Faith in the Ordinary

It takes little faith to see the sacred in the extraordinary.

To have faith the sacred is in the ordinary, though,
takes courage to believe the mundane can be enough;
  that grace can emerge
    even through the dull,
    the slightly disappointing,
    the not quite right,
    not quite as we intended,
    not really what we hoped;
    the clumsy,
    the awkward,
    and the imperfect.

Let your act of faith be

to let what you do be enough.

Let what you do be enough…

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

Prayer: Children of Abram

Here’s a prayer of petition and intercession from John van de Laar at Sacredise.com.

Prayer

(inspired by events in Genesis 12-18)

Long before the change of name,

before the first signs of new life

showed the beginnings of promises fulfilled,

You asked Abram to make his home among foreigners,

and share the blessing that was to come.

And now, O God, you ask the same faith of us:

The faith to count ourselves among the least,

to find our place alongside the poor and broken;

The faith to trust in your mercy and your promises,

and to share what we have received;

The faith to wait expectantly for your reign of justice and equity,

together with those who most need its gifts.

Teach us to be children of Abram, sharers of the blessings we enjoy:

The blessing of plenty shared with those who have need,

The blessing of healing shared with those who are sick and wounded,

The blessing of joy shared with those who celebrate

and of tears shared with those who grieve,

The blessing of friendship shared with those who are excluded,

and of solidarity with those who fight injustice,

The blessing of peace shared with those in conflict,

and of confrontation shared with those who bring harm;

And in some small way, may our faith and our sharing,

help to bring your promises into being

in our world.

Amen.

~ written by John van de Laar and posted on Sacredise. http://sacredise.com/prayers/type/intercession/children-of-abram/

Prayer for the Offering

Here’s an offering prayer from Rev. Quentin Chin.

Prayer for Offering

We give in grateful thanksgiving for all that God has given us.

In the upside down world of the gospel,

we measure our wealth not by what we have,

but what we can give away.

Let us give away generously, in this offering,

To bless your church, your people, your creation.

~ written by Rev. Quentin Chin.  Posted on the United Church of Christ website. http://uccfiles.com/pdf/FeedmySheepEaster3April14.pdf

Offering Prayer: Isaiah 1: 10-18

Here’s a prayer of dedication inspired by Isaiah 1: 10-18.  It comes from the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren website.

Prayer for the Offering

(inspired by Isaiah 1: 10-18)

Hearing the witness of your prophet Isaiah, O Lord,

help us “cease to do evil,” but rather “learn to do good.”

Lead us to “seek justice, rescue the oppressed,

defend the orphan, plead for the widow.”

Teach us the wise use of the resources you provide,

both personally and as a congregation.

We dedicate these offerings to your glory

and our neighbor’s good.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

~ posted on the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren website. http://rockhay.tripod.com/worship/orders/2010/

Readers' Theatre: Isaiah 1: 10-18

Here is a simple two-voice setting of Isaiah 1: 10-18. 

Responsive Litany

(Isaiah 1: 10-18)

Listen to the Lord, you leaders of “Sodom.”

Listen to the law of our God, people of “Gomorrah.”

“What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?” says the Lord.
“I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle.

I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.

When you come to worship me,
who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony?

Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts;
the incense of your offerings disgusts me!

As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath

and your special days for fasting—
they are all sinful and false.
I want no more of your pious meetings.
I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals.
They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them!

When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look.
Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen,
for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims.

Wash yourselves and be clean!
Get your sins out of my sight.

Give up your evil ways.
Learn to do good.

Seek justice.

Help the oppressed.

Defend the cause of orphans.

Fight for the rights of widows.

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow.

Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

Prayer of Confession: Selfishness

Here’s a prayer of confession from John Birch’s Faith and Worship website.

Prayer of Confession

You have given us
a world of beauty,
and we have spoilt it.
A world to feed us,
and so many go hungry.
A world of riches,
and we are unwilling to share.
A world to care for,
and we think only of ourselves.
Forgive us, gracious God,
every time your heart is saddened
by our selfishness,
every time we have no thought
for others, no cares but ours.
Enable us to see this world
as a gift from you
that can be shared,
and those who live on it
as our neighbours.
We ask this that your name
may be glorified,
through the beauty of this world,
and the service of our lives.
Amen

~ written by John Birch, and posted on Faith and Worship. http://www.faithandworship.com/

Call to Worship: Hebrews 11-12

Here’s a call to worship inspired by Hebrews 11-12.  It comes from the Purity Presbyterian Church in South Carolina.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Hebrews 11-12)

God has called us like Moses in the wilderness,

the prophets in the hills, and the disciples in the cities.

They shared their blessings so that we might know God’s presence here.

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely.

Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,

looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

~ posted on the website of the Purity Presbyterian Church. http://puritypc.com/

Prayers of the People: Luke 12: 32

Here’s a prayer of intercession inspired by Luke 12: 32. It was written by Rev. Anne Patton

Prayer of Intercession

(inspired by Luke 12: 32)

“So don’t be afraid, little flock.

For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.” Luke 12:32

Lord Jesus Christ, you tell us not to be afraid of what the future holds, not to worry about tomorrow, but you know how difficult we find it to heed your words. For we worry about so many things, our families, our friends, our circumstances, some worries big worries, most worries tiny niggles. We come before you this day with these big and tiny worries, and with confidence we know we can lay them all at your feet.

We bring our big worries about health and happiness and security for ourselves and for our loved ones. We bring big worries about the world we live in and its future existence as we continue to fail to address so many ecological problems. We bring big worries about the way people in our world are treated as less than human, exploited, tortured, helpless and abused.

Father God, we know that you are concerned with every aspect of our lives, so we also bring the little things that concern us, the worries which keep us awake at night, the worries which only you know.

Living God, reach out to all those for whom the future brings fears and uncertainties. Assure then that you are with them, even when that future seems dark and circumstances feel like they are spiraling out of control. Remind them that you are able to transform even the bleakest of situations, bring healing and wholeness.

Lord we make our prayers in faith, for we know that your Spirit is at work in our world making all things new.  Amen

~ written by Rev. Anne Patton, and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website.

http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/

Benediction: Proper 14 C

Here’s a closing commission and benediction inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Proper 14C, especially Luke 12:32-40 and Isaiah 1:10-20.  It was written by Nathan Nettleton.

Commission & Benediction

Go now like those prepared for the Lord to return.
Cease to do evil, learn to do good;
seek justice, rescue the oppressed.
Give freely to those in need
and let your treasure be in the things of heaven

And may God not be ashamed to be called your God;
May Christ Jesus find you attentive and well prepared;
And may the Holy Spirit give you the assurance
...of all that has been promised to you.

We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
In the name of Christ. Amen.

~ Copyright ©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Opening Prayers: Hebrews 11

Here is an opening prayer inspired by Hebrews 11.  It was written by Katherine Hawker.

Opening Prayer

(inspired by Hebrews 11)

Now faith is

the assurance of things hoped for,

the conviction of things not seen.

We come convinced of many things

but trusting very few.

Holy God of limitless surprises,

meet us here

in this place

as we touch that which we cannot see

that which we have not dared to hope.

~ written by Katherine Hawker. Posted on Liturgies Outside. http://liturgyoutside.net/

Calls to Worship: Isaiah 1: 10-20

Here’s a call to worship inspired by Isaiah 1: 10-20 (The Message). It comes from the Spacious Faith website.

Call to Worship

(from Isaiah 1: 10-20)

God says, “Quit your worship charades.

I can’t stand your trivial religious games.
When you put on your next prayer-performance,

I’ll be looking the other way.”
Are we here as a charade?
Are we playing a game?
Are our prayers just a way to show off how spiritual we are?
Why are we here?
Not to show that we are wonderful people,
but to become better people.
To strengthen our spirits as we seek to live out God’s call:
Say no to wrong.
Learn to do good.
Work for justice.
Help the down-and-out.
Stand up for the homeless.
Go to bat for the defenseless.
May this time of worship bear fruit for the Kingdom of God. Amen.

~ based on the Message version of Isaiah 1:10-20.  Posted on Joanna Harader’s Spacious Faith website.  http://spaciousfaith.com/2012/01/18/wednesday-worship-piece-isaiah/

Prayers of the People: Isaiah 1

Here’s a prayer of intercession inspired by Isaiah 1: 1, 10-20. It was written by Keith Howard.

Prayer for Others

(inspired by Isaiah 1:1, 10-20)

 Our God, we give you thanks.

Thank you for not giving up on us.

We know we are prone to bad habits,

to preoccupation with ourselves, with what we want,

with that with which we feel comfortable,

with fulfilling the obligations that give us affirmation.

Thank you for hanging in there with us

even when we become lost in all the junk of our lives.

Thank you for the possibility of conversations –

with friends, lovers, spouses,

those who come into our lives as your angels in disguise.

So much of our life becomes routine and automated

and we are drawn to live into what next needs to be done,

we ask for your help to be courageous in our listening and talking,

to be still in order to hear, to let down the shields.

And this we also ask for our conversations with you.

We know there are times you draw near and want to talk and we divert.

We know there are times when you desperately want to lead us

into green pastures; beside still waters;

to restore our soul, to lead us in right paths ...

Help us listen and give us courage.

Thank you for your persistence, for your love,

for the many voices, the many ways in which you try and get through to us.

Do not give up on us even when we have given up on ourselves

through despair or self-satisfaction.

Our God, you draw us back to the fundamentals –

cease to do evil, learn to do good;

seek justice, rescue the oppressed,

defend the orphan, plead for the widow.

Are we not too old, too tired, too entitled

to rest here in the beauty of this sanctuary,

to enjoy this solemn assembly at least for a little while?

And yet, we are your people,

formed with these concerns now in our bones;

so we lift our hearts and our prayers to you for all those who suffer –

oppression, injustice, neglect, poverty,

a sense of being alone against massive powers which ignore or destroy.

We open our hearts and our eyes

and ask you to continue to move against all these forces

even if it requires us to move from our comfort.

Rally the heavenly hosts and the angels

who protect and fight for those who have no one else ...

and we shall try not to be too far behind.

For we will be your people even in spite of ourselves.

We join our voices with those early ones, the lepers, the sick,

the outcast who pleaded with Jesus outside of Jerusalem,

for the sake of the world and their own sakes, to teach them a prayer.

(the Lord’s Prayer)

Amen.

Call to Worship: Psalm 33

Here’s another call to worship based on verses from Psalm 33.

Call to Worship

(Psalm 33: 18, 20-22)

The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,

on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.

We wait in hope for the Lord;

he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,

for we put our trust in you.

Call to Worship: Psalm 50

Here’s a call to worship inspired by Psalm 50.  It was written by James E. Janacek.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 50)

Come, listen to the One

who speaks and summons the earth,

from the rising of the sun to its setting.

Come, see the One

who shines forth in the perfection of beauty.

Come, bring thanksgiving, the sacrifice that honors the One

who shows the salvation of God.

~ written by James E. Janecek, and posted on the Worship Ways website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/

Confession: Isaiah 1

Here’s a prayer of confession from The Presbyterian Church in Canada website.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Isaiah 1)

God of truth,

we know we fall far short of your expectations for us –

sometimes we fail even our own self-expectations. 

We wander away from you in our daily routines;

we ignore your commands

and in apathy turn our backs on those who are suffering. 

Forgive our short-sighted vision,

our constant focus on ourselves,

and our discounting of future generations in our decision-making. 

Help us to deepen our connections with you

through prayer, praise and scripture,

and with others through affirming, supportive relationships. 

We pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,

the source of all grace, Amen.

~ posted on The Presbyterian Church in Canada website. http://presbyterian.ca/worship/

Prayer: Hebrews 11

Here’s a prayer of petition inspired by Hebrews 11.  It was written by Michael Perry.

Praying for Faith

(inspired by Hebrews 11)

Living God,
give us faith to be sure of what we hope for,
and certain of what we do not see;
to believe that you are,
and that you reward those who truly seek you:
that may we please you
and receive what you have promised;
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~ written by Michael Perry, and posted on The Jubilate Group website. http://www.jubilate.co.uk/

Psalm Paraphrase: Psalm 50: 1-8

Here’s a paraphrase of Psalm 50: 1-8, written by Bruce Prewer.

Psalm Paraphrase

(Psalm 50: 1-8)

The Voice which speaks and confronts the whole world

is that of the Holy One, the God of gods.

From the time the sun rises until after it sets,

the dazzling beauty of God shines out.

When God comes, it is not always in silence;

it may be like a consuming fire or fierce storm.

God’s call is heard among the distant stars,

and on earth we are summoned to give account.

God gathers together the true believers,

those who keep faith at much cost.

The whole universe shall announce justice,

for God who has the final word says:

“I will speak against you, my people.

I your God will be a prosecution witness.

It is not what you do at church that’s wrong,

your worship is a good attempt.

It is what you do outside that upsets me,

how you exploit the land and its creatures.

For every animal in the bush is mine,

and the cattle on a thousand hills.

I know every bird in the mountains

and everything that moves on the plains.

Get this, you who would limit me to pious thoughts:

I could put you through the shredder!

Let all you do each day be a thanksgiving;

get things right and you will see my salvation!”

~ Copyright ©  B.D. Prewer 2000 & 2012. Posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home Page. http://www.bruceprewer.com/