O God of goodness: we thank you that in your righteousness and in your love you continue to call us to be your people. You continue to reveal yourself, sometimes in surprising ways, molding and shaping us into forms that will serve as your faithful disciples.

Bless us today as we struggle with what it is that you want us to be. Give light to our lifelong endeavor to know who it is that you are, to love you with all our being, and to experience your presence as you give meaning to our lives.

Lord, as we have gathered here today we have put before you the names and circumstances of those who are sick, or lonely, or working through a variety of difficulties. Help these persons to know your love and your care and your peace as you work with them in their lives. Be also with us as we search for ways to minister and to care for others with needs that we may be instruments of your healing, the means of your love and power.

Be with those who have begun to go back to school, with the administrators, teachers, students, the many helpers, and with the moms and dads who, in many cases, send forth their children with a feeling of anticipation, if not anxiety, in their hearts.

God, bless our worship here, today, especially as we leave this place, that what we have done and heard here may take seed and grow and blossom in our throughts, prayers, and activities.

All this we pray in Jesus' name. And as he taught us to pray, so do we also pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those whotrespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.