THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION/SEMINARIES EMPHASIS SUNDAY. Liturgical Planning Resource

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1 THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION/SEMINARIES EMPHASIS SUNDAY S E P T E M B E R 1 8, Liturgical Planning Resource

2 For centuries, we Presbyterians have prided ourselves on an educated clergy. To continue this tradition of excellence, we have entrusted ten Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) seminaries, and two theological institutions related to the denomination by covenant agreement, with providing the educational foundation church leaders need to be able to preach, teach, pray, and lead. With the help of congregations nationwide, our Presbyterian seminaries are equipping the saints for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:12). OUR PRESBYTERIAN SEMINARIES: Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin, Texas Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey San Francisco Theological Seminary, San Anselmo, California Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary, Atlanta, Georgia Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, Virginia, and Charlotte, North Carolina In covenant with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.): Auburn Theological Seminary, New York, New York Seminario Evangélico de Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico We are pleased to invite you, once again, to celebrate God s inspiring work in equipping our seminaries to educate and prepare Christian leaders to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). May these liturgical resources assist you in preparation for worship, prayer, meditation, and reflection. The Presbyterian Planning Calendar specifies Sunday, September 18th as the Lord s Day for recognition of this mission emphasis, yet you may choose an alternative date as customs dictate or circumstances require.

3 Lectionary-Based Liturgical Resources for Theological Education/ Seminaries Sunday 2016 Scriptures Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 or Amos 8:4-7 Psalm 79:1-9 or Psalm 113:1-6 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Luke 16:1-13 Opening Sentences 1 Timothy 2:1-2 First of all, the, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and dignity. Call to Worship Psalm 113:1-6 Leader: Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord; praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time on and forevermore. People: From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised. Leader: The Lord is high above all nations, and God s glory above the heavens. All: Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? Let all, as God s children, praise the Lord! Opening Prayer Luke 16:1-13 O Holy God, our vision and our trust, grant us the grace to be faithful in little and in much. Empty us of shrewdness and fill us with the spirit of faithful discernment so that we might dedicate ourselves to loving and serving our one true source of wealth the gospel. Amen. Confession of Sin [Consider leading the Prayer of Confession and Declaration of Forgiveness (not included in these resources; see Book of Common Worship, 56-57) from the baptismal font. This helps to illuminate the theological connections between God s forgiveness and the new life we receive in baptism. You may pour water into the font during the call to confession, lift water from the font with your hands as the words of forgiveness are spoken.] Eternal God, so often we cry out in despair with the Psalmist: how long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever? And we cry out with the prophet Jeremiah: Is there no balm in Gilead? We hurt, we mourn and dismay takes hold of us. Forgive us as we allow our grief to overwhelm us and limit our ability to respond in faith to your gracious blessings. Help us to remember and seek your mercy in all circumstances. For especially in the midst of our tears and agony we receive the gift of your endless love. In Christ we pray. [Silent prayer for confession may follow.] Assurance of Pardon Leader: There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole. All: There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin sick soul. Leader: Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel: in Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Now let us freely and joyfully forgive one another.

4 Prayer for Illumination Amos 8:4-7 Eternal God, may your word compel us to seek the good of all, to exploit none, and to lift up the downtrodden. For the sake of your kin-dom, we pray. Amen. Prayers of the People [Consider leading the Prayers of the People and/or the Offering (below) from the Lord s table. This helps to demonstrate our calling as the body of Christ to intercede for others and to offer our lives in love for the world.] In faith and in hope let us offer supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings for everyone, seeking lives of peace, godliness and dignity for all. Let us call on the name of the Holy One saying: We pray for the church of Jesus Christ our Lord, for its mission and ministry to a world in need. Unite us as your people and fill us with your purpose. We pray for our theological seminaries [Austin, Columbia, Dubuque, Louisville, McCormick, Pittsburgh, Princeton, San Francisco, Johnson C. Smith, Union, Auburn, and Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico], and for the work of seminaries and churches together. We give thanks for the women and men who have answered your call to ministry and for the professors and administrators who help to shape them for your service. We pray for those who guide and govern our seminaries and those who tend the fields of theological education, our boards and trustees, and the members of the Committee on Theological Education. We pray for those who bear witness to the vitality of theological education and work diligently to encourage support for our seminaries as members of our Seminary Support Network. Challenge and nurture them with your Word. Strengthen and stir them with your Spirit. We pray for the people of all nations and those who govern them, for the wisdom to seek peace, and the will to do justice. Heal our divisions, put an end to our violence, and help us to build new relationships of compassion and understanding. We pray for the earth and its precious resources. Restore the splendor of your good creation and give us a common vision of this world as our home. We pray for this community of your people, for discernment as we seek to be your disciples in this place. Lead us toward the future you have prepared for us and keep us faithful in our promises to you and to one another.

5 Prayers of the People (Continued) We pray for the poor and oppressed, and all who suffer, for those in prison, and those who mourn. Pour out your healing love on our broken world, and equip us for ministries of healing and wholeness, evangelism and outreach, peacemaking and reconciliation. We remember with thanksgiving those who have died, particularly those saints and sages who bore witness to your light, opened our hearts to your Word, and helped us to discern your call. Let our own lives give testimony to your love and grace, as we seek to share your good news with all the world. Loving God, receive all the prayers of your people, spoken and silent, and in your infinite wisdom, use them for the fulfillment of your new creation; through Jesus Christ, your Word and our way. Amen. Offering May our gifts to God yield harvests of peace, righteousness, and hope to all in need, and support seminaries that prepare leaders to care for the least of these. May these gifts, and all that is blessed through them, prosper the realm of heaven, in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen. Litany of Thanksgiving for Theological Education and Spiritual Formation Leader: Most Holy God, you bring us new life and growth, for we are all new creations in you. We give you thanks for hearts, souls, minds, and strength that strive to serve you by the power of the Holy Spirit. People: We thank you for the gift of communities in which we can live, grow, serve, and learn, and that challenge us to listen for your direction. We give you thanks for those who dedicate their time, talent, and energy to disciplined learning and study that we all may learn from one another. May we live out our thanksgiving in a way that we serve the body of Christ and take up disciplined study for ourselves. Leader: We thank you for calling us to one another, prompting us to receive instruction. People: We give thanks that call and response, teaching and learning, mentoring and apprenticeship are happening throughout the world and in places we know and in places that surprise: construction sites, worshiping communities, taxis, office spaces, campgrounds, kitchens, and hospital rooms. Leader: For our rich heritage of theological education, and for our commitment to equipping leaders through our seminaries to serve your church, we offer special thanks and praise. For faculty and those who offer instruction; for administrators; for clerical staff; for those who keep the grounds and for those who serve healthy meals; for students; for alumni; for members of boards; for all who provide for and support our seminaries, including our own worshipping community bountiful God, we give thanks this day. Our prayers extend to those involved in education at institutions from other traditions as well, that all partners in the enterprise of education may bring you honor and glory. People: All thanks and praise be to you, almighty God, for equipping us to build and sustain mentoring communities of learning and instruction that prepare us to hear and respond to your call in our lives. Amen. Charge Leader: Seek the lost. People: Rejoice! Leader: Feed the hungry. People: Rejoice! Leader: Honor and glorify our Sovereign God forever! People: Rejoice!

6 Hymn Suggestions (Related to Theological Education and Ministry) GTG 26 Earth and All Stars! GTG 401 Here in This Place (Gather Us In) GTG 451 Open My Eyes,That I May See GTG 453 Open Your Ears, O Faithful People GTG 691 Lord, When I Came into This Life GTG 707 Take Thou Our Minds, Dear Lord GTG 722 Lord, Speak to Me That I May Speak GTG 726 Will You Come and Follow Me (The Summons) GTG 733 We Are All One in Mission Lectionary-Based Hymn Suggestions GTG 738 O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee GTG 739 O For a Closer Walk with God GTG 792 There is a Balm in Gilead GTG 430 Remember Not, O God GTG 70 What Does the Lord Require of You? GTG 331 God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand GTG 343 Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life GTG 299 You Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim GTG 327 From All That Dwell Below the Skies GTG 670 From the Rising of the Sun GTG 677 The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended GTG 103 Come Now, O Prince of Peace GTG 340 This is My Song GTG 346 For the Healing of the Nations GTG 634 To God Be the Glory GTG 697 Take My Life GTG 698 Take, O Take Me as I Am GTG 700 I m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me GTG 708 We Give Thee but Thine Own Notes All suggested hymns are found in Glory to God:The Presbyterian Hymnal, (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2013). For more information or to order hymnbooks through the PC(USA) Store, visit or call VISIT OUR WEBSITES Theological Education Fund/Theological Schools Endowment Fund Office of Theological Education Take the Virtual Tour of Presbyterian Seminaries O God, you are the giver of life and new life. Each of us longs to draw close to you, and to see our lives transformed in the image of Jesus Christ; come and make all things new. Our seminaries need your presence to become wise, able to discern your vision for ministry in this changing world; come and make all things new. Renew your churches with servants and leaders, that all may participate in your great purposes in the world you so love; come and make all things new. Amen. Prayer by Dr. Gary Hansen, author of Kneeling with Giants: Learning to Pray with History s Best Teachers. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION FUND, CONTACT Rev. Lee Hinson-Hasty, D.Min., Senior Director Theological Education Funds Development Presbyterian Foundation 200 East 12th Street Jeffersonville, IN (844)