John 2:13-25, Psalm 127:1-2

Narrative Lectionary, Year 4
Jan. 16, 2021
John 2:13-25, Psalm 127:1-2

Opening Prayer
Psalm 127:1-2
Lord, build your house here.  Build it in this town and let the foundation be Jesus Christ, our Rock and Redeemer.  Let His Holy Spirit that dwells among us guide us in our worship today so that our faith will be the support beams.  May what we do honor and glorify your holy name, O God, and may it reach those who need to hear of your great love.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Prayer of Preparation
Heavenly Father, your house is holy.  We want to show you that we believe through what we do and say here.  Let this time of hearing and meditating on what your Scriptures teach us be a time that leads us to making our time with you more sacred.  In the Name Jesus the Christ, Amen.

Offering Prayer
Father God, it would be very easy, so easy in fact that we often do it, to give our offerings with the wrong attitude.  To give with the mindset that our gifts are out of obligation to do the right thing.  But instead our gifts are to be given with the mindset that this is an offering of thanks and praise for your gift to us of grace in Jesus Christ.  Let these gifts not just support this building, but let them be in support of your mission that you’ve called us to.  With honor and praise we give in the name of the Messiah, Amen.

Intercessory Prayer
Son of the Father:
We want to give you thanks for having been with us today in our time of worship.  We do not deserve the grace and mercy that you offer to us, a broken people who sometimes even fail to worship in the right way or with the right attitude.  But you give it to us without asking anything in return except to love God and love neighbor.  We are doing our best, but know that we all stand in need of your healing of our brokenness.  With your entry to the Temple you sought to heal a broken system.  We ask now that you enter into lives of those who are broken by grief or mental illness, those who are broken by disease, sickness, or chronic illness, those who are broken by abuse, discrimination, or unfair treatment.  We ask Lord healing on all of this and more that we’re aware of in our hearts and even the things that we haven’t heard about.  We ask it in your holy and precious name in one voice with your prayer…Our Father…Amen

Benediction
Let what you do this week be done in such a way that Jesus knows you believe
Let Him know you believe that the Father loves you
Let Him know you believe that Jesus offers grace
Let Him know you believe that the Spirit binds you together with one another
Amen