Collects and Prayers - May 2, 2010 - Fifth Sunday of Easter

Greeting
Leader: Come to the Gospel feast, the banquet of heaven.
People: Let every soul be Jesus’ guest,
Leader: for the table is open and there is plenty of room,
People: room for all to have their fill.
Leader: Taste and see that the Lord is good.
People: With joy, we gather at the table of life.

Collect
God, who offers us boundless love and everlasting life,
we offer you ourselves this day.
Grant that we may learn from your Word and be nourished at your table,
so that we might leave this place with open minds, hearts, and hands.
We ask this through Christ our Lord,
who dared to eat with sinners
and yet reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Prayers of the People
We come together on this Fifth Sunday of Easter to celebrate God's welcoming spirit and overflowing grace. Let us now pray that we will be open to the Lord and to each other.

We pray for our church community, that as we grow and prepare ourselves to be a permanent presence in Brier Creek, we will welcome all to the Lord's table. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our youth and their leaders, that as they prepare to embark on mission work, they will continue to welcome those in need of love and friendship into their fold. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for Christians everywhere, that they will heed your new commandment to love one another. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the unloved, the outcast, the deviant, the hopeless, and especially the marginalized persons in our community of Brier Creek, that they too will taste God's goodness. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for those who hate, who dismiss the unwanted, and who succumb to prejudice, that they will seek God's forgiveness and join us at the Gospel feast. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who have died, especially Becky Childs, laid to rest yesterday, that they may sit with God at the table of everlasting life. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We ask for these things in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who breaks bread with the least among us, and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.