Worship Resources for 3rd May 2020
Lectionary Readings
Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10
Call to Worship
Out of a world of cut-throat competition,
of winners-and-losers,
and too many left behind:
we unite together.
Out of a world of hatred, violence,
individualism, and life-taking power
we unite as God’s people.
God’s ways are inclusive, expansive,
and life-giving for all peoples.
We come and worship the One whose love knows no limits:
Jesus Christ our Lord.
~ written by Tim Graves, and posted on LiturgyBits. https://liturgybits.wordpress.com
Prayer of Confession
Gentle Shepherd, You guide us in right paths, You lead us in the ways of righteousness, but we have allowed our anger, our rage, our greed, and at times even hate, to direct our paths. We have overreacted, we have taken more than our share, we have despised others that seem to have it all.
Forgive us, God, for not following Your ways. Forgive us for not remembering that we are Your sheep, and You are our Shepherd. Forgive us when we have not listened for Your voice and instead have acted in the ways of the world. Guide us back to Your path, to loving You and loving our neighbours. Help us to unclench our fists and lend out our hands in hope and healing, forgiveness and love. In the name of Christ our Shepherd we pray, and in the name of Christ our Shepherd we have assurance of pardon.
The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The Good Shepherd knows the sheep, and the Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep so that the sheep may live. We are part of the flock, we are part of Christ’s body. In Christ we find wholeness and restoration. In the name of Christ, the Good Shepherd we pray. Amen. (posted by Rev. Mindi on her blog Rev-o-lution)
Prayers for Others
Compassionate God,
we pray for vulnerable people all over this world,
people without power who live in places of terror and violence, fear and oppression.
Protect them, God;
we feel so powerless ourselves to help them.
Encourage and empower us to work for peace and freedom from fear in our own contexts.
God of grace,
we pray for those whose lives have been turned upside down by various disasters:
floods, fire and drought-driven famine.
Bring courage and hope to them;
through their pain, may they remain connected to you in prayer.
We pray for those say there is no God;
may we through the living of our own lives demonstrate the joy and peace of a Spirit-centred existence.
God of community,
we pray for our own congregation;
may we be a source of hope for those we are connected to at this time.
Help us to discern needs and work to fulfil them.
Strengthen and unify our congregation and show us how we can be the disciples you envision us to be.
Return the sick to health and well-being and relieve the suffering of those who have lost loved ones,
Those who are unable to find employment and those who fear the challenges of old age.
Guide us, Great Shepherd, into your paths of right relationships.
In Jesus’ name we pray; Amen.
(posted on the Presbyterian Church in Canada website. http://presbyterian.ca/worship/)
Blessing
My dearest Lord.
Be Thou a bright flame before me.
Be Thou a guiding star above me.
Be Thou a smooth path beneath me.
Be Thou a kindly shepherd behind me.
Today and evermore. Amen. (St. Columba c. 521-597)