Collects and Prayers - June 13, 2010 - 3rd Sunday of Pentecost

Greeting
Leader: Blessed are you, O Lord God, King of the universe,
People: Creator of life, Provider of our daily bread.
Leader: Through Jesus, your Son, you feed us with your very self.
People: Everything we need is found at your table.
Leader: Taste and see that the Lord is good.
People:. With joy and hope, we gather at the Table of Life.

Collect
Almighty God, Creator of all life;
you cause the grass to grow and the plants to flower, bringing forth food from the earth.
Grant us the grace to worship with praise and thanksgiving for the gift of sustenance,
for the ability to work and cultivate your land, and for the beauty of creation itself.
This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who through the pouring out of his body, provides life and sustenance for all.
Amen.

Prayers of the People
Almighty God, creator, sustainer, provider: since the beginning of time, you have offered us life, food, and protection. Even when we turned away and thought we could provide these things for ourselves, you remained steadfast. For this act of unconditional love, we give you thanks, and offer prayers and petitions this morning in your name.

We give you all thanks and praise for the majesty and splendor of your creation, for the marvelous ways your glory is displayed to us, from the heights of mountain peaks to the crashing waves on the shore. Instill in us a deeper appreciation and reverence for your creation so that wherever we are, we learn to respect your creation in a way that honors you.
Loving God, Hear our Prayer.

For our daily food and drink that sustains our homes and neighborhoods, our families and friends. Help up to recognize and honor the connections of all things, even at cost to our own wants and comforts, so that we may live gently on earth and make proper use of its abundance.
Loving God, Hear our Prayer.

For farmers, manufacturers, and all those who cook and prepare food. We pray that all production of food would be done in a way that honors your creation and protects these laborers.
Loving God, Hear our Prayer.

For the church, both local and universal, that it would freely offer the bread and cup of life to all the thirsty and hungry in the world, that this food may satisfy the strongest of appetites and provide eternal life and sustenance for all.
Loving God, Hear our Prayer.

Creator God, give us eyes to gape at the wonders daily about us, and the will to live in harmony with your creation and your will for our bodies. We ask all these things through your Son Jesus, the Word made flesh and the bread of heaven, who lives and reigns with the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.