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Worship For The College Community

Freshman Prayer • Welcoming International Students • Fall Orientation Order of Worship
Personal Prayer of Orientation • Public Prayer of Orientation

God of New Beginnings, We are here at another stage of life. We are now starting college/university education. We give our fears over to you, trusting your presence with us, as you have been with us in the past. We are confident that you are with us today and Tomorrow. Our thanks and praise we give to you.

As babies leave their mothers’ milk to take in food on their own, we are also here to begin a new stage in our lives. Some of us come from far and others from near. Some of us have left our homes while some still live at home. Whatever situation we are in, we know that you are with us. Thank you for your faithfulness. Amen.

Leader: Loving God, thank you for sending students from other countries to us.
People: We welcome these brothers and sisters.

Leader: Help us to be loving hosts who are sensitive to the needs of these new members of our community.
People: We welcome these brothers and sisters.

Leader: Teach us to respect our differences and to learn from each other.
People: We welcome these brothers and sisters.

Leader: As we embark on this academic journey, illuminate our minds so that we do not forget your word.
People: We welcome these brothers and sisters.

Leader: Let us be united as we share our joys and our sorrows.
People: We welcome these brothers and sisters.

ALL: Our loving God, from the very beginning, you sent people to other lands to be a testimony of your goodness. Abraham, Ruth, Joseph and even Jesus as a baby are examples. Just as you cared for them in foreign lands, please provide care to those you have sent to us. Help us to be a loving community. Teach us to welcome those who are new to us. Comfort them during their stay, away from home, as well. Thank you for granting our prayer. Amen.

Front cover : A car on the road loaded with stuff, and the following words below:
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me…” Psalm 23:6

Back cover : A field of wheat or other grain with the verse: “Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty, sixty, and a hundred fold.” Mark 4:8

Theme: New Beginnings
Order of Worship

Prelude

Procession “We Are Marching in the Light of God” Faith We Sing #2235b

(Leaders come in marching/dancing to the beat of a variety of instruments – drum, trumpet, tambourine, etc.)

Words of Welcome
We welcome you to this special service where we celebrate the beginning of a new stage in life. This is a time of entrance into college/university life. While some of you are close to home, many of you are far away from home – even from other countries. We want you to know that campus ministry is here for you. Welcome! (Introduce new students if appropriate)

Opening Hymn “Be Thou My Vision” United Methodist Hymnal #451

Responsive Reading

Leader: God, our strength, we are gathered here to start a new stage of life, one of higher education.
People: Grant us the strength to begin anew!

Leader: Although we are many and come from a variety of backgrounds, through your renewing power, you have brought us together for new experiences and learnings.
People: Renew us, O God, and bring unity among us.

Leader: Please help us to be hospitable to one another and to welcome those among us who are new to this place.
People: Grant us the gift of hospitality.

Leader: Protect us, dear God, fro the dangers both seen and unseen. Let us find comfort in you.
People: Be or protector when we are awake and when we are asleep.

Leader: Help us to learn all that we need to make this world a better place.
People: Thank you for giving us the challenge, obligation and honor to serve others.

ALL: God of new beginnings, thank you for your renewing power. Thank you for bringing us to this place of higher education. Please be with us always. Amen .

Scripture (possibilities) Genesis 12:1-2; Psalm 23; Mark 4:1-8

Sharing the Word
The message could weave together the ideas of leaving a familiar environment and starting again (Genesis scripture), God’s protection and provision (Psalm), and being open to learning and being fruitful (Mark). Or, the message could just take one theme.

Prayers of the People
The leader invites others to share prayer petitions. After each petition, all respond: “God in your mercy, hear our prayers.”

Closing Hymn possibility ”Sweet Hour of Prayer” (UMH496)

Closing Prayer
We are yours, O God. Please stay near us and with us. When our resources threaten to dry up, please supply new blessings. In the precious name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Benediction
Go in the peace,
Love, and the Protection of our mighty God.

Closing Music (instrumental) “Blessed Assurance” #369

Psalm 57, adapted from, The Common Book of Prayers

Oh God, if you can hear me, I ask you to be merciful to me in this strange land.
Lord, God, you have always been good to me every step of my young life.

As I entered nursery school and my mom left me, you gave me loving arms of the nursery teacher. You always assured me I would see my mom and dad later in the evening.

Oh God, have mercy on me, I am in a strange land. When I entered grade school, and my mom left me at the curb, and I was escorted into big school, you sent the janitor to hold my hand, and to assure me that I will have much fun.

Oh, God have mercy on me, I am in a strange land. When I went off into junior and senior high school, I entered into a new dimension of my life. I felt grown, at times I even looked grown. But, I was always able to go home.

Oh God, have mercy on me, I am afraid and I am in a strange land. The students are not familiar to me, the teachers do not comfort me, and there is no way I can go home tonight and be covered with the love of home.

Oh Lord, have mercy on me. I take refuge in you only, Lord, for you are all I have in this strange land.

Cover me Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, we give you thanks for all of our new students entering into a new dimension of their educational journey. We ask that you will give them a heart of peace and respect for all new and unknown things.

Yes Lord, this is a time of New Beginnings – for students, teachers, and our administrators. Therefore, we seek your blessings of contentment, peace, understanding, patience, gentleness and kindness for a New Beginning in college life.

We implore your presence with each one. And today, as we seek the promise of the New Beginning, be with our new students in their classes, as they choose new friends, and as they get to know new roommates. Help each student to grow academically and spiritually, as well as in their relationships with family and friends left at home, and with you, also, O God. Hear our prayers. Amen.

HOW DO YOU WORSHIP?
In young people's ministries there are a variety of preferences for worship styles, music genres and written content. This diversity offers us a great opportunity to learn from each other around worship practices that are meaningful in our communities. Are there liturgies, prayers, poems, songs, or whole services that you, a youth, young adult, or group, have written? Share it with us and we may post it on the web! All submissions must be original compositions. By submitting your work to GBOD, you're giving us permission to reproduce your work.