A PRAYER FOR THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD (OT)

ISAIAH 43

But now, this is what the Lord says—

    he who created you, Jacob,

    he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters,

    I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

    they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

    you will not be burned;

    the flames will not set you ablaze.

3 For I am the Lord your God,

    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

The waters look dangerous, Lord

We're not sure we can stay afloat

Swim to the other side

It looks a long way over

We want to cross over to the other side

To discover a new future

Get a fresh start

We have made a mish mash of our lives

We have done so much wrong

We just want to wash it all away

The waters look dangerous, Lord

The fire is too hot

We fear just jumping in

Living for all we are worth

Reaching for today, tomorrow

If we drown in the fire

Burn up

We will lose everything

We are desperate amidst the blaze

Panicked that we will not make it

We will lose everything

What if we can't escape the flames

What if we can't hold our breath long enough

We will lose everything

The fire is too hot

2 When you pass through the waters,

    I will be with you;

If you swim along side of us

We can make it

If you keep ahold of us

We'll reach the other side

If you are right beside us

We can grab the other bank

When you walk through the fire,

    you will not be burned;

    the flames will not set you ablaze.

If you walk with us

We will survive

If you guide us

We will not be scorched

If you lead

We will follow safely

3 For I am the Lord your God,

    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

Into your arms we race

In your love we rest

By your grace we are whole

With your baptism we are cleansed

Hallelujah

Amen

A PRAYER FOR THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD (NT)

Acts 8:14-17 (NIV)

14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Come Holy Spirit

Bathe us in your power

so we may have the strength to preach

the Good News

Send us out to the highways

the street corners and shadows

where silence prevails

and fear stalks the dark

May we have the power

to stand against the powers of the night

and bring the presence of God's glory

so all may have light and joy

Come Holy Spirit

Immerse us in your love

so that we can love our enemies

and comfort those in sorrow

Dispatch us to the sick and grieving

in nursing homes and hospital rooms

where sickness attacks and death hovers

and tears flow and hearts ache

May we be a holy presence

to heal the suffering

comfort the mourning

and bless the dying

Come Holy Spirit

Purify us in the ways of peace

so that we can be a force for justice

and messenger of Shalom

Dispatch us to every front and battlefield

where your children are wounded and lonely

to cry for the killing to end

and calm and solace begin

Make us agents of reconciliation

to sow seeds of harmony and understanding

so plants of understanding and forests of cooperation

will grow and flourish in the warmth of your love

Come Holy Spirit baptize us

Strengthen us

Immerse us

Purify us

Amen

A PRAYER FOR EPIPHANY (NT)

Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV)

2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for out of you will come a ruler

    who will shepherd my people Israel.’[b]”

7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

 

Here we come Jesus

We come to greet you

welcome you to our world

bring the new baby gifts

What gift can we bring you Jesus?

What is proper for

A messiah born in a barn

A savior sleeping in a manger

The wiseman brought gold,

frankincense and myrrh

gifts fit for a king

What gift can we bring you Jesus?

We can bring our worship

sacrifices and offerings

kneel in reverence

We can bring our songs

anthems of praise

hymns of thanksgiving

We can bring our prayers

petitions for grace

supplications of forgiveness

What gift can we bring you Jesus?

We know what you want, Jesus

You want disciples

to your follow your call to

feed the hungry

and comfort the mourning

We know what you want, Jesus

You want evangelists

to announce the Good News

the Kingdom is here

The Lord of Peace reigns

We know what you want, Jesus

You want healed healers

to give sight to the blind

new legs to the lame

new life to the dying

What gift can we bring you Jesus?

We can bring ourselves

All that we are

All that we have

for you Lord Jesus

Savior and King

Amen

A PRAYER FOR EPIPHANY (OT)

Psalm 72

1 Endow the king with your justice, O God,

    the royal son with your righteousness.

2 May he judge your people in righteousness,

    your afflicted ones with justice.

3 May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,

    the hills the fruit of righteousness.

4 May he defend the afflicted among the people

    and save the children of the needy;

    may he crush the oppressor.

5 May he endure[a] as long as the sun,

    as long as the moon, through all generations.

6 May he be like rain falling on a mown field,

    like showers watering the earth.

7 In his days may the righteous flourish

    and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.

God of glory

God of might

We pray for justice

We dwell in a land

where it comes infrequently

where chaos often overtakes

our orderly and quiet ways

We pray for peace

We desire an end to the violence

An end to the shootings

An end to the madness

An end to so much loss

We pray for righteousness

We live in fear of the other

We hide from them

Shrink from encountering them

Avoiding their looks, their cries, their needs

We pray for justice

We pray for peace

We pray for righteousness

Come Lord Jesus

and show us the way

Remind us O Just and Holy One

to have justice

we must be just

Remind us Prince of Peace

to have peace

we must live peacefully

Remind us Righteous King

to have righteousness

we must behave rightfully

Show us justice begins when

the hungry are fed

the blind can see

the poor sleep warmly

the lame dance joyously

Remind us peace comes when

swords are replaced by plows

tears are vanquished by laughter

disease is defeated by wellness

hatred overturned by loving

Teach us righteousness appears when

our neighbor is seen as our friend

hand of the stranger is grasped

the sick and lonely are comforted

forsaken and rejected are loved

Come Just One

Come Prince of Peace

Come Righteous King

Come Lord Jesus

Amen

A CHRISTMAS EVE PRAYER

FOR THE PEOPLE OF NEWTOWN CT

Isaiah 9:2-7

2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. 3You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 6For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

It is dark tonight, O God

Dark in our hearts

in our homes

in our nation

We are darkened anew

by anger and madness

grief and violence

heartache and numbness

We want to turn away

ignore the news

not wanting to be touched or moved

We sit in darkness

of endless debate

unnamed fear

political divide

We get lost searching for answers

discouraged seeking solutions

fatigued by losing hope

And we wonder

Wonder when the shootings will stop

Wonder when the violence will end

Wonder if we'll ever feel safe

Wonder if we'll ever have peace

Shine on us, O God

Shine from the manger of Bethlehem

into the night in Newtown and Aurora

Shine from the song of the angels

into broken hearts and empty bedrooms

Comfort us, O God

Comfort us as we cry in the night

and rise to the dawn

Comfort us as we bury our children

and surrender their dreams

Come, Lord Jesus

Come and break our cycles of violence

and show us the ways of peace

Come and hush our hatred

and teach us how to love

Come, Lord Jesus

Come and teach us to sing again

with the angels

Come and show us how to wonder anew

with the shepherds

Come and help us to worship joyfully

with the wise men

Come and help us ponder quietly

with the mother by the manger

Come, Lord Jesus

Come today

Come to tomorrow

Come now and always

Amen

A PRAYER FOR CHRISTMAS 1(OT)

Psalm 148 (MSG)

1-5 Hallelujah!

Praise God from heaven,

    praise him from the mountaintops;

Praise him, all you his angels,

    praise him, all you his warriors,

Praise him, sun and moon,

    praise him, you morning stars;

Praise him, high heaven,

    praise him, heavenly rain clouds;

Praise, oh let them praise the name of God—

    he spoke the word, and there they were!

6 He set them in place

    from all time to eternity;

He gave his orders,

    and that’s it!

Everywhere we go

we are overwhelmed

We find ourselves awestruck

silenced by beauty and splendor

Creator God

We search for words

to explain what we see and feel

amidst the stars and sun

mountains and prairies

gentle streams and roaring oceans

How can we Praise You, Creator God?

We can start by caring for the corner where we live

Being stewards of this, Good Earth

We can start by not fouling the skies and waters

Not using the great outdoors as a global refuse center

Turning clear skies into smoggy residue

babbling brooks into sludge filled rivers

Rolling hills into cratered moonscapes

We can praise you by living as good renters

of this garden you allow us to live in

How can we Praise You, Creator God?

We can start by Living in your creation

Roaming around

getting lost in it

Stopping

Looking

Feeling it

We shut ourselves away

preferring to burrow in

playing with our toys

Couch potatoes safely hidden

We can praise you

by rolling on the grass

Dancing in the rain

Wandering on the hillside

Sitting on the beach

How can we Praise You, Creator God

We can start by remembering

who the creator is

Too often we confuse our role in the cosmic dance

Believing we are more important

more powerful

more designer than the designed

We need to be humble before Your creation

O God, and thankful

Thankful

Wherever we are

Whatever we see

Smell

Touch

Hear

So let us laugh when it rains

Run in the breeze

Listen in the night

Pray in dawn's first light

We praise you

and thank you

Creator God

Amen

A PRAYER FOR CHRISTMAS EVE (NT)

Luke 2:8-20

8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people

We are not used to good news

More like the end of the world news

End times

Mountains tumbling

Planets colliding

Suns going dark

We are not used to good news

Now good news?

Good news

Good news of joy

Good news to all the earth

We could use some good news

Times are tough

Wars and rumor of wars

Everything going to Hell in a hand basket

We could us some good news

Cheer us up

Make us feel better

Give us something to look forward to

Someone to put hope in

11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

We need a Savior, God

A Savior to rescue us

Lift us out of the muck and mire

of our fumbled and mangled lives

Sort through the chaos of famine and strife

of the nations

We need a Savior, God

A Savior that will forgive us

Absolve us of our transgressions

and make us new

Wash away the stains on our souls

and the hurt in our hearts

Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”

Here we come, Lord

Come to see the baby

Come to see the miracle

Come to see the Word made flesh

Here we come, Lord

Come to worship

Come to bow in reverence

Come to celebrate Your coming

"To dwell among us."

20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Now we must go, Lord

Go and spread the Good News

Go and sing it on the mountain

Go and shout it in the town square

No we must go,Lord

Go and tell our friends the Good News

Go and share it with our neighbors

Go and proclaim it to rich and poor

Hallelujah

Christ has come

Hallelujah

Christ is here

Hallelujah

Christ will come again

Amen

A PRAYER FOR CHRISTMAS 1(NT)

Colossians 3:12-21 (NIV)

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Chosen

You have chosen us

Called us to be your people

What kind of people?

You call us to be a compassionate people

Compassionate with

our words

our bounty

our deeds

You call us to be kind people

Kind to all

All who are hurting

All who are weary

All who are hungering

Chosen

You have chosen us

Called us to be your people

What kind of people?

You have called us to be a humble people

Humble before The Lord

Humble before the congregation

Humble in our prayers

You have called us to be a gentle people

Gentle upon the land

Gentle in our homes

Gentle with one another

Chosen

You have chosen us

Called us to be your people

What kind of people?

You have called us to be a patient people

Patient In our hopes and dreams

Patient with each other

Patient with ourselves

You have called us to be a forgiving people

Forgiving of the unjust and unkind

Forgiving of our enemies

Forgiving of our friends

Chosen

You have chosen us

Called us to be your people

Fill us this Christmas Eve with love

Love that you sent to earth in the child born

in a manger

Love that followed obediently even to

death upon the cross

Love that rose from the grave and

conquered death of everyone

Fill us, Christ Jesus, with your love

so we may be your Chosen People

Amen