Source of Compassion and Sustenance Throughout Human Life

James McGuire

 

Call to Worship

Leader: God is with you.

People: And also with you.

Leader: God guides our lives.

People: Every day from birth to death.

Leader: God loves us.

People: God cares for us.

Leader: God leads us in right paths.

People: God goes with us all our way.

 Call to Confession

Though sin is ever with us, God provides for our redemption in Jesus Christ, our Shepherd and Savior. Therefore, let us be bold in acknowledging our wandering ways.

 Prayer of Confession

Ever present God, whose mercy never fails, we confess that we are headstrong and think we know what is best for our lives. We continually choose self over others, forgetting that all people are in this earthly pilgrimage together. We hold onto our guilt rather than completely following you. Forgive our foolishness. Remove our self-centeredness. Take away our sin, for without your grace we are doomed, both in this life and in the next. Guide us by your Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

 Assurance of Pardon

Hear now the promise of God the Creator: In believing you receive the new life promised to all who trust in Jesus. Let him be your Shepherd and Guide. Live in hope. Serve in peace. You are forgiven.

Prayer for Illumination

Great God of all, in your word is revealed the light we need to please you and follow your truth. Grant us ears to hear this reading, hearts to receive your promises, and determination to follow your guidance, through the power of the Spirit. Amen.

Scripture Possibilities for the Sermon

• James 1:17-27
• Mark 7:31-37
• John 10:11-18 (“I am the good shepherd…”)
• Ezekiel 34:11-16; Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 23 (Also on a shepherding theme)

Prayers of the People

Merciful God, you always lead us toward green pastures. You call us to follow where the streams of clean, clear water flow, and thus we know that only goodness follows us all our lives. We praise you for the richness of life we have been granted. Even when we suffer loss, when life seems dark and the future gloomy, you are our comfort and shepherd.

Teach us to look with compassion on those who suffer through no fault of their own. Where there is illness, send healing. Where there is pain, grant the ability to endure. Where there is hunger, compel us to share. Where there is abuse, cause justice to prevail. Wherever help is needed, make us uneasy until we have given aid.

Lead those chosen to lead us in church and the world. Grant them courage and insight to seek the welfare of all. May they have the wisdom to reverse course when their most carefully conceived plans prove to be wrong. Especially we seek your guidance for legislators, political executives, and those who interpret and enforce laws for the common good.

Sustain those who leave home and family to serve you in alien cultures. In particular we remember those who minister in your name through the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Let them be faithful to you, understanding of those of other backgrounds, and willing to stand for truth under difficult circumstances.

Through all our days, in all our ways, be our comfort and guide. Help us to continue to grow in faith and knowledge. Make us ever eager to seek what is right in home, community, and state. And when our days in this life draw to an end, may we go toward the unknown convinced that we shall then know you fully even as we are fully known. Amen.

(At appropriate places in this prayer, mention of particular needs and specific people may be included.)

Invitation to the Offering

From the bounty poured forth by God, we receive all that we have. Whether what we have is little or much, we have opportunity to share. Let us bring our gifts to God.

Offertory Prayer

Here O God is our offering to you. Bless it, multiply it, and use it to bring honor to your name.  Then lead us to use all that we have to glorify you. In your holy name we pray, Amen.

Charge and Benediction

As God shepherds you through life,

seek to follow in faith and obedience.

And the blessing of God the Creator,

the grace of Jesus Christ the Savior,

and the guidance of the Holy Spirit

be with you always. Amen.

 

Hymn Possibilities

The Lord’s My Shepherd

Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us

Morning Has Broken