Liturgy Bits for NL305 – Golden Calf

For more resources for this Sunday, please visit lectionary.wiki.

Prayer of the Day

Ascension is using the prayer of the day as provided by Working Preacher, with some adaptations.

Faithful God of an unfaithful people, the people of Israel doubted your power and turned to other gods to fulfill their needs. We too, turn to other gods, seeking acceptance, power, and independence. Show us how to live humbly in you, and walk in your ways, worshiping you alone, in the name of the one who offered true power to all humanity, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

Prayers of the Church (traditional)

Our prayers of the church this week are an adaptation of those provided by Clergy Stuff in 2020-21.

Brought together by your love, together we pray for the church, the world, and all those in need.

A brief silence.

O Lord, so often we miss the mark, just as the ancient Israelites did, when we look to other sources to fill our need for you. Forgive us for all the foolish ways in which we fail to trust you, and gently lead us back onto the path that leads to life. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Sometimes this world seems full of danger and fury, with storms and conflict raging around us. Give us peace in the middle of the tempest and assure us that your presence has never left us. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Giving God, it’s part of our nature to hoard our resources and use them for our own gain. Encourage us to bring our first fruits to you, and to share our time, talent, and treasure with others. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Help those whose hearts, souls, and minds have been hurt by cults and harmful ideologies to find their way back to your life-giving grace. Be with all who feel abandoned or alone, and send your healing spirit to all. We pray especially for those from our community who are receiving hospice care: **insert names here**. For what and for whom else do the people of God pray?
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Whether we live or die, we belong to you, O Lord. Assure us of the promise of your resurrection, and when our time on earth is finished, unite us once more with all your saints in light. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Receive our prayers into your merciful arms, O God, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our savior and friend.
Amen.

Prayers of the People (contemporary)

Influenced by the Prayers of the Church above

Let us pray.

Brought together as one body in Christ, we pray for the church, the world, and all of God’s creation.

God of guidance, it’s much too easy for us to turn away from you and find other ways to fill our souls. Forgive our pursuit of the neverending line of golden calves, and focus our hearts and minds back on you.

God of abundance, we give thanks for all the gifts you have given us. Encourage us to share our time, talent, and treasure for the good of your creation, and open our hearts to share our first fruits with you and your church.

God of hope, we pray for all those who are hurting in body, mind, and spirit. Encourage them and surround them with your love as they face uncertainty and adversity. Uplift and sustain their caregivers. We pray especially for those from our community who are receiving hospice care: **insert names here**. For what and for whom else do the people of God pray?

Receive our prayers into your merciful arms, O God, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our savior and friend.
Amen.