re:Worship: Proper 25 B

Showing posts with label Proper 25 B. Show all posts

Here’s a responsive call to worship from Stephen Fearing’s Wild and Precious Life blog.

Call to Worship

Take heart! For we are gathered in the Father’s presence

to proclaim the wonders of the Lord.

Get up! For we are beckoned by the Risen Son

to respond to grace undeserved.

God is calling us! For we are united by the Spirit

to follow Jesus on the way.

Come, let us worship God,

as we pray together saying….

~ written by Stephen Fearing and posted on Wild and Precious Life. https://stephenmfearing.wordpress.com

Call to Worship: Jeremiah 31: 7-9

Here’s an opening call to worship litany inspired by Jeremiah 31:7-9.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Jeremiah 31:7-9)

Praise God!

For God is gathering His people together.

From near and far we come together—

the wounded and the whole, the weak and the strong—

seeking God’s presence,

God’s forgiveness,

and God’s direction for our lives.

~ Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

Call to Worship: Psalm 34: 1-3

Here’s a call to worship inspired by Psalm 34:1-3.

Call to Worship

(based on Psalm 34:1-3)

I will praise God in every moment,

and through every situation.

Through my words and action,

my life will pay tribute to Him.

Whenever the poor and humble hear of His greatness,

they will celebrate, too!

Come and lift up God’s name with me;

let’s praise His name together!

~ Christine Longhurst. re:Worship blog. Inspired by Psalm 34:1-3 (The Voice translation)

Prayer: Open Our Eyes!

A prayer of invocation, confession and commitment inspired by Mark 10:51. It comes from the Baptist Union of Great Britain website.

Prayer of Invocation: Open Our Eyes!

(inspired by Mark 10:51)

“’Teacher,’ the blind man said, ‘I want to see!” Mark 10:51

Lord God, our Provider.

We worship you as the one who meets our needs,

who grants our daily bread,

who restores our humanity.

We worship you as the God who knows human need from experience,

who knows want, and thirst and humiliation.

And we worship you as your people,

in a world where wealth is mixed with poverty;

where we have all we need, but don’t know how to share.

Where want, and hunger and thirst and humiliation are hidden

from those with the power to offer challenge and bring change.

So, open our eyes.

Not only that we learn sad facts about the world.

But open the eyes of our heart,

that we may feel our place in this world, as your people.

Where there is need,

teach us to learn where our wealth lies, and help us to give.

Where there is injustice,

teach us to learn the causes, and help us to fight.

Where there is brokenness,

teach us to learn of our own brokenness, and help us to bring wholeness.

Help us to look to you,

that we neither remain ignorant of the world,

nor lose ourselves in despair at its brokenness.

Show us how to worship you,

the crucified God,

the risen God,

the God who provides.

Help us to carry our cross,

to accept your gift of new life,

to bring that gift to others.

~ from the Baptist Union of Great Britain website. http://www.baptist.org.uk/

Here’s a prayer of intercession inspired by the scripture readings for Proper 25, Year B. It was written by Jonathan Fleming, Minister of Cumbrae w Largs St. John’s, and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Weekly Worship website.

Prayer of Intercession

(inspired by Job 42: 1-17)

It was a despairing Job who prayed for his friends.

It was Job who had lost everything

who asked God’s blessing on others.

It was Job who found restoration

in his concern for others.

Lord God, we despair at the state of our world

and the actions of many within it.

And so we have nothing to lose

in offering our prayers for friend and stranger,

those known and unknown to us.

We pray believing that You will rekindle hope

where it has been lost

and living where there is mere life.

Among families and friends where there is strife and conflict,

bring reconciliation.

Between countries and faiths who speak through bombs and bullets,

send peace.

To the refugee, forced from home and unsure of the future,

give comfort.

For the abused and the destitute,

create a place of safety.

And as we pray for our friends, Lord,

reconcile us to You and to one another;

help us to share the riches of Your grace

with those around us

that our days, and theirs

may be full of love and light. Amen.

~ Jonathan Fleming, Minister of Cumbrae w Largs St. John’s and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Weekly Worship website. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/

Prayer of Confession: Let Us See Again

Here’s a unison prayer of confession inspired by Mark 10:46-52. It was written by Stephen Fearing and posted on Wild and Precious Life.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Mark 10:46-52)

Merciful God,

our thoughts and deeds too often

do not reflect the grace you show us.

Our speech and actions too often

do not proclaim your salvation.

Forgive us, Lord, for the sins that we bear

both as individuals and as your Church.

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us.

Our teacher, let us see again!

Give us the courage to take heart in your grace.

Give us the strength to get up.

Give us the wisdom to hear your calling.

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us.

~ written by Stephen Fearing and posted on Wild and Precious Life. https://stephenmfearing.wordpress.com

Here’s an opening prayer (or prayer of response) based on Mark 10:46-52. It was written by Rev. Dr. Safiyah Fosua.

Prayer: Have Mercy Upon Us

(based on Mark 10:46-52)

Jesus Christ, Son of David, have mercy upon us!

So many days, we are like the blind beggar in Mark's gospel,

sitting on the side of the road hoping to hear the sounds of your coming.

We are like the Canaanite woman begging for the crumbs that fall from your table.

We are like the woman who was sick for so many years

who reached out to touch the hem of your garment.

Jesus Christ, Son of David, have mercy upon us!

Have mercy upon us when we cannot see how we will make it,

Have mercy upon us when we are sick and cannot get well,

Have mercy upon us when life hardens our hearts

and makes it difficult for us to love, to heal or to forgive,

Have mercy upon us when persecution comes and when we are misunderstood.

Jesus Christ, Son of David,

we come this morning asking for strength to get to the other side,

and grace to represent you well.

We come, confident that your promise to be with us always is true,

confident that you are greater than the trials we face,

confident that we are secure in the palm of your hands.

We come to you today,

like blind Bartimaeus who sat on the side of the road to Jericho,

knowing that you love us and have not forgotten our needs.

Jesus Christ, Son of David, have mercy upon us,
And grant us your peace. Amen.

~ written by Rev. Dr. Safiyah Fosua, from 21st Century Worship Resources for
the Twenty-First Sunday Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, Copyright 2009 General Board of Discipleship. All Rights Reserved. Posted on the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren website. http://rockhay.tripod.com/

Call to Worship for Laughter Sunday

Here’s a call to worship for Holy Humor / Laughter Sunday inspired by Psalm 126. It comes from the Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church in Wichita, Kansas website.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 126)

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,

we were like those who dream.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter,

and our tongue with shouts of joy.

When the Lord raised Jesus from the dead,

we were like those who dream.

Now our mouths are filled with laughter,

and our tongues with shouts of joy.

The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoice.

May all those who have sowed in tears

reap with shouts of happy hilarity.

Hip hip hooray!

~ posted on the website of the Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church, Wichita, Kansas. http://www.lorraineavenue.ks.us.mennonite.net/

Here’s a call to worship based on Psalm 126. It comes from the Starters for Sunday website.

Call to Worship

(based on Psalm 126)

Let us begin this day by rejoicing!

The Lord has done such wonderful things for us.

Let us be glad!

The day before us is uncertain.

We know not what we will encounter on our way.

Wherever we go, we go forth as people of the living God,

And we go forth to touch the lives of all with his healing touch.

Let us begin this day with rejoicing!

and return to our homes with gladness!

~ posted on the Starters for Sunday website of the Church of Scotland. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/

Here’s an opening prayer of invocation inspired by Psalm 126. It comes from the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways archive.

Prayer of Invocation

(inspired by Psalm 126)

Come to this sanctuary, this house, this home, Holy Christ,

And let us receive you with lavish welcome.

You are the Restorer of our fortunes,

The Promise of new life –

We pour out our praise to you.

Fill this room with your Spirit:

The sound of wind, the warmth of flame, the scent of perfume

And fill our hearts with your compassion,

Not just in this time and place,

But in all times and in all places,

So that as we celebrate the great things you have done for us,

We may also embody the love you give to all. Amen.

~ posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways Archive. http://www.ucc.org/

Opening Prayer: Glad in the House of the Lord

Here’s an opening prayer from Literature and Liturgy.

Opening Prayer

(inspired by Luke 6:38; Psalm 126:2; Psalm 122:1)

Creator God,
This is the day that You have made!
This is the day you have called Holy:
Sabbath day, a rest day, a time-out,
out of the world and into the presence of God: a day for rejoicing.

Make us glad this morning in the House of the Lord.
Remove from us our distractions, our heart-worries,
our to-dos and should-haves and all the constant stress & strain.
And in its place, O God, give us more of You.
Here in your House, our hearts are filled with peace
our mouths with laughter,
our tongues with shouts of joy.

Fill us to brimming and overflowing with the joy of the Lord:
A good measure of God, pressed down,
shaken together and running over.
We are glad, yes, we are glad indeed,
to be together in the House of the Lord!

~ posted on Literature & Liturgy. http://jesusscribbles.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/an-opening-prayer/

Call to Worship: Psalm 126

Here’s a call to worship litany from Joanna Harader’s Spacious Faith blog.

Call to Worship

(based on Psalm 126)

Though we could be resentful,
we come to give thanks.
Though we could be complaining,
we come to offer appreciation.
Though we could be upset about what we lack,
we come in gratitude for what we have.
We enter now into this time of worship
carrying seed to sow, singing songs of joy,
rejoicing together.

~ written by Joanna Harader, and posted on the Spacious Faith blog. http://spaciousfaith.com/

Prayer: Lord, I Am Blind

Here’s a prayer about blindness from Neill Thew. It came to mind when working through Mark 10:46-52, the account of where Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus.

Prayer: Lord, I am blind

Lord, I am blind –

for I am afraid.

Lord, I am blind –

for I do not want to see.

You promise to heal the blind –

and that terrifies me.

I have seen the light –

and I want to close my eyes.

I ask you to shake me,

but I fear being broken.

I ask you to bless me,

but I fear being made whole.

~ Neill Thew in Bread of Tomorrow, edited by Janet Morley, SPCK, 1995. http://www.amazon.com/Bread-Tomorrow-Prayers-Church-Year/dp/0883448319

Gospel Reflection: Mark 10: 46-52

Here’s a reflection on Mark 10:46-52, the healing of blind Bartimaeus by Jesus. It was written by William Loader.

Bartimaeus, but where is Jesus?

Bartimaeus, the blind man of Jericho.
Why did he cry out?
Why interrupt the journey?

There is too much to do, too far to go.
Jesus is someone special on a mission,
a mission to the holy city.
God is waiting for him.
There will be triumph and glory.
They will hail him king, Son of David!

There is no time to stop.
In a moment we will pass him by;
he will be gone like a fleeting image
and we will move on,
gathering branches for the celebration.
Let him fade from memory;
leave him by the side of the road.
let the Samaritans help him.

Jesus was ahead of us,
Not to be seen.
I rushed on looking among the pilgrims.
Where was he? Not to be found in Bethany,
had he already found that secret room?

Then suddenly I saw this Bartimaeus
coming up behind us and Jesus with him.
Jesus must have lost his way.

~ written by William Loader. Posted on Bill Loader’s Home Page. http://wwwstaff.murdoch.edu.au/~loader/

Readers' Theatre: Mark 10:46-52

Here’s a readers’ theatre setting of Mark 10:46-52, where Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus. It is taken from The Voice™. http://www.hearthevoice.com/ translation, and is set for three voices.

Readers’ Theatre: Mark 10:46-52

One: Jesus and his disciples reached Jericho.

As they passed through the town,

a crowd of people followed along.

They came to a blind beggar, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus,

who sat beside the main road.

When he was told that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by,

he called out in a loud voice.

Two: Jesus, Son of David,

take pity on me and help me!

One: Disgusted by the blind man’s public display,

others in the crowed tried to silence him

until Jesus had passed.

But Bartimaeus cried even louder:

Two: Jesus, Son of David,

have pity on me!

One: Jesus stopped where he stood.

The crowd stopped with Him.

He told those near the front of the crowd

to call the blind man forward.

‘Good news!’ they said.

‘Jesus has heard you.

Listen—He calls for you.

Get up and go to him.’

So Bartimaeus cast aside his beggar’s robe

and stepped forward, feeling his way toward Jesus.

Jesus asked,

Three: What do you want from Me?

Two: Teacher, I want to see.

Three: Your faith has made you whole.

Go in peace.

One: In that moment, Bartimaeus could see again;

and from that time on, he followed Jesus.

Prayer of Confession: Have Mercy

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by Mark 10:46-52, where Jesus heals Bartimaeus of blindness.

Prayer of Confession

(based on Mark 10:46-52)

When we want to be a church ever-reforming,

yet cling to comfortable ways:

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us!

When we want to honor your “still speaking voice”,

but are fearful of insights which challenge old assumptions:

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us!

When we want to live into Jesus’ dream of oneness,

but fail to listen to voices of difference:

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us!

Words of Assurance

Take heart, get up; Jesus is calling to us!

We trust in the one who has guided the church for two millennia.

Through Christ, God forgives us our failings,

and continues to call us into a community of mutual love and forgiveness.

Let us celebrate this mercy of God

by greeting each other with a sign of Christ’s peace.

~ 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/

Prayer of Confession: Mark 10: 46-52

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by Mark 10:46-52, where Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus. It was written by Moira Laidlaw.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Mark 10:46-52)

Lord Jesus Christ, even in the midst of a large, probably noisy crowd, you helped Bartimaeus move from blindness to sight by focusing your power on his cries for mercy and healing. The crowd and the attempt by some to silence Bartimaeus did not distract you from responding to the needs of this blind beggar. This interruption to your journey provides an example of the life you call your disciples to live. The question, however, disturbs us—would we have been among those who called out for Bartimaeus to be quiet? When we find interruptions to our plans a source of irritation rather than an opportunity for serving others in your name,
forgive us, Lord.

Bartimaeus’ desperation and cry for mercy is echoed in the lives of many people in our own communities and throughout the world. When we close our ears and our hearts to these cries and remind us that following you means responding to those who cry for mercy,
forgive us, Lord.

Immediately Bartimaeus regained his sight, he followed Jesus on the way. The way to discipleship is entered when our eyes are graciously opened to see and to follow Christ in faith. When we find excuses to delay responding to your call to discipleship,
forgive us, Lord.

Jesus, Saviour and Lord, enlighten our minds with your wisdom, and imprint the image of your love once more on our hearts so that we can focus anew on your presence and your power whenever and wherever you call us to serve people in your name. Amen

Assurance of Forgiveness (Hebrews 7:25)

Jesus is able for all time to save those

who approach God through him,

since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Hear then the good news

that in and through Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Thanks be to God!

~ written by Moira Laidlaw, and posted on Liturgies Online. http://www.liturgiesonline.com.au/

Prayers of the People: Proper 25 B

Here’s a prayer of intercession inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Proper 25 B—the 22^nd Sunday after Pentecost. It was written by Paul Sauer.

Prayer of Intercession

(inspired by Mark 10:46-52, Job 42, Hebrews 7:23-28)

Heavenly Father, like Job, when we ask for your presence and intervention, we will end up on knees, astounded at your greatness, and humbled by our own unworthiness.