Third Sunday Of Easter
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VI, Cycle A
Object:
Words Of Assurance
All thanks and honor to Christ who, when we are lost, seeks us out; who, when we are in despair, gives us hope. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
Almighty God, who has promised to those who love you such good things as pass our understanding, make us conscious today of your presence, your goodness, and your power.
Sovereign God, we confess to you who we are: we are not the people we like others to think we are; we are afraid to admit even to ourselves what lies in the depths of our souls. But we do not want to hide our true selves from you. We believe that you know us as we are, and yet you love us. Help us not to shrink from self-knowledge; teach us to respect ourselves for your sake; give us the courage to put our trust in your guidance and power.
We also confess to you, Lord, the unrest of the world to which we contribute and in which we share. Forgive us that so many of us are indifferent to the needs of others. Forgive our reliance on weapons of terror, our discrimination against people of different races, and our preoccupation with material standards. Forgive us for being so unsure of our Good News and so unready to tell it. Raise us out of the paralysis of guilt into the freedom and energy of forgiven people.
Thank you, God, for the invitation to come to the One who is the Way, when we have lost direction, to the One who is the Truth, when our pluralistic world sees everything as relative, to the One who is the Life when our lives seem threatened.
Please help us to share with you the brokenness of our lives. Be a refuge for us in the storms of uncertainty about decisions we must make, in the waves of conflict in our homes and families, in the swirls of too much to do and not enough time to accomplish our dreams.
Open our eyes to the needs of others. Help us to minister comfort to the sick and bereaved. Remind us to pray for our political leaders. Bring peace to the war-torn, justice to the oppressed, and help us to share with the naked and hungry.
We offer these prayers in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Benediction
Go in peace and in the knowledge that God's gift of new life in Jesus Christ is yours; and may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always. Amen.
All thanks and honor to Christ who, when we are lost, seeks us out; who, when we are in despair, gives us hope. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
Almighty God, who has promised to those who love you such good things as pass our understanding, make us conscious today of your presence, your goodness, and your power.
Sovereign God, we confess to you who we are: we are not the people we like others to think we are; we are afraid to admit even to ourselves what lies in the depths of our souls. But we do not want to hide our true selves from you. We believe that you know us as we are, and yet you love us. Help us not to shrink from self-knowledge; teach us to respect ourselves for your sake; give us the courage to put our trust in your guidance and power.
We also confess to you, Lord, the unrest of the world to which we contribute and in which we share. Forgive us that so many of us are indifferent to the needs of others. Forgive our reliance on weapons of terror, our discrimination against people of different races, and our preoccupation with material standards. Forgive us for being so unsure of our Good News and so unready to tell it. Raise us out of the paralysis of guilt into the freedom and energy of forgiven people.
Thank you, God, for the invitation to come to the One who is the Way, when we have lost direction, to the One who is the Truth, when our pluralistic world sees everything as relative, to the One who is the Life when our lives seem threatened.
Please help us to share with you the brokenness of our lives. Be a refuge for us in the storms of uncertainty about decisions we must make, in the waves of conflict in our homes and families, in the swirls of too much to do and not enough time to accomplish our dreams.
Open our eyes to the needs of others. Help us to minister comfort to the sick and bereaved. Remind us to pray for our political leaders. Bring peace to the war-torn, justice to the oppressed, and help us to share with the naked and hungry.
We offer these prayers in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Benediction
Go in peace and in the knowledge that God's gift of new life in Jesus Christ is yours; and may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always. Amen.
