Commons Church

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Sunday, June 16, 2019

CALL TO WORSHIP
Romans 5

MUSIC: INGLEWOOD PARISH
Curated by Nathan Gutzmann
Hillsong Worship - The Passion
Hillsong Worship - O Praise The Name
Commons Worship - I Exalt Thee
Hillsong Worship - Beautiful Name

MUSIC: KENSINGTON PARISH
Curated by Kevin Borst
Hillsong Worship - Who You Say I Am
All Sons & Daughters - Come Thou Fount
Chris Tomlin - Good Good Father
Bethel Music - Raise A Hallelujah

COMMONS WORSHIP MUSIC PLAYLISTS
Spotify
Apple Music
Google Play Music
YouTube

FATHER’S DAY PRAYER
Written by Scott Wall

As part of our liturgy on this Father’s Day, we are invited to consider the ways in which our stories have been shaped by fathers, dads, mentors, and friends. In this community we acknowledge that, for some gathered here the sentimentally that swirls around us all and the use of this word ‘father’ bring reminders of pain, loss, or longing in our lives. We acknowledge too that, for others the celebration of fathers is a welcome opportunity to offer thanks and appreciation to those we cherish. From each of these places, we are invited to receive the revelation that Christ brought to us. That God as Father is fiercely loyal to the lowly and broken…that he searches for and welcomes home those who find themselves lost…that his great force of Love is actually for us. Holding these things, I invite you to pray with me before we continue…first in statements of thanksgiving, and then in a series of petitions. As I pray I invite you to be present to these simple words and to find joy and solace in God’s embrace.

Oh God, Creator and Father from all eternity. Our lives proceed from you and we confess that we are your children. For fathers everywhere, who have given us their time and affection…for those who balance their work, relationships, and personal weakness with integrity…we give you thanks.

For fathers who have adopted children…For those that have shaped lives without claim of family or kinship…For those who have taught us, guided us, and molded us…we give you thanks.

For new fathers, full of hope. For long-time fathers, full of wisdom.

For the fathers yet to be, and fathers soon to be.

God, we give you thanks.

And with grateful hearts we pray…

For fathers who parent alone…God grant them strength and wisdom.

For fathers who struggle with temptation, darkness, or addiction. We ask, gracious God, be near.

For fathers who grieve their absent children, those who have lost a child…or those who long for a child…Gracious God, be their comfort.

For those who grieve the loss of a father…who care for an ailing parent…and those who long for reconciliation or restoration with their father…God, bring them your lasting peace.

And finally, we remember fathers who helplessly watch their children suffer and die because of famine, drought, disaster and war. Oh great God…let your kingdom come, and may your mercy be great.

These things we pray in the name of Christ, God the Son, who reflects your goodness and teaches us to trust your fathering heart.

Amen.