Worshipping at Home on Sunday or Any Day
Opening Words
Jesus Christ is the light of the world. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it. (light a candle)
Call to Worship
This is the day that God has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Prayer
Blessed are you, O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come. You are with me in this day, just as you are with all your people in every place and at all times. In this moment, touch my heart with your peace, that I may know your presence. I bring to you my storms today. Listen to my worries and know my fears. (Spend time sharing with God any worries that you might have.) O God, help me to lay all of my concerns at your feet. Stay with me through my storms, easing my anxieties and calming my fears. Grant me the patience and the courage to await the dawn. For you are my shelter from the storm and my eternal home. Amen.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 46:1-5, 10-11
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in time of trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
There is a river whose streams
make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of the city;
it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Other Scriptures to Read: Psalm 23, Psalm 121, Micah 6:6-8, Matthew 6:25-34
Guided Meditation
Sit comfortably, well-supported by chair, floor, or earth.
Eyes may be closed or open.
Without altering your breathing pattern,
be aware of the in-and-out, in-and-out,
until it becomes full and deep.
Feel the your own presence.
With gentleness, breathe more deeply and exhale slowly.
Take a few moments
and a few breaths to tune in to the breath of life:
God’s Spirit, flowing in and through you.
Sitting in this stillness,
recall the scriptural theme and reflect on it,
on the hopes and the anxieties of this day,
and of this time in life.
As you are able,
offer these thoughts to God,
concentrating on a word, image or thought
which helps you connect with God’s presence.
Music
Listen to, play, or sing some music that is meaningful to you.
Prayers of the People
God, you are our refuge and our strength, a proven help in times of trouble. Today we pray that you would calm any fears. Help us to focus on what is important. Help us to love our neighbour. Remind us to pray unceasingly for one another. And inspire us to be keenly aware of your risen presence in our lives and in the life of our community.
We bring special prayers for those who suffer from illness, loneliness, and pain. We pray for victims of oppression, abuse, disaster, or violence. We pray for the coming of justice and peace in the world. We pray for the earth on which we live. We pray for all communities of faith. We pray for particular people or situations, trusting in your wisdom and love. (Name those people and situations.)
We pray for those who work in our supply chain, who are taking risks for us to make sure we have food. We pray for those working in warehouses and factories, and for all workers who cannot work from home and are employed where it is difficult to physically distance.
We pray for teachers and all educational support staff, as they seek to navigate this pandemic safely. We pray for all students, that they may feel safe and be safe and be inspired to learn.
We pray for front-line health care workers, nurse, doctors and all health care and cleaning staff.
As we journey through these pandemic times, let us seek to be the best for one another. Help us to remain connected, knowing that you are with us and we are not alone.
These and all our prayerful thoughts we gather together in the words that our Lord teaches us, as we continue to pray, saying: …
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Closing Words
While this candle is extinguished, I will remember that the light of Christ can never be put out. May God’s love and grace be with us all. Amen.
Opening Words
Jesus Christ is the light of the world. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it. (light a candle)
Call to Worship
This is the day that God has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Prayer
Blessed are you, O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come. You are with me in this day, just as you are with all your people in every place and at all times. In this moment, touch my heart with your peace, that I may know your presence. I bring to you my storms today. Listen to my worries and know my fears. (Spend time sharing with God any worries that you might have.) O God, help me to lay all of my concerns at your feet. Stay with me through my storms, easing my anxieties and calming my fears. Grant me the patience and the courage to await the dawn. For you are my shelter from the storm and my eternal home. Amen.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 46:1-5, 10-11
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in time of trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
There is a river whose streams
make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of the city;
it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Other Scriptures to Read: Psalm 23, Psalm 121, Micah 6:6-8, Matthew 6:25-34
Guided Meditation
Sit comfortably, well-supported by chair, floor, or earth.
Eyes may be closed or open.
Without altering your breathing pattern,
be aware of the in-and-out, in-and-out,
until it becomes full and deep.
Feel the your own presence.
With gentleness, breathe more deeply and exhale slowly.
Take a few moments
and a few breaths to tune in to the breath of life:
God’s Spirit, flowing in and through you.
Sitting in this stillness,
recall the scriptural theme and reflect on it,
on the hopes and the anxieties of this day,
and of this time in life.
As you are able,
offer these thoughts to God,
concentrating on a word, image or thought
which helps you connect with God’s presence.
Music
Listen to, play, or sing some music that is meaningful to you.
Prayers of the People
God, you are our refuge and our strength, a proven help in times of trouble. Today we pray that you would calm any fears. Help us to focus on what is important. Help us to love our neighbour. Remind us to pray unceasingly for one another. And inspire us to be keenly aware of your risen presence in our lives and in the life of our community.
We bring special prayers for those who suffer from illness, loneliness, and pain. We pray for victims of oppression, abuse, disaster, or violence. We pray for the coming of justice and peace in the world. We pray for the earth on which we live. We pray for all communities of faith. We pray for particular people or situations, trusting in your wisdom and love. (Name those people and situations.)
We pray for those who work in our supply chain, who are taking risks for us to make sure we have food. We pray for those working in warehouses and factories, and for all workers who cannot work from home and are employed where it is difficult to physically distance.
We pray for teachers and all educational support staff, as they seek to navigate this pandemic safely. We pray for all students, that they may feel safe and be safe and be inspired to learn.
We pray for front-line health care workers, nurse, doctors and all health care and cleaning staff.
As we journey through these pandemic times, let us seek to be the best for one another. Help us to remain connected, knowing that you are with us and we are not alone.
These and all our prayerful thoughts we gather together in the words that our Lord teaches us, as we continue to pray, saying: …
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Closing Words
While this candle is extinguished, I will remember that the light of Christ can never be put out. May God’s love and grace be with us all. Amen.
