SUNDAY LITURGY
SCRIPTURE
This is a reading from Psalm 23:
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Leader: This is a message from the Lord.
Everyone: Thanks be to God.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, PART ONE
LEADER: Lord, we join our voices together in prayer this morning. We lift up our leaders, our neighbors, our enemies, and our friends. May we discover peace and mercy through these prayers.
PARISH PRAYER
LEADER: We lift up the place we call home, our parish, the city of Englewood. We lift up the Englewood government and staff. We lift up Mayor Sierra, City Manager Lewis, the City Council and the many staff who oversee every operational element of our city, seen and unseen. We pray against ego, political agendas, and performative leadership and ask for unity and progress. We are grateful for their willingness to lead under such contentious circumstances. In the midst of the gravity of responsibility…
EVERYONE: …may they experience the levity of your grace.
PRAYER FOR THE NATION
LEADER: We lift up those who lead and govern at the national level. For President Trump and Vice President Vance, we pray for humility and generosity. We pray against self-centered leadership and hostility. May they seek repair, hospitality, and the welfare of our country. We pray for our state and national lawmakers. May they legislate with integrity and generosity. We pray for the courts at every level. May they do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly. In the midst of the gravity of responsibility…
EVERYONE: …may they experience the levity of your grace.
CELEBRATION
LEADER: We celebrate, Lord, the many gifts you have given to us. Specifically today, we celebrate the changing of the seasons, the warm sun in the middle of winter, and the joy being outside brings.
LORD’S PRAYER
And now let us pray together the prayer that Jesus used to teach us how to pray:
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, the power, and the glory
Forever and ever, Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, PART TWO
INTRODUCTION
LEADER: In the beginning, the cosmos was chaos. But above that chaos hovered the Spirit of God, and shalom––wholeness, harmony, peace, healing––was introduced to the world. Much like the beginning of everything, our lives often feel chaotic. But here, in this place, we seek to facilitate peace and harmony. At this time in our liturgy we’d like to provide some space for shalom. We hope that this can be to you a restful, peaceful time for prayer and contemplation.
TIME OF REFLECTION
LEADER: Take a moment to reflect on the homily, Scripture, and songs. What stood out to you? What are you longing for? Take that to God in prayer.
[PAUSE FOR 15]
LEADER: Can you think of one thing from this morning you’d like to share with someone else? Take a moment to consider what you’d share and with whom you’d share it.
[PAUSE FOR 15]
CURRENT EVENT PRAYER: May - AAPI Heritage Month
Leader: We celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and all those in our church and communities who claim this heritage. We recognize the richness and diversity of AAPI cultures and the ways AAPI innovators, artists, scholars and workers have contributed to our country.
We lament the wrongs our country has committed against the AAPI community, from the destruction of Chinatown in Denver by a white lynching mob in the late 19th century, to the Japanese internment during WWII, we acknowledge and grieve the atrocities committed against this vital part of our community.
We pray for the flourishing of our Asian American and Pacific Islander sisters and brothers.
EVERYONE: Bless them, keep them, and grant them peace.