September 12, 2021 Onsite

 Today's Worship
September 12, 2021

Welcome

Opening Song

Lighting the Christ Candles 
Voice One: In the beginning, God said,
Voice Two: Let there be light, and there was light!
Voice One: We light these candles today,
Voice Two: Because God is with us in this time and in this place!

Call to Worship
One Voice: We are here,
Many Voices: in the name of Christ Jesus.
One Voice: So ask right now, and it shall be given to you.
Many Voices: Seek right now, and you will find.
One Voice: Knock right now, and the door will be opened.
Many Voices: God is with us as we worship and ready to respond!
~ written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home Page. http://www.bruceprewer.com/

Invocation
Generous God, help us to hold lightly the fading things of this earth and grasp tightly the lasting things of your kingdom, so that what we are and do and say may be our gifts to you through Christ, who beckons all to seek the things above, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
~adapted from a longer prayer  from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.



Scripture: Matthew 6:11 & 6:24-33


Meditation

Invitation


Communion

Prayer of Thanksgiving: The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy 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.

Joys & Concerns

Morning Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you tell us not to be afraid of what the future holds, not to worry about tomorrow, but you know how difficult we find it to heed your words. We worry about so many things, our families, our friends, our circumstances. Some are big worries, most are tiny but persistent. We come before you this day with these big and tiny worries, and with confidence we know we can lay them all at your feet.
Lord, calm our hearts and show us the way.

We bring our big worries about health and happiness and security for ourselves and for our loved ones. We bring big worries about the world we live in we continue to fail to struggle to address our challenges and probems together. We bring big worries about the troubles we hear of from far away and close at hand. And we think of the faces and names of the people encountering these troubles.
Lord, calm our hearts and show us the way.

God, you created us. We know that you are concerned with every aspect of our lives, so we also bring the little things that concern us, the worries which keep us awake at night, the worries which only you know.
Lord, calm our hearts and show us the way.

Living God, reach out to all those for whom the future brings fears and uncertainties. Assure them, and assure us, that you are present, even when that future seems dark and circumstances feel out of control. Remind them, remind us, that you are able to transform even the bleakest of situations. You bring healing and wholeness.
Lord, calm our hearts and show us the way.

Lord we make our prayers in faith, for we know that your Spirit is at work in our world making all things new. 
Lord, calm our hearts and show us the way. Amen

~ adapted from a prayer written by Rev. Anne Patton, and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website.

Challenge to Discipleship
Closing Song
Blessing     We speak in unison.
The Light that was in one place and at one time, is now in all places and all times, for God has placed the light in us. We go forth in peace!