Saturday, August 14, 2021
Opening Prayer:
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Living God, I confess today my deep tendency to pretend and perform. Rather than resting in the righteousness of Christ, I try to earn your favor through what I do. And when I fail to live up to your standard, I hide and pretend rather than running to the cross of Christ. In this pattern of pride and unbelief, I am weary. And so I come to you, knowing that I do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with my weakness. I have one who was tempted in every way, yet without sin. So let me draw near to the throne of grace with confidence, that I may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Strengthen me by your Spirit to live in the good of the gospel, today and always. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-19
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
New Testament Reading: Ephesians 4:1-16
Prayer of Adoration:
Jesus Christ, I adore you as the head of the church; the one in whom the whole body is joined together and built up. You have given many gifts and graces, but you are the one Lord who is over all and in all and through all. To you I bow my knee and offer my willing obedience.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 133
Prayer of Consecration
Lord, I thank you for this image of healthy, celebratory community enjoying your favor and blessing. Our culture conspires to isolate and divide us, and I confess that I feel the drift in my soul. I desire to dwell in unity, but I don’t always know how. I long for meaningful connection, but I struggle with inertia and fear. Sometimes keeping my true self hidden feels safer. Draw me out of myself with this beautiful vision of a better life. Help me resist the pull toward individualism and detachment by showing me how precious it is to dwell in community. O Lord, bestow your blessing on me as I seek to live in unity with your people.
BENEDICTION
And now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and always, until the day of Christ's return.
