Opening Prayer
You have called the humble of the earth to seek you, O Lord, and those who have upheld your justice to seek righteousness and humility -Zephaniah 2:3 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful. -Psalm 111: 1-4 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin O Jesus, ever with us stay, Make all our moments calm and bright; Chase the dark night of sin away, Shed over the world thy holy light. -Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. -John 13: 12-15 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others O LORD, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you. -Psalm 88:1 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Jesus, you call us to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything you have commanded us. We realize that this call may lead some to go overseas but for most of us it means to make disciples of those we interact with on a daily basis, our own families, our neighbors, our co-workers and all those God allows to cross our paths. Thank you for your promise to be with us always, working in us and through us, even to the end of the age. -Adapted from Matthew 28:19-20 |