Synonyms: renounce, relinquish, dispense with, forswear, disclaim, disown, disavow, discard, wash one's hands of, give up, stop, cease, drop, forgo, desist from, have done with, abjure, abstain from, discontinue, break off, refrain from, set/lay aside, desert, leave, leave high and dry, turn one's back on, cast aside, break (up) with, vacate, quit, evacuate, withdraw from, surrender, cede, yield, indulge in, give way to, give oneself up to, yield to, lose oneself to/in, uninhibitedness, recklessness, lack of restraint, lack of inhibition, unruliness, wildness, impulsiveness, impetuosity, immoderation, wantonness
Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on
Showing 4751 to 4775 of 4943 results
4751. Easter 2
1 Peter 1:1-12
Bulletin Aid
... CAST OUR LOT WITH GOD! HALLELUJAH! Collect God of ageless wonder, you have made us heirs to eternal life in the resurrection of Jesus. Help us to see our faith as unfinished: that, embracing the spiritual vitality that you have given us, we may yet continue to grow into the image of the risen Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession God of amazing grace, we acknowledge and confess that we like to make faith a static thing, an accomplished fact, rather than a living and growing relationship ...
4752. Easter 5
Acts 7:54--8:1a
Bulletin Aid
... in God! People: MAY GOD NEVER LET US BE PUT TO SHAME! Leader: May God give ear to us! People: MAY GOD RESCUE AND PROTECT US! Collect Everlasting God, You sent us a son of humanity to act on our behalf for our salvation. Let his redemptive power continue to work for us: that, touched constantly by his love, we may ourselves become worthy daughters and sons of you. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession Everliving God, we confess that we use the image of the exalted Christ seated at your ...
4753. Easter 5
1 Peter 2:4-12
Bulletin Aid
... : GOD IS THE FORTRESS OF OUR SAFETY! Leader: Let us commit our spirits into God's hands! People: LET US WORSHIP THE FAITHFUL GOD WHO HAS REDEEMED US! Collect God of creative might, you have transformed us and all humanity with your power in the Christ. Continue to recreate us through your Holy Spirit: that, changed gradually into the image of Jesus, we may know and do your divine will, even as he did. In his name we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession God of manifest mercy, we confess our ongoing resistance to ...
4754. Easter 6
John 14:15-31
Bulletin Aid
... Let us bless the God whose Spirit is within us! People: LET US GLORIFY THE GOD WHOSE EVER-LIVING CHRIST IS AMONG US! Collect Most loving God, you have made the Christ ever-present to give us abundant life. Open our eyes and hearts to his continuing presence: that, attuned to his ongoing care, we may ourselves become graciously present to others in his name, in which we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession God of parental love, we confess how closed and insensitive we let ourselves become in the face of all that ...
4755. Trinity
Deuteronomy 4:32-40, Psalm 33:1-22
Bulletin Aid
... , we confess that we sometimes treat you as aloof from the world and far removed from everyday life, for imagining you as distant, we feel free to keep the world at arm's length as well. Forgive us this self-deceit, O God, and assist us in admitting always your continuing concern and compassion for your Creation and creatures. Make the fact that you abide in the world and its affairs move us to involve ourselves graciously as well. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
4756. Proper 5
Romans 4:1-25
Bulletin Aid
Theme: The righteousness of faith Exegetical note As Paul continues to expound upon the heart of his own theology, he makes here the point that Abraham is the father (not to mention model) of all true believers. For he was justified by God, not because he earned or merited it through obedience to the Law, but purely and simply because ...
4757. Proper 7
Genesis 28:10-22
Bulletin Aid
... any sense of your presence or power in the world; and we know in our hearts, whenever we stop to think about it, that our lives are faulty and flat, superficial and sad as a result. Forgive us, we pray, and sensitize us once again to the reality of your continuing being and constant abiding in Creation, shaping lives and steering events by the subtle movements of your mighty divine Providence. In the name of your Word made flesh, Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen
4758. Proper 12
Romans 8:1-17
Bulletin Aid
... : Seek God and God's strength! People: SEEK GOD'S PRESENCE WITHOUT CEASING! Leader: Remember God's wonderful works! People: REMEMBER GOD'S EVERLASTING WORDS! Collect Most benevolent God, you have provided your Spirit as an able spokesperson for a humanity dumbfounded by sin. Continue to stand by us: that, despite our guilt at failing to meet the demands of your Law, your gracious advocacy will acquit us in the high court of your holy justice. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession Most ...
Bulletin Aid
... -PRESENT REFUGE! Leader: When we are threatened with destruction and our spirits are faint, People: MAY GOD PRESERVE US WITH STEADFAST LOVE! (based on Psalm 143) Collect Almighty God, you have shown to us the power of your love in the person of Jesus. Continue as our ally: that, fortified by the strength of your presence, we may resist every enemy that life sends our way, even death. In the name of the victorious Christ we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession Most gracious and loving God, we admit with regret ...
4760. Proper 21
Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 99:1-9
Bulletin Aid
... of Confession God of the universe, we confess that we sometimes grow frustrated at our inability to grasp more of your divine nature than we do, and that we sometimes even fall into skepticism about your existence, activity, and will. Forgive our impatience, O God, and continue to reveal yourself to us progressively, even as our understanding of the universe grows. If we cannot behold your face, then let us be satisfied with your handiwork, both in the cosmos and in the Christ. In his name we pray. Amen
4761. Proper 27
1 Thessalonians 4:13--5:11
Bulletin Aid
... ! Collect Almighty God, you have given us a tremendous source of hope in the promise of the second coming of your Christ. Make us now aware of our ongoing oneness with him: that, realizing our present unity with him, we may be active in our continuing mission until he comes. In his precious name we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession Faithful God, we confess that, when we look at our troubled world, we often despair at our ability to do anything at all to help it, and sometimes use the conviction that ...
4762. All Saints' Day
1 John 2:28--3:10
Bulletin Aid
... "unfinished," for their ultimate destiny is to be like Christ Jesus at the parousia. Meanwhile, says the following verse, hope purifies the believer. Call to Worship (based on Psalm 34) Leader: Let us bless God at all times! People: LET GOD'S PRAISE BE CONTINUALLY ON OUR LIPS! Leader: Let our souls boast in God! People: LET THE AFFLICTED HEAR AND BE GLAD! Collect Almighty God, you have graciously adopted us into your family despite our many faults. Make us to see ourselves as "unfinished" children of yours ...
4763. Thanksgiving Day
1 Kings 8:22-61, Psalm 138:1-8
Bulletin Aid
Theme: Reestablishing the covenant Exegetical Note This selection is from the closing benediction of Solomon's prayer at the dedication of his temple. In it he prays, on the one hand, that God continue to be present and to enable the people to keep the covenant, and, on the other hand, that the people be completely faithful to God. The passage reminds us that days of national celebration and thanksgiving are great opportunities to reestablish a people's covenant with God. Call to Worship ...
4764. Advent 3
Matthew 11:1-19
Sermon Aid
... Congregation One pastor used this as a follow up of the theme on wonder: If we have experienced reality in any sense of that word, as reality comes to us in the person of Jesus Christ, and if we allow our friends, neighbors, enemies to continue to live in their illusions (that is, their unrealistic wonderings), by refusing to share reality with them, then we subtlety, but really, harbor a resentment toward, a hatred of, them. If Christ is reality, and brings reality, because he is the Way, the Truth, and ...
Sermon Aid
... the World Suggestion: As much as possible, eliminate the word "announcements." Call "announcements," "opportunities," opportunities for growth and ministry, locally and beyond. Ask a congregation member to interrupt every time someone uses the word "announcement." Stewardship Challenge Try this: Continue to focus on the theme of the day; ask how the congregation responds with the stewardship of their baptism. Ask them to put their hands on their head and say, "I am baptized," before they place their money ...
4766. Epiphany 5
Matthew 5:13-16
Sermon Aid
... and light to a tasteless and darkening world. Pastoral Invitation to the Celebration One pastor did this: He began, "Good morning, church, welcome to Christ's world, a world in which we, the saints in communion, are called to be salt and light." He continued with this response between pastor and ministers: Pastor: Greetings to the saints. Ministers: We are the people of God, called and set apart to be saints, not because we are adequate or worthy, but because God has appointed us to live as salt and light ...
4767. Epiphany 7
Matthew 5:27-30, Matthew 5:31-32, Matthew 5:33-37, Matthew 5:38-42
Sermon Aid
... is something we do, not something we watch somebody else do. Thus, the worshiper celebrates the presence of God, not by absorbing what's going on as a sponge, but by contributing to what's going on as a participant." You may want to continue with this response: Pastor: Allelu! Allelu! Allelu! Right side: Praise the Lord! Left side: Christ is King! (Speak this response three times. Then, all speak their part together and applaud.) Act of Recognizing our Humanness and Receiving New Life One pastor did this ...
4768. Epiphany 8
Matthew 5:21-26, Matthew 5:27-30, Matthew 5:31-32, Matthew 5:33-37, Matthew 5:38-42, Matthew 5:43-48
Sermon Aid
... deliberate, intentional choice not to worship. Therefore, not only do we worship for ourself and each other here, we also worship for those who have chosen not to worship. I invite us to enter into the celebration with joy and responsibility." You may want to continue with this litany: Pastor: For freedom Christ has set us free! Stand fast, therefore, and do not submit to a new yoke of slavery. Ministers: We come willingly to bind ourselves to Christ in the bonds of love. Pastor: Lead a life worthy of the ...
4769. Lent 2
John 3:1-21
Sermon Aid
... behavior? in the plaintive cries of the world around you? I invite us to become even more sensitive to the presence and activity of God as we worship - in the Name of God the Creator, Liberator, Sustainer." For those especially courageous, you may want to continue with a medley of songs of the world, of sounds of the world, of scenes of the world. Ask a soloist to sing the songs. Use a tape recording of the sounds. Put pictures around the sanctuary. Act of Recognizing our Humanness and Receiving New ...
4770. Easter 2
John 20:19-23
Sermon Aid
... . (author unknown, revised) For the act of forgiveness, point out that all of us, at one time or another, are those who cause the pain expressed in the directed prayer; and therefore, all of us can change in the power of the risen Christ. Continue with this litany between pastor and ministers: Pastor: In Christ, we are set free to celebrate. Ministers: We rejoice that in Christ all things are possible. Pastor: Rise up, then, as living persons, as the living Church. Ministers: We do. Amen Respond with the ...
4771. Easter 5
John 14:1-4
Sermon Aid
... have tried to make it easy and painless. We see the fields white for the harvest; and the overwhelming responsibility which you have laid upon us seems to drive us into the deliberate seclusion of a hands-off policy. O God, this morning, we pray for a continuous re-awakening and renewal among your people. We pray for a new recognition of the presence of your Spirit which will gird us for the task; we pray for our acceptance of the power of your Spirit which will make us bold without being obnoxious. Send us ...
4772. Easter 6
John 14:15-31
Sermon Aid
... : The preeminence of love through the coming of the Counselor. Pastoral Invitation to the Celebration One pastor began this way: "Welcome to the celebration of the promise of the Counselor. Through the Spirit of truth, where do you see and experience the reality of God?" Continue with this litany between pastor and ministers: Pastor: You have heard that God is dead; but I say to you, God is living and is here. Ministers: Praise be to the living God! Pastor: God is here! Can you hear God! Ministers: We hear ...
4773. Pentecost
John 20:19-23
Sermon Aid
... Listening! Celebrating Our Gifts We Are Accountable! Celebrating Our Departure We Leave for Ministry! Pastoral Invitation to the Celebration One pastor did this: He invited the people who brought their symbols of the Holy Spirit to share them with the congregation. Continue with this litany between pastor and ministers: Pastor: Who are you? Who are we? All: Allelu! Allelu! Allelu! Right side: Praise the Lord! Left side: Christ is King! All: Praise the Lord! Christ is King! (three times) All: (speak your own ...
4774. Proper 15
John 6:25-59
Sermon Aid
... body of Christ, that God calls us to minister on behalf of all persons in need. Maybe the only thing we can do is to become sensitive. Maybe our sensitivity will direct our actions. Act of Recognizing our Humanness and Receiving New Life Try this: Continue the act of sensitizing the people. Ask the people to consider silently their calling in Christ. What is their purpose for being? as Christians? as a congregation? Do they exist only to get their own needs met? Do they live to bring life to other people ...
4775. Proper 5
Matthew 9:9-13
Sermon Aid
... does not forgive lightly, casually God forgives only those who seek forgiveness, who practice forgiveness. I invite us to celebrate our presence in God's presence and power, as God offers forgiveness to Christ's people, as God commands forgiveness from Christ's people." Continue with this printed prayer: O God, you love the world of persons. You love those who are brown and black and yellow and white. You love the outcast. You love those who are communists, as much as those who are capitalists. We confess ...
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