Invocation
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Pause for reflection
Good morning, heavenly Father.
We worship you, the creator and sustainer of the universe.
Good morning, Lord Jesus.
We worship you, Saviour and Lord of the world.
Good morning, Holy Spirit.
We worship you, sanctifier of the people of God.
Opening sentences
One thing I have asked of the Lord,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life;
to behold the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
Who is it that you seek?
We seek the Lord our God.
Do you seek him with all your heart?
Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Do you seek him with all your soul?
Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Do you seek him with all your mind?
Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Do you seek him with all your strength?
Amen. Christ, have mercy.
Declaration of faith
To whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life,
and we have believed and have come to know
that you are the Holy One of God.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ,
King of endless glory.
Hebrew Bible reading
Psalm 128 (CSB)
1 How happy is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in his ways!
2 You will surely eat
what your hands have worked for.
You will be happy,
and it will go well for you.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house,
your children, like young olive trees
round your table.
4 In this very way
the man who fears the Lord
will be blessed.
5 May the Lord bless you from Zion,
so that you will see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life
6 and will see your children’s children!
Peace be with Israel.
New Testament Reading
John 7:53-8:11 (CSB)
53 Then each one went to his house.
8 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2 At dawn he went to the temple again, and all the people were coming to him. He sat down and began to teach them.
3 Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, making her stand in the centre. 4 ‘Teacher,’ they said to him, ‘this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery. 5 In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say? ’ 6 They asked this to trap him, in order that they might have evidence to accuse him.
Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with his finger. 7 When they persisted in questioning him, he stood up and said to them, ‘The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.’ 8 Then he stooped down again and continued writing on the ground. 9 When they heard this, they left one by one, starting with the older men. Only he was left, with the woman in the centre.
10 When Jesus stood up, he said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? ’
11 ‘No one, Lord,’ she answered.
‘Neither do I condemn you,’ said Jesus. ‘Go, and from now on do not sin any more.’
Pause for reflection
Prayer of Confession
O Lord, have mercy upon me, spare me and restore me
as I confess my faults, according to the promises
declared to me in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And grant, O most merciful Father, for Jesus’ sake,
that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
Today, we are praying for Belgium, Luxembourg, and Netherlands.
Give thanks for:
- the important roles political leaders here have played in European integration.
- how people here have led in creative solutions to environmental, economic, and cultural challenges.
- how churches here have overcome barriers and reached out to assure a good life for all.
- the ecumenical contributions that have come from this area, and their continuing support.
Pray for:
- overcoming cultural, linguistic and political barriers and suspicions that remain divisive.
- the haunting legacies of colonization and quests for economic gain.
- immigrants who are alienated or marginalized in these societies.
- greater tolerance and solidarity with all in these societies and around the world.
In our own place in the world, we pray for:
- all whose decisions involve questions of justice, mercy and peace
- federal, state and local politicians
- church leaders, ministers, pastors, teachers, and missionaries
- all the churches of our city or region
- our local congregation and its ministries
- our local communities, businesses, and schools
- the needs of our families and friends
- our personal needs, challenges and opportunities
Pause for reflection
Classic Prayer
Almighty God,
you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves:
Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls,
that we may be defended from all adversities that may happen to the body,
and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God,
you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day:
Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin
nor run into any danger; and that, guided by your Spirit,
we may do what is righteous in your sight;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Almighty and everlasting God, who alone works great marvels:
Send down upon our clergy and the congregations
committed to their charge the life-giving Spirit of your grace,
shower them with the continual dew of your blessing,
and ignite in them a zealous love of your Gospel;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Contemporary Prayer
Source of Transformation,
my heart begs Your entrance
even as it fights and holds You off.
One hand of mine reaches out to You,
but the other hides behind my back,
shunning Your will and Your way for me.
Your coming is not always gentle;
sometimes it sears with painful truth.
While I cry out for You to come,
another part of me whispers,
“But not so near as to change me.”
When will I freely embrace You?
When will I let go of my old ways?…
When will I be vulnerable?
When will I acknowledge my need of You?
When will I learn to give You my all?
Enter and rest in my shadows
until they finally give up their dark.
Come, fill my being with Your love,
until Your transforming radiance
is the only lasting thing. Amen.
– Joyce Rupp
The Lord’s Prayer
Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever. Amen.
Pause for reflection
Sending Prayer
Heavenly Father, we pray
that we may live this day in your presence
and please you more and more.
Lord Jesus, we pray that this day
we may take up our cross and follow you.
Holy Spirit, we pray that this day
you will fill us with yourself
and cause your fruit to ripen in our lives:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity,
three persons in one God,
have mercy upon us. Amen.
Canticle
Christ, as a light,
illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield,
overshadow me.
Christ under me;
Christ over me;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light;
Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
Blessing
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you,
wherever he may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness,
protect you through the storm.
May he bring you home rejoicing
at the wonders he has shown you.
May he bring you home rejoicing
once again into our doors.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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