Sunday Prayers: Isaiah 60:1–6
Call to Worship
One: Arise, shine, for your light has come.
All: Light, like a glimmer of hope and possibility.
One: Arise, shine, for your light has come.
All: Light, like a beacon of faith and direction.
One: The glory of the Lord has risen upon us.
All: Together we see God despite the darkness.
One: The radiance of God’s love shines within us.
All: Let us together proclaim the praise of the Lord.
Opening Prayer
God of light and love, appear to us now and awaken us with your glory, to see ourselves and the world as you see us. Gather us close to you, that we may receive the comfort of your care for us. Gather us close to each other, that we may be supported through the strength of your community of believers. Gather us up for worship and service, to proclaim the brightness of your hope dawning anew. Abide in our hearts, that we can radiate your love into our hurting world. Amen.
Offering Prayer
Abundant God,
Lift up our eyes to see the needs of your world; the places where darkness smothers hope and causes pain. Lift up our eyes to see where we can help, and the ways we can use our gifts to proclaim your praise and heal your children. Remind us that we are all your beloved, and make us each a part of the dawning of hope. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
God in the darkness, be with us now. Arise upon us and bring us hope.
Be with those who journey through places of pain. Comfort those who grieve and have lost loved ones; and soothe the homes where an empty chair echoes in a hurting heart.
Bring us healing and renew us. Help us to look ahead and see the world with fortitude. Bolster us to remember the strength of your love in us. Arise upon us and bring us hope.
Be with those who struggle with times of doubt. Steady those whose futures feel unstable and uncertain; and guide those who cannot see the path ahead.
Bring us faith and nurture us. Help us to look ahead and see the world with possibility. Inspire us to recognize the wonder of your love for us. Abide within us and bring us hope.
Be with those who sink under the weight of despair. Sustain those for whom the gloom outside mirrors the fear inside; and warm those souls that are chilled with sadness.
Bring us joy and encourage us. Help us to look ahead and see the world with energy. Nourish us to seek out the delight of your love for us. Arise upon us and bring us hope.
All this we pray in your almighty name; that our hearts, minds and souls may proclaim your praise and glory.
Amen.
Benediction
Arise and shine for your light has come. Go forward from here with the radiance of God’s hope shining in your life. Let new possibility dawn in your days, and lift up your hearts to the joy of God’s grace. In faith and in love, may your lives proclaim the praise of the Lord. Amen.
