Acts of the Apostles: The Parish in the Commons (August 16, 2020)
Please participate in the following liturgy, reading aloud all the parts in bold italics.
Call to Worship
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son:
Look with compassion on the whole human family;
take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts;
break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love;
and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth;
that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Prayers of the People
Friends in Christ,
God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers
as dear to us as our own needs.
Loving our neighbors as ourselves,
we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions now
on behalf of the Church and the world.
In your own hearts and homes, lift up your prayers for the world at large, and our country in specific.
Lord in Your Mercy,
Hear Our Prayer.
Lord, we pause now to lift up children, teenagers, teachers, and school administrators who are returning to school this month.
Bless their going and coming.
Bless their learning, playing, and educating.
Protect each heart from fear, and keep all safe.
Provide each child with good friends, even if they can only see them online.
Love each one from head to toe.
In your own hearts and homes, lift up your prayers for children and educators around our the nation.
Lord in Your Mercy,
Hear Our Prayer.
Lord God, friend of those in need,
your Son Jesus has untied our burdens
and healed our spirits.
We lift up the prayers of our hearts for those still burdened,
those seeking healing,
those in need within the Church and the world.
In your own hearts and homes, lift up your prayers for those suffering or sick, those lonely or weary, and all who are in need of the renewing comfort of grace.
Lord in Your Mercy,
Hear Our Prayer.
Hear our prayers
that we may love you with our whole being
and willingly share the concerns of our neighbors. Amen.
A Call to Prayer: Parish Prayer Gatherings
Song: Breathe
This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me
And I, I’m desperate for you
And I, I’m lost without you
This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me
And I, I’m desperate for you
And I, I’m lost without you
Abiding with Jesus for Fresh Air & Daily Bread
Scripture Reading: Acts 4:32-35
“Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.”
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Acts of the Apostles: The Parish in the Commons
Receiving Communion Together
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Is the Father with us?
He is.
Is Christ among us?
He is.
Is the Spirit here?
He is.
This is our God.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We are his people.
We are redeemed.
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Sacrament of Desire
Now, in union, O Lord with the faithful at every altar of Your Church,
I present to You my soul and body
with the earnest prayer that I will remain united to you.
And since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,
I pray that you would come to me spiritually.
I unite myself to you, and embrace you with my soul’s affection.
Let nothing separate me from you,
that I may live and die in Your love.
Amen.
Song: Build My Life
Worthy of every song we could ever sing
Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You
Jesus, the Name above every other name
Jesus, the only One who could ever save
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You
Holy, there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
And show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me
And I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
Community Life
The Cross of Christ
All our problems,
we send to the cross of Christ!
All our difficulties,
we send to the cross of Christ!
All the devil’s works,
we send to the cross of Christ!
All our hopes,
we set on the Risen Christ!
Blessing and Sending
3 Good Minutes
As you think about your life (your work, school, neighborhood, finances, influence), how might God be inviting you to “show up” for all we hold in common?
