BY: KARLA KEPPEL, MA, MA
OPENING PRAYER AND INTRODUCTION
Leader: Gracious and merciful God, still our minds and our hearts, that we might be attentive to your stirrings within us. Grant that we may listen to your word with humility. (Pause)
A reading from the first Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians:
Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters are equal, and each will receive wages in proportion to his labor. For we are God's co-workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But each one must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3: 7-11)
The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
INTERCESSION
Reader: Inspired by the rich heritage of our community and challenged by our call to collaborate with God continually toward the building of the Kingdom, please respond: Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
All: Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. (Psalm 127:1)
Reader: As we strive to reverence the dignity of the whole person and nurture the giftedness, self-worth and potential of each member of our community, let us remember:
All: Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
Reader: As we strive to embody active faith journeys rooted in prayer and connection with the Divine and invite others to similar rootedness, let us remember:
All: Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
Reader: As we live out your call to model servant leadership dedicated to the spirit of the Gospel and following in the example of Jesus, let us remember:
All: Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
Reader: As we live out our commitment to the poor, marginalized and vulnerable, let us always see your face in them such that we remember:
All: Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
Reader: As we recognize with humility your grace and generosity, grant that we might offer similar grace and generosity to those with whom we work. In so doing, guide us closer to you, and let us remember:
All: Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
Reader: As we pause now for a moment to give to God our own needs, one another's needs, the needs of our families, communities and world, we entrust these personal prayer intentions to God using the words that Jesus gave us: (Pause)
Our Father …
CLOSING PRAYER
Leader: Sustainer God, you have called us as witnesses to the teaching of the Gospel through the healing ministry of Jesus. Grant that we may never cease to appreciate the marvelous deeds you continue to accomplish in our lives and through our works. May the Good News always be made visible in our labors, and may we be ever present to your stirrings in our hearts. We make this prayer through Jesus, your Son.
All: Amen.