Responsive Prayer

One: O God, you have planted in us a yearning for "home". With the psalmist we cry,
All: "Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to
Zion,"
One: knowing that this highway is not so much a line on a map, as a space within.
All: We are on a journey, Lord. Together we are traveling home. You beckon us
onward.
One: You are not just out there, though. You are here, blessing us all along the Way.
All: Thanks for the green pastures and still waters of your hospitality, our
Shepherd.
One: In the dark places through which we walk, facing various enemies, we are grateful:
All: for your direction, your protection, your hearty food, your welcoming hand.
One: As we journey home, give us the breath to sing our songs of Zion.
All: And help us to march to the beat of a different drummer. In Jesus name.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon

Psalm 103:8-12
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He
will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our
sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above
the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Call to confession

Dear Heavenly Father, we lower our heads before you and we confess that we have too
often forgotten that we are yours. Sometimes we carry on our lives as if there was no
God and we fall short of being a credible witness to You. For these things we ask your
forgiveness and we also ask for your strength. Give us clear minds and open hearts so
we may witness to You in our world. Remind us to be who You would have us to be
regardless of what we are doing or who we are with. Hold us to You and build our
relationship with You and with those You have given us on earth.
Prayer in Unison

O God, our resurrection & life, the promise of your new life in Christ is like a breath of
fresh air in a dry & thirsty land. We have gathered as believers, & as those who are
honestly seeking the truth. Guide our worship this hour.
O God who makes all things new, speak to us as whole people today. May your truth

touch not just our intellects, but also our deeper yearnings of heart & soul. We bring
with us our daily concerns, as well as our more eternal questions. May your new
creation in us shed light upon our everyday walk.
O God who fed the multitudes with but a few loaves & some fish, feed us now with the
abundance of what you freely offer, that we might overflow with your goodness right
where we live. All this we pray in the name of, & because of, Jesus our Christ. Amen.