O holy and merciful God, great is your loving kindness! You have given us this day and gathered us here so that we may call upon you and hear your word of comfort and direction.

Who are we human beings before you?  We are filled with conceit.  Our hearts have been hardened.  We are not truthful in our thoughts, our words or our actions!  And as a result, we have caused confusion and uncertainty, suffering and misery in our families, in our places of work, even in your church.  Yet, as we face this situation, your loving heart is open to us; your caring hand remains strong to hold us, to guide us and to free us.

O God, you do not forget or reject anyone one of us.  You are near to each of us.   Your love surrounds us and never lets us go. Help us be attentive to your loving presence on this Sunday morning!  See that what we pray and sing, preach and hear, is not be done in vain.

Please let everything we do and say be to your glory and awakening, enlightening, and up-lifting to us all. We offer ourselves and this time of worship to you, as we pray in Jesus’ name and for Jesus’ sake.  Amen.