Pentecost Sunday (D)

Exodus 4:1-17 OR Deuteronomy 5:1-15 (6-21) 22-33 OR 31:23-29 OR Daniel 12:1-13

Psalm 119:113-136

Matthew 10:9-23 OR Luke 12:1-12

Corinthians 11:1-12:1

       

CALL TO WORSHIP [from GREATER ATTENTION: LERW, YEAR D]
The Lord has spoken with a loud voice
from the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness!

       Who has heard the voice of the living God speaking,
       and remained alive?

Truly the Lord is holy and greatly to be feared!
Yet, just as truly, God may speak to someone and the person may still live.
       O Lord, show us your greatness and glory!
       Let us hear your voice from the fire!
The Lord has said: If only they had such a mind as this,
to fear me and to keep my commandments always,
that it might go well with them and their children forever!
       Let us draw near and hear what the Lord our God will say.
       Let us listen and do all that the Lord commands.

7th Sunday of Easter

Jeremiah 9:23-24; 24:1-10

Psalm 115

Mark 11:27-33 [AND Mark 12:35-37 if Ascension not observed]

OR Luke 20:1-8 [AND Luke 20:41-47 is Ascension not observed]

2Corinthians 10

      

PRAYER OF CONFESSION [from GREATER ATTENTION: LERW, YEAR D]

Almighty God, we live among a generation that constantly questions authority. We confess that we too have been slow to heed your messengers, to acknowledge the authority of your Word and your Spirit, to believe and obey the gospel of your Son, our Sovereign, Jesus Christ. We have too often feared human opinions more than your holy judgments. Forgive us, LORD, for our rebellion and for the bad fruit we have borne. Make us new by the transforming power and grace of your Spirit, that we might gain victory over the strongholds that have bound us, and bear good and lasting fruit for the kingdom of your beloved Son, in whose holy name we pray.

Ascension (Thursday)

Proverbs 1:1-7

Psalm 119:145-176

Mark 12:35-37 OR Luke 20:41-47

1John 2:3-29

      

CALL TO WORSHIP [from GREATER ATTENTION: LERW, YEAR D] 
Let the wise hear and gain in learning.

Let the discerning acquire skill.

         For fools despise wisdom and instruction,

         But the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.

Let those who fear the Lord await the Holy Spirit,

that they may come to understand proverbs and figures and words of insight.

         We shall delight in the words of our Savior,

         the Messiah, the Son of David.

For David himself, by the Holy Spirit,

calls his own son, ‘Lord,’ saying,

         “The Lord said to my Lord,

         ‘Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.’”

Let those who fear the Lord seek the Holy Spirit,

that they may gain instruction in wisdom and righteousness, justice and equity.
         Then we shall teach discernment to the simple,

         the knowledge of the Lord and prudence to the young.

Second Sunday of Lent

Ezekiel 47:1-12

Psalm 143

John 7:14-39

James 2:(14-17) 18-26 OR James 2:1-26 OR Galatians 2:1-14 (15-21)

    

                 

OPENING PRAYER [from GREATER ATTENTION: LERW, YEAR D]

O LORD our God, you are the One true source of Living Water, the One who has been revealed in Christ Jesus, crucified, risen, and glorified, the One who sends the Spirit to summon your church into life anew. Give us life, O God, for we thirst for you! Give us freedom, O Christ, for we are bound to you! Give us courage, O Spirit, for we would have you lead us into the deep, deep waters that flow from life unto life, from deep unto deep, from the heart of the very temple of God to the heart of those who believe in and love you. This we ask in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Penitential Rite for Pentecost (Year B)

Excerpts from When Heaven Stands Open: Liturgical Elements for Reformed Worship, Year B.

CALL TO CONFESSION

God alone has the power to breathe life into the dead, to redeem for vital service those who are otherwise lifeless due to the weighty burden of guilt and sin. This God who turns slaves into prophets, the young into visionaries, and the old into dreamers of the future glory, can be trusted with the truth about our sin.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Spirit of the Living God, we confess that change fills our hearts with sorrow, loss stirs up doubt and fear, and our memories of past unfaithfulness often make life unbearable. Yet you are more than faithful in providing for us and for all creatures under heaven. You are good to renew all things with your Holy Spirit and to give countless blessings with your open and generous hand. Forgive us, O God, for our shortsightedness, our lack of faith, our timidity. Empower us with your Holy Spirit to proclaim your good works and to do your will in all things, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ.

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS

Surely all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved! The God, who takes care to proclaim the gospel to all peoples in their mother tongue, has made provision for forgiveness for every believer under heaven and redemption for the whole of creation under the governance of Jesus Christ. Receive the good news, even as you receive anew the promised Holy Spirit, for in Jesus Christ we are forgiven!

Forever

Elizabeth Scalia (a.k.a. The Anchoress) has some thoughts on the new "Forever" stamp by the USPS. It really is lovely. In this day and age, it is a grace indeed that something as simple as a stamp can be used of the Holy Spirit to redirect our harried thoughts to eternal things.