Collects and Prayers - August 2

Greeting
Leader: God gathers us here to worship,
Congregation: Surrounded by signs and symbols of his grace.
Leader: He transforms this into a holy place,
Congregation: And us into his holy people.
Leader: Here, we are given new birth
Congregation: And clothed anew in Christ.

Collect
Leader: The Lord be with you.
Congregation: And also with you.
Leader: Let us pray.

Almighty God, who clothed your servant Moses with righteousness and who anoints priests, prophets, and kings, you have called us to be clothed in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience and love. Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, so that we may be one body. In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, who is all and in all. Amen.

Prayers of the People
Let us offer our petitions and thanksgiving to God Almighty, who hears and responds to the joys and tears of His people. After each petition, please offer your silent prayers to the Lord.
Leader: The Lord be with you.
Congregation: And also with you.
Leader: Let us pray.

We give you thanks for your creation, for it nourishes, shelters, and sustains us. Since the beginning, you have given us all that we need - you clothed Adam and Eve in the garden, you clothed John the Baptist in the wilderness, you clothed Jesus as rabbi, you clothed the martyrs in blood and the baptized in light. Give us grateful hearts for these garments, and help us to put on Christ each day.
Lord in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for world leaders and those who are clothed with power, that their decisions will reflect you, who alone are the source of all things.
Lord in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for church leaders, whom you have clothed in special garments and anointed for your service. Give them humility, as they stand in the long line of servants that extends back to Peter and Moses. Help them to serve with a heart like yours, filled with kindness and compassion. Help them to be like mirrors, showing us Christ in ourselves.
Lord in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for All Saints'. We give thanks for a space to worship, and for the faithful servants who work to transform this gym into a sacred space each week - for the table team that prepares the altar and for the set-up and break-down crews. May their work help make your presence deeply felt in this church.
Lord in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We lift up those in this world and in Brier Creek who are affected by economic distress and unemployment. We pray especially for those facing nakedness in its many forms- for those without enough clothes to wear, for those who will be stripped of their homes through foreclosure, for those who feel exposed and vulnerable in this economic climate. We ask for your presence to envelope your people and to offer them strength, security, and relief.
Lord in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We ask all these things in the name of Jesus, our Lord, who lives and reigns in our world, our church, and in each of us, now and forever. Amen.