Opening Worship Prayer by Pastor Jason - March 19th

Almighty, merciful, and loving Father,

In your graciousness, and on account of your son Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit, you bless us with unity with you, and unity with each other. And you bless us by turning us to you, as all good gifts come from our heavenly Father. Hear our prayer Lord through your Son, our mediation and our mediator. 

This day and every day, renew our hearts, Lord. By the Holy Spirit renew our hearts in Jesus Christ. 

When we are anxious and fearful, renew our hearts with his peace. 

When our nerves are frayed and we are quick to anger and quick to see each other as enemies, renew our hearts with His patience, kindness and forgiveness. 

When we revel in outrage, fractures and division, renew our hearts with His spirit of reconciliation, Christ having already reconciled us with God that He might shine through us into the darkness of this world.

When we are unfaithful, renew our hearts with His faithfulness.

When we are in doubt, renew our hearts with His assurance and confidence, resting us in His words “Do not be afraid. It is finished.”

Show us your ways, Lord, teach us your paths. Guide us in your truth by your Word, for you alone are our God and Savior, and our hope is in You only.

AMEN

Opening Worship Prayer by Pastor Jason - March 12th

Almighty, gracious, and merciful God,

Through your word, the universe came into being. With your same word proclaimed from the lips of another this morning, speak into each one of us the fullness of restoration and re-creation we receive in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Today and every day speak into us your renewing gifts, and pour out of us into a world that is desperate for true rest and Good News.

Where there is hatred in our hearts, speak into us and pour out of us love; 

Where there is wrong in our hearts, speak into us and pour out of us forgiveness; 

Where there is discord among us, speak into us and pour out of us harmony; 

Where we are captured by lies and error, speak into us and pour out of us truth; 

Where we are shaken by doubt, speak into us and pour out of us faith; 

Where we are rattled with restlessness, speak into us and pour out of us peace; 

Where we are drowning in despair, speak into us and pour out of us hope; 

Where we are caught in the darkness of sin, speak into us and pour out of us the freedom of your cleansing light; 

Where we are seeking, speak into us that we are found, and never to be lost from your fold.

All this we pray in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 

AMEN.

Opening Worship Prayer by Pastor Jason - March 5th

King Jesus

You are the one who is Word made flesh, God with us, true light of true light. Hold to your promise that you are the one who will not let us go, the one who will not forsake us, no matter how far we run and no matter how far we might feel we are from your presence. Turn us and faith us to know that you are present and active in your proclaimed Word here this morning. Turn us and faith us to know and believe that we cannot out sin your grace. We cannot out sin your forgiveness.

Crush us with the divine truth of your Law and free us through your unconditional Gospel promise that you are making each of us and all things new. Assure us and have us know that you are not sitting back and waiting around for us to make the grade. Take action through your Word of forgiveness, Lord, create and sustain our faith in you out of the nothing of our sin. For your love does not first discover what is pleasing to you. Instead, your love creates what is pleasing to you. Create in us a clean heart, O God. Hear our prayer, you who are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call on you. We call on you. Forgive us, renew us, enliven us. Make us new.

AMEN.

Opening Worship Prayer by Pastor Jason - Feb 19th

Lord,

We all come to you with the struggles and burden of our sin this morning. Things we have done, and things we have left undone. Words of anger or condemnation we have spoken, and words of grace and forgiveness we have withheld. Thoughts and actions centered only on ourselves, instead of outward in love and service toward our neighbors, friends and enemies alike. Placing our faith and trust in any number of people, places, and things, instead of placing our faith solely in You.

As we are drawn into a time together in your Word, we ask you to remember us, Lord. Not because you have forgotten us, but because when you say you remember us, you are announcing that you are the God who takes action. BE The Christ for everyone here today. Have us know that our sin was nailed to the cross once and forever. Be the faithful friend and pardoner and hope of sinners. Speak your forgiveness and resurrection life into our hearts. Be the God for us who hears and answers our pleas and cries. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us in your grace and mercy and love.

AMEN.

Opening Worship Prayer by Pastor Jason - Feb 12th

Lord Jesus Christ,

On account of all the competing messages and voices in this world and on account of our own struggles we can find ourselves filled with doubt about our standing before God. Grant us assurance in You. Your assurance that when you say something is someone’s, it is theirs. As we wrestle with the burden of sin, have us hear and believe that all of our sin became yours on the cross. Him who knew no sin, became sin, for us. When we fall short, when we miss the mark, when we wrestle with doubt, and fear and “am I good enough?” have us hear and believe the divine proclamation that we are covered in your righteousness.

You took our sin as your own, and we possess your righteousness, not because of something we have done, but because of who you are, and what YOU have done and continue to do. 

When you say something is someone’s, it is theirs: “All that the Father gives me, and whoever comes to me, I will never cast out.” 

When you say something is someone’s, it is theirs: “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

When you say something is someone’s, it is theirs: “You are marked and sealed with my name, and I can not deny myself.” 

Hold us close with those promises today and every day.

AMEN.

Opening Worship Prayer by Pastor Jason - Feb 5th

Almighty God,

Thank you for this glorious morning. In your graciousness, and by your Holy Spirit, you bless us with this time and place of sanctuary and rest in your son Jesus Christ. You bless us by turning us to you.Thank you for the opportunity to just sit and rest here, in you Lord. Right where you've placed each of us. Settle the chatter of worry in our minds and hearts, that we may simply be present to receive your mercy and grace.

Lord,

In the cross and empty tomb you forever free us from the bondage of our sin. But we so often crawl back into a prison of our own making. When we chain ourselves to the strife in our hearts, to the envy in our hearts, to the anger in our hearts, to the fear and worry in our hearts, speak us free again.

King Jesus,

Turn our hearts to know and believe that though we were once darkness, in you we are light. We were once slaves to sin, but who the Son sets free is free indeed. You possess us, and in beautiful unity in you we have true freedom.

Freedom from the devil

Freedom from bondage of sin

Freedom from condemnation under the Law

Freedom from fear

Freedom from death itself

Freedom to walk in the newness of life

Freedom to love

Freedom to show mercy and compassion

Freedom to forgive, as we have been forgiven

Freedom to rejoice in the adventure that is life in You.

In the name of Jesus Christ the crucified, Jesus Christ the risen,

AMEN.

Opening Worship Prayer by Pastor Jason - Jan 29th

Almighty God,

In a world that forms and shapes us for distraction, be our firm foundation, be our rock. In a world full of so many voices, so much noise and information that can leave us disenchanted and disillusioned, draw us into your Word. Before we take in the countless voices of the day, have us hear, in these early hours, the voice of our Creator and Redeemer. Waken our ears to hear and to believe in your promises.

Lord Jesus,

By the light of your Word we see the dark mark of our sin. Yet by the light of your Word we are also marked with forgiveness and new life in you. Let us be marked not for sorrow, but marked as ones who are claimed by the “man of sorrows”. Let us be marked not for our shame, but marked by the Holy One who was shamed by the world that He might save it. Have us hear the glorious whisper of your voice through the loud and unceasing tide of voices all around us. Speak, Lord, and bring to our sinfulness the cleansing waters of your forgiveness, that having been washed, we might know true release and freedom in you.

AMEN.

Opening Worship Prayer by Pastor Jason - Jan 22nd

Almighty God,

We thank you for this church family, for each and every one of us whom you’ve gathered to receive your gifts this morning. To receive refuge, renewal, restoration, and new life in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Thank you for this time and place of rest. Where our restless hearts find rest in you.

Lord, as we enter into this time together with you and each other, give us your Holy Spirit. Send us your Holy Spirit, who writes the preached Word into our hearts. When we are turned inward on ourselves, consumed by our own self-interest, our ambition, our fear, our desire to control, turn us instead to you. When our pride turns us away from you and against each other and against our neighbor, bring us to the foot of the cross, where the ground is level and we find we are all equal in our sin, equal in our powerlessness to overcome it and equal in our need for our Savior’s forgiveness.

For those of us who are falling, by your Word, hold us up. For those of us who are bowed down with sickness, grief or loneliness, by your Word, raise us up. For those of us walking a crooked path, by your Word, turn us to the Way of Christ. For those of us walking in darkness, by your Word, turn us to the Light of Christ. For all of us whose hearts are thirsty and hungry, fill us with living water and the bread of life.

AMEN

Opening Worship Prayer by Pastor Jason - Jan 15th

Heavenly Father, 

By the Holy Spirit you’ve drawn each and every one of us here this morning.You are the God of light and love, and you’ve granted us the gift of sharing your light, not just in this place, but in our communities and around the world. 

Yet there are times when the darkness around us and in us can make it seem like there is no light. In your mercy, crash your light into the darkness of this world. By your Word, shine your light into our own darkness. Scatter the dark clouds with the light of your grace found in your son Jesus Christ.

King Jesus,

So often we fall to temptation, and bear the fruit of sin: hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy. Be the friend and pardoner of sinners. In your mercy repent us, faith us, forgive us, renew us.

Remind us that we are marked with your name, and stir your Holy Spirit within us that we might instead bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

In your mighty and gracious name,

AMEN

Opening Worship Prayer by Pastor Jason - Jan 8th

King Jesus,

You are the God who can calm a storm with a word. Be the God of calm for us. Whenever we are consumed by anxiety, or fear, or anger, or the tension and stresses of this world, draw each of us to rest in You. Settle our restless and turbulent hearts with your peace, Lord, and have us know and trust that we are in your hands. 

Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Open our hearts and turn us to love the least among us, the “different”, the stranger, the outcast. 

Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. When we are beset by anger or resentment, have us recall that Christ, who indeed had reason to avenge himself, instead intercedes with tears and cries of mercy upon mercy, grace upon grace. 

Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Cause us to love, not in selective mercy, but with the fullness of Christ’s compassionate heart. For you show your love for us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Give us the heart and spirit of Christ, that we might be His image, His hands, and His mouthpiece of the Good News of His present and eternal Kingdom.

It’s in His mighty name we pray.

AMEN

Opening Worship Prayer by Pastor Jason - Jan 1st

Almighty and merciful Lord,

Open our ears and hearts that we may hear and know your voice. Have us just sit, and rest in your healing hands, as you make us new. In this time with you, drag us to the cross, carry us through the cross, and make us alive in your resurrection. 

In the midst of our struggles, comfort us with the truth that you are active in the “here and now”. Comfort us with the truth that it is precisely into our struggles where you enter, in order to help us. And it is precisely into our struggles where you enter, in order to carry us in Kingdom hope.

Lord Jesus, friend of sinners,

For those of us drowning in doubt, forgive us, flood us with your faithfulness.

For those of us haunted by the shadow of shame, forgive us, shine your light of love.

For those of us who are weary under the weight of the burden of sin and the burdens of this life, forgive us, be our sabbath rest.

For every one of us who long for your presence, come Lord Jesus, come quickly.

We pray these things in the name of our friend, our forgiver and forgiveness, our King, Jesus Christ.

AMEN.

Christmas Eve Prayer - Dec 24th

Merciful, gracious, and giving Lord,

On Christmas, and every day, fill us with wonder and thanks at the nearness of our God. 

The Creator of the universe entered into His creation as one of us, not to condemn it but to save it. His birth, the moment when desperate need, joy and hopeful expectation meet, the fulfilled promise of a savior. “Behold, your king is coming to you, righteous and having salvation is he. Comfort, comfort my people, says our God, the glory of the Lord has been revealed”.

Save us, Lord Jesus. Grant us renewal from our sinful condition and turn us from our sinful ways.

Save us, Lord Jesus. Grant us rest in You and your blessings in the midst of our sometimes turbulent lives.

Save us, Lord Jesus. Grant us assurance in You in the midst of the world’s uncertainties.

Save us, Lord Jesus. Shine your light into the darkness of this world and into the darkness of our own hearts.

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.

The light shines in our darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.

The promised Savior has come, He is with us always, and He will come again.

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. Amen.

Opening Worship Prayer - Dec 18th

Almighty God,

We thank you for the miracle of this church family, whom you’ve gathered by the Holy Spirit, to receive your gifts this morning. To receive renewal, restoration, forgiveness and new life in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 

Though we are sinners, Lord, have mercy on us. Repent us, turn us to You, turn us to the cross. For the sake of your son Jesus the Christ, forgive us, renew us, and lead us. Crash your saving faith and kingdom hope into our hearts. 

Make us an Advent people, trusting not in ourselves, but patiently waiting and resting in the God who promises to come and to save. Jesus the Messiah, Emmanuel, “God with us”, Friend of sinners, the Branch of righteousness, the tested Stone and Cornerstone, the sure Foundation, Love incarnate. 

Give us assurance by your Word that you know your plans for us; plans for healing, plans of hope and plans of restoration in Christ, in whom all God’s plans and promises are fulfilled.

AMEN.

Opening Worship Prayer - Dec 11th

Almighty, gracious, and merciful God,

Thank you for being here with us this morning as we are gathered by your Holy Spirit. Reach out your long arm of grace. Reach out with your love that binds us. With your peace that calms us. With your touch that heals us. With your joy that fills us. With your arms that hold us. Have us know and believe that you are our God, and we are your precious children.

In the midst of our struggles & sins, please help us, and please forgive us. Let us know that you are Lord of ALL things, and that includes being the Lord of forgiveness and fresh starts.

In the name of your son, our Savior Jesus, forgive us, renew us, and lead us, that we may delight in your goodness, & walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.

Thank you for making us new, and for making ALL things new someday soon. In your mighty & merciful name we pray. Amen.

Opening Worship Prayer - Dec 4th

Almighty God,

In your graciousness, and by your Holy Spirit, you bless us with this time and place of sanctuary and rest in your son Jesus Christ. You bless us by inviting us to speak to you in prayer. Hear our prayer Lord through your Son. Grant us the comfort that in Him we find hope, peace, love, and joy. 

In this Advent season, we’re reminded that you alone can lead us from darkness into the light of your grace, and the darkness cannot overcome it. You alone can lead us from captivity to true freedom. You alone can lead us from fear into a peace that passes all understanding. You alone can lead us from despair into joy.

Lord, please fulfill your beautiful promises to us, as you forgive our sins, & make us new once again. It’s in the name of our living & reigning Savior King Jesus that we seek your grace & mercy.

Thank you Lord. So shall it be. Amen.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Nov 27th

God of power, who spoke and this world was, who breathed and this world lived. God of majesty, yet who knows us to the number of hairs upon our head, we call on you. You see our thoughts and read our hearts yet love us beyond measure, sending your one and only Son into the world, not to condemn it, but that the world might be saved through Him. We turn to you in thanks and praise for sustaining us, holding us close, and drawing us together in unity with You and with each other.

God of hope, who brought love into this world in your Son, be the love that dwells between us. Cause us to love our neighbor as you have loved us, by sacrifice and the word of forgiveness.

God of hope, who brought peace into this world in your Son, be the peace that dwells between us. Cause us to declare peace, and to live it, in the midst of the world’s demand for unceasing and unyielding conflict and competition.

God of hope, the rock we stand upon, be our firm foundation, anchoring us in the Good News.

The good news, that in the lowly manger in the stable, in the victorious humility of the cross, in the triumph of the empty tomb, there is hope for the hopeless.

The good news that in beautiful slavery to Christ, there is liberty from the bondage of sin.

The good news that in a world full of condemnation, in the advent of our Lord, there is grace for the sinner.

Anoint us with the oil of joy, poured out in the precious blood of the Anointed One, the Word made flesh, come into the world to save it.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Nov 20th

King Jesus

You are the one who is Word made flesh, God with us, true light of true light, the one who will not let us go, no matter how far we run and now matter how far we might feel we are from your presence. Turn us and faith us to know you are near. Turn us and faith us to know that you are present and active in your Word. Turn us and faith us to know that you are present and active in your body and blood. Turn us and faith us to know that your Spirit dwells in the person to the left and to the right of each of one of us. 

Almighty God,

Draw us together in communion with you and each other. To share and bear our struggles and sorrows. To share, together, the joy of unity in you and the fellowship we share with each other. To share, in thanks and joy, the countless blessings you bestow on your creation and creatures as you crash in your Kingdom light and hope, today and every day. 

Lord,

We pray for those who wait and watch and weep this day, this night, and in the hours in-between. We remember those who struggle with illness, whether it is mental or physical or emotional. We pray for those who seek your face to shine upon them. Open every ear to hear, every mind to know, and every heart to believe that you are shining. And one day soon there will be no more tears, no more sickness no more suffering, for you are making all things new. In all these things, we rejoice that you draw near us. No matter where we are, no matter what we do, we are your children, each and every one of us. Be the Christ, and hold this truth close to our heart, close to our day, in your most faithful, gracious, merciful, and holy name.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Nov 13th

A prayer of reflection on Micah 6:6-8 and Matthew 18:21-35:

Almighty, merciful, and redeeming God,

When drawn into your Word together we are forced to look in the mirror of your Divine Law, and we come face to face with the reflection of our sinful nature. We so often find ourselves in the role of the “wicked servant”. 

Satisfied with the mercy we’ve been granted in you yet tightfisted in flowing that mercy to others. Content to be served, yet slow and grudging in sacrificial service to those around us. Stingy with grace and forgiveness for others, when you have been radically generous with us. We who have been forgiven much find ourselves sitting around expecting much from others. We have moved from a place where we love mercy and possess a desire to see people live in forgiveness to a place where we love to judge and are possessed only by a hard hearted desire for justice. Hold to your promises and move us back and replant our feet under your cloak of righteousness and give us a new and merciful heart.

Renew our hearts, Lord, for we quickly forget the sweet taste of forgiveness. We quickly forget how much we have been gifted in Christ.

Renew our hearts, Lord, and make us receivers and proclaimers of the Gospel, of the Good News, of Christ. Receivers and proclaimers of the Good News of salvation. Receivers and proclaimers of the Good News of restoration. Receivers and proclaimers of the Good News of forgiveness on account of the crucified and living Christ. For according to His promise, whoever we forgive is forgiven. If we do not proclaim forgiveness, then who will?

So we call on you, Lord, to cause us to walk in unity with the Spirit and mind of Christ that we might show sympathy, and live in brotherly love with tender and humble hearts. Renew our hearts so we do not live according to the world’s expectations, repaying evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, cause us to forgive, bless and serve our neighbor, for to this we are called in Christ, whose forgiveness washes over us that it may flow onto and into others.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Oct 30th

Almighty God,

In your graciousness, and by your Holy Spirit, you bless us with this time and place of sanctuary and rest in your son Jesus Christ. You bless us by inviting us to speak to you in prayer. Hear our prayer Lord through your Son. Grant us the comfort that in Him we find hope, mercy, love, and rest. 

Lord,

Instead of dependence on you, we so often choose sinful independence from you. Convinced of our own wisdom. Trusting in our own righteousness. Striving to justify ourselves before God on account of our own works, only to find that we do what we don’t want to do, and don’t do what your Spirit calls us to do. Turn our hearts to confess with the apostle Paul, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” 

As members of your church, the very body of Christ…..where we are corrupt, Lord, purify us; where we are in error, correct us; where we are amiss, reform us; where we are in need, provide for us; where we are divided, reconcile us, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

You alone can lead us from darkness into the light of your grace, and the darkness cannot overcome it. You alone can lead us from captivity to true freedom. You alone can lead us from fear into a peace that passes all understanding. You alone can lead us from despair into joy. You alone can lead us from condemnation into forgiveness. By your Word, Help us to believe in the name of our Savior faithfully and steadfastly, for He is steadfast and faithful for us. For He alone is our light, He alone is our righteousness and wisdom, He alone is our comfort and peace, He alone is our justification and sanctification, for He alone is our salvation. Hold fast to us in these truths, Lord. Unburden our troubled hearts and minds. Have us rest in the person and work of Christ alone.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Oct 23rd

God of this day and of all days,

Be here with us today as we are gathered by your Holy Spirit. Pour out your gifts, Lord. Reach out your long arm of grace. Reach out with your love that binds us, in Christ and with each other. Reach out with your peace that calms us, even in the midst of the storms of life. Reach out with your joy that fills us, even in the midst of sorrow and pain. Reach out with your touch that heals us. Reach out with your arms that hold us, now and forevermore. Have us know and believe that you are our God, and we are yours, never to be abandoned, forgotten, or forsaken.

King Jesus,

In you, the incomprehensible nature of God is comprehended enough, for in you the fullness of God dwells. In the One who is Justice, Forgiveness, Mercy, Grace and Life itself, we have justice, mercy, grace, and life, for us. Because in you, the salvation promise of God is made hard fact. We can bring nothing to you but our sin, sorrows, fears, worry, and grief, Lord, and you cause us to surrender them at at the foot of the cross, where the cracks of our brokenness are filled with the purified gold of the blood of the Lamb. 

Lord,

As we step into a time in your Word together, open our ears to hear, renew our hearts to receive You and You alone, that we may be renewed, refreshed, and restored. May your Word pass from the lips of one... to every ear... to every heart...and to the life of everyone who hears. May your word achieve the purpose for which you send it in Jesus Christ our Lord. 

AMEN.