Sermon text: Luke 2:22-40
That your presence will impel us to energetic witness
Glorious One, You who came among us in a way we never expected, You who shared in the deepest of our sorrows and the highest of our joys, we worship and adore You.
We have often waited for your coming but failed to recognize your presence.
We have called your name, but could not hear or comprehend your answer.
Our prayers have seemed like echoes across a chasm.
We have longed for greater sensitivity to your presence. We have ached to acknowledge your presence as the answer to our deepest hopes and most disciplined prayers.
Indeed, You have revealed yourself to us. You have become our salvation, our Redeemer. You are the source of our daily consolation.
Your presence has given us meaning. Your presence has fulfilled our deepest longing and thrilled us to our depths. Your presence is our rest and the impetus for our most energetic witness. We live with gladness and thanksgiving in your faithful presence. Amen.
May each of you experience Christ's presence in energizing ways in 2012. Dave
Thoughts, and prayers from Pastor David Antieau at St. Nicolai United Church of Christ
Friday, December 30, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Prayer for December 25-31, 2011
Sermon Text: Psalm 98
That our praises will echo everywhere for eternity
You who elicit our jubilant songs, we rejoice in your salvation. We rejoice that You have revealed yourself in righteousness, faithfulness and love. Because You have remembered your covenant with our ancestors in faith, and with us, our lives are full of depth and meaning, shaped by your grace for gratitude and hope.
We sing joyful praise and thanksgiving with hearts that have been lifted by your presence.
We join our voices with your whole creation to praise You and give You the honor You are due. Let our combined voices echo everywhere for eternity. May many who do not know you hear and turn to You and sing your songs with gladness. Amen.
That our praises will echo everywhere for eternity
You who elicit our jubilant songs, we rejoice in your salvation. We rejoice that You have revealed yourself in righteousness, faithfulness and love. Because You have remembered your covenant with our ancestors in faith, and with us, our lives are full of depth and meaning, shaped by your grace for gratitude and hope.
We sing joyful praise and thanksgiving with hearts that have been lifted by your presence.
We join our voices with your whole creation to praise You and give You the honor You are due. Let our combined voices echo everywhere for eternity. May many who do not know you hear and turn to You and sing your songs with gladness. Amen.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Prayer for December 18-24, 2011
Sermon Text: Luke 1:26-38
That we will be faithful servants in spite of fear and doubt
God, our Source and Destiny, when You come to us, or send your messengers with your word of promise, we are commonly stunned to silence or filled with fearful questions.
Why would You favor us, as You favored and chose Mary in her humble circumstances?
How can we stand without fear in your presence?
How can we trust your promises when they often seem impossible to us?
How can we be channels of your mercy to the world around us?
You have often shown us your ability to do what seems impossible to us. But we still have doubts about your ability to save. We still have doubts that we will see the reign You have promised come in fullness among us.
Because we have tasted of your presence in Jesus, we offer ourselves as your servants in spite of our fears and doubts. May your love be passed on through us. Amen.
That we will be faithful servants in spite of fear and doubt
God, our Source and Destiny, when You come to us, or send your messengers with your word of promise, we are commonly stunned to silence or filled with fearful questions.
Why would You favor us, as You favored and chose Mary in her humble circumstances?
How can we stand without fear in your presence?
How can we trust your promises when they often seem impossible to us?
How can we be channels of your mercy to the world around us?
You have often shown us your ability to do what seems impossible to us. But we still have doubts about your ability to save. We still have doubts that we will see the reign You have promised come in fullness among us.
Because we have tasted of your presence in Jesus, we offer ourselves as your servants in spite of our fears and doubts. May your love be passed on through us. Amen.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Prayer for December 11-17, 2011
Sermon Text: Psalm 126
That we may praise you daily for your salvation
God of Exiles, when we have been led away from You by people of arrogance and malicious intent, and when we have wandered away from You in our own stubborn foolishness, You have sought us, found us, and brought us back into your presence.
We rejoice in your kindness! We celebrate your salvation!
You have healed and restored us, turning the desolate wasteland of our lives into a place of fruitfulness. You have transformed our despair into bold dreams and expectant hope. You have given meaning to our labors. You have turned our anguish into joy. You have given us laughter and songs with which to express our delight and gratitude.
Everything that gives us true delight has come from your boundless generosity. Our misguided steps led to disaster. But You have gathered us and raised us to new life. We praise You daily! Amen.
That we may praise you daily for your salvation
God of Exiles, when we have been led away from You by people of arrogance and malicious intent, and when we have wandered away from You in our own stubborn foolishness, You have sought us, found us, and brought us back into your presence.
We rejoice in your kindness! We celebrate your salvation!
You have healed and restored us, turning the desolate wasteland of our lives into a place of fruitfulness. You have transformed our despair into bold dreams and expectant hope. You have given meaning to our labors. You have turned our anguish into joy. You have given us laughter and songs with which to express our delight and gratitude.
Everything that gives us true delight has come from your boundless generosity. Our misguided steps led to disaster. But You have gathered us and raised us to new life. We praise You daily! Amen.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Prayer for December 4-10,2011
Sermon Text: Isaiah 40:1-11
That we will remain close to You
Eternal Sovereign, in the midst of our confusion and brokenness, You come among us to comfort us, assure us of your forgiveness, lead us to our promised destiny, and display your glory for all to see.
We rejoice in You. We rejoice that though our lives are fragile and fleeting, You, who speak sure and lasting words, take note of our condition and send your Messenger of good news to enact your powerful and rescuing presence among us.
We rejoice that You are among us! We acknowledge You as our True Sovereign. We thank You for the great tenderness with which You care for us. We praise You for the way You gather us close to You, hold us in your embrace and lead us into your peace and security. We are yours alone. Your name is our delight. Amen.
That we will remain close to You
Eternal Sovereign, in the midst of our confusion and brokenness, You come among us to comfort us, assure us of your forgiveness, lead us to our promised destiny, and display your glory for all to see.
We rejoice in You. We rejoice that though our lives are fragile and fleeting, You, who speak sure and lasting words, take note of our condition and send your Messenger of good news to enact your powerful and rescuing presence among us.
We rejoice that You are among us! We acknowledge You as our True Sovereign. We thank You for the great tenderness with which You care for us. We praise You for the way You gather us close to You, hold us in your embrace and lead us into your peace and security. We are yours alone. Your name is our delight. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)