Call to Worship, Prayer: Jeremiah 31


Here’s a contemporary call to worship and opening prayer based on Jeremiah 31:7-9.  It was written by Rev. Bonnie Tarwater.

Call to Worship
(inspired by Jeremiah 31:7-9)

One:     Sing aloud with gladness:
Many:   God is gathering the people!
One:     From the farthest parts of the earth we come:
Many:   All who struggle; all who labor with new life!
One:     Those who are weeping, God will console;
Many:   Those who get lost find a clear path home.
One:     Let us worship the God who gathers us!

Prayer of Invocation

Ever-calling God,
We give thanks that you have gathered us into your church
and graced us with your faithful presence.
We ponder our history, ancient and still developing,
and marvel at the many expressions of your church.
Grant us the vision to be a part of a new reformation for the Church
that will bring ever more joy and justice to the world.
Continue to gather us, the diverse lot of us, 
into Jesus’ vision and dream
that your faithful people may be one in you.  Amen

~ written by the Rev. Bonnie Tarwater, and posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website.  http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/