Invocation Prayer for a Meeting of District Municipal Representatives

Source of life,
none of us lives for or because of ourselves, we all live as a part of a community.
Help us to work together to build communities that sustain and enhance life.
Awaken in us an awareness of how best to raise up the hopes and dreams of all our members.
Make our communities places where all can live fully and fruitfully.

Source of wisdom,
May those of us who have been selected as leaders within our communities remain open to your wisdom.
Remind us that the common sense and wordly wisdom we have been taught sometimes needs to be set aside in favour of a Holy Wisdom, a new way, a different path.
In the discussions that take place this day open our hearts and minds to sense the wisdom you have to share.

Creative Spirit,
We live and move and have our very being in you and in the world you have created and are creating.
In all we say and do keep us aware of the need to ask how this affects the world around us.
Keep us from forgetting that your creative energy is alive and active in the world today bringing life and hope that flies in the face of despair and death.
In this time of discussion about the realities of today and the possibilities for tomorrow help us all be people of hope. Open us to the promise that all will be well, all will be well, all manner of things be well.

May this time of meeting be blessed by your presence, may they who meet be blessed with your wisdom, may the communities they represent be blessed with your hope. Amen.

For January 25, 2008 -- 3rd After Epiphany Year B

CALL TO WORSHIP
It seems that the world is falling apart.
and so we seek comfort in the shadow of the Rock.
In the midst of crisis we seek hope,
we find hope in the presence of God, our Fortress and our Salvation.
In the midst of a troubling world,
we gather together to worship, to be refreshed, to be strengthened.
Come, let us worship together, let us pray…

COMMISSIONING AND BENEDICTION
We go from this place of worship back to our work in the world,
we go as bearers of light and hope to a world that knows too much darkness and despair.
As you go out into the world remember that no matter how chaotic things may seem God is still our Rock and our Fortress.
In the shadow of the Rock we will never be left without hope.
Walk in the world in the sure knowledge that the Triune God: Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer is with you always.
Thanks be to God! Amen.

For January 18, 2008 -- 2nd After Epiphany Year B

CALL TO WORSHIP
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
calling us from lakeside and mattress, calling us to share God’s work.
Loudly and boldly the Creator is calling,
calling us to hear and to heed, reminding us how we should live.
Gently, unceasingly the Spirit is calling,
calling us to be present with God, calling us to be energized and refreshed.
Come, let us worship together, let us pray…

COMMISSIONING AND BENEDICTION
We live in a world where God is still speaking…
we go out with a desire to listen.
We live in a world where truth is needed,
we go out trying to see and speak God’s Truth, even when it may be unpopular or going against common wisdom.
As we live and work and share in the world we do so in the sure knowledge that God who is the source of loving truthfulness is there to lead and challenge us always.
Thanks be to God! Amen.