Call to Worship

Children of God, for the sake of the joy, we gather…

We gather to worship, to encounter grace, to grow in faith.

For the sake of the joy, we proclaim…

We proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, the love of God that surrounds us and forms us into a community marked by love for God, self, neighbor, and all creation.

For the sake of the joy, we respond…

We respond with our lives, ready to embody our faith as agents of God’s already-and-not-yet kingdom.

For the sake of the joy, God sends us…

God sends us into the world to meet our neighbors with the defiant joy and persevering love of the gospel today and every day.

Come, let us worship the Triune God who dwells with us as we gather, proclaim, respond, and go forth from this place.

Come, let us worship! Thanks be to God. Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, February 2024.

Prayer for the Day

(Unison)

Glorious God, we thank you for the cloud of witnesses, the multitude of the faithful of all ages, who surround us. Considering their example, and looking to Jesus, may we run the race of life faithfully. Encourage us, that we may not grow weary or fainthearted. Help us accept your gentle discipline, through the grace of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Written by Ruth C. Duck, Flames of the Spirit: Resources for Worship, ed. Ruth C. Duck (Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 2009), 50.

Prayer of Confession

Being human, we never find it easy to ask for forgiveness. But as God’s children, called to live in relationship with one another, we know we must speak of how we have hurt others, so we might be forgiven and restored to new life. Please join me as we pray to God, saying,

Unison

What more can we say, Expectant God, that you don’t know already? You long for justice for all people, but it is washed away by the flood of violence in our world. You hope that righteousness will walk with us, but you hear the clear cries of those we mistreat. You ask us to speak up for those in need, but we shut our mouths and turn away.

Forgive us, Righteous God. Have mercy when we do not bear the fruit we could. Even though we have not lived our faith to the fullest, may we receive the promises of hope and grace you have given to us in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

Written by Thom Shuman, posted at https://pilgrimwr.unitingchurch.org.au/?p=5840.

Benediction

Children of God, go now in the presence of the great cloud of witnesses and in the blessing of God who forms us for community. May you find in God and one another the joy to persevere as we follow after Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, as we seek God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, February 2024.