Affirmation of Belovedness

I am a beloved child of God.

I will find my worth in God and God alone.

I am called and equipped by the Holy Spirit.
I will trust in myself and my Spirit given gifts.

I am surrounded by a community that loves me.
I will never be found alone or unloved.

I am a beloved child of God.
Nothing and no one can ever change or affect that.

May I trust all of this, may I trust I am in God's care...
For I am a beloved child of God.

- Affirmation written by The Rev. Allison LeBrun.

Suggested uses include personal use or responsive or repeat-after-me liturgy.

Responsive Prayer of Blessing for Donated Items or Offering

Ever Generous God, it is with praise and thanksgiving today that we bring these offerings before you!

Let your blessings flow!

Bless the work of our hands! Through our service may we be the hands and feed
- the body - of Christ in this world.

Let your blessings flow!

Bless the men, women, and children whose lives will be touched by these gifts.
May they know the love of Christ through them.

Let your blessings flow!

May we see the face of Jesus, the face of God, in all those we seek to serve.
May we treat each and every person as if they were our Lord.

Let your blessings flow!

Especially today we ask your blessing about the ministry of our church,
Grace United Methodist Church and upon the ministry of Genesis House.

Let your blessings flow!

In the name of our God from whom all blessings flow,

Amen.

Prayer to be examples of forgiveness and justice

In a world that ever calls for an eye for an eye

Or seeks vengeance, payment, retribution,

In a world that likes even ledgers

And a hard fist to “balance the scales” - 

Stern efforts to attempt to “right wrongs,”

In a world that confuses revenge with justice,

Help us, Lord Jesus.

Help us promoted forgiveness, mercy, and peace.

Help us by reminding your creation

that we are all recipients of more grace

and love than we ever could earn.

Help us promote true justice, Lord -

Justice that never seeks pain or punishment

But Justice that seeks reconciliation and restoration.

As followers of a God who is love,

May we be examples,

Carriers of God’s love - mercy, forgiveness and justice

To all the world, in this world, here and now.

Amen.

- Written by The Rev. Allison LeBrun

Prayer After Communion for Advent 4A

Holy God,

We give you thanks for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us.

As we await Christ’s return, may we not wait to usher in God’s Kingdom here and now.

May we who are the Body of Christ in this world be agents of Christ’s love,
that we would be courageous in sharing the love of God with all the world
until that day when the love of God redeems all.

Amen.

- Prayer after receiving Communion for Advent 4A

Partially inspired by the sermon series "What Can't Wait" from A Sanctified Art. Prayer written by The Rev. Allison LeBrun

The Great Thanksgiving for Advent 4A

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

God of Love, we give you our thanks and praise even as we await Christ’s return,
as we await Christmas Day and the second coming of Jesus, the God who is Love.

When Jesus came into this world, he humbled himself and took on flesh,
God’s very presence, one of us, with us.
Jesus, God, Love Incarnate, continually showed us new ways to live -
from the manger to the cross, always filled with unfailing and endless love.

 And so, on the night before he gave himself up for us,
he was gathered together with his disciples at a table like this,
he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples and said:
"Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you,
do this in remembrance of me."

When the supper was over, he took the cup, blessed it, gave it to his disciples and said:
"Drink from this, all of you. This is my blood of the New Covenant,
poured out for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."

It is in awe and wonder, praise and thanksgiving, joy and love,
that we offer ourselves up as a holy and living sacrifice,
in union with Christ’s sacrifice for us as we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.

God of Love, pour out your Spirit on us gathered here

And on these gifts of bread and juice.

Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ

That we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed and reconciling.

By that same Spirit, make us disciples of love in this life
until all creation is redeemed through the holy and cleansing love of Christ.

Through your Son Jesus Christ, 

With the Holy Spirit in your holy church,

All honor and glory is yours, Almighty God,

Now and forever, Amen.

- The Great Thanksgiving for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A, Love Sunday. Inspired by the sermon series "What Can't Wait" by A Sanctified Art. Liturgy written by The Rev. Allison LeBrun

Prayer After Communion for Advent 3A

Holy God,

We give you thanks for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us.

As we await Christ’s return, may we not wait to usher in God’s Kingdom here and now.

May we who are the Body of Christ in this world be agents of Christ’s joy,

defiantly trusting in God, advocating for justice, and blooming in the desert of our world. Amen.

- Prayer after receiving Communion based on Isaiah 35:1-10 and Luke 1:47-55 Partially inspired by the sermon series "What Can't Wait" from A Sanctified Art. Prayer written by The Rev. Allison LeBrun

The Great Thanksgiving for Advent 3A

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

God of Joy, we give you our thanks and praise even as we await Christ’s return,
as we await Christmas Day and the second coming of the Lord of Life.

When Jesus came into this world, he humbled himself and took on flesh,
God’s very presence, one of us, with us.
The Lamb of the World continually showed us new ways to live -
from the manger to the cross, ever a joyful servant.

 And so, on the night before he gave himself up for us,
he was gathered together with his disciples at a table like this,
he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples and said:
"Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you,
do this in remembrance of me."

When the supper was over, he took the cup, blessed it, gave it to his disciples and said:
"Drink from this, all of you. This is my blood of the New Covenant,
poured out for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."

It is in awe and wonder, praise and thanksgiving, and with great defiant joy,
that we offer ourselves up as a holy and living sacrifice,
in union with Christ’s sacrifice for us as we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.

God of joy, pour out your Spirit on us gathered here

And on these gifts of bread and juice.

Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ

That we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed and reconciling.

By that same Spirit, make us curators of joy and justice in this life.

Through your Son Jesus Christ, 

With the Holy Spirit in your holy church,

All honor and glory is yours, Almighty God,

Now and forever, Amen

- The Great Thanksgiving for the Third Sunday of Advent, Year A, Joy Sunday. Based on Isaiah 35:1-10 and Luke 1:47-55 Inspired by the sermon series "What Can't Wait" by A Sanctified Art. Liturgy written by The Rev. Allison LeBrun

The Great Thanksgiving for Advent 2A, based on Isaiah 11:1-10

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

God of Peace, we give you our thanks and praise even as we await Christ’s return,
as we await Christmas Day and the second coming of the Prince of Peace.

When Jesus came into this world, he humbled himself and took on flesh, God’s very presence,
one of us, with us.
The Lamb of the World continually showed us new ways to live -
from the manger to the cross, ever a servant of your peace.

 And so, on the night before he gave himself up for us,
he was gathered together with his disciples at a table like this,
he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples and said:
"Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you,
do this in remembrance of me."

When the supper was over, he took the cup, blessed it, gave it to his disciples and said:
"Drink from this, all of you. This is my blood of the New Covenant,
poured out for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."

It is in awe and wonder, praise and thanksgiving,
as well as anticipation and repentance,
that we offer ourselves up as a holy and living sacrifice,
in union with Christ’s sacrifice for us as we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.

God of peace, pour out your Spirit on us gathered here

And on these gifts of bread and juice.

Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ

That we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed and reconciling.

By that same Spirit, make us disciples of peace in this life until we come to God’s holy mountain.

Through your Son Jesus Christ, 

With the Holy Spirit in your holy church,

All honor and glory is yours, Almighty God,

Now and forever, Amen.

- The Great Thanksgiving for the Second Sunday of Advent, Year A, Peace Sunday. Based on Isaiah 11:1-10 Inspired by the sermon series "What Can't Wait" by A Sanctified Art.

Liturgy written by The Rev. Allison LeBrun

Prayer after Communion based on Isaiah 11:1-10

Holy God,

We give you thanks for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us.

As we await Christ’s return, may we not wait to usher in God’s Kingdom here and now.

May we who are the Body of Christ in this world be agents of Christ’s peace,

ushering in that day when the wolf and the lamb,
the calf and the lion live together on God’s holy and glorious mountain.
Amen.

- Prayer after receiving Communion based on Isaiah 11:1-10 Partially inspired by the sermon series "What Can't Wait" from A Sanctified Art. Prayer written by The Rev. Allison LeBrun

Prayer After Communion based on Isaiah 2:1-5

Holy God,

We give you thanks for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us.

As we await Christ’s return, may we not wait to usher in God’s Kingdom here and now.

May we who are the Body of Christ in this world,
be agents of Christ’s hope,
beat weapons into plowshares,
and walk in the Lord’s paths.
Amen.

- Prayer after receiving Communion based on Isaiah 2:1-5. Partially inspired by the sermon series "What Can't Wait" from A Sanctified Art.
Prayer written by The Rev. Allison LeBrun

Responsive Benediction based on Colossians 1:11-20, For Christ the King Sunday

L: God is Creator.

P: In God all things in heaven and on earth were created.

L: Jesus is King

P: His Kingdom is one of forgiveness and peace.

L: The Spirit is with us

P: Taking pleasure in the work of reconciliation. 

L: Now go in peace in the name of our Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

- Responsive benediction based on Colossians 1:11-20 for Christ the King Sunday.
Written by the Rev. Allison LeBrun.

Call to Worship (Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 and James 4:7-8)

L: We gather today in worship.

P: We’re here! Rejoicing in all circumstances.

L: We gather today to pray without ceasing.

P: To prayer with words, with tears, with laughter, and with our very breath.

L: We gather today to hold fast to what is good.

P: God is good. Let us draw near to God.

L: May God sanctify us and give us peace.

All: Let us worship God! Amen!

- Call to Worship based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 and James 4:7-8.

Written by The Rev. Allison LeBrun.

Originally used on a Sunday focusing on the UMC membership vow of prayer.

Call to Worship based on Psalm 96

L: Come, let us sing to the Lord a new song!

P: A song of hope for the future!

L: Let us sing to the Lord a song from our hearts!

P: A song of gratitude and thanksgiving!

L: Let us sing to the Lord a song from the soul of our community!

P: A song of love, commitment, and generosity!

L: Let us worship God with heart and song and voice!

All: Praise be to God! Amen. 

- Call to Worship based on Psalm 96. Written by The Rev. Allison LeBrun.

Originally used on a Stewardship Sunday with a hymn sing.

The Great Thanksgiving for the Ministry of Presence

The Great Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Almighty God, with thankful hearts we praise you for the amazing love,
grace, and forgiveness you gave to us through Jesus Christ.

Jesus showed up in his ministry - over and over again.

He showed up and performed miracles.

He showed up and healed the sick.

He showed up at Lazarus’s tomb and the house of Jarius and raised the dead.

He showed up where a woman was bleeding and stopped the blood.

He showed up where a woman was going to be stoned
and stopped the violence.

He showed up over and over again and stumped
and amazed religious and political leaders.

He showed up and where there was death there was now life,
and where there was sickness there was now health,
and where there was sorrow there was now feasting.

Jesus showed up for the lost, the least, and the outcast.

And all his showing up and standing up for the least of these,
worried and frightened those in power.
And so, on the night before he was betrayed and killed by the state,
he was gathered together with his disciples at a table like this,
he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples and said:
"Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you,
do this in remembrance of me."

When the supper was over, he took the cup, blessed it,
gave it to his disciples and said:
"Drink from this, all of you. This is my blood of the New Covenant,
poured out for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."

And after his death, he showed up again, in resurrected form to his disciples
- first the women at the tomb and then the rest. 

He showed up and made himself known in the breaking of the bread.

We pray that God shows up today.
That we would know Jesus through the breaking and sharing of this bread.
And so we pray:

Holy, Loving God, pour out your Spirit on us gathered here

And on these gifts of bread and juice.

Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ

That we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed and reconciling.

And in the coming of your Holy Spirit,
Fill us with new life - help us to show up for others,
to be the body of Christ, redeemed and reconciling to the world.

Through your Son Jesus Christ, 

With the Holy Spirit in your holy church,

All honor and glory is yours, almighty God,

Now and forever, Amen.

- A Great Thanksgiving for the Ministry of Presence. Written by The Rev. Allison LeBrun.
Originally written for a service on the UMC membership vow of presence. Used on World Communion Sunday.