Holy Giving Opening and Pastoral Prayer

Opening

Welcome home. This is a place where you can kick off your shoes. Put on comfy pants. Relax on the couch. This is a place where you can be yourself. You can take off the masks and hats that we each wear in the world and be ourselves. This is a place where you can just be. Let us be together. Let us be with our God.

Call to Worship

One: We are home. This is the house of God. This is our home. We are God’s very own children.

Many: We are children of God.

One: In God’s house, we share God’s promises with one another. We share God’s grace. We receive God’s grace.

Many: We are children of God.

One: In God’s house, there is always enough. In God’s house, we share with one another. In God’s house, we have everything we need.

Many: We are children of God.

One: In God’s house I am my genuine self. In God’s house, I am not afraid. In God’s house, I am bold and confident because of my faith. Do you feel this way? Do you want to feel this way? Dear friends, you are God’s child. God’s heir of grace - promised - provided for. Dear siblings, who are you?

All: I am a child of God.

Pastoral Prayer

Eternal Parent, you are the rock who bore us, the hen who takes us under your wing and protects us; you are always with us, and we are never alone. We are never orphaned. We are never neglected. Never abused by your grace. Be with us to never abuse your grace. Be with us to not neglect your children - not neglect our own souls, bodies, minds, emotions - not neglect that of our neighbor. Send us the orphans. Let us be your earthly presence for others. When we are your presence on earth - when we are with others - none are alone. Holy Parent, teach us to grow into being like you. Give us the confidence to be humble, honest, self-aware, and emotionally intelligent - help us embody your eternal grace - the same grace that is the Gospel. Amen.