[Since we have been focusing on the Book of Genesis during these summer Sundays, this hymn in the picture above seemed appropriate for us to sing. Notice how verse 3 includes the words, "...Abram's faith and Sarah's story formed a people bound to you..." This is really what the Book of Genesis is all about, the gradual fulfillment of God's covenant to make of Abraham and Sarah a great nation. Yes, there are many twists and turns to this story, but through it all, God's covenant is being fulfilled. No wonder the chorus in this hymn exclaims, "Alleluia, Alleluia!"
God of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac,
Rebekah, and Jacob, thank you for these patriarchs and matriarchs of our faith.
Thank you for these wonderful old bible stories that serve as our family photo
album in telling us how you formed us in your image and claimed us as your own.
Every time we gather for
worship, it’s like a family reunion where we retell our past stories of faith,
renew our family bond, and seek to live as your people in the present time with
an eye to the future when we will gather again as your people. Thank you for
including each one of us in your family of faith, O God.
And as your family of faith,
we rejoice whenever somebody celebrates a special blessing in life. And as your
family of faith, our heart aches whenever somebody experiences pain or
brokenness. This is what it means to be part of your family and this is what it
means to be your people. We are blessed!
In a world that is so divided
by political ideologies, strong opinions, and heated debates thank you for
reminding us that we have more in common than the issues that divide us. We
belong to you. You love us. We are created in your image. We are united in
Christ.
As your family of faith, we
offer our prayers for those who are struggling to get by. We offer our prayers
for those who are tempted to make a trade that will hurt their relationship
with you. We offer our prayers for those who are searching for their purpose in
life and what it means to be fully human. Remind us whenever we gather as your
people that we have been created in your image, to worship and serve you.
O God of Abraham, Sarah,
Isaac, Rebekah, and Jacob, thank you for reminding us of our family tree, of
our true identity, of the importance of Christian community, and of our need
for you. Help us along life’s journey, to always be planted in the good soil of
your love made known to us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus
Christ.
It is in his name that we
pray in unison saying, “Our Father, who art in heaven…”
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