The pastor asked me to be liturgist at the Sunday morning services at the Lancaster Church of the Brethren on Sunday morning, June 15, 2003, the First Sunday after Pentecost. One of the lessons of the morning was Isaiah 6:1-8. Especially for that service, I composed and delivered the following prayer and benediction, based on that scripture text:

Prayer: Abba, Father your word tells us that we are your adopted sons and daughters; indeed, that we are joint heirs with Christ. And so we approach the throne of the Most High boldly and without fear. Most of us learned to know love from our parents. Some did not. Help us all to know that your love reaches down to us and calls us to abide with you and to partake of your abundant grace.

We praise you for sending us your son, Jesus, so that we may know by his example of the great love you have for us. He was willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice that we might receive so great a salvation. He called us to follow him, and to share in his suffering that indeed we might share in his glory.

Now, He calls us to service, even as you called Isaiah so very long ago. Too often we fail to hear the call. We busy ourselves with earthly pursuits, and our ears are not tuned to hear the voice of our God. Sometimes we hear, but are unwilling to heed the call. We plan our own agendas, and hope that they meet with your approval. Forgive us for our self-centeredness. Oh, that we might answer as did Isaiah and say in humility, “Here am I, send me!”

We recognize that the cost of discipleship is high. We might also be required to make the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of your kingdom. Yet Jesus said, “Follow me! Take up your cross, and follow me!” He also said, “What greater love has a person than to lay down one's life for a brother or a sister?” At the very least, we are all called to lay aside our old sinful lives and to be reborn into the new life of your kingdom.

Oh God, the world today is in serious trouble. We are so prone to greed and to hate. We have so much, yet we take from those who have so little. We beg your forgiveness for our lack of caring for a sick world. Sometimes, when we look at the world, your kingdom seems to be so far away. The task seems so enormous.

Yet, we are not alone. We are part of the great body of believers who are working together for the coming of your kingdom. As each of us answers the call and contributes our own small efforts, with the power of your Spirit, we can make a difference. We are called to come to Jesus and to follow him and slip into that yoke that Jesus said would be easy and to bear that burden that he promised would be light. Thank you God for such a plan. Each of us comes to him in our own way and answers that call. Give us the courage to reply boldly. “Here am I, send me!”

There are some in our number who need a special embrace from you, Papa God. We ask your blessing on those who are suffering illness and pain, the ones we have named, as well as those who are unknown to us. Bring them healing and hold them in your loving arms. Some of your children are experiencing grief associated with personal loss. Whether it be job loss, financial loss, or the loss of loved ones, give them comfort and consolation.

Today as we remember our own fathers, may we also remember our Heavenly Father, who is the source of all our blessings. Give us the grace that we might also be loving fathers, not only our to own children, but to all of your children everywhere. So many are suffering and need our help. “Here am I, send me!”

When his disciples asked Jesus how to pray, he taught them to pray as follows: 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Benediction: Loving Father, your son, Jesus, called us to follow him. And so we venture forth with eagerness to follow that call wherever the path might lead. May your grace continue to shine on us as we travel on this journey of faith. When you ask, “Who will go for me?” give us the courage to respond. “Here am I, Father! Send me!. And all of God's people said, “Amen!”