Wengen, Switzerland
Opening Prayer
I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. -Psalm 9:1–2 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him’” -Lamentations 3:21-24 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Holy God, Lord most gracious! Rebuke us not in your anger, nor chasten us in your wrath! Holy you have called us to come to you. We feel unworthy, for we have failed you again and again. We feel like running away, yet you keep calling us. Have mercy on us, O God. Have mercy! -The Book of Common Worship (1932) (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you -John 16: 4-7 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped. -Psalm 28: 6-7 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your presence, Your love, and Your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You, we shall see Your hand, Your purpose, Your will through all things. Amen -Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) 
Assisi, Italy
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