Litany and Prayer, Thanksgiving, Year A

Call to Worship and Prayer for Thanksgiving, Year A:

One: The earth belongs to God, and all that is in it,

All: The world is indeed God’s, and all of us who live in it.

One: God supplies seed to the sower and bread for food,

All: And God multiplies the seed and increases the harvest.

One: Out of our abundance, God requires that we share,

All: That all may have enough. Thanks be to God for such an indescribable gift!

              From 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray:

Creator God,

You are amazing! Even with our small gifts you are able to do wonderful things! We hear our world suffering from violence and tragedy, and you guide our hands to do your work of caring for others. We see people each day without homes, without food, without basic necessities, and you guide our hearts to feed those who are hungry. We feel helpless in the face of great needs, and you guide our minds to study and be forever watchful for ways to better serve our world. Make us whole so that our hands and hearts and minds might work together to your glory. Amen.

                  Call and Prayer by K. K. Hudson-Bates

Litany and Prayer for Fourth Sunday in Easter, Year C

Call to Worship:

One: With God as our shepherd,

All: We need nothing more!

One: God leads us to paths at the wetlands,

All: Or by the quiet waters of Cache Creek, for walks that might restore our spirits.

One: God guides us to work for justice,

All: To challenge - in God’s holy name - any wrongs we find in our world.

One: Even in the depths of our misery,

All: Even while walking through our darkest hours,

One: The God of Love is with us, comforting us, chasing away our fears!

All: Let us worship God together!

         from Psalm 23

Community Prayer:

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray:
God of Love,

You are our Loving Shepherd.

Your creation beckons us, calling us to renew our spirits, to reconnect: to spend more time in our gardens, on pathways in nature, at the arboretum, on mountain trails or walking the labyrinth, to restore imbalances caused by too much work, too much screen time, too much time commuting on busy highways. You call us to better serve in our community and world: speaking justice, healing pain, and reaching out in love. We pray that we might answer your calls - to restore our souls so that we are energized, and to do your work in our world. This we pray, O God of All Creation. Amen.

                Litany and Prayer by K. K. Hudson-Bates

Litany and Prayer - Proper 25

Call to Worship:

One:  O God, Answerer of Prayer! To you all people shall come. 

All: When we are overwhelmed by our own misdeeds, 

One: You forgive our wrong-doing.

All: Time and again, you answer our poor or misguided actions

One: With loving kindness rather than judgement.

All: And because you have clothed us in joy, we shout and sing together in praise of you!

                        From Psalm 65

Community Prayer:

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray:

God of Our Salvation,

You are the hope of all at the ends of the earth and the farthest seas. We are awed by your signs. But, like the tax collector in Jesus’ story, we are not blameless. We find ourselves turning our backs on people because we are uncomfortable. We judge others as not worthy of our time or money. We procrastinate so that we don’t have to make hard choices. We pray that we might learn to be more humble and caring in our relationships. We pray that we might open our hearts to all peoples, so that we might be avenues for your love in our world. This we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

          from Psalm 65 and Luke 18

               Litany and Prayer by K. K. Hudson-Bates

Litany and Prayer for Proper 18, Year C

Call to Worship:

One: Loving Creator, you have searched us and known us,

All: You know when we sit down and when we rise up.

One: It was you who formed our inward parts,

All: And we are fearfully and wonderfully made!

One: In our lives today, we have choices that are before us.

All: We can choose between life and death.

One: We can choose between good and evil.

All: And because we have known you, God, we can choose to love as you have loved us,

One: And we can choose to walk in your ways.

All: Let us choose life so that we and our world might live abundantly! Amen.

                       from Deuteronomy 30.19-20 and Psalm 139

Community Prayer:

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray:
God of Many Possibilities,

You know us from the inside out. You know our intentions and our difficult choices. You have been with us from the moment we were formed. You know when we are hurting and when we may have hurt others, when we need a healing touch and when we can give a healing touch to another. You know the anguish we feel when we see injustice, and you are with us when we search for ways to respond to that injustice. We pray that our hearts will be open as your Spirit nudges us always in the direction that leads to abundant life. This we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Call to Worship and Prayer by K. K. Hudson-Bates

Litany and Prayer for the Sixth Sunday in Easter, Year A

Call to Worship:

One: May God be gracious to you and bless you.

All: May God’s face shine on you!

One: God has given us an Advocate, a Spirit of truth.

All: God is with us. We are not left orphaned;

One: God truly listens, and gives heed to the words of our prayers.

All: Through the many trials in our lives,

One: God’s loving Advocate, God’s Spirit of truth, remains with us always.

All: Let us all sing for joy and praise God! Amen.

                    from Psalm 67 and John 14:16-21

Community Prayer:

God of Spirit and Truth,

You have indeed given us an Advocate. Your Holy Spirit continues to reach out to us, teaching us, reminding us, guiding us. Your Spirit of truth is with us through drought and forest fires, through hunger, through the daily violence that shatters our world and lives, and through day to day conflicts that wear away at our center of balance. Your Spirit of truth nudges us to recognize the ways we are complicit in the causes of drought, violence, hunger, and daily conflicts. We pray that you help us loosen our tight grasp on the ways of the world, and open our hearts and minds to your way, that you might fill us with your peace and a clearer vision of your love for us and our world. This we pray, O Holy Spirit. Amen.

                            Call and Prayer by K. K. Hudson-Bates

Litany for Third Sunday of Lent, Year A

Call to Worship:

One: Come! Let us make a joyful noise to God!

All: Let us come into God’s presence with thanksgiving!

One: For God reaches across oceans, across cultures, across all barriers,

All: To bring us into closer relationships.

One: When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well,

All: He saw a woman needing acceptance and forgiveness.

One: Like the woman at the well, we too yearn for a connection to God.

All: Let us join our hearts to worship the God of Compassion.

           from John 4:1-15, 19-30 and Psalm 95

Community Prayer:

God of the Living Water,

You who know our very being, you see beyond our nationality and our culture. Like Jesus did with the woman at the well, you look through our mistakes and see us at the center of who we are. You push us to let go of cultural norms and biases that keep us from freely sharing your radical love. We pray for your continued presence in our lives as we struggle with our own prejudices and blind spots. We pray that we may be receptive of your nudging toward openness and inclusion. This we pray, O God of Spirit and Truth. Amen.

              Prayer and Call to Worship by K. K. Hudson-Bates

Litany and Prayer for Second Sunday in Lent, Year C

Call to Worship:

One: God is our light and our salvation.

All: Whom shall we fear?

One: God is the stronghold of our life.

All: Of whom shall we be afraid?

One: Let us not worry about what is behind,

All: Let us turn instead to what lies ahead.

One: Let us press on toward the goal of God’s call,

All: And keep our eyes on the prize!

One: And - let us sing!

All: Let us sing and make melody to God! Amen.

Community Prayer:

O God, Our Light and Guide,

You are with us each and every step we take in our lives. As Paul did for the church in Philippi, you care about us as we encounter obstacles and difficulties in our lives. You encourage us to lift our heads and look forward when we falter and or feel overwhelmed. When we are tempted to respect more those with money or power, you challenge us to instead lift up those without. In times when we feel worried or frightened, you comfort us and teach us to hold fast to what we know is right. Guide us as we try likewise to encourage, challenge and comfort those we encounter in our daily living. This we pray, O Loving God. Amen.

Prayer and Call to Worship by K. K. Hudson-Bates

Litany for Epiphany, Year C

Call to Worship:

One: God is with us always,

All: To the end of the age!

One: God calls us each to use our gifts for the common good.

All: We have a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit.

One: We have a variety of ways we can serve, but the same God.

All: God is with us always. Let us worship God.

          from 1 Corinthians 12:1-27

Call by K. K. Hudson-Bates

Litany and Prayer for Proper 9, Year C

Litany and Prayer for Proper 9, Year C

One: Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth!

All: Sing the glory of God’s name!

One: Let us always rejoice in doing what is right.

All: With faith let us follow God’s path.

One: Let us work for the good of all,

All: And let us bear one another’s burdens in love.

One: Let all the earth sing God’s praises!

All: We join together to worship God. Amen.

Community Prayer:

O God of New Beginnings,

Through our shared faith community, we learn of your love. 

As we live our separate lives, you call us into community, where we can learn to give loving support to our neighbors, both those known to us and those we may yet encounter. As we begin this new journey, Pastor and congregation, let us all remember to keep open minds and open hearts for new learning and new ways to follow Jesus. Amen.

         From Galatians 6:6-10 and Psalm 66

            Litany and Prayer by K. K. Hudson-Bates

Prayer for Second Sunday in Easter, Year C

Praying Together, Second Sunday in Easter, Year C

O God of the mighty firmament,

You comfort us when our hearts are aching. When in the hidden chambers of our hearts all we can do is mourn, you sing to us lullabies of love. As we struggle to reach out beyond ourselves, teach us to sing out with tambourine and dance. When we look at our world and see violence and hunger, teach us to join hands with a neighbor and sing out love and justice. As we look at our Earth and see the ravages caused by our own selfishness, lead us to sing out peace and love for your amazing creation. Amen.

Litany for Proper 25, Year C

Call to Worship for Prop 25, Year C

One: God promised, “I will pour out my spirit on all flesh;

All: Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

One: Your old folks shall dream dreams,

All: And your young people shall see visions.

One: For surely I know the plans I have for you,

All: Plans to give you a future with hope.

One: I will gather you up from all places and bring you home.”

All: Let us open our hearts and minds to listen for God’s plan for us.

           From Joel 2:23-32 and Jeremiah 29:11-14 (not in the lectionary)

                  Call to Worship by K. K. Hudson-Bates

Litany for Proper 14, Year C

Call to Worship for Prop 14

One: Through faith in God, we are each called to journey,

All: We are called to walk with God.

One: Just as by his faith, Abram obeyed God, 

All: And went out to live in tents in an unknown land,

One: Just as by faith, Ruth followed Naomi and became a husbandless immigrant in a new country,

All: And as by faith, Moses led the people out of Egypt,

One: We, too, are called by our faith to journey with God.

All: Let us open our hearts to hear where God asks us to go.

         From Hebrews 11:8-12

             Call to Worship by K. K. Hudson-Bates

Litany for Proper 26, Year B

Call to Worship for Proper 26, Year B

One: God created humankind in God's own image,

All: In the image of God we are created.

One: God created humans, both male and female, 

All: In God's own image.

One: God then asked that we love our neighbors.

All: For every neighbor is a reflection of God’s own image.

One: Let us join our hearts in worship.

All: Let us worship the God of Love. Amen.

          From Mark 12:28-34 and Genesis 1:27

                Call to Worship by K. K. Hudson-Bates

Litany for Christmas, Years A, B, C

Call to Worship for Christmas / New Years

One: God, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food?

All: When were you thirsty and we gave you something to drink?

One: When was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you?

All: When did we see you naked and give you clothing?

One: When was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?

All: Just as we do it to one of the least of these, we do it to God. 

        Let us lift our praises to God!

               From Matthew 25:34-40

                    Calls to Worship by K. K. Hudson-Bates

Litany for Proper 7, Year C or Proper 17, Year A

Call to Worship from scripture for Year C Proper 7 and Year A Proper 17

One: God, you send forth your Spirit,

All: And it is as if a great wind rushes through our gathering,

One: We feel the presence of your Holy Spirit among us, with us,

All: We feel your Holy Spirit calling us, guiding us, encouraging us,

One: Calling on us to live in harmony with one another,

All: Encouraging us not to be haughty, to welcome all,

One: Guiding us to live peaceably with all.

All: We prepare our hearts to listen for your Spirit.

          From Romans 12:15-18 and Galatians 3:28

               Call to Worship by K. K. Hudson-Bates

Litany for Third Sunday after Epiphany or Year B Fifth Sunday in Lent

Year C Third Sunday after Epiphany or Year B Fifth Sunday in Lent

One: Let us open our hearts to God’s new covenant,

All: That God’s law might be written on our hearts,

One: That God might fill us with the power of the Spirit.

All: Let us open ourselves to God’s way,

One: That we might bring good news to the poor,

All: And proclaim release to the captives.

One: Let us join our hearts and hands,

All: And worship God together as one people.

          From Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Luke 4:14-21

                Call to Worship by K. K. Hudson-Bates

Litany for Sixth Sunday in Easter, Year C

Call to Worship for 2016-05-01

One: God’s face has shined upon us.

All: God, our God, has blessed us.

One: The earth has yielded its increase,

All: And we have eaten well.

One: So, like Lydia, the dealer in purple cloth, 

All: Who brought her entire household and herself to be baptized,

One: May we open our hearts eagerly to hear God’s word.

All: Let us lift our voices and praise God! Amen!

                Call to Worship by K. K. Hudson-Bates

Litany for Fifth Sunday in Easter, Year C

Call to Worship for 2016-04-24

One: Praise God! Praise our Creator from the heavens; 

All: Praise God in the heights!

One: Imagine a new heaven and a new earth!

All: Imagine a time when God will wipe every tear from our eyes.

One: Dream of a time when death will be no more, when mourning and pain will be no more!

All: Then, will the sun and moon praise God, and all the shining stars!

One: Then, will all whom God created give praise! All wild animals and cattle, creeping things and flying birds will give praise!

All: Let us join our voices together and sing praises to God!

             Call to worship by K. K. Hudson-Bates

Litany for Second Sunday in Easter, Year C

Call to Worship for Second Sunday in Easter, Year C
April 3, 2016

One: When it was evening on that day,

All: Jesus came and stood among the disciples.

One: Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you.”

All: Jesus breathed on them and said to them,

One: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them.”

All: Peace be with you. Let us worship God.

from John 20:19-31

by K. K. Hudson-Bates

Litany for Easter, Year C

Call to Worship, Easter

One: On the first day of the week at early dawn, the women came to the tomb.

All: They found the stone rolled away.

One: And when they went in, Jesus’ body was no longer there.

All: Men in dazzling clothes said, “He is not here, but has risen.”

One: He is risen!

All: He is risen indeed! Hallelujah! Hallelujah, Amen!

       From Luke 24:1-12

            By K. K. Hudson-Bates

Litany for Fifth Sunday in Lent, Year C

Call to Worship for 2016-03-13:

One: God is about to do a new thing!

All: God is making a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, 

One: So that those who sow in tears may reap with shouts of joy,

All: Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing,

One: Shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.

All: God is about to do a new thing! Let us rejoice.

     from Isaiah 43:19 and Psalm 126:5-6

            Call to Celebration by K. K. Hudson-Bates

Litany for Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year C

Call to Worship for 2016-03-06

One: Be glad in God. Rejoice!

All: Shout for joy, for God’s love is extravagant!

One: God is filled with compassion for us.

All: Just as the father rejoices at finding his lost son,

One: God celebrates with great joy when we return home.

All: Let us turn to God and rejoice! Amen.

             From Luke 15

                   Call to Worship by K. K. Hudson-Bates

Litany for Third Sunday in Lent, Year C

Call to Worship for 2016-02-28

One: Come to God’s waters, everyone who thirsts,

All: Even if you have no money, come and eat!

One: Why do we spend money on that which is not bread?

All: God invites us instead to eat what is good. 

One: God makes with us an everlasting covenant of love.

All: Guide us, God, toward food that satisfies.

      Teach us, God, of your love. Amen.

                From Isaiah 55:1-9

Litany for Second Sunday in Lent, Year C

Call to Worship for 2016-02-21

One: God is our light and our salvation.

All: If God is the stronghold of our life, how can we be afraid?

One: Let us wait for God and be strong.

All: Let our hearts take courage from God!

One: Let us believe that we will see the goodness of God in our lives.

All: Let us join together in singing and making melody to God!

              From Psalm 27

Litany for First Sunday in Lent Year C

Call to Worship for 2016-02-14

One: God, we are tempted by so many things!

All: Sometimes we are hungry, and are tempted to satisfy that hunger in unhealthy ways.

One: Sometimes we are afraid, and are tempted to use our power in unfair ways.

All: Sometimes we want so much to be loved and cared for, that we test our relationships in trying or hurtful ways just to be sure we are still loved.

One: Jesus, too, went into the wilderness and was tempted repeatedly. Each time, he worked hard to push the temptations aside.

All: Let us also turn from our temptations and seek God.

            from Luke 4:1-13

Litany for Proper 7 Year C

Call to Worship for June 19, 2016

One: God created humankind in God's own image,

All: In the image of God we are created.

One: God created humans as male and female in God's own image.

All: And in Christ Jesus all are children of God through faith. 

One: There is no longer Jew or Greek.

All: There is no longer slave or free 

One: There is no longer male or female; 

All: For all are one in Christ Jesus. Let us worship together.

                from Galatians 3:23-29 (and Genesis 1:26-31)

Litany for Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Call to Worship

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

One: God is love!

All: In God, we take refuge.

One: Love never ends!

All: God is our hope and our trust.

One: And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

All: We lift our praises to the God of Love! Amen.

          from I Corinthians 13:1-13

                  Call to Worship by K. K. Hudson-Bates