Prayers of the People, Not-So-Holy Cow, 18th Sunday after Pentecost

for October 12, 2014, 18th Sunday after Pentecost, Readings: Exodus 32:1-14, Ps 106:1-6, 19-23; Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14

 

       In this week's readings, there are a couple of parties mentioned and one seems definitely like more fun than the other - at least up front. Just like any group of spoiled children, as soon as the Parent, in this case Moses, has left for awhile, the kids who usually just  grumble and complain, decide to go all in and have a blast.  Luckily, Moses is a quick thinker and saves the situation from a huge other kind of Blast.
     As for the wedding banquet of Jesus' parable, it doesn't quite meet my criteria for a good time, at least initially. But the message in this strange tale may well be that we are admonished to always show up when invited, well turned out, and ready to be festive. God invites us, so let us dress up, show up, and be very festive.  As Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice. 
      

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Holy and Almighty God, we are all called to Your heavenly banquet, yet along the route of our journey to You, we can be quickly distracted by the glint of something shiny and tempting in the moment. Help us to see more clearly what by Tuesday has turned us from our God of Sunday. Give us the fortitude to stand firm in You, and remember that Your love and favor are always with us.

                               LORD of Heaven and Earth, Your mercy endures forever
RESPONSE:    We humbly make our prayers and supplication with thanksgiving

                                             

~ Holy and Almighty God, visit Your saving help upon us, that we may prevail upon our elected leaders to act with justice and mercy, for the prosperity of Your people in our world, our country, and all the villages, towns, and cities in Your Creation. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

            

                        LORD of Heaven and Earth, Your mercy endures forever

                        We humbly make our prayers and supplication with thanksgiving

                                             

~ Holy and Almighty God, rest Your gentleness upon those who are in pain or distress from illness, uncertainty, or fear. Shelter them, and those who love them, with peace, comfort, and ease.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                        LORD of Heaven and Earth, Your mercy endures forever

                        We humbly make our prayers and supplication with thanksgiving

~ Holy and Almighty God, please bring those who mourn, from the long night of grief, into the daylight of Your peace that passes all understanding.  Receive those we love into the fullness of Christ who is the very expression of Your love for us all. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                        LORD of Heaven and Earth, Your mercy endures forever

                        We humbly make our prayers and supplication with thanksgiving

~ Holy and Almighty God, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, silently or aloud…

                        LORD of Heaven and Earth, Your mercy endures forever

                        We humbly make our prayers and supplication with thanksgiving

~ Holy and Almighty God, refresh and excite those who are called as Stewards of Your Church so that they may bring the Word that is Christ, and the words that are of Christ, to inspire us to live in Christ through our every word and every action. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                        LORD of Heaven and Earth, Your mercy endures forever

                        We humbly make our prayers and supplication with thanksgiving

The Celebrant adds: God of the Most High, Divine Architect of All Life, guide us to follow all that is true, honorable, and just, in excellence and purity, as You would have us do to be among those chosen. We ask for Your continuing patience as we pledge ourselves again to Jesus, our Christ, and the Holy Spirit, our Companion, who together with You, live and reign as One God, now and for eternity.  Amen.

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