The God who sent Jesus calls us together in worship. God alone is worthy of worship, and Jesus made that crystal clear in all that he said and did. Christians are people who believe that in Jesus we see God made visible in the form of one born most fully in the likeness of God. Both God and Jesus are worthy of our worship, and to them we now turn in thanksgiving and praise. Therefore let us, with confidence, worship God.
Pastoral Prayer
We praise Thee, O God of love, for bringing us into the world and for making life so fulfilling and captivating. We thank Thee for giving us so many opportunities to deepen and expand our lives: through family and friendships, through education and inspiration, through work and worship. Guide us by Thy spirit as we pass through our existence, so that who we are and what we do matters to others as well as to ourselves.
We are daily reminded of the people of Russia and elsewhere who are risking life and limb to bring down autocrats and to establish governments which are more democratic and responsive to the needs of the whole populace. Where demonstrators have been killed, uphold those who mourn their tragic loss. Where injuries or arrests have resulted from peaceful actions, grant swift healing and restoration from incarceration. Lord God, we cannot predict what shall happen, nor even perhaps to know what to hope for. But as we believe Thou art with us personally in everything affecting us, so we pray Thy presence with those who bravely continue on in the face of great danger and uncertainty.
In everything all of us face, O God, give us faith to look for Thy guidance, trust that Thou wilt go with us through whatever trials we encounter, and hope that regardless of what transpires, we shall never be alone, because Thou wilt be with us. These prayers we offer in the name of the one who struggled along with us, Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Master. Now we pray as he instructed us, saying, Our Father….