Call to Worship: Marvelous Things

Here’s a call to worship for Easter (and at other times of the year) from John Birch’s Faith and Worship website.

Call to Worship: Marvelous Things

Sing to the LORD a new song,

for he has done marvelous things;

his right hand and his holy arm

have worked salvation for him. Psalm 98:1

We give thanks to you, Lord,
for you have done marvellous things!

When we were walking in darkness
you were there, you were there,
when we were kneeling in weakness
you were there, you were there,
when we drew near feeling worthless
you were there, you were there,
when we were needing forgiveness
you were there, you were there,
when we were searching for your grace
you were there, you were there.

We give thanks to you, Lord,
for you have done marvellous things!

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

Call to Worship Litany: Psalm 145: 1-8

Here is a responsive call to worship based on Psalm 145:1-8. The repetitive response would make it easy to use in an intergenerational setting (where not everyone reads) or in a setting where worshippers don’t have access to print resources or PowerPoint.

Opening Litany

(based on Psalm 145: 1-8)

Come, let’s praise God together!

For God is great, and worthy of our praise!

Let’s tell stories of God’s power and majesty,

His mighty acts throughout history:

for God is great, and worthy of our praise!

Let’s remember the compassion He has shown toward us;

His mercy and unfailing love, generation after generation:

for God is great, and worthy of our praise!

Let’s pass these stories along to our children and grandchildren,

so that they, too, may come to know and love our God.

For God is great, and worthy of our praise!

Let’s worship God together!

Invitation to Prayer: Psalm 145: 18-19

Brothers and sisters,

God is close to all who call on him;

to all who pray with honesty and sincerity.

So come to this time of prayer

with confidence and expectation,

for God is among us,

and he will hear our prayers.

Call to Worship & Opening Prayer

Here’s a call to worship and opening prayer inspired by the suggested scripture passages for the sixth Sunday after Easter.  They were written by Thom Shuman.

Call to Worship

(based on Psalm 98, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17)

We gather to worship the One who crafted creation out of chaos,
our cries of joy join the anthems of the universe.
We gather to lift our praise to the God who gives us voice,
we bring the songs which have echoed in our hearts all week long.
We gather as the children of God, our joy unbroken in God's love.
young and old, tone deaf and perfect-pitched,
lift the new, new songs of faith.

Prayer of the Day
(inspired by Psalm 98)

You raise your hand
and gently begin
the concerto of creation:
birds carry the melody
while stars keep the beat;
mountains dance in merriment
and little children clap
their hands with joy.
Love's Composer,
our new songs are lifted to you.

The old, old song
is made new in our hearts:
Christ is Risen!
Sing Alleluia!
You invite us to sing to a world
deafened by despair
and haunted by the tunes of fear.
Lord of the Dance,
our new songs are lifted to you.

Believing we cannot
carry a tune,
we hesitate to join in
the chorus of praise
sung by all creation.
So, you softly and gently
hum the melody in our hearts
until they burst with you,
raising a rousing chorus
of Amazing Grace.
Music-making Spirit,
our new songs are lifted to you.

Every song, old and new, is offered to you,
God in Community, Holy in One,
even as we lift the prayer Jesus teaches,
Our Father . . .

— written by Thom Shuman, and posted on his excellent Lectionary Liturgies blog.  Visit that site for many other excellent worship resources.  

Contemporary Call to Worship: Psalm 98

Here’s a contemporary call to worship inspired by Psalm 98.  It was written by Rebecca Gaudino, and posted on Ministry Matters.

Gathering Words

(inspired by Psalm 98)

Come, sing a new song to God!
Remember all the times full of wonder
God has already saved us!
Plug in the keyboard; tune up those guitars;
try out the drums!
Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth!
Open the windows!

Listen to the choirs outdoors,
feathered and furred!
Let the hills sing together for joy!
For God is not done doing wonders!
God is coming to set everything right.
Sing a new song to God!

~ written by Rebecca Gaudino, and posted on Ministry Matters. http://www.ministrymatters.com/

Words of Assurance: Psalm 145

Here are words of assurance (to follow a time of confession) inspired by Psalm 145.  They come from Howard Wallace’s Home page.

Words of Assurance

(inspired by Psalm 145: 8-9, 13-14)

The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

The LORD is good to all,
and his compassion is over all that he has made.

The LORD is faithful in all his words,
and gracious in all his deeds.

The LORD upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.

Hear the word of the Lord in Jesus:
‘Your sins are forgiven!’
Thanks be to God!

~ written by Howard Wallace, and posted on Howard Wallace’s Home Page. http://hwallace.unitingchurch.org.au/WebOTcomments/OrdinaryC/Pentecost25Psalm145.html

Benediction: Psalm 145:18-19

Benediction

(based on Psalm 145:18-19)

As you leave this place

remember that you do not go alone.

God is close at hand.

He hears the cry of all who call on His name.

He honours those who honour Him,

listening to their prayers and coming to their aid.

So go from here with joy and confidence,

to love and serve God and one another.

Call to Worship, Prayer: Psalm 145: 3-7

Great is our God, and worthy of praise!

God’s goodness knows no limit;

God’s faithfulness toward us is boundless!

God, your majesty and glory surround us here.

We’ve come together to celebrate your presence,

and to offer songs of praise and worship.

We’ve come to rejoice in your mighty acts,

and to retell the story of your goodness

throughout history and in our own lives.

Move among us as we worship together;

may your Spirit guide and inspire our thoughts and actions

as we spend this time in your presence.

In the name of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

A Call to Worship: Psalm 98

Here’s a responsive call to worship inspired by Psalm 98.  It was written by Joan Stott, and posted on The Timeless Psalms.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 98)

Holy God, in reverent awe, we come to worship you!
We gather to honour and glorify God’s almighty name.

Righteous God, we rejoice as we come to worship you!
We gather to celebrate God’s power over the forces of evil.

Faithful God, with thankfulness, we come to worship you!
We gather to sing praises to the God in whom we trust. Amen.

~ written by Joan Stott, based on Psalm 98.  Posted on The Timeless Psalms. http://www.thetimelesspsalms.net/w_resources/pentecost25[33]c_2010.htm

Intergenerational Call to Worship: Psalm 98

Here’s an all-age call to worship inspired by Psalm 98.  It was written by Mary Jane Konings.

Intergenerational Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 98)

Leader:             Come, let us sing to the Lord!

Children:           Come and sing a new song

All:                   For the Lord has made known his salvation.

Leader:             Shout for joy all the earth!

Children:           Make music with guitars and singing

All:                   For all the ends of the earth

have seen the salvation of God.

~ written by Mary Jane Konings, and posted on Call to Worship. http://calltoworship.blogspot.ca/2010/11/november-14.html

Call to Worship, Prayer: Psalm 98

Here’s a combination call to worship and prayer of praise inspired by Psalm 98.  It was excerpted from a longer prayer for Proper 28C on the Oratio Contemplativa website.

Call to Worship, Prayer of Praise

(inspired by Psalm 98)

Holy Triune God,

From everlasting to everlasting, you are Lord.

Let the whole earth shout with joy before the Lord;

We lift up our voices with joy and singing:

Great is our Lord, the King!

Your judgments are true, and all of creation awaits your rightful rule;

We lift up our voices with joy and singing:

Great is our Lord, the King!

In righteousness will you judge the world and all the peoples, with equity;

We lift up our voices with joy and singing:

Great is our Lord, the King!

Who is like our God, King over all the earth?

We lift up our voices with joy and singing:

Great is our Lord, the King!

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. https://oratiocontemplativa.wordpress.com/tag/2-thessalonians-36-13/

Confession: Psalm 145: 17-18

Here’s a prayer of confession and words of assurance inspired by Psalm 145: 17-18.  It was written by Bruce Prewer.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Psalm 145: 17-18)

“The Lord our God is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings.”

Most Holy God,

we confess to you and to each other

that we are rarely just in all our ways,

and far from being kind in all our doings.

What we want to be and what we actually are,

are two different things.

Our lives are a miss-mash of astuteness and stupidity,

of moral strength and cowardice,

of kindness and meanness,

of openness and cunning,

of sincere love for you yet also of conniving self-interest.

We need both your justice and your kindness

to convict us of our sins,

to forgive and cleanse us,

and to save us from the power of evil in the days that lie ahead.

We need your mercy to wipe away shame and disabling regrets,

your light to give us our bearings,

and your friendship to delight with us in our happiness

and to comfort us in our sorrows.

Please grant to us, loving God,

the grace of a new beginning

and the joy of an enlarged love for you.

Give us a passion for all your loving ways.

Through Christ Jesus our Brother and Redeemer.

Words of Assurance

(inspired by Psalm 145: 17-18)

Sisters and brothers, Holy Scripture says:

“The Lord is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

The Lord is good to all and his mercy is over all his works.”

In the name of the living God,

through the grace of Christ Jesus the Son,

and with the authority of the Spirit,

I declare to you the forgiveness of sins

and the life that is eternal!

We will extol you, our God and Saviour,

and glorify your name forever and ever!

Every day we will praise you,

and glorify your name forever and ever.

~ written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home Page. http://www.bruceprewer.com/DocC/C62sun32.htm

Call to Worship, Prayer: Psalm 145: 1-5

Here is a call to worship and opening prayer inspired by Psalm 145: 1-5.  It was written by Rev. Catherine Rolling, and posted on The United Church of Christ website.

Responsive Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 145: 1-5)

The Holy One is here in this community of faith: 

Great is our God and greatly to be praised!     

Let us bless the Holy Name forever and ever

Great is our God and greatly to be praised!     

Let us meditate on God’s wondrous works

Great is our God and greatly to be praised!

Let us bless and praise God’s name forever and ever    

Great is our God and greatly to be praised!                                        

Opening Prayer

Holy One, you have promised to be with us,

And long ago sent your Spirit to abide among us

and guide us to a future of goodness and hope. 

We come seeking your truth, your justice, your kindness.

O God, you are with us this morning.

Let us feel your presence and

welcome you into our lives.

Come and fill these desires of our hearts.

~ from Hold on to Faith: Service Prayers for the Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost, written by The Rev. Catherine Rolling.  Posted on the Worship Ways page of the United Church of Christ website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/

Offering Prayer: 2 Thessalonians 2

Here’s a prayer of dedication inspired by 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-5, 13-17.  It comes from the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren website.

Prayer for the Offering

(inspired by 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-5, 13-17)

O God our Father,

who through our Lord Jesus Christ has loved us

and through grace has given us eternal comfort and good hope,

make our hearts strong for the work which lies ahead.

Indeed, help us to “not be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed,”

and to “stand firm and hold fast”

as we cooperate with your Spirit in the holy task of bearing fruit.

These offerings are part of your harvest.

Help us to put them to good use. Amen.

~ posted on the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren website. http://rockhay.tripod.com/worship/orders/2010/10-11-07.htm

Pastoral Prayer: God of the Living

Here’s a pastoral prayer from Rev. Richard J. Fairchild’s Kir-shalom website.

Pastoral Prayer: God of the Living

God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, we confess to you that we are frequently slow to believe what you have promised through your prophets and in your Son Jesus.  We succumb to fears of death as if it were the end of everything - and all too often we live as if there is nothing to live for beyond death.  Forgive us Lord: forgive us our doubts, our disbelief, and our deafness to the witness of other believers, and our silence when we could give witness to the faith which we have... 

Lord, hear our prayer.

Lord of mercy, God of the living, grant that we might see beyond the ruins that lie about us; that we might take to heart the lessons of Scripture which testify to your willingness and ability to bring new life to dry bones.  Give to those who despair a vision of the resurrection which awaits all those who believe, all those you have chosen.  Help them to order their lives by the principles of your everlasting kingdom—that kingdom in which faith, hope and love transfigure all that they touch... 

Lord, hear our prayer...

Father, help us be a people who are prepared for the journey which lies ahead. Take from us all evil desire; remove from us any refusal we have to forgive others; lift from us any reluctance we have to love our enemies and to bless, in your name, those who curse us.  Send unto us the desire to love one another as Jesus loves us, the yearning to bring your saving word to those who hunger, the longing  to reach out and touch another person with your love and to speak to others—and to ourselves—your truth.  Help us to be ones who are prepared; help us to be ones who live Christ-like lives…

Lord, hear our prayer.

We ask all these things not in our name, but in the name of Jesus Christ—he who taught us to pray to you for ourselves and for the coming of your kingdom saying: “Our Father….”

~ written by Rev. Richard J. Fairchild, and posted on Kir-shalom. http://www.rockies.net/~spirit/sermons/c-or32sm.php

Benediction: Haggai 2: 4-5

Hear again the promise God made to his people long ago:

Do not be discouraged!

Be strong and courageous.

Keep working,

for I am with you.

My Spirit remains with you,

and is living among you.

So do not afraid!

Prayer: 2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17

Here’s a prayer of petition inspired by 2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17.  It comes from Revised Lectionary Prayers.

Prayer

(inspired by 2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17)

Eternally righteous God,

merciful judge of all the living,

in your love you called us

to share the glory of Christ.

Strengthen our hearts in every good work and word,

that we may be steadfast in your ways

and always believe your truth. 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/

Contemporary Songs: Psalm 98

If you’re looking for contemporary Praise & Worship song suggestions to use with Psalm 98 (the suggested psalm for  Easter 6B, Proper 27C, Proper 28C), you can find a list at my Contemporary Psalms blog. http://contemporarypsalms.blogspot.ca/  The blog is not finished (and likely never will be, since I keep coming across new songs!), but it’s a start.

Follow this link to Psalm 98: http://contemporarypsalms.blogspot.ca/2013/05/psalm-98.html

Benediction: 2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17

May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father,

who has loved us

and given us unending encouragement

and unfailing hope by his grace,

inspire you with courage and confidence

in every good thing you say or do.

Responsive Litany: Psalm 145: 1, 17-21

Here’s a responsive litany based on Psalm 145: 1, 17-21.  It comes from Jeff Shrowder’s The Billabong website.

Responsive Litany

(Psalm 145: 1, 17-21)

I will exalt you, my God;
and bless your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will bless you;
and praise your name for ever and ever.
You are great, LORD God, and greatly to be praised;
your greatness is unsearchable.
Generation to generation will praise your doings;
and declare your mighty deeds.
They will speak of the glory of your splendour;
I will meditate on your marvelous works.
You are just in all your ways, O LORD;
and faithful in all your doings.
You are near to all who call on you;
to all who call on you in truth.
You take care of the desires of all who fear you;
their cry for help you will hear, and you will save them.
O LORD, you watch over all who love you;
the wicked you will destroy.
My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD;
and all flesh will bless your holy name.

~ written by Jeff Shrowder, and posted on The Billabong website. http://thebillabong.info/ For use in worship, with acknowledgement. © Jeff Shrowder 2000.