The dawn of each new day brings a fresh start to all of us, but the dawn of the Sabbath day doubly blesses us with freshness. On this day we gather in God’s name to sing His praises, to hear His word, and to respond to His all-encompassing grace. On no two Sundays are we ever exactly the same, nor do we approach worship in exactly the same way. Nevertheless, God awaits us as we are, seeking to transform us into the best we can be. Therefore let us, with confidence, worship God.
Pastoral Prayer
Once again we bow before Thee in thanksgiving and praise, O God. Once again we are moved to acknowledge that everything we are and everything we have is ultimately a gift from Thee. Thou hast given us life, and with it for each of us there is great abundance. We recall the blessings we received as children and youth, and how Thy loving hand guided us through our years of early adulthood. We thank Thee for our families, our family of origin and the families most of us created for ourselves. We thank Thee for all the communities in which we have lived, for all the nations in which collectively we have lived, and for the nation in which we are now living. Help us to use all we have been given by Thee to magnify Thee in the world around us and within us.
On this weekend when we are reminded once again of a painful episode in our nation’s history, we remember all those who died on 9/11, and especially everyone who lost a family member on that tragic day: those who were in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and on Flight 97. We remember too the extraordinary courage of the firemen who went into the twin towers, many of whom lost their lives while attempting to save the lives of others. We pray for the people who live in the kinds of cultures which would lead terrorists to take such desperate measures, asking that Thou wouldst convince such men to try to use persuasions rather than planes to achieve their goals, reason rather than wrathful religion to come to agreements with those considered enemies. Grant wisdom to those who govern our country, and particularly to the President and the Members of Congress. In a time of constant opposition, bring peace to a troubled world by the indwelling of Thy spirit among all of us.
We pray for people whose vocation is to be caregivers in times of trouble: for nurses, nursing assistants, doctors, physicians’ assistants, therapists of various kinds, and all others who labor to improve the health of patients. We pray for everyone who serves in religious institutions: custodians, secretaries, pastoral assistants, administrators, program directors, nuns, monks, priests, ministers, rabbis, imams. We remember those who serve in government at any capacity, whether local, county, state, national, or international. Grant patience, perseverance, and perspective to all whose primary calling is to serve others, rather than themselves. These prayers we make in Jesus’ name, who was master of all and also servant of all. Now we pray together as he taught us, saying, Our Father….