Here’s
a call to worship from The Rev. Caela Simmons Wood of First Congregational
United Church of Christ in Manhattan, KS, written just after the November 8,
2016 American elections.
She
writes: “I preach the RCL and had a hard time finding something that struck the
right tone for my context this week, since so many in my congregation are
despairing and hurting right now.”
Called in God’s Presence
(based on Isaiah 65)
One:
God says:
Many: "I am about to
create a new heavens and a new earth;
the former things shall not be
remembered."
One:
We say:
Many: "Yes, God,
that's good,
but does it have to be quite so
difficult?
This creation of your new heavens
and new earth?
It's hard right now. We are
tired."
One:
God says:
Many: "You do not
labor in vain.
Before you call out to me, I
answer. I am."
One:
We say:
Many: "Yes, God,
that's good.
Thank you for being with us.
We need you now. We really need you.
Tell us again about your vision? We
need your words of hope."
One:
God says:
Many: "The wolf and
the lamb shall feed together,
the lion shall eat straw like
an ox.
In this new place –
this new place we are creating
together –
no one will hurt or destroy on
all my holy mountain."
One:
We say:
Many: "Yes, God,
that's good.
Let's worship together now.
We need to remember who we are and
who you are
and that we belong to each other.
"
~
written by The Rev. Caela Simmons Wood, First Congregational United Church of
Christ, Manhattan, KS for the Sunday after the election, 2016.
