​

Morning Prayer

Wedesday, December 8th

Opening Hymn:

In the Name of the Holy Trinity

O Lord, open our lips

and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

May Christ the daystar dawn in our hearts

and triumph over the shades of night.

​

The Invitatory

Come Holy Spirit, our helper and advocate:     

Open our hearts and minds this day,

entice us with your presence.

Spark us with a word of life—

a message that we may share with others

as we seek to live Christ’s love in the world. 

All this we ask in the name of God,

who creates, redeems, and sustains us. Amen.

​

Preparation

O lover of the universe,

you reveal yourself

as one God in three persons,

a mighty, liberating, creative lover

who invites your handiwork to join you.

Catch us up in your love

and lead us into your world

to call others to follow you

with singing and rejoicing. Amen.

​

Psalm 34

​

Today's Gospel

Matthew 5:38-42

Jesus said to them: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

The Word of the Lord

​

Statement of faith ( Phillipians 2:5-10)

Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

​

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,
   for ever and ever. Amen.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Let us give thanks to God who listens
and gives heed to our prayers.

We praise and we bless you, our true
and loving God.

​

We pray for all who search for you:

may they find their way in you. 

Bless us with lips that sing your praise

and lives that tell the stories of all that you have done for us.

Open our eyes to find you among us

as we share your love with others.

Lord in your mercy, receive our prayer.

​

We pray for all who are oppressed by governments
or institutions:

for those whose voices are not heard or believed,

those with no one on their side. 

Bless us with a joy for justice

and the strength to persevere as we work toward
your coming realm.

Lord in your mercy, receive our prayer.

​

We pray for all who hunger,

and those who worry each day how they will care for their families.

Bless us all with meaningful work and fill us with good things,

as we love and care for each other and find our sustenance in you.

Lord in your mercy, receive our prayer.

​

We pray for all who suffer the violence and scars of war,

for all soldiers and their families,

and all who live and serve in war-torn places. 

Give them courage in the face of fear;

in times of trouble, do not let their feet slip. 

Bless us with your vision of peace,

for you have made us one family by giving life and breath to all.

Lord in your mercy, receive our prayer.

​

We remember before you all who have died,

and pray for all who will die today,

that they may know your peace. 

Bless us with the gift of faith,

that we may know you and love you,

and enjoy life eternal shared with you,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

​

Closing Hymn

​

Closing Prayer

May the self-revealing Abba                               

be a lamp on our way

as the day dawns and rises within us. Amen.

Postlude: Amirov

​