Opening Worship Prayer by Pastor Jason - May 28th

Lord,

Today on Pentecost Sunday, and everyday, fill us and enliven us with your Holy Spirit that we might rejoice in proclaiming the Gospel, and rest in the Good News of Christ. Grant us joy in the truth that your Word of Good News is not just information, but the living power of the living God. 

“The words which I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life”.

Pour out your Spirit and settle our busy and restless minds and hearts this morning. Make us vessels to receive your promise of a peace that is deeper and richer than anything we can imagine. Peace in Jesus Christ. Peace in the midst of daily triumphs. Peace in the midst of daily struggles. Peace that passes all understanding.

By the power of your Word, shatter the bondage of self in which we are chained. Create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us. Renew our hearts, Lord, so they might burn not with self interest but with love for our neighbors. Renew our hearts to bear the fruit of the Spirit, the good fruit that this world needs: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

As we go about our day, have us know and walk in the assurance that your Spirit hovers over us, gives us the very breath of life, and lives in us. To stir us, to correct us, to work through us, to comfort us, to teach us, to lead us. And ultimately, to show us the Son, that we may be set free in the Son.

All this we pray in the name of the One whose name is above all names, Jesus the Christ,

AMEN.

Opening Worship Prayer by Pastor Jason - May 21st

Lord,

Whether in gladness or sorrow, with either joy or raw lament, we can call on you with “Come, Lord Jesus”. And you answer, “Yes, I Am coming quickly!” 

And we can call on you for mercy.

Have mercy on us, for we are full of pride. Trusting, not in you, but in ourselves. When our conscience is troubled by sin and doubt  and worry we often turn, not to you, but inward and remain trapped in a prison of our own making, thinking we can balance out our sin and earn your favor by doing our best.

Have mercy on us, for we don’t love our neighbors as brothers and sisters within your good creation, but instead we so often see them as enemies to be defeated, as competitors for earthly success, or as a project or an agenda item to be checked off on our list of good works.

Have mercy on us, for we are blind and deaf in our sin, loving the darkness in our selfish hearts instead of the light in yours.

Have mercy on us. When we feel lonely, distant in our doubt, or that you are far away, help us remember your promise that you are with us always.

Have mercy on us. When we are fearful, have us remember that in You there is no fear, because you have conquered sin, death, and the devil, and you are working to restore your creation.

Rest us in the truth that you are the light of the world, and you continuously crash your light into our darkness, because You cannot help but shine.

AMEN.

Opening Worship Prayer by Pastor Jason - May 14th

Almighty God,

We thank you for bringing us here this morning, to receive your gifts. To receive renewal, restoration, forgiveness and new life in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Lord, 

On this Mother’s Day morning, we give special thanks for all the ladies in our lives. And we remember those whom you’ve called to rest with you in paradise. We thank you for our mothers, our wives, our sisters, our aunts through whom you love us and guide us. We thank you for these ladies, whom you wear like a mask and through whom you shine your light of grace and sacrificial love. You so often work in the women around us to shine as a beacon when we’re in the midst of a storm. May their care continue to be  a mirror of your compassionate heart. 

Lord

Today and everyday, remind us and have us take comfort that your word is living and active. When you say “Let there be…”, things happen. When the sun rises and sets, you are speaking. When a tree bears fruit, you are speaking. When a child is born, and a mother is made, you are speaking. 

When a church is gathered, when the discarded are salvaged, when the hurt are healed, when the broken are restored, when sinners are forgiven, when the dead are made alive, you are speaking. Rest us in the truth that when your word goes out, it does not return to you empty, but accomplishes the purpose for which you send it. 

In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

AMEN.

Confirmation Sunday Prayer by Pastor Jason - May 14th

Almighty God,

We thank you for gathering us here by the Holy Spirit this morning. We thank you for gathering us that we might be restored and renewed in Christ, the friend of sinners. By the proclamation of the fullness of the good news in Christ, cleanse our sinful hearts and cloak us in your righteousness.

And, Lord, we thank you for this special day of celebration, for the opportunity to celebrate your work in the lives of Josh, Aubrey, Chloe, Ben, Jason, and Cooper. 

King Jesus, rest them in the truth that your story is their story. Rest them in the truth that you have grafted them into you, and their lives, into your resurrection life. You created them, you made them, you formed them. Have them know that you keep your promise to be with them always. That you have put your name on them, gifting them faith in you in their baptism, and that you call them by the Holy Spirit to your Word through which you continue to mature their faith.

Remind us that this is not just a graduation, but the crossing of a threshold as you continue to guide, shape, and transform your children over a lifetime.

May the good work that you do, to them, in them, and through them, be brought to completion on the day when you make all things new.

In the name of Jesus Christ the crucified, Jesus Christ the Risen, Jesus Christ the Living,

AMEN.

Opening Worship Prayer by Pastor Jason - April 23rd

Merciful, gracious, compassionate Lord,

As you’ve drawn us here by the Holy Spirit we ask that you make this church a place of refuge, a place of restoration, a place of true Gospel rest. We ask that you free us from the lie, the devil’s lie, the world’s lie, our own lie, that we can and need to earn your favor and our righteousness before you. Graciously close every loophole of self-sufficiency we try to squeeze through. Close those loopholes of quiet rebellion, those loopholes of doing things our way, so we may walk in your ways, so we may know only Christ alone and him crucified, and that it is by the gift of faith in Him and His works we are made righteous, not by our own.

King Jesus,

In a world overrun with moralistic scorekeeping, in a world steeped in self-righteousness of every flavor but lacking in confession and repentance, in a world long on condemnation but short on forgiveness, speak through your church. For, for you to speak is to do. Make us your hands and feet, serving our neighbor in love and humility. Make us your mouthpiece, proclaiming forgiveness as the fruit of the mercy and grace you pour into us. A grace that loves us so much, that you took on flesh and entered your creation as one of us, so that from the cross and out of the empty tomb you might save us.

Reach out with your compassion that speaks, “Rest in me. Be forgiven. Be comforted. It is finished.”

All this, we pray in your mighty name,

AMEN.

Opening Worship Prayer by Pastor Jason - April 16th

Lord,

Our hearts and minds so easily get tempted, distracted, and turned by the unceasing tide of voices all around us. Speak, Lord, that by your Word our hearts may again be turned to you. From the heart that swallowed up the hatred of the world on the cross, pour into and out of us love. From the heart that ate the bitter lies of the world on the cross, pour into and out of us truth. From the heart that bore the wrath we deserve on the cross, pour into and out of us forgiveness. 

Turn our hearts from our own self-righteousness and plant us as oaks of your righteousness. Proclaiming wholeness in you, in a world that seeks only to divide. Proclaiming healing in you, in a world that is quick to wound. Proclaiming honor in you, in a world that seeks only to shame. Proclaiming salvation in you, in a world that seems to shout only condemnation. 

God, through your word, the universe came into being. With your same word, speak into each of us the fullness of renewal and restoration we receive in the crucified and risen Christ. It’s in His name we pray,

AMEN.

Easter Prayer by Pastor Jason - 2023

Lord, 

We offer you thanks and praise this Easter morning, and we beseech you to remove the veil from our eyes, ears, and hearts. Remove the veil so we might see your resurrection life at work in our midst, and know that in you we have the assurance of our own resurrection. In this dawning of spring, in your beautiful creation we see all around us, have us see the reflection and foretaste of your new creation to come. Have us rejoice in the adventure of the resurrection life with friends and family through whom you walk with us, love us, guide us, and serve us. 

Almighty God, as we all wrestle with the doubts, frustrations and temptations, and the sin and suffering of this life, turn our hearts to your fulfilled promise in Christ, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” You make a way in the wilderness of this age and pour out rivers of grace and living water through your one and only son. Grace that is love that is gentle with a doubting heart. Grace that is love whose power is made perfect in our weakness. Grace that is love that seeks us out when we have nothing to give in return. Grace that is love that turns our sinful hearts toward restoration in your word of forgiveness.

King Jesus,

When we are shaken by the tribulations of our time, hold fast to us with your promise “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we are anxious, worried, and fearful in our sin, have us remember that in you there is no fear, because you have conquered sin, death, and the devil. The tomb is empty. Comfort us with your words:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” 

I am your Creator

I am the breath and author of life

I am the author and perfecter of your faith

I am the Word made flesh, for you

I am your repentance, your atonement and your righteousness

I am your Sabbath rest

I am the friend and pardoner of sinners

I am the resurrection and the life

Jesus Christ the crucified

Jesus Christ the risen

Jesus Christ the living, never forsaking you, always helping you, always making you new.

AMEN.

Good Friday Prayer by Pastor Jason - 2023

O, Lord, you are our God, and you turn our hearts to praise your name. For you have done wonderful things. A plan, formed of old. A plan, faithful and sure. A plan for the salvation and restoration of your creation in the person and work of your son, Jesus Christ. Renew our hearts Lord, that we might share in and hold fast to the confession of the prophet Isaiah:

He will swallow up death forever.

The Lord has spoken. In that day they will say,

“Surely this is our God;

    we trusted in him, and he saved us.

This is the Lord, we trusted in him;

    let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

King Jesus, 

We pause and gather to remember God’s fulfilled plan in your sacrificial love from the cross for all of creation….and for us.  A sacrificial love that willingly drank the full cup of God’s wrath in our stead. A sacrificial love that shined light into the heart of darkness. That lived truth through shouts of incrimination and lies. That brought fullness from such dreadful emptiness. That brought unity from complete abandonment. That revealed hope out of bloody devastation. That unleashed ultimate freedom by imprisonment on the cross. That brought us forgiveness instead of deserved punishment. A sacrificial love that brought life through the swallowing up of death itself.

He will swallow up death forever. It is finished. The Lord has spoken. It is finished indeed.

AMEN.

Opening Worship Prayer by Pastor Jason - April 2nd

Mighty, merciful, and gracious Lord,

As we are gathered in your name today, remind us of the living and active promise that you are making us new, that you have marked us and sealed us with your very name. If we find ourselves parched for joy in the midst of our own troubles, in the midst of our own struggles with sin, stir our hearts to repentance and pour your Word of forgiveness onto us and into us this morning. Rest us in your promise that a bruised reed you will not break, a faintly burning wick you will not quench. Rest us in the truth that we are soaked in the living waters of baptism, and that the hungry heart you fill with the bread of life.  

King Jesus,

On this Palm Sunday as we reflect on your entry into Jerusalem toward the cross, have us shout “Hosanna!” with the church eternal at your coming. “Hosanna!” “God who saves, Save us!” Remind us that when we shout “Hosanna!” it is out of our need for salvation, but also in faith that in you, we are already saved. Saved from the clutches of sin, death, and the devil.

Turn us to you, Lord, in hope and faith in your promise that your resurrection life is invading right now; hope and faith in your promise that you are as close to us as our next breath; hope and faith in the truth that you know your plans for us. Plans to help us, to heal us, to restore us, and to ultimately make us new.

All this we pray, in the mighty name our Savior King, the Servant King, Jesus the Christ.

AMEN.

Opening Worship Prayer by Pastor Jason - March 26th

Almighty God,

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

Lord,

Just as you’ve drawn us here by the Holy Spirit, continue to pour out your Spirit this morning; to convict us of our sin, yes, but to lead us to the Son, so we may be set free in the Son. As we go about our days, may the Holy Spirit work through us in the freedom that we have in Christ. Work through us to be who you would have us be, graciously but boldly bearing your image. In the midst of the world’s tension cause us instead to be deliverers of your rest. In the midst of the world’s uncertainty cause us to be deliverers of the certainty of your fulfilled promises. 

Lord,

Renew us by your Word of forgiveness that we might be living mirrors of your grace, proclaiming words not of condemnation, but of restoration in you. Turn us from our sinful ways and rest us in you, not regretting and reliving the sins of the past, which you have forgiven and forgotten, nor worried and anxious about the future, which you hold in your hands. Have us live in thanksgiving in the gift of this present moment. Turn us to you, that we might then be turned to pour out love and compassion to those you bring near us. 

It’s in the mighty and merciful name of Jesus Christ we pray,

AMEN.

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