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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 124)

L: If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when our enemies attacked us,
P: then they would have swallowed us up alive, then the flood would have swept us away.
L: Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth.
P: Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

 

God's Protection in Times of Change
by Rev. F. Schaefer

God of Life, God of Love, in this month of changes, we can feel the cooler air, notice the leaves change, and watch the harvest in the fields. We are leaving summer behind and ask you to empower us to meet the changes and help to make them good. We thank you, LORD, for your faithfulness, for your provisions in years past and we trust in your grace to bring us through no matter what may come our way. LORD, watch over us, remain our steadfast friend, and help us to remain faithful to you in the certain knowledge that our life is in your caring hands. Amen.

Prayer of Confession:

Father, you have given all peoples one common origin. It is your will that they be gathered together as one family in yourself.

Fill the hearts of humankind with the fire of your love and with the desire to ensure justice for all.

We confess that we often put our trust  in the power of man-made things, unmindful of Your mighty power and that Jesus is " King Of Kings." We confess that we have turned our eyes away from You to go our selfish ways. Money, power and pleasure are the gods we serve today. Through greed and fear and hatred, we are seeking to destroy.

Oh, Father up in heaven, stir and wake our sleeping souls.

May there be an end to division, strife and war. May there be a dawning of a truly human society built on love and peace. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord.

By sharing the good things you give us, help us to secure an equality for all our brothers and sisters throughout the world. Amen.

 

Prayer For Providence

(adapted from a Letter by St. Francis de Sales on the occasion of the death of his younger sister)

Almighty God and Father,
     In our shared humanity, our hearts fear more than ever before in this world filled with anxiety, strife, and uncertainty.
     For those who doubt and fear that evil is greater than good we pray for the grace to take the side of your divine Providence. May we always believe that it does all well, and disposes all things for the best.
     And for all of us we pray for wisdom and justice, for courage and hope. May we know that, even if everything is taken from us, your divine Providence means that You will never take Yourself from us, so long as we do not will it.
     Enlighten our minds, encourage our hearts, and enliven our souls that we might know your presence, grow in love, and bring new hope to our world.    AMEN.

 

Prayer for Healing

    Lord God, heavenly Father, we ask you to have mercy on all those among our community of faith who are afflicted with illness and pain. Preserve their life, o Lord, and, if a way can be found in your eternal purposes, grant them relief from pains and healing from this illness.   Comfort them with the assurance of your love and presence and with the forgiveness of all their sins through the grace of your dear Son and our  Savior, Jesus Christ.

    Keep us all in your great love. Grant us those gifts of body and soul that we can bear. Finally, bring as out of this life of trials to the heavenly mansions of our eternal house, which have been prepared for us through the Work of our Savior and which have been promised to us by the Word of your truth. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

Prayer of Discipleship

God of Love and Grace, you have called us into radical discipleship in the name of your son Jesus.  To you alone belong all of our heart and our devotion. You freed us from the burden of sin and by your Spirit enabled us to serve you and our neighbor. Help us, we pray, to continue in our commitment to you.  Empower us to always seek your Kingdom first.

Teach us to pray for our brothers and sisters aright; that we be so consumed in love for them that we may feel their needs as much as our own. Enable us to give as freely as we have received from you so that the name of our Lord Jesus be glorified.   Amen.

Closing Prayer:
(traditional Pakistani prayer)

O Creator and mighty God,
You have promised strength for the weak,
rest for the laborers, light for the way,
grace for the trials, help from above,
unfailing sympathy, undying love.
O Creator and mighty God,
help us to continue in your promise.  Amen.