Collect Prayers

Advent

P Stir up your power, Spirit of God, come down
And free us from everything that undermines our faith!
May our hearts may be prepared when you come
to conceive the Christ child in us.
During these advent weeks
bring Him into our lives,
And there, let him reign with you and the Father
One God, now and forever.
C Amen.

Holy Spirit, stir up our hearts
And prepare the way of the Lord among us.
Make straight what is crooked in our world
And pave a path for those who are stuck in a barren place –
Malnourished in body or spirit,
Desperate for salvation,
Hungry for spiritual food.
Come and prepare the way of the Lord:
God with us, among us and beyond us!
C Amen.

Lord, we thank you for these days of joy and expectation.
Prepare a way in our hearts and souls,
That we may receive you as our Lord and King.
May our lives reflect the eternal light,
Which you showed to all the world
In that little baby in the crib,
Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C Amen.
Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your Son. Give people of the world insight into the flaws that need to be corrected, the practices that need to be changed, the path that leads to salvation. This we pray through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, a beacon of hope for the world, a light that shines in the darkness. C Amen.
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Christmas Eve / Christmas
Almighty God, you have made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus’ presence and bring good news to those who are overshadowed by sin and darkness. Let your light shine upon your people, bring hope to humanity and bless all creation, this we pray through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. C Amen.

Shine into our hearts the light of your wisdom, O God,
And open our minds to the knowledge of your word,
That in all things we may think and act
According to your good will
And live continually in the light of your Son,
Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you
And the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen

God of birth and God of new beginnings:
Open up the heavens, shine your light and guide us.
Lead us to the small miracles of life,
that we may find you in places unforeseen,
And in people we’d never expected.
Bring spiritual birth and new beginnings
to us and to our world. Amen.

God of the incarnation and God of Bethlehem:
Come and become flesh and blood in your church.
Inspire us to believe with fervent hearts,
Act with courage and conviction,
And honor the Christ child with
Deeds of charity and love.
This we pray in the name of Christ our Lord,
Who has come to save us. Amen.
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Epiphany

Holy God,
Creator and redeemer of the world:
Fill us with words of life,
And instill in us a desire to love and serve.
Let your church be light in the darkness
And salt that preserves what is good.
This we pray in Jesus’ name, our Savior and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
C Amen.

Lord God, you receive the prayers
Of all who call upon you.
Lead us to the mountain of transfiguration
To see beyond the problems and issues
We are wrestling with day to day.
By your Spirit, show us the things we ought to do,
And give us the grace and power to do them,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.
______________________________________________________________________________

Lent

P O Lord our God,
in the waters of baptism you renew us,
And in your Word and Spirit you feed our souls.
Every day, strengthen our faith, that by your Spirit
we may rise above our sinful inclinations
and become whole in your Son, Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
C Amen.

Lord God,
Help us to live with our eyes wide open
And hearts alert to things around us.
Give us strength to resist temptations,
false promises and selfish impulses.
Lead us by your Holy Spirit
who shapes life in all its wonderful aspects.
We praise you, creator and giver of life,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
C Amen.

Advent

P Stir up your power, Spirit of God, come down
And free us from everything that undermines our faith!
May our hearts be prepared when you come
to conceive the Christ child in us.
During these advent weeks
bring Him into our lives,
And there, let him reign 1with you and the Father
One God, now and forever.
C Amen.

Holy Spirit, stir up our hearts
And prepare the way of the Lord among us.
Make straight what is crooked in our world
And pave a path for those who are stuck in a barren place –
Malnourished in body or spirit,
Desperate for salvation,
Hungry for spiritual food.
Come and prepare the way of the Lord:
God with us, among us and beyond us!
C Amen.

Lord, we thank you for these days of joy and expectation.
Prepare a way in our hearts and souls,
That we may receive you as our Lord and King.
May our lives reflect the eternal light,
Which you showed to all the world
In that little baby in the crib,
Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C Amen.
Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your Son. Give people of the world insight into the flaws that need to be corrected, the practices that need to be changed, the path that leads to salvation. This we pray through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, a beacon of hope for the world, a light that shines in the darkness. C Amen.
______________________________________________________________________________

Christmas Eve / Christmas
Almighty God, you have made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus’ presence and bring good news to those who are overshadowed by sin and darkness. Let your light shine upon your people, bring hope to humanity and bless all creation, this we pray through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. C Amen.

Shine into our hearts the light of your wisdom, O God,
And open our minds to the knowledge of your word,
That in all things we may think and act
According to your good will
And live continually in the light of your Son,
Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you
And the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen

God of birth and God of new beginnings:
Open up the heavens, shine your light and guide us.
Lead us to the small miracles of life,
that we may find you in places unforeseen,
And in people we’d never expected.
Bring spiritual birth and new beginnings
to us and to our world. Amen.

God of the incarnation and God of Bethlehem:
Come and become flesh and blood in your church.
Inspire us to believe with fervent hearts,
Act with courage and conviction,
And honor the Christ child with
Deeds of charity and love.
This we pray in the name of Christ our Lord,
Who has come to save us. Amen.
______________________________________________________________________________

Epiphany
Holy God,
Creator and redeemer of the world:
Fill us with words of life,
And instill in us a desire to love and serve.
Let your church be light in the darkness
And salt that preserves what is good.
This we pray in Jesus’ name, our Savior and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
C Amen.

Lord God, you receive the prayers
Of all who call upon you.
Lead us to the mountain of transfiguration
To see beyond the problems and issues
We are wrestling with day to day.
By your Spirit, show us the things we ought to do,
And give us the grace and power to do them,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.
______________________________________________________________________________

Lent

P O Lord our God,
in the waters of baptism you renew us,
And in your Word and Spirit you feed our souls.
Every day, strengthen our faith, that by your Spirit
we may rise above our sinful inclinations
and become whole in your Son, Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
C Amen.

Lord God,
Help us to live with our eyes wide open
And hearts alert to things around us.
Give us strength to resist temptations,
false promises and selfish impulses.
Lead us by your Holy Spirit
who shapes life in all its wonderful aspects.
We praise you, creator and giver of life,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
C Amen.

O Lord, our God,
You speak to us not in mere words,
but also in symbols and dreams.
You reach us in the depth of our being.
During this season of Lent, as we ponder the Holy Cross,
help us feel its energy and realize its power
to reconcile heaven and earth,
—and with it our own life in its many contradictions.
Today we humbly submit to your will,
trusting in the power of the cross in Jesus Christ, our Lord. C Amen.

Holy God, heavenly Father:
Bless us this morning as we come to the cross!
Teach us to pray and have faith,
To resist the forces of evil and
Our own greatest temptations.
This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ
our Lord, who lives and reigns
With you and the Holy Spirit,
Now and forever.
C Amen.
______________________________________________________________________________

Easter
Almighty God,
with joy we celebrate the day of our Lord’s resurrection.
By the grace of Christ among us,
enable us to show the power of the resurrection
in all that we say and do,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
Eternal God, your kingdom has broken into our troubled world
Through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son.
Help us to hear your word and obey it.
Bring your saving love to fruition in our lives,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and forever.
C Amen.

Prayer of the Day
P Risen Christ, your hands are stretching out into our lives; your spirit revives our souls and refreshes those who have become weary. Bless us this morning, that we may live in the strength of the new life in you, who are reigning with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.

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Pentecost/Spirit
O Holy God, O Holy Spirit,
Come, and bless your church,
Come, and renew your people!
Help us to be humble when our pride is in the way.
Help us to be courageous when we lack confidence.
Help us to be charitable when we want to be selfish.
Bless your church! Transform us and create among us
The miracle of the kingdom of God,
in Jesus’ name, our Lord and Savior.
C Amen.

Mighty God, you breathe life into our bones,
And your Spirit renews the world every day.
Transform us by truth
And give us new language
To proclaim your gospel with power,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and forever.
C Amen.

P O Lord our God,
Creative force that continues to flow through all of life:
Awakening human hearts, enlightening minds,
Birthing ministries, strengthening the weary.
We praise you and seek you on this Pentecostal morning,
Through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and forever.
C Amen.
__________________________________________________________________
General
Gracious God, open our ears that we may hear your voice.
Open our hearts that we may seek your wisdom.
Open our minds that we may discern the truth.
Prepare us to worship and to live right,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
In heaven, on earth and here in our midst.
C Amen.

P You are great, O God, and greatly to be praised.
You have made us for yourself,
And our hearts are restless until they rest in you.
Grant that we may believe in you, call upon you,
Know you, and serve you,
Through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

P O God of grace,
Shine your light into the darkness of our souls. Drive out hidden guilt, self-righteousness, legalism, hypocrisy and fear, that we may become truly free to serve you. This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.
C Amen.

Dear God,
We praise you this morning for the blessings
You have bestowed upon us.
For the journey that we are on,
And the love and hope you instill in us.
Make us one with your Son, Jesus Christ,
Who lives and reigns with you and
The Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.

O Lord, our God,
you are the fountain of life and the maker of all things new.
Replace hearts of stone with hearts that love you
And will bring out the best in other people,
That we may delight in doing your will,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C Amen.

God of love, Giver of life,
You know our frailties and failings.
Give us your grace to overcome them,
Keep us from those things that harm us,
And guide us in the way of salvation,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

God among us,
We gather in the name of Christ.
Keep our feet from evil paths.
Turn our minds to your wisdom
And bend our hearts toward the grace and love
Revealed in your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

O God, our teacher and guide,
you draw us to yourself and welcome us as beloved children.
Help us to lay aside all envy and selfish ambition,
that we may walk in your ways of wisdom and understanding
as servants of your Son, Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

O Lord God, heavenly Father, open our eyes this morning that we may see your vision for a new world. Let us rejoice in this vision as we prepare for a new week. This we pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
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Baptism

God,
You grant us new birth in the waters of Baptism.
Help us to seek times for renewal every day,
Care for our souls as we care for our bodies,
Experience moments of grace,
Finding You in this busy world.
This we pray in the name in which we were baptized:
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
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Centering Prayers
O Lord Christ, you know us well.
You know our needs and edges,
our weaknesses and our strengths.
Feed us, and we shall be satisfied;
Heal us, and we shall be whole.
Bring us closer into your presence,
With the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
C Amen.

O Lord, our God:
Nourish our lives in hope and in faith.
Cast away negative thoughts and feelings.
Heal us from deep within,
that we may bear the fruit of love
and know the fullness of your joy,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. C Amen.

Gracious God, you have called us together
To claim the new life you have given us in Christ,
To strengthen our faith and equip us for service.
Come to us in your divinity,
Meet us in our humanity
And help us to be the people
You created us to be,
This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C Amen.
O God, our teacher and guide,
Help us to lay aside anxieties that impair our judgment.
Open our hearts to your Holy Spirit
Who inspires faith and confidence
In the midst of life’s struggles.
As we gather for worship this morning,
Prepare us to walk in your ways,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

God of compassion, we come before this morning,
Seeking your spirit, counsel and wisdom.
Fill our hearts with more than just superficial piety.
Reach into the depth of our souls
And renew us from within!
This we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
C Amen.

P Benevolent, merciful God:
When we are empty, fill us.
When we are weak in faith, strengthen us.
When we are cold in love, warm us,
that with fervor we may love our neighbors
and serve them for the sake of your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

O God of Holy Wisdom, God of eternity:
Help us to see beyond the clutter of our everyday life
And recognize the things that truly matter.
Keep us open and attuned to the gospel
And the needs of our fellow sojourners,
This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

Holy God, come to us.
Bring us back to the center of our being
And make us whole.
Work miracles of charity among us,
And great deeds of humanity,
That Your kingdom may come true.
This we pray through Jesus Christ,
Our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you
And the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.

O Holy God, fountain of life:
Keep us spiritually thirsty.
Moisten our souls with the Word of Life.
Bless those among us who seek to be
Immersed in your Holy presence.
And let this church be a well
Where the living water is found.
C Amen.

Lord of the feast, Lord of the harvest:
Fill all hungry souls with spiritual food;
Fill all hungry hearts with purpose and love;
Fill all hungry people with food.
As we gather for worship this morning,
transform us into a community that loves justice and peace,
And acts accordingly,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

Holy God, make yourself a home in our hearts:
Speak to us when we are on our way to work,
Stir our hearts when we do chores at home,
Help us pray with faith
For those we are concerned about,
And be near us in this hour of worship,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

Lord, as we come to you this morning,
Make us whole and make us well,
Renew our love of justice and
Sensitize us for the needs of our neighbors.
Let us seek your will and act accordingly,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

Holy Father,
It is by your grace that we learn from our mistakes
And be transformed into a new identity in Christ.
Help us see our blind spots,
Our unconscious needs and presumptions,
that we may see them for what they are,
grow and become whole.
This we pray through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and forever.C Amen.

Holy God,
We come to you this morning,
Asking that you draw us into communion with you.
Enlighten our minds, nourish our souls
And give us the desire and presence of mind
To be your servants,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

Holy God, renew our hearts and souls
That we may seek what is good and yearn for your new creation.
Bless and sanctify the relationships in our family and church.
Help us embody the love that you have planted in our hearts
And let our faith speak through acts of kindness, in Jesus’ name we pray.
C Amen.

Dear heavenly Father,
You intend for us to live in a loving community.
Teach us to trust you like little children and
Challenge the status quo where it keeps us from growing.
Let us help one another on our journey of faith,
that we may reflect the image of your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.
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Creation
Holy God, we praise your name! Lord of all, we bow before you.
We acknowledge the work of your hands,
the wonder of the universe, the world we live in.
We ask that you center our hearts and minds in you this morning,
the author and giver of life, our creator, redeemer and eternal counselor.
C Amen.

Great and wonderful God, creator of everything:
Bless us with generous and forgiving spirits;
Bless us with souls yearning for the light;
Bless us with help when we need it
and a willingness to help others.
Bless our thoughts and prayers this morning,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

Glorious God, amazing creator:
We praise you this morning for the beauty of creation,
For the gift of the gospel and salvation,
For the love that you pour out into our hearts,
For community you create
And the new life you shape,
through your Son, Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord, forever.
Amen.

Dear heavenly father,
We thank you for the harvests of this year:
For full apple orchards and fields of grain,
For an abundance of greens and roots,
For all well grown food and well managed farms.
Today, as we come together for worship,
Feed our inner lives and bring forth the fruits of the spirit
In our community, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.
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Church
O Lord our God, overflowing with mercy and compassion,
Endlessly pouring your love and spirit into the universe:
Continue to form and shape our community,
That our hearts and souls are anchored in you.
Instill in us that hunger, which leads us to the bread of life,
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

O Lord, our God, we thank you for the great gift of this church
And the many ministries born and nurtured here in this place.
Grow our passion for ministry and our desire for spiritual depth.
Give all our people generosity toward the church and those in need,
Through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

Almighty God, gracious Lord: you renew the church in every age.
Pour out your Holy Spirit and keep our ears receptive to your voice.
Open our eyes for signs of your presence.
Bless your church across all dividedness,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and forever. C Amen.

Dear Jesus,
We are called the body of Christ;
But not always have we lived in harmony,
Putting our agendas aside and truly seeking your will.
We pray for your church this morning,
Which reaches far beyond this place.
Help it become what you envision it to be,
As you are present among us in the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.

O Lord our God, we thank you on this morning
For the leadership of our church,
Our bishops, pastors and lay ministers.
Continue to bless your church with people
That are touched and guided by your spirit
And willing to follow where you lead us,
This we pray in the name of Christ our Lord,
Who lives and serves with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.

Consecration
P Teach us, good Lord God,
to serve you as you deserve,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to ask for reward,
except that of knowing that we do your will,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

O Lord, our God, heavenly Father:
Many battles are fought for naught on earth; the blood of innocent people is shed every day. Help us as Christians to fight the right battles, not with arms and not in order to harm, but as warriors of peace, armed with faith and with great confidence in your power and grace.
C Amen.

Remembrance
O Lord our God, we come before you,
Remembering all the good people we have known,
Who are now in your eternal presence.
Today, fill us with Christian hope,
Thankful hearts and unshakable trust.
May your church proclaim your power –
Through life and death,
Joy and sorrow, old and new.
This we pray in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and forever.
C Amen.
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Mother’s Day / Father’s Day
O God, our God,
We have praised you for thousands of years as our Father in heaven;
But we know that you transcend gender
And care for us with the love and compassion of a mother.
We have lifted up for thousands of years
The deeds of your sons who followed in the footsteps of Christ;
But we know that you love your daughters with equal zeal
And have empowered them to be true witnesses of the gospel.
Continue to enlighten us as we praise you
As our Father and Mother,
Creator, redeemer and source of life,
Both now and forever.
C Amen.
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Dear heavenly Father,
you call us, equip us and send us to serve you in this world,
As leaders, as helpers, as fathers and mothers and mentors,
As people who believe in a higher cause.
Strengthen us by your Spirit,
and make us worthy of your call,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Labor Day:
O God our strength,
On this weekend we thank you for the gift of labor
And the many small businesses and business owners
Who provide employment and opportunities for others,
Even as they work hard themselves.
Help people honor times of rest and Sabbath,
Tend to their souls and reconnect with their creator,
Nurturing relationships that endure,
This we pray in Jesus’ name.
C Amen.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Good Shepherd Sunday
P Lord God, our great shepherd:
You know us by name
And you get us through the difficult times in life.
Guide us by your voice,
Fill us with your spirit and
Let your peace reign in us always.
This we pray in Jesus’ name,
Who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and forever.
C Amen.

O Lord, our God,
You speak to us not in mere words,
but also in symbols and dreams.
You reach us in the depth of our being.
During this season of Lent, as we ponder the Holy Cross,
help us feel its energy and realize its power
to reconcile heaven and earth,
—and with it our own life in its many contradictions.
Today we humbly submit to your will,
trusting in the power of the cross in Jesus Christ, our Lord. C Amen.

Holy God, heavenly Father:
Bless us this morning as we come to the cross!
Teach us to pray and have faith,
To resist the forces of evil and
Our own greatest temptations.
This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ
our Lord, who lives and reigns
With you and the Holy Spirit,
Now and forever.
C Amen.
______________________________________________________________________________

Easter

Almighty God,
with joy we celebrate the day of our Lord’s resurrection.
By the grace of Christ among us,
enable us to show the power of the resurrection
in all that we say and do,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
Eternal God, your kingdom has broken into our troubled world
Through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son.
Help us to hear your word and obey it.
Bring your saving love to fruition in our lives,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and forever.
C Amen.
______________________________________________________________________________

Pentecost/Spirit

O Holy God, O Holy Spirit,
Come, and bless your church,
Come, and renew your people!
Help us to be humble when our pride is in the way.
Help us to be courageous when we lack confidence.
Help us to be charitable when we want to be selfish.
Bless your church! Transform us and create among us
The miracle of the kingdom of God,
in Jesus’ name, our Lord and Savior.
C Amen.

Mighty God, you breathe life into our bones,
And your Spirit renews the world every day.
Transform us by truth
And give us new language
To proclaim your gospel with power,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and forever.
C Amen.

P O Lord our God,
Creative force that continues to flow through all of life:
Awakening human hearts, enlightening minds,
Birthing ministries, strengthening the weary.
We praise you and seek you on this Pentecostal morning,
Through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and forever.
C Amen.
__________________________________________________________________

General

Gracious God, open our ears that we may hear your voice.
Open our hearts that we may seek your wisdom.
Open our minds that we may discern the truth.
Prepare us to worship and to live right,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
In heaven, on earth and here in our midst.
C Amen.

P You are great, O God, and greatly to be praised.
You have made us for yourself,
And our hearts are restless until they rest in you.
Grant that we may believe in you, call upon you,
Know you, and serve you,
Through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

Dear God,
We praise you this morning for the blessings
You have bestowed upon us.
For the journey that we are on,
And the love and hope you instill in us.
Make us one with your Son, Jesus Christ,
Who lives and reigns with you and
The Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.

O Lord, our God,
you are the fountain of life and the maker of all things new.
Replace hearts of stone with hearts that love you
And will bring out the best in other people,
That we may delight in doing your will,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C Amen.

God of love, Giver of life,
You know our frailties and failings.
Give us your grace to overcome them,
Keep us from those things that harm us,
And guide us in the way of salvation,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

God among us,
We gather in the name of Christ.
Keep our feet from evil paths.
Turn our minds to your wisdom
And bend our hearts toward the grace and love
Revealed in your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

O God, our teacher and guide,
you draw us to yourself and welcome us as beloved children.
Help us to lay aside all envy and selfish ambition,
that we may walk in your ways of wisdom and understanding
as servants of your Son, Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

O Lord God, heavenly Father, open our eyes this morning that we may see your vision for a new world. Let us rejoice in this vision as we prepare for a new week. This we pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
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Baptism

God,
You grant us new birth in the waters of Baptism.
Help us to seek times for renewal every day,
Care for our souls as we care for our bodies,
Experience moments of grace,
Finding You in this busy world.
This we pray in the name in which we were baptized:
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
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Centering Prayers

O Lord Christ, you know us well.
You know our needs and edges,
our weaknesses and our strengths.
Feed us, and we shall be satisfied;
Heal us, and we shall be whole.
Bring us closer into your presence,
With the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
C Amen.

O Lord, our God:
Nourish our lives in hope and in faith.
Cast away negative thoughts and feelings.
Heal us from deep within,
that we may bear the fruit of love
and know the fullness of your joy,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. C Amen.

Gracious God, you have called us together
To claim the new life you have given us in Christ,
To strengthen our faith and equip us for service.
Come to us in your divinity,
Meet us in our humanity
And help us to be the people
You created us to be,
This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C Amen.
O God, our teacher and guide,
Help us to lay aside anxieties that impair our judgment.
Open our hearts to your Holy Spirit
Who inspires faith and confidence
In the midst of life’s struggles.
As we gather for worship this morning,
Prepare us to walk in your ways,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

God of compassion, we come before this morning,
Seeking your spirit, counsel and wisdom.
Fill our hearts with more than just superficial piety.
Reach into the depth of our souls
And renew us from within!
This we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
C Amen.

P Benevolent, merciful God:
When we are empty, fill us.
When we are weak in faith, strengthen us.
When we are cold in love, warm us,
that with fervor we may love our neighbors
and serve them for the sake of your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

O God of Holy Wisdom, God of eternity:
Help us to see beyond the clutter of our everyday life
And recognize the things that truly matter.
Keep us open and attuned to the gospel
And the needs of our fellow sojourners,
This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.
Holy God, come to us.
Bring us back to the center of our being
And make us whole.
Work miracles of charity among us,
And great deeds of humanity,
That Your kingdom may come true.
This we pray through Jesus Christ,
Our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you
And the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.

O Holy God, fountain of life:
Keep us spiritually thirsty.
Moisten our souls with the Word of Life.
Bless those among us who seek to be
Immersed in your Holy presence.
And let this church be a well
Where the living water is found.
C Amen.

Lord of the feast, Lord of the harvest:
Fill all hungry souls with spiritual food;
Fill all hungry hearts with purpose and love;
Fill all hungry people with food.
As we gather for worship this morning,
transform us into a community that loves justice and peace,
And acts accordingly,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

Holy God, make yourself a home in our hearts:
Speak to us when we are on our way to work,
Stir our hearts when we do chores at home,
Help us pray with faith
For those we are concerned about,
And be near us in this hour of worship,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

Lord, as we come to you this morning,
Make us whole and make us well,
Renew our love of justice and
Sensitize us for the needs of our neighbors.
Let us seek your will and act accordingly,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

Holy Father,
It is by your grace that we learn from our mistakes
And be transformed into a new identity in Christ.
Help us see our blind spots,
Our unconscious needs and presumptions,
that we may see them for what they are,
grow and become whole.
This we pray through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and forever.C Amen.

Holy God,
We come to you this morning,
Asking that you draw us into communion with you.
Enlighten our minds, nourish our souls
And give us the desire and presence of mind
To be your servants,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

Holy God, renew our hearts and souls
That we may seek what is good and yearn for your new creation.
Bless and sanctify the relationships in our family and church.
Help us embody the love that you have planted in our hearts
And let our faith speak through acts of kindness, in Jesus’ name we pray.
C Amen.

Dear heavenly Father,
You intend for us to live in a loving community.
Teach us to trust you like little children and
Challenge the status quo where it keeps us from growing.
Let us help one another on our journey of faith,
that we may reflect the image of your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.
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Creation

Holy God, we praise your name! Lord of all, we bow before you.
We acknowledge the work of your hands,
the wonder of the universe, the world we live in.
We ask that you center our hearts and minds in you this morning,
the author and giver of life, our creator, redeemer and eternal counselor.
C Amen.

Great and wonderful God, creator of everything:
Bless us with generous and forgiving spirits;
Bless us with souls yearning for the light;
Bless us with help when we need it
and a willingness to help others.
Bless our thoughts and prayers this morning,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

Glorious God, amazing creator:
We praise you this morning for the beauty of creation,
For the gift of the gospel and salvation,
For the love that you pour out into our hearts,
For community you create
And the new life you shape,
through your Son, Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord, forever.
Amen.

Dear heavenly father,
We thank you for the harvests of this year:
For full apple orchards and fields of grain,
For an abundance of greens and roots,
For all well grown food and well managed farms.
Today, as we come together for worship,
Feed our inner lives and bring forth the fruits of the spirit
In our community, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.
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Church

O Lord our God, overflowing with mercy and compassion,
Endlessly pouring your love and spirit into the universe:
Continue to form and shape our community,
That our hearts and souls are anchored in you.
Instill in us that hunger, which leads us to the bread of life,
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

O Lord, our God, we thank you for the great gift of this church
And the many ministries born and nurtured here in this place.
Grow our passion for ministry and our desire for spiritual depth.
Give all our people generosity toward the church and those in need,
Through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

Almighty God, gracious Lord: you renew the church in every age.
Pour out your Holy Spirit and keep our ears receptive to your voice.
Open our eyes for signs of your presence.
Bless your church across all dividedness,
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and forever. C Amen.

Dear Jesus,
We are called the body of Christ;
But not always have we lived in harmony,
Putting our agendas aside and truly seeking your will.
We pray for your church this morning,
Which reaches far beyond this place.
Help it become what you envision it to be,
As you are present among us in the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.

O Lord our God, we thank you on this morning
For the leadership of our church,
Our bishops, pastors and lay ministers.
Continue to bless your church with people
That are touched and guided by your spirit
And willing to follow where you lead us,
This we pray in the name of Christ our Lord,
Who lives and serves with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.

Consecration

P Teach us, good Lord God,
to serve you as you deserve,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to ask for reward,
except that of knowing that we do your will,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.

O Lord, our God, heavenly Father:
Many battles are fought for naught on earth; the blood of innocent people is shed every day. Help us as Christians to fight the right battles, not with arms and not in order to harm, but as warriors of peace, armed with faith and with great confidence in your power and grace.
C Amen.

Remembrance
O Lord our God, we come before you,
Remembering all the good people we have known,
Who are now in your eternal presence.
Today, fill us with Christian hope,
Thankful hearts and unshakable trust.
May your church proclaim your power –
Through life and death,
Joy and sorrow, old and new.
This we pray in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and forever.
C Amen.
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Mother’s Day / Father’s Day

O God, our God,
We have praised you for thousands of years as our Father in heaven;
But we know that you transcend gender
And care for us with the love and compassion of a mother.
We have lifted up for thousands of years
The deeds of your sons who followed in the footsteps of Christ;
But we know that you love your daughters with equal zeal
And have empowered them to be true witnesses of the gospel.
Continue to enlighten us as we praise you
As our Father and Mother,
Creator, redeemer and source of life,
Both now and forever.
C Amen.
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Dear heavenly Father,
you call us, equip us and send us to serve you in this world,
As leaders, as helpers, as fathers and mothers and mentors,
As people who believe in a higher cause.
Strengthen us by your Spirit,
and make us worthy of your call,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.
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Labor Day

O God our strength,
On this weekend we thank you for the gift of labor
And the many small businesses and business owners
Who provide employment and opportunities for others,
Even as they work hard themselves.
Help people honor times of rest and Sabbath,
Tend to their souls and reconnect with their creator,
Nurturing relationships that endure,
This we pray in Jesus’ name.
C Amen.
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Good Shepherd Sunday

P Lord God, our great shepherd:
You know us by name
And you get us through the difficult times in life.
Guide us by your voice,
Fill us with your spirit and
Let your peace reign in us always.
This we pray in Jesus’ name,
Who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and forever.
C Amen.