Call the congregation,
assemble the people,
join together in worship to God!
We long to be made holy through the Spirit
who sanctifies us in Jesus’ name.
We dedicate this hour to God,
and to God’s glory.
Let’s pray:
Here we are God!
We’ve come from our week
filled with many things.
Some are filled with joy and excitement;
others with sorrow and despair.
Some are filled with energy,
others are filled with weariness.
Some are filled with love for you,
others wonder where you are,
for they feel far from you.
We are the gathered congregation,
we lay ourselves before you
with all the honesty we can muster.
We give you what we are;
create in us clean hearts.
Fill us with your Spirit in this hour of worship,
so we can be made holy
to serve you wholly. Amen.
I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.