Call Us Forth To Greet Christ

Thematic O Holy God of Israel, you faithfully keep the promises you made to our ancestors and lead your people into the future, providing hospitality on the way. Help us who inherit the pilgrim life to journey faithfully at your command, that we may be a band of disciples called to be sojourners in your service. Amen. OR God of captives and pilgrims, you brought your people home from despair and gave them a land of freedom and plenty. Look in mercy on us your servants, deliver us from the prison of selfishness and sin, and bring us home to justice, sharing, and compassion, the realm you promised all the world in Jesus Christ the Savior. Amen. Intercessory God of life, we praise you for your abiding presence from generation to generation, blessing your people, strengthening us to lives of service, empowering us to witness. Hear the prayers we offer on behalf of your creation. Prayers of the People, concluding with: Grant that as we serve you now on earth, so we may one day rejoice with all the saints in your kingdom of light and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Scripture Series 1, Semicontinuous You let us choose, O God, between you and the false gods of this world. In the midst of the night of sin and death, wake us from our slumber and call us forth to greet Christ, so that with eyes and hearts fixed on him, we may follow to eternal light. Amen. Series 2, Complementary Ever-living God, you inscribe our names in your book of life so that we may share in the firstfruits of salvation. Grant that we may acknowledge Christ as our redeemer and, trusting in him, be confident that none of your own will be lost or forgotten. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.