Proper 4
Worship
A Call To Worship
Worship Aids, Lectionary Year B
Call To Worship (based on 2 Corinthians 6:8-13)
One: The Apostle Paul wrote: "We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;
All: as unknown, and yet are well known;
Old: as dying, and see -- we are alive;
Men: as punished, and yet not killed;
Women: as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;
All: as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything."
One: And Paul wrote: "There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. In return -- I speak as to children -- open wide your hearts also." Let us open wide our hearts as we gather together for worship.
Unison Prayer
Lord we do not know what to make of this Christian life, rich and poor, alive and dead. But we know this -- we have seen what the world calls life and it is not enough. Everything we make of our hands fails us sooner or later. But that which we build which is part of your kingdom is forever. We are so dependent upon you. We cannot cause the sun to rise, nor hold the waters in check, nor keep the stars in their courses. For us it is enough, when the storms of life are raging, that you remain our rock and our salvation. You are enough for us. We praise you. We bless you. We adore you. Stand by us when all others desert us. Amen.
Morning Prayer
What joys, what sorrows, what celebrations, what concerns, we share as your people. We thank you for the words spoken this morning. We thank you for those which are beyond words. Hear our prayers. Answer our prayers. We remain your servants. Amen.
Offering Prayer
What power, Lord, what majesty, we see in your creation. In our gardens we the result of our hard work and your faithfulness. The dreams we dreamed while gazing at seed catalogs are coming true. You have called us to hard work in our giving and in our living, and you are ever faithful. In that spirit we come today, believing that with your Spirit, all things are possible. Accept our gifts and hallow them, using them far beyond their material worth for your work in the world. Amen.
Children's Benediction
Peace! Be still!
One: The Apostle Paul wrote: "We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;
All: as unknown, and yet are well known;
Old: as dying, and see -- we are alive;
Men: as punished, and yet not killed;
Women: as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;
All: as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything."
One: And Paul wrote: "There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. In return -- I speak as to children -- open wide your hearts also." Let us open wide our hearts as we gather together for worship.
Unison Prayer
Lord we do not know what to make of this Christian life, rich and poor, alive and dead. But we know this -- we have seen what the world calls life and it is not enough. Everything we make of our hands fails us sooner or later. But that which we build which is part of your kingdom is forever. We are so dependent upon you. We cannot cause the sun to rise, nor hold the waters in check, nor keep the stars in their courses. For us it is enough, when the storms of life are raging, that you remain our rock and our salvation. You are enough for us. We praise you. We bless you. We adore you. Stand by us when all others desert us. Amen.
Morning Prayer
What joys, what sorrows, what celebrations, what concerns, we share as your people. We thank you for the words spoken this morning. We thank you for those which are beyond words. Hear our prayers. Answer our prayers. We remain your servants. Amen.
Offering Prayer
What power, Lord, what majesty, we see in your creation. In our gardens we the result of our hard work and your faithfulness. The dreams we dreamed while gazing at seed catalogs are coming true. You have called us to hard work in our giving and in our living, and you are ever faithful. In that spirit we come today, believing that with your Spirit, all things are possible. Accept our gifts and hallow them, using them far beyond their material worth for your work in the world. Amen.
Children's Benediction
Peace! Be still!
