindle within us the flame of your power. O Holy Spirit, Advocate and Comforter, lead us in the way we should go, and accompany us and strengthen us along the path; give us a vision for the future and courage for the fight ahead.
These prayers we offer in the Name of the Triune God. Amen.
O God our Creator, you have made us, and you have loved us even when we have failed in our faithfulness to you.
O Jesus Christ, Word-made-flesh, you have shown us the face of God, taught us perfect love and obedience, and offered yourself for us, that we might experience abundant life. In your Name, we offer our prayers for healing and wholeness, for peace and justice. Hear us in the silence…
[A silence is kept.]
Holy Spirit of God— both gentle, refreshing breath and strong and powerful wind: Come to us and revive us. Spirit of God, rush into our lives and into the life of our church, sweep away all falsehood and deceit. Fill us, turn our lives around, and show us the possibility of new beginnings. Shine on us and cast out our darkness. O Spirit of God, kindle within us the flame of your power. O Holy Spirit, Advocate and Comforter, lead us in the way we should go, and accompany us and strengthen us along the path; give us a vision for the future and courage for the fight ahead.
These prayers we offer in the Name of the Triune God. Amen.
—The second half of this prayer was inspired by the German Reformed Liturgy
COMMUNION PRAYER
O God our strength, you are the refuge of all who trust in you. As we gather around your table this day, may we taste and see your goodness, as you fortify us with these gifts. Send your Holy Spirit to settle on this loaf and this cup, that in them we may discern the body and blood of your Son. Fill us with with bread for bread for the journey as we do your will in the world. We ask this in Christ's Name. Amen.
