For January 28, 2018 -- God Loves the World

OPENING PRAYER

Loving God, as we gather for worship,

move within, around, and among us.

Loving God, caring deeply for the world,

remind us that we are loved, move us to share that love with our neighbours.

Loving God, yearning to redeem the world,

open our ears and souls to hear you calling us into relationship, open our eyes and hearts to see the light of hope and promise.

We pray in the name of Jesus, who encourages us to pray saying...

PRAYER FOR AND ASSURANCE OF GRACE

God sometimes we look around the world and wonder why bother. Then we read:

For God so loved the world...

And we are comforted that we are loved but there are others who we think need some condemnation

For God so loves the world....

Sometimes we wonder if another cleansing flood might be a good thing. And then we remember,

For God so loved the world...

That you became one of us, clothed in flesh, to show us a Way to live.

For God So loved the world...

In love and grace you choose to save and redeem, not condemn and punish.

For God still loves the world.

God of Love and Grace, as we live in this world,

May we never forget that we, and everyone we meet, are held in a love that will never let us go.

Lead us in the Way of wisdom, call us back when we stray, love us into what we could become.

We pray in the name of Jesus, Love Incarnate, Word-Made-Flesh. Amen

COMMISSIONING:

As Worship concludes we go out into the world that God loves

A world that may not be perfect but is beloved.

As we move through God’s beloved world we share the Good News

we remind each other and all we meet that God loves the world, and all those who live in it.

God with God who is Love; Jesus, Love Incarnate; and Spirit, Love’s Creative Breath

Always and everywhere. Amen.

Prayer for Grace for January 21, 2018 -- CLeansing of the TEmple

God of Passion,

in Jesus you show us what it means to be passionate about the Kingdom of God.

God of Passion,

as followers of Jesus you call us to be passionate about the Kingdom of God.

God of Passion,

help us to know when to use our anger in the service of love, as we share our passion for the Kingdom of God.

God of Passion,

help us know when it is time to makes a scene instead of being quiet and nice as we share in the building of the Kingdom of God.

God made known in Jesus, the Word-Made-Flesh,

open our hearts to know what Jesus would have us do as we learn to live as citizens of the Kingdom of God.

God of Grace, God who forgives when we take the wrong road, God who calls us back to the path of wisdom,

lead us to live lives of passion, of grace, of justice and mercy here in the growing Kingdom of God. Amen.

REsources for January 14, 2018 -- The Wedding at Cana

OPENING PRAYER

God of the party,

we gather to worship,

to watch for the signs that point to your presence,

to join in the party of faith.

God of celebration, in this time together,

open our eyes and hearts to recognize the abundance of your grace.

We pray in the name of Jesus, the Word-Made-Flesh, who encourages us to pray saying...

PRAYER FOR AND ASSURANCE OF GRACE

God of abundance,

at times we look around and say that we have run out of something crucial.

But then you show us that there is so much more.

God of the party,

at times we want to limit who is at the party in case the supplies run out,

And then you throw open the doors because there is plenty for everybody.

God of grace,

open our souls to drink in the richness of your new wine

fill us with the knowledge that through grace we are welcomed to the party of faith.

challenge us to see the wonderful abundance that is around us.

...time of silent prayer...

The grace and mercy of God overflow all our containers. The party of faith is one where all may eat and drink without cost. Let us sing and dance with joy and praise!

Amen.

COMMISSIONING:

Our time of worship draws to a close.

The party of faith continues.

We move from this place to the world where we live and serve

carrying with us the good news of God’s abundant grace

As we go out to continue to share the Love of God,

we go knowing that God: Parent, Child and Spirit, is with us wherever we go.

Thanks be to God!