Lord God,

We come before you this day

planted firmly in our faith

and our hearts full of wonder

as we imagine how your Word

will nourish us this morning

and move us to fully embrace

our calling as your disciples.

With the summer behind us —

a time of rest and rejuvenation —

we gather as a church family

ready to worship you and

(inspired by your sacred Word)

to be recommitted to this ministry.

May you shower your blessings

upon our children as they prepare

to learn, to play, and to explore.

May you bless our adults as we pray,

serve, and fellowship with one another.

May the great mystery that lies

at the center of our faith-inspired us

to seek a fuller understanding of

who and what you would have us be.

Increase our faith, put doubts to flight,

and open to us a deeper comprehension

of your presence in our lives, and in the lives

of our sisters and brothers in Christ.

Hear this our pray, we implore you.

Hear these prayers and petitions as well:

those that we lift up to you in this moment

of still, sacred, silent prayer…

 

silent prayers…

 

Lord God, still our hearts

and focus our thoughts on you today

and increase our love for you

and for all people, in Christ’s name.

 

Amen.