Elements from this morning’s gathering

Call to Worship

We have gathered in this place to worship,
because Jesus invites us to come!

We come as we are,
with our faith and our doubts,
with our successes and our failures,
because Jesus invites us to come!

We come with what we have,
bringing with us the events and experiences of this past week,
because Jesus invites us to come.

Jesus says:

“Come to me,
all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.”

Prayers of the People

Jesus teaches us to pray, “Father of us all, may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

This morning, let’s join in prayer together – asking God for all that he desires in our neighborhoods, our city, our country, our world.

I’ll offer a prompt, and you can pray whatever comes up for you in your own heart. After a time of prayer, I’ll say, “Lord, in your mercy”, and you’ll echo, “Hear our prayer.”

Let’s pray for leaders and all who are in positions of authority – may God enlarge their heart for justice and doing right by others.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Now lift up your prayers for those who are hurting, suffering, and oppressed.
Hear our prayer.

Finally, let’s pray for all the places we need Christ’s peace to mend divides and restore shalom.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Scripture Readings

A Reading from Colossians 3

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. 

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives… And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Readings from Matthew 5 & 6

Flourishing are those who work for peace, because they will be called the children of God…

You all are the salt of the land; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

You all are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven…

You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who harass you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that…

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This, then, is how you should pray:

Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy,
may your kingdom come,
may your will be done on earth,
    as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need,
And forgive us our sins,
    as we forgive those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation,
    but rescue us from the evil one.