Wednesday Evening Prayer

7:00pm, Girdwood Chapel Parking Lot

 

May 12, 2021

Invocation (UMBOW 574)

Light and Peace in Jesus Christ

Thanks be to God!

 

Opening Prayer (UMBOW 575)

In the brightness of your Son, we spend each day;

In the darkness of the night you light our way;

Always you protect us with the umbrella of your love.

To you, God, be all praise and glory forever. Amen.

 

Expression of Faith (From Northumbria Evening Prayer)

Lord, You have always given

bread for the coming day;

and though I am poor,

today I believe.

 

Lord, You have always given

strength for the coming day;

and though I am weak,

today I believe.

 

Lord, You have always given

peace for the coming day;

and though of anxious heart,

today I believe.

 

Lord, You have always kept

me safe in trials;

and now, tried as I am,

today I believe.

 

Lord, You have always marked

the road for the coming day;

and though it may be hidden,

today I believe.

 

Lord, You have always lightened

this darkness of mine;

and though the night is here,

today I believe.

 

Lord, You have always spoken

when time was ripe;

and though you be silent now,

today I believe.

 

Scriptures

 
Psalm 98:1-4
Sing to the Lord a new song
because he has done wonderful things!
His own strong hand and his own holy arm
have won the victory!
The Lord has made his salvation widely known;
he has revealed his righteousness
in the eyes of all the nations.
God has remembered his loyal love
and faithfulness to the house of Israel;
every corner of the earth has seen our God’s salvation.
Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth!
Be happy!
Rejoice out loud!

 

1 John 5:1-3

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born from God. Whoever loves someone who is a parent loves the child born to the parent. This is how we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep God’s commandments. This is the love of God: we keep God’s commandments. God’s commandments are not difficult.

 

 
John 15:9-17
“As the Father loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete. This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you. No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I don’t call you servants any longer, because servants don’t know what their master is doing. Instead, I call you friends, because everything I heard from my Father I have made known to you. You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you could go and produce fruit and so that your fruit could last. As a result, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. I give you these commandments so that you can love each other.

 

Today’s Reflection: (by Gerry Tuohy)

“Restoration Song”
God called forth a people, and we responded to His call
‘Rebuild this ancient ruin, restore my city walls.’
He has led us day by day, as we listened to His voice
and we were fed on finest wheat, and manna from the skies.
When we started, we were strangers. We hardly knew each other’s names.
Now we are brothers and sisters, and we will never be the same.
As we built, brick by brick, we discovered the corner stone,
and as we let Him mould and fashion us, He built us up in love.
Now we have seen, and we have heard, that the Lord our God is great.
For a wilderness has been transformed, into His holy place.

 

Prayers for ourselves and others

 

Prayer (with responses):  (Prayer for the Church and for the World, UMC Book of Worship)

 

Grant, almighty God,

That all your children may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations,

In the ways of justice and peace;

That we may honor one another and serve the common good.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation,

That we may use its resources rightly

In the service of others and to your honor and glory.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours,

And grant that we may serve Christ in them,

And love one another as Christ loves us.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit;

Give them courage and hope in their troubles,

And bring them the joy of your salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

We commend to your mercy all who have died,

That your will for them may be fulfilled;

And we pray that we may share with all your saints

In your eternal kingdom.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

We offer these prayers through Jesus Christ, our Lord,

and pray as he taught us to:

 

Our Father

Who art in heaven

Hallowed be thine name

Thy Kingdom come

Thy will be done

On earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our trespasses 

as we forgive those who trespass against us

And lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom

And the power

And the glory, forever.

Amen.

 

 

Blessing & Sending (W&S p. 15 #27)

May the Christ who walks on wounded feet

walk with you on the road.

May the Christ who serves with wounded hands

stretch out your hands to serve.

May the Christ who loves with a wounded heart

open your hearts to love.

May you see the face of Christ in everyone you meet,

and may everyone you meet see the face of Christ in you.

Amen.