Confession: Serving Two Masters

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by the teachings of Jesus.  It was written by Chip Hardwick.

Prayer of Confession

Lord Jesus Christ,

We call you Lord,

Yet it is too easy for us to worship other things.

Other activities, other relationships, other gods.

You tell us we cannot serve two masters,

Yet we spend more time focusing our energies elsewhere,

Diverting our time, our energy, our money, our attention away from you.

Forgive us, gracious Savior,

When our hearts are led astray

When we serve other gods and worship them.

We turn away from our distractions and sin.

Strengthen us to set our faces toward Jerusalem,

To take up our cross and follow you.

We pray this, counting on your grace.  Amen.

~ written by Chip Hardwick, on Thinking, Praying, Living. http://www.pcusa.org/blogs/faith/2012/3/30/prayer-confession-march-madness/

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/

Opening Prayer: James 3-4

Here’s an opening prayer of invocation inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Proper 20, Year B – especially James 3:13-4:8. It comes from the Literature and Liturgy blog.

Opening Prayer

(inspired by James 3-4)

God of holy wisdom,

we are seekers on the way to a deeper wisdom and a wider vision.

Our lives are full of information and opinions,

but in the midst of it all we long to hear the voice of wisdom –

Your wisdom, God –

cutting through the noise and teaching us how to live.

God, we have come here this morning

to learn wisdom from your Word,

from your Holy Spirit,

and from one another.

We have come so that wisdom may call us out of the darkness

and into the light.

We have come to have the deeper, richer, wisdom-filled life

that you have promised to each of us.

O God,

make us ready to hear the Words spoken to our hearts this morning.

Call us to hear your wisdom

and grant us the courage to respond.

Together we pray as you taught your disciples to pray… 

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

Blessing: Psalm 1

Here’s a simple blessing from Psalm 1.

Blessing

(Psalm 1:1-3, New Living Translation)

Oh, the joys of those

who do not follow the advice of the wicked,

or stand around with sinners,

or join in with scoffers.

But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants;

day and night they think about his law.

They are like trees planted along the riverbank,

bearing fruit each season without fail.

Their leaves never wither,

and in all they do, they prosper.

Call to Worship: Proper 20 B

Here’s a contemporary call to worship for the 17^th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 20 B).  It was written by Thom Shuman.

 

Contemporary Call to Worship
(inspired by Psalm 1, Mark 9:33-37)

 

Our world offers many wide avenues

and beautiful boulevards to walk;
Our God invites us to walk the road of service and sacrifice.
Our society suggests we put down our roots

in the shallow soil of pleasure and greed. 
Our God seeks to plant us on the banks of hope,

watered by the rivers of joy and grace.
Our culture promotes achievement, success,

climbing to the top, ringing the bell.
Our God tells us if we want to be first

we need to go to the end of the line.

 

~ written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies.  Visit that site for many other excellent worship resources.  http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/

Call to Worship: Proper 20 B

Here’s a contemporary call to worship based on the suggested scripture readings for Proper 20 B (Ordinary 25 B).  It was written by Bruce Prewer.

Call to Worship

(inspired by James 3, Mark 9:33-37)

We come here today not because we are clever

but because God welcomes the slow learners.

We come here not because we are wise,

but because God loves us in spite of our folly.

We come knowing that the greatest persons will be found

among those who humbly serve like Jesus did,

and that the brightest ideas and the deepest truth will come

from those who see themselves as little children in Christ’s school.

O Lord, open up our mind and our hearts

and enable our lives to declare your praise.

 

~ written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home Page. http://www.bruceprewer.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/

Prayers of the People: James

Here’s a prayer of intercession based on the book of James.  It was written by Rick Morley, and posted on his A Garden Path blog. 

He writes: The following version of the prayers of the people is inspired by the Epistle of James, and might be used when a reading from the letter is preached on or highlighted in the service in some other way.

Prayer of Intercession

(inspired by the book of James)

Father of Lights, from whom comes every perfect gift,

hear our prayers which we offer fervently to you,

and in the name of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.

We pray for the church,

that we might show forth our faith in action,

regard all with impartiality,

and be quick to listen and slow to anger.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for our nation,

that whenever trials may befall us,

that God may grant us endurance and wisdom.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for the world,

that the lowly may be raised up,

and that mercy may fall on us all.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for the sick, the injured, the vulnerable,

and those undergoing all forms of adversity,

that they might all be raised up; especially ______.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for those celebrating this week, especially ____.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for those who have died (especially ____),

that they would draw near to God, and that God would draw near to them.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Gracious God,

let our prayers be offered to you

with the gentleness that is born from your wisdom from above,

that is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, and full of mercy. Amen.

 

~ written by Rick Morley, and posted on his A Garden Path blog. http://www.rickmorley.com/archives/1895

Prayer: Psalm 1

Here’s a prayer of confession and commitment from Jeff’s Blog. It was inspired by Psalm 1.

Prayer

(inspired by Psalm 1)

Holy God,

we come before your throne and admit

that most of the time we are too busy singing and praying

and feeling good and feeling bad

and feeling so-so

to stop and listen for your tiny, little whispers. 

In your word you paint for us a picture of full and abundant life,

life that can only be had by drinking your living water,

knowing you not as a title, but intimately, a mystery….

We pray that our lives would be planted near you –

that we would send our roots deep into your word and your life,

that we would draw nourishment from you,

and that with the life you give we would in turn

provide shelter and comfort and blessing

to whoever comes under our branches.

We pray that we would not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stand in the way of sinners,

nor abide in the house of the scornful,

but that our delight would be in you,

in your truth, in your grace, now and forevermore.

~ posted on Jeff’s Blog. https://blog.wisch.org/category/benedictions-and-prayers/

Call to Worship, Opening Prayer: Psalm 1

Here’s a call to worship/opening prayer inspired by Psalm 1.  It comes from the Oratio Contemplativa website.

Opening Prayer / Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 1)

King of all the earth,

Creator of the universe,

Holy Triune God,

From everlasting to everlasting, you are Lord.

Your law brings life, O Lord, and we meditate on it day and night;

Happy are we when we walk in your ways, O Lord.

You are a rich stream of living waters, and we would immerse ourselves in you;

Happy are we when we walk in your ways, O Lord.

You bring forth fruit in due season and establish the work of our hands;

Happy are we when we walk in your ways, O Lord.

Who is like our God, the One whose ways are full of life?

Happy are we when we walk in your ways, O Lord.

This is our God, the Holy One.  

Come before him with thanksgiving

and offer him the sacrifice of praise.

~ excerpted from a longer prayer posted on Oratio Contemplativa. http://oratiocontemplativa.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/prayers-for-proper-18-year-c-rcl-closest-to-september-7/

Call to Worship: Psalm 1

Here’s a short call to worship inspired by Psalm 1.  It was written by Amy Loving.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 1)

Come, let us delight in the law of the Lord.

Our joy is found in the love of God and neighbor.

Come, let us be nourished by the Living Water.

Together, we will worship the One who enables us to thrive.

~ written by Amy Loving, and posted on The Worship Closet website. http://worshipcloset.com/

Call to Worship: First and Last

Here’s a contemporary call to worship written by Katherine Hawker.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Matthew 20:16, Mark 9:30-37)

The first shall be last.

We come to worship as we are.

The last shall be first.

We come with confidence.

The first shall be last.

We come with questions.

The last shall be first.

We come burdened by failure.

The first shall be last.

We come celebrating success.

The last shall be first.

We come fearful of the future.

The first shall be last

and the last shall be first

and a little child shall lead them.

~ written by Katherine Hawker, and posted on the Liturgy Outside website. http://liturgyoutside.net/

Readers' Theatre: Mark 9: 30-37

Here’s a readers’ theatre setting of Mark 9:30-37, the gospel reading for Proper 20 B (the 17^th Sunday after Pentecost).  It is set for two readers.

Readers’ Theatre: Mark 9:30-37

Leaving that region, they traveled through Galilee.

Jesus didn’t want anyone to know he was there,

for he wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them.

He said to them,

The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies.

He will be killed,

but three days later he will rise from the dead.

They didn’t understand what he was saying, however,

and they were afraid to ask him what he meant.

After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house,

Jesus asked his disciples,

What were you discussing out on the road?

But they didn’t answer,

because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.

He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said,

Whoever wants to be first must take last place

and be the servant of everyone else.

Then he put a little child among them.

Taking the child in his arms, he said to them,

Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf

welcomes me,

and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me

but also my Father who sent me.

Call to Worship: Mark 9: 33-37

Here’s a contemporary call to worship litany based on Mark 9:33-37.  It was written by Katherine Hawker.

Contemporary Call to Worship Litany

(inspired by Mark 9:33-37)

The first shall be last.

We come to worship as we are.

The last shall be first.

We come with confidence.

The first shall be last.

We come with questions.

The last shall be first.

We come burdened by failure.

The first shall be last.

We come celebrating success.

The last shall be first.

We come fearful of the future.

The first shall be last

and the last shall be first

and a little child shall lead them.

 

~ written by Katherine Hawker, and posted on Liturgy Outside.  http://liturgyoutside.net/

Prayer for Others: Open Us

Here’s a prayer of intercession written by Jenny Adams on the Starters for Sunday website.

 

Prayers of the People

 

Servant God,

be with those who are not seen and heard in the world,

because of their gender or age; their caste or race;

their sexuality or lifestyle; their poverty or history.

Open our ears and eyes, to hear and see all people as yours.

 

God of little children,

be with all children, wherever they live,

whoever their parents are, whatever their needs,

that they would all be welcomed and nourished,

enabled to be all you want them to be.

Open our hearts and arms, to welcome all your children.

 

God of love,

be with all who live with fear,

fear of saying the wrong thing, fear of being labelled,

fear of themselves or others, fear of you.

Open us all to your endless love, that it might drive out fear.

 

Teacher God,

be with us all, as we struggle to make sense of your world and your word,

as your church, in our communities, as your disciples.

Open our minds and hearts, to learn from you.

 

God of all,

Father, Son and Spirit,

hear our prayers, spoken and unspoken,

offered from the darkness and hope of our hearts,

Amen

 

~ written by Jenny Adams and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/

Confession: James 3

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by James 3.  It comes from the Ministry Matters website.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by James 3)

O God,
we live our lives as best we can—
dealing with difficult relationships and situations,
putting failures and disappointments behind us,
and moving into each new day
with as much energy, goodwill,
and optimism as we can muster.
But here, right now,
we seldom have the right answers,
we seldom seek your higher wisdom in our lives,
we just move ahead.
Forgive us for not asking for your insight.
Fill us with your wisdom,
that we may live lives
of goodness and peace. Amen.

Words of Assurance

(inspired by James 3)

When we come before God in humility and honesty,
God draws near to us with forgiveness
and renewed blessing.
Thanks be to God!

 

~ Adapted from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2009, © 2008 Abingdon Press.  Posted on the Ministry Matters website. http://www.ministrymatters.com/

Benediction: James 3 - 4

Here’s a closing commission and benediction based on James 3: 13 - 4: 3.  It was written by Nathan Nettleton.

 

Commission & Benediction

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

Go out, clothed in strength and dignity.
Submit yourselves to God and resist the devil.
Delight in the Lord’s teaching,
open your hands to the poor,
and let your actions arise from the wisdom of God.

And may God draw near to you and strengthen you;
May Christ Jesus teach you the ways of simplicity;
and may the Holy Spirit fill you with wisdom
    and make your fruitful in peace and righteousness.

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

 

~ Copyright © 2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Reflection: James 3 - 4

Here’s a reflection on James 3:16 – 4:3, the suggested epistle reading for Proper 20 B.  It was written by Anne Osdieck.

 

Reflection on James 3:16-4:3

 

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace

for those who cultivate peace.

The Lord’s directions
for growing a Peace Garden: 

 

·                     Sow some seeds
                (hardy ones like mercy and forgiveness)

 

·                     Feed them with love.

 

·                     Sprinkle them with truth.

 

·                     Weed them every day.

 

·                     Give them room to grow.

 

·                     Wait.

 

·                     Share the goodness
                  with everyone you know.

 

~ written by Anne Osdieck, and posted on The Center for Liturgy Sunday Web Site. http://liturgy.slu.edu/

Readers' Theatre: James 3 - 4

Here’s a readers’ theatre setting of James 3:13 – 4:4, 7-8a, the epistle reading for Proper 20 B (Ordinary 25 B) – the gospel reading for the seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost.  It is set for two readers.

Readers’ Theatre: James 3:13 – 4:3, 7-8a

One:     If you are wise and understand God’s ways,

            prove it by living an honorable life,

            doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.

Two:     But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart,

            don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying.

            For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom.

One:     Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.

            For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition,

            there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

Two:     But the wisdom from above is first of all pure.

            It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.

            It is full of mercy and good deeds.

            It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

One:     And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace

            and reap a harvest of righteousness.

Two:     What is causing the quarrels and fights among you?

            Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?

           

One;     You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it.

Two:     You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it,

            so you fight and wage war to take it away from them.

One:     Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.

Two:     And even when you ask, 

            you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—

            you want only what will give you pleasure.

One:     So humble yourselves before God.

            Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

            Come close to God, and God will come close to you.

Prayer of Commitment: Mark 9: 33-37

Here’s a prayer of commitment inspired by Mark 9:33-37. 

 

Prayer of Commitment

(inspired by Mark 9:33-37)

 

God of unsearchable mystery and light,
your weakness is greater than our strength,
your foolishness brings all our cleverness to naught,
your gentleness confounds the power we would claim.
You call first to be last and last to be first,
servant to be leader and ruler to be underling of all.
Pour into our hearts the wisdom of your Word and Spirit,
that we may know your purpose and live to your glory. 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/