Adapted from Matthew 6:25-34 (WEB)

Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you, 

Do not be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. 

Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 

See the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. 

Your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you of much more value than they?

Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.”

We surrender our worries for tomorrow to you as we worship you today. 

Adapted by Austin D. Hill (Mt 6:25-26, 34, WEB, adapted for liturgical use)

Wonderful Counselor, open our ears
So we may hear your song
God is with us, God is near

Mighty God, open our eyes
So we may see you at work
For goodness, truth, and justice 

Everlasting Father, open our hearts
So we may release our worry,
Our loneliness, and our striving 

Prince of Peace, open our hands
So we may take yours and each other’s
And walk together the path of grace

Amen

Opening Prayer based on Isaiah 9:6 by Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia © 2022, www.revlisad.com

Lord, we come here with lots of things on our minds, but now we turn our focus to you.

Help us to put aside our schedules and “to do” lists, and replace our worry with peace.

Guide us as we worship, lifting up our voices to show you our gratitude.

Let us learn and grow and be transformed as we worship the Living God!

Ellen R. Dawson