GENERAL INTERCESSION

An Outline For A Prayer of General Intercession For the Church: that we may be like Mary, treasuring God's words and deeds in our hearts and drawing wisdom from them for our daily lives.  (God, in your mercy, hear our prayer). For a deeper awareness of the Spirit in our lives: that we may know our adoption as children of God and live in freedom and friendship with God.  (God, in your mercy, hear our prayer). For the grace to ponder: that we may recognize and reverence the work of God in our lives and come to a deeper realization of how much God loves us.  (God, in your mercy, hear our prayer). For the grace to begin again: that God will free us from all that holds us bound and invigorate us to live life fully for God’s glory and the service of our sisters and brothers.  (God, in your mercy, hear our prayer). For God’s blessing on the New Year: that God will free us from the Covid virus, renew the gifts of the Spirit within us, and inspire us with new ways to show God’s love and compassion to others.  (God, in your mercy, hear our prayer). For awareness of the deepest desires God has placed in our hearts: that the Spirit will help us recognize the desires and visions that God has planted within us and give us the courage to pursue them.  (God, in your mercy, hear our prayer). For the ability to listen better: that we, like the shepherds, may truly listen to the words spoken to us, find meaning in them, and act wisely upon them.  (God, in your mercy, hear our prayer). For the ability to forgive and let go: that God will help us to forgive all who have injured us and release our pain into God’s hands so that we can live freely and vigorously in this new year.  (God, in your mercy, hear our prayer). For all leaders of the Church: that they may exercise authority with the wisdom of the Spirit and the love of Christ in their hearts.  (God, in your mercy, hear our prayer). For peace and healing within nations: that leaders and all who hold public office may faithfully fill their duties and work to relieve the suffering of the poor and marginalized.  (God, in your mercy, hear our prayer). For all who are suffering: that God will bring relief to the homeless and those in refugee camps, new beginnings for those recovering from natural disasters, and safety to those who live amid violence.  (God, in your mercy, hear our prayer). For our common home, the earth: that God will help us to be good stewards of creation and guide us to wisely use the natural resources for the good of all the human family.  (God, in your mercy, hear our prayer). For all who are ill: that God will bring healing to the sick, comfort to those in isolation, strength to caregivers, and health to all of us.  (God, in your mercy, hear our prayer). For the blessing of peace: that the Spirit of God will open us to the presence of God around us and guide us along new paths that will heal divisions and end bloodshed.  (God, in your mercy, hear our prayer). For all who have died during this past year: that God’s face will shine upon them and give them eternal peace in God’s presence. (God, in your mercy, hear our prayer). [A TIME OF SILENCE MAY BE KEPT] Concluding Collect Almighty, Ever-Loving God, you have promised to hear what we ask in prayer. Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us, now and forevermore. Amen. —adapted from The Book Of Common Prayer Joe Milner © 2018 (Joe Milner is the coordinator of RCIA and is a member of the Liturgy Planning Team for St. Francis Xavier College Church on Saint Louis University campus in St. Louis, Missouri. He grants permission to use the above material for private or parish worship.)

CHRISTMAS 2020

Spending Christmas With John

Text: John 1.1-5, 10-14 (and, Philippians 2.5-15)

I tend to find myself getting lost in the well told story of the Child's

birth we find in those first two chapters of Luke's witness. The angelic

presence, the visions and dreams, the love of aunt and niece...and those

betrothed, the Bethlehem journey, the swaddling cloths, the shepherds,

the mother's pondering—these all make for such a touching drama of life

and the things that life bring to us. Or, perhaps better said as, the

things that bring us to life!

To think of an infinite, almighty One becoming so human, what a radical

God we serve! Gosh, it is sometimes too great a task to sacrifice in

this busy season the time for a decent prayer, or too grave a risk to

tell someone who might not know the “reason for the season” what it

means in wishing them a Merry Christmas—even when we clergy types

attempt to make it sound a little more profound employing instead the

words “Blessed Christmas”.

I do not know why the stories of Christmas never seem to include the

words of St. Paul in the writing to the beloved of Philippi:

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

who, though he was in the form of God,

did not regard equality with God

as something to be exploited,

but emptied himself,

taking the form of a slave,

being born in human likeness.” (Philippians 2.5-15)

Somehow, one would think that these words say as much about Christmas as

Luke and Matthew, the readings that have found their way into the

lectionary. They are at the very least as much about Christmas as the

theological treatise of St. John. You know, the “In the beginning was

the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the

beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without

him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was

life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the

darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (John 1.1-5) words so

seemingly steeped in philosophical discourse about coexistence, a spoken

word, a living word, a creating word, a redeeming word, and light in

darkness.

Some have said that Christmas according to Matthew and Luke are for the

heart, while Christmas according to John is for the head. Yes, John's

story of Christmas might sound heady, even headier than the message of

Paul to his friends, the Philippians. Within these words, however, there

is much heart and soul. At least that is what I am finding this year.

I mean, while Matthew and Luke share a story that is earthy and common,

there is something just as grounded and mundane as the labor of

childbirth, the journey of the Magi, and the flight to Egypt to escape

the horrific, at least for what we think to be another thirty years, or

so. The “in your face” reality of human life within God's creation is

not domesticated by John. He, like Paul, puts it out there! They hold up

what we sometimes misunderstand as being a statement of faith, a

fundamental doctrine, a word of creed--the Incarnation, the Word

becoming flesh. I would suppose that it just does not get any more

graphic than such—God, being born in human likeness.

Did we hear that? Did we really, truly, deep down inside, head-heart-and

soul, hear that? I am referring to the word “born” in that statement of

God becoming flesh.

There are few things in life as sacred and lovely as childbirth. There

are few things in life as painful and “blood-fully” real as childbirth.

In birthing the awe and ecstasy meet with the belabored and grinding

toil of our humanity. After all, is that not what our forebears in God,

the ancient Hebrew people, pointed to as being the consequence of things

gone awry in this world...that birthing children will be painfully

toilsome? Elsewhere in the Bible Paul employs the same reality to all

the cosmos and humanity as a whole, speaking, as he writes, about “the

whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only

the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit,

groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies”

(Romans 8.22-23) One could claim that somehow in God the wondrous beauty

of all that is sacred touches and transforms all that is homely in the

sheer profanity of life as we know it. This transformation, I would dare

to say, is Christmas according to St. John.

There is the darkness, but into the darkness comes light...a light that

can never be extinguished. A light is flaming within us in such a way

that even when we try to render it dark, it does not happen...it will

not happen...now or throughout eternity...because Christ is light and in

Christmas Christ is born not only as a Child into this world, but as

life into our very lives. Yes, we sometimes do a good job of hiding

it...we might even do well at resisting it and pretending it is not

there--yet in the depths of the heart of hearts a flame is burning, a

light that is God...they very God who will never let us truly rest and

be free from all the toil and burden of life until we rest in the life

that is of Christ.

Now, just when John has grasped my attention to the point of being so

caught up in the possibilities that are gift given by this loving God,

the writer of this fourth Gospel brings it home...I mean, really home!

It could be easily read over and over and somehow missed, but the

skilled translator of the Scriptures, Eugene Peterson, in the version

entitled “The Message” says it so well. Taking the words of John we know

so well, “And the Word became flesh and lived among us”, Peterson drives

the point to where it not only belongs, but has surely come, rendering

these words into the simply language of today which reads, “The Word

became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.” (John 1.14a).

Where is God when the drug deal is transacted on the corner down the

block? Where is God when the drunken driver loses control of the car and

takes the life of a child? Where is God when bullets pierce not only

flesh but the walls and lives of the innocent? Where is God when an

American soldier needs to chose to discharge a weapon or be dead? Where

is God when the bomb of a terrorist sneak attacks people in a place that

is supposed to be safe? Where is God when a newborn child is left in a

“dumpster” because the teenage mother sees no other way...the father of

the child strangely missing in it all? Where is God when that phone call

you worry about most comes in the middle of the night? Where is God when

a life, perhaps lived long and happy...perhaps barely lived at all but

that brief was touched by abuse and violence? In it all...there in the

midst of it...in all the neighborhoods of Norristown and Philadelphia

and Camden and New York and Chicago and Los Angeles and some small town

we've never heard of and in some far-off place we seldom think of, yet

alone learn life as it is lived there, God is in that neighborhood!

It sounds bizarre, I agree. It might even sound at times pithier than

powerfully true. And, yes, it brings us time and time to the age old

question, “if God is there why did it happen...why did it go down the

way it did?”.

In the core of that question, however, there is something to

know...something to hold onto...someone who holds on to us...someone who

wishes it was different. In the neighborhoods of life there is God, and

while God is often like Rachel weeping for her children “because they

are no more”...there in the neighbor God still chooses to be. And in the

neighborhood God is not only like a grieving mother, but is also like

the coin search woman who seeks and seeks until alas all is found. God

is in the neighborhood like the hen mother who protects her young

beneath her wings. God is in the neighborhood like the compassionate

father of the prodigal children. God is in the neighborhood like the

shepherd working never to lose even one little lamb.

In the neighborhood it is happening...Christmas, I mean, here and there

in each neighborhood God has taken up residence! And, while sometimes

that seems to be not such a big deal at all...it is the best thing about

this world, in this world, loving this world, caring for this world,

redeeming this world, changing this world.

While even here on this Christmas eve we may live as if we have pulled

down the blinds as if to place some distance between us and the real

world...after all, is that not the temptation of Christmas as it is known

by the culture we live in... the truth remains the same. God is not only

living and at work in the neighborhood, for as the words of John

continue in that first chapter: “we have seen his glory, the glory as of

a father's only son, full of grace and truth” (John 1.14b).

You know sometimes much depends on how we see things. Looking at the

neighborhoods through the television news or morning newspaper we only

get one perspective. There is something perverse about a society where

blood and gore sell! That is not the full story, nonetheless, for there

is glory to behold. Have we seen the glory? Have we seen in the

neighborhood a reflection of God's radiant holiness? Have we seen in the

neighborhoods of the world the shining of One to whom we sing “Shine

Jesus Shine!”. In our own lives and this church community and the people

who are the church is this place, have we not seen a glimpse of the

light that reveals the grace and truth of God?

In just a few moments we will be lighting candles, each of us light a

candle that we will be holding before us as the lights are turned off

and the singing of “Silent Night” begins. In that singing there will be

a holy light that reflects upon the face of the person next to you, the

person across the aisle from your, the person back in the corners and

the person here at front, and the person of yourself. And in that

moment, when the world seems to grow strangely silent...and times seems

to stand perfectly still, look to one another, look at one another, look

within yourself, look into the face of the Christ.

No, I am not suggesting that we are Christ or God or something more than

the human people we are. What I am saying is this: If God has left no

vacancy in the neighborhood...we can see the presence of Christ in each

other and in ourselves. As St. Paul says it so well, “Do all things

without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and

innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and

perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world.”

(Philippians 2.14-15)

So, see the star-like essence that is in each of us and let that light

cause you to “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” in that face...in the face of

the Child of Bethlehem we will see things in a new light!

In new light, we can become new people. I do not think it was by 

accident or happenstance that in these two verses from Paul's letter

there is a connection made between “doing things without murmuring

and arguing” for such is like “the world turned crooked, bringing

forth a perverse people” where we are called to be “star light” of

love, faith, hope and peace. May our flaming candles this night

bring us to become like “stars” shining brightly where al murmuring

and arguing is tossed into its place, never to be revisited again!

I know that in that precious but small moment of time life and this

world will possibly not be fulfilled within God's purpose. However, it

could happen! Yet, even if it does not happen on that grand of a scale,

I know one thing that can happen...we may begin to see each other

differently...we may begin to see our neighborhood in new ways...we may

begin to see this world, in all its turmoil, as a place of

possibility...because God is with us and the Christ has come into that

of God's own creation. Not that discovering a new vision is all we need

to do...but it is a beginning...a starting place from which we can move

out into the world and claim the neighborhoods for the Christ who is

right there in them!

God is in the neighborhood. Christ is here. Let us behold the glory!

And, let us always remember that God will fulfill the promise that one

day, when all is said and done, the world as we know it will become the

Kin-Dom of our God!

To this Blessed and Holy Trinity, be honor and glory, now and forever.

Amen.

PRAYERS FOR EUCHARIST

CONTEMPORARY LITURGY FOR THE EUCHARIST Contemporary Prayer of Humble Access for the Eucharist O God of all compassion, we do not take for granted your invitation to come to the table you have prepared. Nor do we come trusting in our own goodness, but in your many and great mercies. We are not worthy even to gather up the crumbs under your table. But you are the same God whose nature is always to be compassionate in kindness. Grant, therefore, loving God, that we would eat the body of Christ, the bread of heaven, and drink the blood of Christ, the cup of salvation, evermore dwelling in you and you in us. Amen.   Contemporary Sursum Corda at the Eucharist Leader:   God is here. People:   We are in God, God is in us, God is in everyone. Leader:   Hence, we lift our hearts. People:   In God we lift our hearts, to God we lift our hearts. Leader:   As praise and thanksgiving we lift our hearts. People:   God alone is worthy of our worship.   Contemporary Prayer of Jesus I (We) cannot pray to our Father without praying to our Mother. I (We) cannot declare the transcendence of God in heaven without proclaiming the imminence of God on earth. I (We) cannot witness to the reverence of God’s sacred name without calling all that God has created holy. I (We) cannot plead for the coming of God’s Kin-dom without working myself for peace and justice. I (We) cannot ask that God’s will be done without seeking to do that which is God’s will and purpose. I (We) cannot intercede for earth in heaven without being in this world but not of this world. I (We) cannot make a plea this day for my daily bread without feeding those who are hungry this day and always. I (We) cannot request your forgiveness, O God, without turning away for all that is contrary to your will. I (We) cannot begin to forgive anyone who has wronged me without pursuing reconciliation with those I (we) have wronged. I (We) cannot appeal to you that my path be void of temptation without ceasing to be a presence of temptation in the life of others. I (We) cannot expect you to keep me free from evil without striving to do all the good I (we) can, in every time I (we) can. I (We) cannot praise you, O God, Sovereign, Almighty, and Immortal without trusting that you are the beginning and end of all things, forever. Amen.     Prayer for Centering in Preparation for Worship As we look deep inside,      O God of Peace,           we see the chaos that rages within our heart of hearts. Help us to see beyond that utter confusion      unto the Kin-dom of peace and justice           that you are bringing,                both within us and in the world. May our hearts and minds now focus on that Kin-dom      as we join to praise you and give you thanks. Amen.     Prayer For Illumination Loving God,      who speaks to us through your Scriptures      and in the collective wisdom           of your people throughout the ages: Help us to hear anew      what you would speak to us this day. For your Word is relevant           and a message of life and hope      in the world that needs to know and heed           your will. Through Christ the living Word           and your Spirit of illumination      whom with You is the truth that sets us free. Amen.     Words of Gathering Leader:  We gather as a people who know the strife that churns inside. People:  We come to remember how to worship               for in our daily lives we forget the connection               of each moment with what we do here               in this time and place of Sabbath. Leader:  We gather as a people               who are weary from the strife that churns inside. People:  We come to learn once again               how to bring the awe and wonder of Sunday               into each and every day. Leader:  We gather as a people               who are ready to let peace overcome the strife                that churns inside. People:  We come to hear and be renewed                in the love of God                that we may be better able to love                ourselves, one another, and all the world. Leader:  We gather as a people                who are willing to allow justice                to have its way in us. People:  We come to give ourselves to you, O God,               in the strife that the end to all warfare,               the end of all violence,               the end of all hatred,               the end of all prejudice,               the end of all fear,               the end of all pride,               the end of all that is at war with your Kin-dom. Leader:  We gather as a people               who know the strife that we must fight. People:  We come to surrender to your will,               O Blessed Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer               of all that is made in your image of beauty. Leader:  Let us worship! People:  So be it. Amen!     An Invitation to Forgiveness and Reconciliation Beloved of Christ, beloved in Christ,      we need only look within ourselves      and to look at our relationships with others      to know that things have gone awry. We are broken. Our relationships are broken. Let us seek God in prayer for compassion and mercy      that forgiveness and reconciliation would be ours.     A Prayer for Forgiveness and Reconciliation Loving God,      we confess that apart from you      there is no goodness      in us or in the world. We have not loved as you give love. We have not shown mercy as you impart mercy. We have not shared compassion as you have compassion. We have been at dis-ease      within ourselves      and with others. We are a people who know the pain of division,      the scourge of bruising and bruise,      the savagery of our pride and self-centeredness,      the contempt of our will and desires. Forgive us and heal us, O Holy, Mighty, Immortal One. Bring us to the peacemaking of justice      as you bring a just peace within us. For we long to be your servant-disciples      in all joyful obedience. Amen.           ~ A brief silence is kept ~     A Prayer of Thanksgiving For After the Eucharist God of all people      you set a table before us      and from your table we have received      love in compassion and mercy. As a refreshed and renewed people,      send us now into the world of your making and redeeming      to serve the common good—           for the sake of your Kin-Dom,           forever and ever.

An Order For Daily Prayer—Morning & Evening

Opening Words

O God, open our lips; and our mouth shall declare your praise.
O God, make speed to save us. Make haste to help us, O God.

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name. Amen.

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One: grant us forgiveness of all our sins, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit.

Glory be to you, O God, Blessed and Holy Trinity, as it was in the beginning, is now and shall be forevermore. Amen.

For Morning

Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you that you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day. Keep us from falling into sin or running into danger; order us in all our doings; and guide us to do always what is right in your eyes; O God, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.

For Evening or Night

Lighten our darkness, O God, we pray, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night, for the love of your only Blessed and Anointed One. Amen.
Blessed are you and blessed is your Kin-Dom, now and forever. Amen.0 God, the life of all who live, the light of the faithful, the strength of those who labor, and the repose of the dead: We thank you for the blessings of the day that is past, and humbly ask for your protection through the coming night, Bring us in safety to the morning hours; through him who died and rose again for us, our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

May the Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. Amen.
Loving God, you have supported us all the day long of this troublous life, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in your mercy grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Collects for Grace

0 God, by whom we are guided in judgment, and who raises up for us light in the darkness: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us to do; that your Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and in your straight path we may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, author of peace and lover of diversity in unity, to know you is eternal life, to serve you is perfect freedom. Defend us your servants from all assaults of our enemies; that we may trust in your providence, and not fear the power of any adversaries; Blessed are you, O God; and blessed is your realm, forever. Amen.

The Collects for Peace

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through your Beloved and Anointed One. Amen.

Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace do come: Pour into the hearts of all people, we pray, the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that in tranquility your work may go forward till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love. Blessed are you and blessed is your Kin-Dom, now and forever. Amen.

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of your One-of-Peace, as children of one Parent; to whom be dominion and glory, now and forever. Amen.

Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that in tranquility your dominion may increase until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; O Love Divine, all loves excelling. Amen.

Almighty God, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a passion for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will. Amen.

Most holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments and all just works: Give to us. your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and the fear of our enemies having been removed, we may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the mercies of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Petitions and Intercessions

O God, the creator and preserver of all life, we humbly pray for all sorts and conditions of people and your creation; that you would be pleased to make your ways known to all, your saving health to all nations. More especially we pray for your holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by your good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in the unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to your benevolent goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or spirit; that it may please You to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and the wholeness of healing out in all their afflictions, through your Beloved and Anointed One. Amen.

Eternal God, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of all that is life and good and beautiful: you create us by your power and redeem us by your love: so guide and strengthen us by your Spirit, that we may give ourselves in love and service to one another and to you; One God, now and forever. Amen.

God of all the nations of the earth: Remember the vast multitudes who have been created in your image but have not known your redeeming and sustaining work; and grant that, by the prayers and labors of your people, they may be brought to know and worship you, and to serve you in all thoughts, words, and deeds; O Sovereign One. Amen.

Almighty God, you are the source of all life and health: Grant to all who are sick your heavenly healing, especially those whom we lift before you. Look upon all your faithful people who are in need and who love to call upon your Name; take them into your keeping, and deliver them from all sickness and infirmity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.

Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.
Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good.
Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory.
Bless all those whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as Christ loves us.
Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation.
We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in eternal life.
Almighty God, you know our needs before we ask, and Our ignorance in asking: Grant these things we ask, not as we deserve, but as you love us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 
For the Church and Its Clergy and Ministry

Hear us, 0 God, as we pray tor your One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church: make us all one, so that the world may believe. We pray that every member of your Church may truly and   humbly serve you: grant that all people would glorify your Name. Guide and strengthen all ministers of your gospel: make them faithful in your service. Inspire and lead all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world: establish justice and peace among all people. Give us the courage so as to do your will in all we undertake: reveal the life of Christ within us. Have compassion on all who suffer from any sickness, grief or trouble: deliver them from their distress. We remember those who have died: into your hands, O God, we commend them. We praise you for your saints who have entered your eternal glory: bring us all to share In your heavenly reign.

(A Brief Silence Is Kept)

Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common petition to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or more are gathered in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, 0 Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting.

Eternal Father, you have called your people to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world: Guide and empower your Church Militant, and within it the People called United Methodists, in the fulfillment of this mission. Give grace to its leaders; especially to our Bishop (first name), to our Superintendent (first name), and to those others with whom we work most closely; that they may be your instruments. And lead it through its present trials to the glory of your Church Triumphant; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Almighty God, who in a time of great need raised up your servants John and Charles Wesley, and by your Spirit inspired them to kindle a flame of sacred love which leaped and ran, an inextinguishable blaze: Grant, we ask you, that all those whose hearts have been warmed at these altar fires, being continually refreshed by your grace, may be so devoted that, in this our time of great need, your will may fully and effectively be done on earth as it is in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, who raised up your servants John and Charles Wesley to proclaim anew the gift of redemption and the life of holiness: Be with us their children, and revive your work among us; that inspired by the same faith, and upheld by the same grace in Word and Sacrament, we and all your people may be made one in the unity of your Church on earth, even as in heaven we are made one in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A General Thanksgiving

Most Holy God, creator of this world and giver of all good things: We thank you for our home on earth and for the joy of living. We thank you for the tasks which have been accomplished this day, for the people with whom we have worked, and for those who love us. Most of all we thank you for your love in Jesus Christ, who came to set things right, who died rejected on the cross, and rose triumphant from the dead. Because he has shown us the way, we can live in hope. Because Jesus lives, we live to praise you, 0 Most Holy and blessed Trinity, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer of Saint Francis

O God, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Prayer For Daily Discernment

God, grant me the Serenity
To accept the things I cannot change...
Courage to change the things I can,
and Wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time,
accepting challenges as a pathway to peace.
Taking, as You do, this world, with all its ups and downs as it is,
not as I would have it.
Trusting that You will make all things right
if we follow in the path of Your realm of just peace.
That I may be reasonably happy in this life,
and supremely happy with God forever in the next. Amen.†

Closing Prayer

God be in my head, and, in my understanding.
God be in my eyes, and in my looking.
God be in my mouth, and in my speaking.
God be in my heart, and in my thinking.
God be at my end, and at my departing. Amen.
_________________
†Adapted from the prayer that is attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr (1892–1971)

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		OPENING WORDS	Alleluia, Alleluia! O God, open my lips,  and my mouth shall declare your praise. Alleluia, Alleluia!
		PROCESSIONAL SONG OF PRAISE
		PRAYER FOR WORSHIP	Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
		CANTICLE OF GLORY	Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
		PRAYER FOR THE DAY
		TRISAGION	Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One: Have mercy upon us.
		PENITENTIAL PRAYER	Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
		WORDS OF FORGIVENESS	Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
		THE PEACE	The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.
		SCRIPTURE READING
		PSALMODY
		SCRIPTURE READING
		SONG OF ILLUMINATION
		SCRIPTURE READING
		CREDO
		PRAYER OF INTERCESSION	Let us pray. [A brief silence is kept before the prayer.] Holy, living, and loving God, we praise you for creating an earth of splendor and for making us into a people of your own. With all the saints who have received your Word we worship you, holy God. We worship you, holy God. We praise you for your eternal Word, for conquering the force of death, and for raising us up through the resurrection of our Lord. For your Word alive among us, we praise you, living God. We praise you, living God. Breathe the Spirit of the risen Christ on us, that led by your Word we may honor your earth and its many peoples and serve all who are in need. For your Word animating our Easter life, we bless you, loving God. We bless you, loving God. All worship, praise, and blessing be to you, Source of life, Ruler of life, and Power of life, today and forever. Amen.
		PRAYER OF JESUS	Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
		MAKING EUCHARIST	Sursum Corda The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise. Preface of Thanksgiving It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth … Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name: Sanctus and Benedictus Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Reciting the History of Salvation Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world. Words of Institution and Anamnesis On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” Acclamation Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.   Epiclesis and Consecration We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom. All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. Doxology By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory are yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.   [Alleluia.] Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast. [Alleluia.] Presentation of the Elements The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.   Sharing the Bread and Cup The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you in everlasting life. Amen. [or] The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven. Amen. The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you in everlasting life. Amen. [or] The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation. Amen. Thanksgiving After Communion Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart, through Christ our Lord. Amen. [or] Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
		SONG OF RESPONSE
		DISMISSAL AND BLESSING
		SONG FOR GOING FORTH

 

A Bead and a Prayer