EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 2021

Keep bright in us the vision

of days when war shall cease,

when hatred and division

give way to love and peace,

till dawns the morning glorious

when truth and justice reign,

and Christ shall rule victorious

o’er all the world’s domain.

Tune: LANCASHIRE

God of vision and wisdom, we confess our short-sightedness and folly in our search for knowledge and understanding. For our pride in pursuing and using knowledge in ways that make us think we are superiors to others, we ask your forgiveness. For our misuse of science and technology, leading to the oppression of people and the abuse of creation, we ask your forgiveness. For our failure to ask had questions and our willingness to be satisfied with easy of answers, for our ignorance of history and tradition, and for our stubborn resistance to new insights of both heart and mind, we ask for your forgiveness.

Gracious God, you forgive us through Jesus Christ. In humble acknowledgement of your love revealed in him, we give you thanks, and pray the prayer he taught us

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those

who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trail

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours

now and forever. Amen

In the crowds that came to Jesus, teaching up and down the land, there were some who scorned and mocked him, some who did not understand. But the ones who listened humbly learned to trust him and obey, learned to love and be forgiving, and believing in Jesus’ way.

Divine Teacher, to you we Commend all who learn, infants
exploring in play, youth testing and challenging, and adults continuing the quest. Bless our learning with your Spirit.

In the disciplinary mastery of subject and skill, in the reflection on life experience, the practical
wisdom of long years, Bless our learning with your Spirit.

At every age and in every circumstances of life, Bless our learning with your Spirit.

Give patience and understanding to those who teach. Give perseverance and openness of heart and mind to those who learn. Bless our learning with your Spirit.

Spirit of truth, to you we commend all the educational ministries of the church. Guide us in the search of the Scriptures, in study of creation, and in the pursuit of truth. Give to parents your wisdom and thoughts, that with love and understanding they may guide to Christian maturity the young lives entrusted to their care. May congregations nurture faith in children, youth, and adults. Hear our prayer, Spirit of truth.

Bless all those responsible for education in our community and country: teachers and administrators, custodians and clerks, students and families, for their gifts and their service, We give you thanks.

For all the diversity of human study and knowledge – for science and art, for literature and drama, for labor and play for all the teaching experiences of life, We give you thanks.


Watchword for the Week

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. Ephesians 2:19

Watchword for Today

You are great, O Lord God; for there is no one like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 2 Samuel 7:22

Doctrinal Text

John wrote: He placed his right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one. Revelation 1:17-18

Prayer for Today

Lord of the universe, we are awed by your power and might, yet thankful that you are graciously make room for us in your great kingdom. Guide us to extend that same hospitality to others in Jesus’ name. Amen.


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Congregation Watchword for the Year

The Lord will bless his people with peace. Psalm 29:1