Responsive Call to Worship: Psalm 19

Here’s a call to worship litany based on Psalm 19. 

Call to Worship

(based on Psalm 19)

The heavens are telling the glory of God

May our worship reflect God’s glory.

The firmament proclaims God’s handiwork.
May we see each other as the handiwork of God.

Let our prayer and praise, our singing and proclamation project the love of God.

We commune with Christians around the world,

with Christians throughout time.

With Christians across geography and across time,

Let us worship!

—from Jesus Sets the Table, resources by the United Church of Christ, posted on their Worship Ways website. 

Sending Words: The Faith of Fools

Here are sending words inspired by Paul’s teaching about “foolishness” in 1 Corinthians.  It was written by Cheryl Lawrie, and posted on [hold this space].

Sending Words

(inspired by 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, 3:18-20)

They are right,
those who doubt what we do.
It is purely the product of over-active imaginations.

Who but the foolish would look at barren ground and imagine food for all,
see past desolation and believe it will become an oasis,
would not be stopped by war, but live for the day it will be peace,
and reach deep into the world’s fear in the prayer it would bring life.

So if faith is the terrain of the deluded
then may you leave here with the faith of the fools
who have loved the world since it’s beginning
and will live for its redemption until its end.

~ written by Cheryl Lawrie, and posted on [hold this space].  http://holdthisspace.org.au/

Reflection on Psalm 19

Roddy Hamilton has written given Psalm 19 a thoughtful treatment.  He suggests:  “You need to read this real slow and have an instrumental version of Fields of Gold playing in the background. It is indeed a thing of beauty. Voice A is reading the Psalm and Voice B is interpreting it. Take your time with this one. Enjoy the beauty of the psalmist’s poetry and make space for wonder. Don't let it pass. It’s too valuable.”

Responsive Reading of Psalm 19

The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims God's handiwork.
Look to the mountains and see everlastingness…
Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
Search both day and night and watch for the glory of it…
There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
Listen to the silence and hear wonder speak…
yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
Look to the horizon to hear a word about eternity…
In the heavens God has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a beloved from a wedding canopy,
and like a strong athlete runs its course with joy.
Look to the sunrise and enjoy God’s forever-promise…
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and nothing is hid from its heat.
Look to the seasons and live God’s rhythm…
The law of God is perfect, reviving the soul;
the decrees of God are sure, making wise the simple;
Look to creation’s order and accept its wisdom…
the precepts of God are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of God is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
Look to justice and truth and feel their light…
the fear of God is pure, enduring forever;
the ordinances of God are true
and righteous altogether.
Look to the word and recognise its call…
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
Look to God’s commandments and taste their sweetness…
Moreover by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Look to creation’s order and know justice…
But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
Look to grace and know its forgiveness…
Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
do not let them have dominion over me.
Look to what brings life and live its example…
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
Look to God’s covenant and know its love…
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you, O God, my rock and my redeemer.
The heavens are telling the glory of God.

~ written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Mucky Paws. http://www.nkchurch.org.uk/index.php/mucky-paws

Opening Prayer: Psalm 19

Here’s an opening prayer for worship inspired by Psalm 19.  It was posted on My Redeemer Lives website.

Opening Prayer

(inspired by Psalm 19)

Eternal God,

whose signature we see, if we dare to look,

in the creation of the universe,

help us this hour to look and to listen

for Your handwriting and Your voice in this place,

among these people.

Connect our temporary praise to Your timeless rhythms,

Your ageless melodies,

Your everlasting joyful noise.

Guide us now to focus upon You,

knowing that in You,

our distractions become new possibilities for action.

Breathe life into our singing, our praying,

our speaking, our listening, our touching,

that all these activities might become more than they are.

In our worship we reach out to You, O God,

knowing that You have already enfolded us in Your arms.

In Jesus, we pray. Amen.

~ posted on My Redeemer Lives website. http://www.myredeemerlives.com/prayers.html

Call to Worship: James 3-4

Here’s a responsive call to worship inspired by James 3:13-4:8, one of the suggested scripture readings for Proper 20, Year B. It was posted on the Literature & Liturgy blog.

Responsive Call to Worship

(inspired by James 3:13- 4:8)

Who among you is seeking the wisdom of God?
We long to hear God’s Word spoken to our hearts.
Who among you is seeking God’s bright and holy truth?
We long to learn the ways of wisdom and righteousness.
Who among you is seeking a Spirit-filled life?
We long to live lives of holiness and light.
God grants God’s wisdom generously to all who ask.
Come near, people of God!

Let us worship in wisdom and truth. 

~ posted on Literature & Liturgy. https://jesusscribbles.wordpress.com/

Blessing: The wisdom of God

Here’s a benediction/blessing from the Literature & Liturgy blog.

Benediction

May the holy wisdom of God
Guard your ways and guide your paths
May the living truth of God
Enlighten your hearts and open your minds
And may the living Spirit of God
Give you life, and life to the full!
Amen! 

~ posted on Literature & Liturgy. https://jesusscribbles.wordpress.com/

Call to Worship: Psalm 19

Here is a responsive call to worship inspired by Psalm 19. It comes from Rev. Richard Fairchild’s  Kir-shalom website.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 19)

Incline your hearts to the wisdom of God;

seek integrity and understanding.

The testimonies of God are wonderful;

God's law gives light to all who hear it.

If you accept God's words and store up his commands within you,

if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,

If you look for it as for silver

and search for it as for hidden treasure,

Then you will find the knowledge of God,

for the Lord gives wisdom

and from his mouth comes truth and understanding. 

God holds victory in store for the upright

and is a shield to those whose walk is blameless.

~ posted on Rev. Richard Fairchild’s Kir-shalom website. http://www.rockies.net/  

Benediction: The Beauty of God's Creation

Here’s a benediction which celebrates the beauty all around us in God’s creation. It was written by Carlos Fernandez at Village Church in Beaverton, Oregon.

Benediction

Creator God—

as we return now to our homes, workplaces, and communities,

may Your Spirit open our eyes anew

to the vastness and splendor of Your beauty all around us.

May we hear, and smell, and see, and touch

Your glory evident in all of Your creation.

Above all, let us see Your beauty

even in the brokenness of our brothers and sisters—

all of them, created in Your image,

and waiting to experience that redemption that comes

only through Christ Jesus our Lord.

We go now to love and serve our Lord—Amen.

~ written by Carlos Fernandez, Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Village Church in Beaverton, Orgeon.

Prayer: Overturning Tables

Here’s a prayer by John van de Laar, inspired by the Temple-cleansing of Jesus in the gospels.

Overturning Tables

(inspired by John 2:13-22; Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-48)

Truth be told, Jesus,

There are lots of tables that need overturning

   in our lives;

Beneath the veneer of respectability

   the tidy rows and neat regulations

      hide dark addictions and angry judgements

         hungry greeds and heartless rejections

We know the pain—and so do those around us—

   of keeping up the facade;

What a relief it would be to have it all

   upset, smashed, scattered, destroyed

So, perhaps, Jesus, today you could pay us a visit

   and help us to radically rearrange

      the furniture of our lives

Amen.

~ written by John van de Laar, and posted on Sacredise.  

Opening Prayer: 1 Corinthians 1

Here’s an opening prayer inspired by 1 Corinthians 1: 18-25.  It comes from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship website.

Opening Prayer

(inspired by 1 Corinthians 1: 18-25)

 
Loving God,
we come to you in worship and thanksgiving.
You are greater than we can understand;
open our eyes that we may see the wonderful truths
you have shown to us in Jesus.
You are more loving than our hearts can respond to;
help us to give ourselves to you in worship
so that we learn what you want us to be.
You are wiser than we can know;
still our minds as we worship you
so that we can understand the things you are saying to us.
Loving God, in Jesus
you chose to come to the world in humility.
You chose the path the world saw as foolish.
You used what the world considered weak.
We worship and adore you. Amen. 

~ from The Worship Sourcebook 1.4.42.  Posted on the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship website. http://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/worship-service-a-foolish-message-1-corinthians-1/

Prayer & Call to Worship: The Gathering One

Here’s a combination opening prayer and call to worship for the 4^th Sunday after Epiphany, Year A…or for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25). It was posted on the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website.

Opening Prayer

and Call to Worship

“But we proclaim Christ crucified....”  1 Corinthians 1:23

O God, you are the gathering one 
who calls us into community 
with each other 
to love and work, 
to support and heal.

You are the gathering one 
who calls us into community 
with all people; 
to bring justice and hope, 
freedom and truth.

You are the gathering one 
who calls us into community 
with the whole creation; 
to live in harmony, 
to cherish and renew.

Let us worship the God 
who makes us one.

~ posted on the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/ 

Confession: Cleanser of Temples and Souls

Here is a prayer of confession inspired by John 2:13-22 (see also Matthew 21:12-17 and Mark 11:15-19), where Jesus cleanses the Temple. It was written by Ann Siddall and posted on the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre website. 

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by John 2:13-22)

Jesus, cleanser of temples and souls,

at this mid-point in the Lenten journey,

look deep within our hearts and our lives,

and clear away all that holds us back.

May our minds, spirits and bodies

be a Temple that is open to Your presence:

and may our words and our actions

be transparent to Your love and truth.

We pray that this church community,

will be purified in its life and mission,

so that all that we do in and from here

may reveal Your Gospel to others.

In a moment of silence we sit before You,

and name those things for which

we seek Your cleansing and healing,

so that we may be more faithful disciples.

Silence

Words of assurance

Friends of Jesus, we are made clean

by the words he has spoken to us.

There is room in our lives and in our community

for the Holy One to dwell. Thanks be to God. Amen. 

~ written by Ann Siddall, and posted on the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre website.  https://stillpointsa.org.au/

Prayers of the People: Psalm 19, Exodus 20

Here’s a prayer of intercession based on some of the scripture texts for Proper 22A: Exodus 20:1-20 (where God gives the Ten Commandments); Psalm 19 (a hymn of praise for the self-revelation of God in the created order and in the Law); Philippians 4:4-14 (where Paul writes about the joy of knowing and serving Christ).

Since two of those texts are also the texts for Lent 3 B, it would also be suitable for that day. 

Prayer of Intercession

Liberating God,

in love You have set us free:

    free from slavery to sin and self,

    free to know and love You,

    free to follow and serve You.

We praise You for Your faithful love toward us,

and for the many ways You have demonstrated that love to us.

We see Your love in the natural world around us—

   in the sky and trees and rivers.

We see Your love in the gift of Your commandments—

   the rules for living that guide us into right relationship with You,

   and with the people around us.

And we see Your love in Jesus Christ,

   who lived and died to bring us life.

Because we have experienced Your love,

we come before You with confidence,

bringing our needs and the needs of our world.

God, in your unfailing love, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who live surrounded by violence—

whether from war or political unrest, crime or domestic abuse.

We pray for those who have been victims of violent crime,

and for those whose loved ones have been injured or murdered.

God, in your unfailing love, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who find themselves involved in crime,

whether by choice or through coercion;

those caught up into gangs or prostitution,

those who have turned to crime to pay for their addictions,

those who are imprisoned.

God, in your unfailing love, hear our prayer.

We pray for our homes and families:

for parents juggling the responsibilities of work and family,

for husbands and wives whose marriages are breaking down,

for children chafing under parental authority or expectations,

for men and women caught up in adultery or adulterous thoughts.

God, in your unfailing love, hear our prayer.

We pray for the many people in our world who do not yet know You

and have not experienced the new life that comes from knowing Christ Jesus;

who continue to search for purpose and meaning.

God, in your unfailing love, hear our prayer.

Merciful God,

give us strength and courage to keep Your commandments,

    to live in faithful obedience to Your will.

Guard our hearts and minds from all that might distract us

    from living out our commitment to You.

Help us to find our true worth in knowing You more fully,

    and serving You more faithfully.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Cornerstone. Amen.

Opening Prayer: John 3

Here’s an opening prayer of praise inspired by the suggested scripture readings for the 4^th Sunday of Lent, Year B.  It was written by David Beswick, and posted on

Opening Prayer of Adoration

(inspired by John 3:14-21)

We praise you loving and eternal God

for your love of all people

expressed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We praise you for his commitment to justice,

his zeal for true worship of you

and his willingness to replace all other sacrifices

with the sacrifice of his own life.

In his name we offer you our worship. Amen.

~ written by David Beswick, and posted on http://www.beswick.info/rclresources/L3B97OS.htm

Prayer for Others: Psalm 19: 14

Here’s a prayer of intercession inspired by Psalm 19:14.  It was written by Terri C. Pilarski and posted on RevGalBlogPals.

Prayer for Others

(inspired by Psalm 19:14)

Creator God, we come before you

asking prayers for those who lead

nations

cities

churches

homes.

As you poured out your love in the Word

may we hear your word and follow;

may the words of our mouths

and the meditations of our hearts lead us

to you.

Holy One, we come before you -

a people broken into shards of lives

sick,

poor,

hungry

hidden by the limitations of our eyes.

Help us to see as You see

as you poured out your love in the Word.

May we hear your word and follow

may the words of our mouths and

the meditations of our hearts lead us

to you.

God of Mercy, we come before you –

seeking to live as you command, but often failing,

and thus we are torn by

cries of despair

anger

power

control

lost to foolishness and

stumbling blocks

despite your love in the Word

Help us to hear your word and follow

May the words of our mouths

and the meditations of our hearts lead us

to you.

Gentle God, we come before you

giving thanks for all our blessings

the gift of life

hope

faith

love

family

friends

all we care for this day.

Help us to be Your hands.

Incline Your heart, O gracious God, and teach us to love

O Christ, our rock and our Redeemer.

Amen.

~ written by Terri C. Pilarski, and posted on RevGalBlogPals.  http://revgalblogpals.org/2012/03/11/sunday-prayer-lent-3b/

Prayer for Lent 3, Year B

Holy One, Creator of the stars and seas,

your steadfast love is shown to every living thing:

your word calls forth countless worlds and souls;

your law revives and refreshes.

Forgive our misuse of your gifts,

that we may be transformed by your wisdom

to manifest for others

the mercy of our crucified and risen Lord. Amen.

~ from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.  Posted on Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

Litany of Confession: Exodus 20: 1-17

Here’s a litany of confession inspired by Exodus 20:1-17.  It was written by Amy Loving, and posted on the Worship Closet.

Confession

(inspired by Exodus 20:1-17)

God of all Good Gifts,

you call us to be generous people;

but instead, we covet what others have.

Forgive our selfish ways,

and teach us to give.

God of Perfection,

you call us to be honest in all we say and do;

but instead, we tell lies that hurt our neighbors.

Forgive our deceitful ways,

and teach us to speak the truth in love..

God of Benevolence, you call us to provide for those in need;

but instead, we swindle and steal.

Forgive our double-dealing ways,

and teach us to share.

God of the Covenant,

you call us to be faithful in our relationships with others;

but instead, we are disloyal.

Forgive our adulterous ways,

and teach us to honor our commitments.

God of Creation,

you call us to value the lives of others;

 but instead, we work to destroy those who are different

and annihilate those with whom we disagree.

Forgive our murderous ways,

and teach us to seek reconciliation and peace.

God of our Ancestors,

you call us to respect those who have gone before us;

but instead, we dismiss the wisdom of our elders.

Forgive our impertinent ways,

and teach us to be humble.

God of Time and Space,

you call us to recognize creation’s dependence on you;

but instead, we work without pausing to reflect or give thanks.

Forgive our ungrateful ways,

and teach us to both receive and provide times of holy rest.

God of the Sacred Name,

you call us to hold your name in reverence;

but instead, we vainly attach your name

to every personal, political, and religious agenda we promote.

Forgive our arrogant ways,

and teach us to submit to your authority.

God of Limitless Possibilities,

you call us to celebrate your Unbounded Spirit;

but instead, we try to define who you are

and make you to be something we can manage.

Forgive our small-mindedness and idol-making ways,

and teach us to imagine.

God of Deliverance and Might,

you call us to devote ourselves to you;

but instead, we abandon you for lesser gods.

Forgive our wandering ways,

and teach us to love and follow you alone.

 ~ written by Amy Loving, and posted on The Worship Closet: The Place for Creative Worship Ideas. http://worshipcloset.com/baptism-of-the-lord-sunday-year-b-words-for-worship/

Intergenerational Ten Commandments

Here’s a re-working of the ten commandments from Carolyn Brown’s Worshiping with Children website.

Intergenerational Ten Commandments

(Exodus 20: 1-20)

God is God – even at school!

God is more important than anything

      – even grades or friends

Always say God’s name respectfully

Don’t get too busy for church

Speak of your father and mother with love

Don’t hurt anyone

      watch where you sling your book bag and

      lookout for the younger kids

Be a loyal friend

Do not steal

      either other people’s stuff or the answers on their work

Don’t tell lies about other people

       either to get them in trouble or make yourself look good

Don’t get jealous of what others have or what they can do

~ written by Carolyn Brown, and posted on Worshiping with Children. http://www.worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.ca/2013/07/year-c-proper-13-18th-sunday-in.html

Prayer Poem: Psalm 19

Here’s a prayer poem inspired by Psalm 19.  It was written by Bill and Kristi Gaultiere, and posted on Soul Shepherding.

God’s Word to Me

(inspired by Psalm 19)

Jesus…
You are God’s Son shining in the heavens
I smile in your light

Jesus…
You are my Bridegroom coming for me
I hold you in my heart

Jesus…
You are my Champion rejoicing to run your course
I follow you

Jesus…
You are God’s Law restoring souls
I study and obey you

Jesus…
You are more precious than gold
I give up all for you

Jesus…
You are sweeter than honey
I delight in you

Jesus…
You are God’s Word to me
I love to speak your name

~ written by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere, inspired by Psalm 19.  Posted on Soul Shepherding. http://www.soulshepherding.org/