Call to Worship: Isaiah 43: 2

Here’s a call to worship inspired by Isaiah 43:2. It was written by Rev. Mindi and posted on her Rev-o-lution blog.

Call to Worship

(Inspired by Isaiah 43:2)

When we pass through the waters,

God is there with us.

When we suffer and feel hopeless,

God is there with us.

When we are joyful and celebratory,

God is there with us.

Whether we feel triumphant or defeated,

God is there with us, always.

Come, let us worship together with Emmanuel,

God with us. 

~ written by Rev. Mindi, and posted on Rev-o-lution. http://rev-o-lution.org/2011/10/23/worship-resources-for-october-30-2011-and-all-saints-day/

Centering Prayer: Take from me...

Here’s a centering prayer from David Adam.  It was posted on the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand website.

Centering Prayer

“Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act.” Psalm 37: 7

Lord, help me to relax.

Take from me the tension
that makes peace impossible.
Take from me the fears
that do not allow me to venture.
Take from me the worries
that blind my sight.
Take from me the distress
that hides your joy.

Help me to know
that I am with you,
that I am in your care,
that I am in your love,
that you and I are one.

~ written by David Adam in “The Open Gate” SPCK 1994.  Posted on the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand website. http://www.presbyterian.org.nz/

Call to Worship: Waiting on the Lord

Here is a responsive call to worship from Rev. Richard J. Fairchild’s Kir-shalom website.

Call to Worship

God is with his people. 

He dwells in their midst.

Listen and hear him speak.

Our hearts long for his word.

We wait upon the Lord

so that we may renew our strength.

God is our help and our support. 

His spirit moves among us

to lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days.

With joyful hearts we sing God's praise. 

With rejoicing we call upon Him. 

The Lord is our hope and our salvation.

~ posted on the Kir-shalom website. http://www.spirit-net.ca/sermons/b-or02sm.php

Call to Worship: Psalm 46

Here’s a call to worship from Thom Shuman’s Lectionary Liturgies website. It was written for Reformation Day (October 31), but could be used on many other occasions.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 46)

Be still!
We come to quiet ourselves in this haven of holiness.
Be still and know . . .
we come to discern the Word which can set us free.
Be still and know that God is
our Hope, our Help, our Refuge, and our Redeemer. 

~ written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies. http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/

A Mighty Fortress: Reformation Day Litany

Here’s a litany for Reformation Day (October 31). It comes from the PC(USA) website (see below for link).

The authors write: “This litany interweaves Martin Luther’s great Reformation hymn with the words from Scripture that inspired it, the words of Psalm 46.”

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

A Litany for Reformation Sunday

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

[Sung]

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.

God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.

[Sung]

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus it is he,
Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.

The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
God speaks and the earth melts.

The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Come, behold the works of the Lord!

God makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
God breaks the bow, shatters the spear,
and burns the shields with fire.

[Sung]

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure,
one little word shall fell him.

Be still, and know that the Lord is God!

God is exalted among the nations;
God is exalted in the earth.

The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge.

[Sung]

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours through him who with us sideth;
let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
the body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still,
his kingdom is forever.

~ posted on the Presbyterian Mission website of the PC(USA). https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/worship/worship-reformationsunday/worship-mightyfortresslitnany/

Confession: Breathe Life into these Bones

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

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Ezekiel 37:1-14, Matthew 16:24, Luke 14:27,

Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 25:31-46 and others)

You call us to be your voices in this world

and we stay silent.

You call us to be your hands in this world

and we keep them hidden.

You call us to be your feet in this world

and we go our own way.

When we meet those who are doubting

and say nothing, forgive us.

When we meet those who need your touch

and do nothing, forgive us.

When we are called to take up your cross

and carry nothing, forgive us.

Breathe life into these bones

bring freedom to these lives

that we might declare

with heart and soul and voice

that you are our Lord and our God. Amen

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

The Blessing of Powerlessness

May all your expectations be frustrated;

may all your plans be thwarted;

may all your desires be withered into nothingness,

that you may experience

the powerlessness and poverty of a child,

and sing, dance, and trust in the love of God

who is Father, Son, and Spirit. Amen.

~ written by Brennan Manning, author of Ragamuffin Gospel. https://www.amazon.com/Brennan-Manning/e/B000APBRR0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?qid=1473339142&sr=8-2-ent&linkCode=sl2&tag=webchyk-20&linkId=70a527801913c795a28bbc309f28800a

Prayer: In Your Name

Here’s a prayer of commitment from Roddy Hamilton’s Listening to the Stones blog.

In Your Name

May we honour your name
not by paying it lip service, Lord Jesus
but by trusting the vision it speaks of

and the way it calls for

May we honour it by following you

speaking into the word with our actions
and showing who we’re chosen to follow

May we love in your name
speak in your name
care in your name
that willingness to touch the outcast
feed the hungry
remember the sick
visit the imprisoned
clothe the naked
give water to the thirsty
in your name

~ excerpted from a longer piece by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Listening to the Stones. http://newkilpatrickblog.typepad.com/nk-blogging/mucky-paws/  Used by permission.

Prayer of Saint Boniface

Eternal God, the refuge and help of all your children,
we praise you for all you have given us,
for all you have done for us,
for all that you are to us.
In our weakness, you are strength,
in our darkness, you are light,
in our sorrow, you are comfort and peace.
We cannot number your blessings,
we cannot declare your love:
For all your blessings we bless you.
May we live as in your presence,
and love the things that you love,
and serve you in our daily lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

~ written by St. Boniface (ca. 672-754) 

Prayer after Devastation

Here’s a prayer of thanksgiving from Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy, inspired by the recent devastation in the Philippines and the tornadoes in the United States.  It’s is based on Psalm 46, Colossians 1 and 1 Corinthians 12.

Prayer after Devastation

(inspired by Psalm 46, Colossians 1, and 1 Corinthians 12)

God is our refuge and strength,

always ready to help in times of trouble.

We give thanks for God's presence,

the Sovereign who dwells with us in humility,

accepting our pain and our weakness in love.

So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come,

and the mountains crumble into the sea.

We give thanks for God's promises,

that allow us to let go of the fears and anxiety that keep us paralyzed,

that give the darkness such power over us.

Let the oceans roar and foam.

Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

We give thanks that we can grieve the losses,

we can mourn the destruction,

but they shall not consume us. 

God is with us, in grief as in love,

and our hearts shall be open to grace.

The Lord Almighty is here among us;

the God of Israel is our fortress.

We give thanks that the Body of Christ is present:

the hands of God offering comfort,

the eyes of God weeping with us,

the feet of God walking alongside us,

the strength of God helping us to rebuild. 

The Lord Almighty is here among us:

we are the Body of Christ. 

Thanks be to God!

~ written by Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy, Pastor at First Church Congregational, Rochester, NH.  She blogs at http://sermonizing.wordpress.com/

Prayer: Our Mighty Fortress

Here’s a prayer inspired by Psalm 46.  It was written by Rev Abi.

Prayer

(inspired by Psalm 46:1)

God you are our safe place to hide.

You are our mighty fortress.

You are our ever present help in time of need.

We can and do turn to you in the midst of our troubles.

And Lord our world is full of difficulties.

Lord we may feel afraid, but it does not overcome us

Because we know we can put our trust in you.

Your love and grace are like streams of water in the desert.

Your joy comes splashing down upon us.

Your refresh and renew us like rain coming down on the earth.

Bring your water of life to those who are thirsty

and living in a dry and weary land.

Where there are wars, bring your peace.

Where there is starvation, fill the empty bellies.

Where there is despair, bring your hope.

Where there is animosity, bring your reconciliation.

Where there is abuse, bring your tender mercies,

Where there is poverty, bring your charity.

Where there is illness, bring your healing.

Where there is grief, bring your gentleness.

Where there is injustice, bring your justice.

Lord you are mighty fortress, our strong deliverer.

In you we put our trust and release ourselves into your hands.

Amen.

~ written by Rev. Abi, and posted on A Place for Prayer.

Call to Worship for Advent

Here’s a responsive call to worship inspired by Romans 13: 11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 and Psalm 80: 3.  It comes from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford website.

Responsive Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 80:3, Matthew 24:36-44, Romans 13:11-14)

May the Lord, whose face shines upon us, be with you always.

And also with you.

We are longing and waiting for the Lord to be revealed.

The night is almost over, it will be daylight soon.

Let us live decent lives, bathed in the light of the Lord.

The night is almost over, it will be daylight soon.

We know not when the master comes: evening, midnight, dawn.

The night is almost over, it will be daylight soon.

God of hosts, bring us back.

Let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

~ from An Advent Reflection © 2007 Diocese of Salford Office for Worship.  Posted on the Office for Liturgy of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford website. http://www.salfordliturgy.org.uk/advent1a.htm

Call to Worship based on Psalm 46

Here’s a call to worship based on Psalm 46.  It was written by Joanna Harader.  She writes: *A note on the last line of the call to worship: Psalm 46:10 is generally translated as, “Be still and know that I am God.” The Hebrew term translated as “be still” (raphah) more accurately means “let drop, let go, abandon.” It is a call for disarmament, not a request for silent meditation.”

Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 46)

The earth shakes, the mountains quake—tempting our hearts to fear.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Storms rage, winds swirl—destroying schools, hospitals, homes.
Still, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Violence comes to light in our communities

and violence continues around the world—

causing us to wonder if our prayers for peace are futile.
Yet God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
For those mourning and rebuilding after the storms,
God is their refuge.
For those living in fear of their neighbors,
God is their strength.
For those dreading the hiss of a drone-fired missile,
God is present.
For the distraught and displaced and dismembered in Syria, Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere,
God is a very present help in trouble.
Therefore, we will not fear.
Therefore, we will lay down our weapons and worship our God.

~ written by Joanna Harader, and posted on Spacious Faith. http://spaciousfaith.com/2013/05/21/call-to-worship-psalm-46/

Litany: Psalm 46

Here is a responsive litany from Psalm 46: 1-3, 6-11.

Responsive Litany

(Psalm 46: 1-3, 6-11)

God is our refuge and our strength,

an ever-present help in distress.

Though the earth trembles,

and mountains slide into the sea,

we will not fear.

Waters may rise and roar,

and mountains shake at their surging;

but the God of hosts is with us--

our stronghold, the God of Israel.

Even if nations are in chaos, and kingdoms fall,

God's voice resounds; the earth melts away.

Yahweh is with us;

the God of Israel is our stronghold.

Come!  See the deeds of the Most High,

the marvellous things God has done on earth;

all over the world, God has stopped wars--

breaking bows, splintering spears,

burning the shields with fire.

"Be still! and know that I am God,

exalted among the nations, exalted upon the earth."

The Most High is with us;

our stronghold is the God of Israel.

Call to Worship: Psalm 46: 8-11

Come, behold the works of the Lord, 

how he has brought desolations on the earth. 

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; 

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; 

he burns the chariots with fire.  

“Be still, and know that I am God. 

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!” 

The Lord of hosts is with us; 

the God of Jacob is our fortress. 

Responsive Call to Worship: Psalm 46: 1-3, 11

God is our refuge and strength,

always ready to help in times of trouble.

So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come,

and the mountains crumble into the sea.

Let the oceans roar and foam.

Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

The Lord Almighty is here among us;

the God of Israel is our fortress.

Opening Litany: God Alone

Here’s a responsive litany or call to worship based on Psalm 46: 7-8, 10-11. 

Responsive Litany: God Alone

(based on Psalm 46: 7-8, 10-11)

God alone is our shelter and strength.

God alone defends and protects us. 

Come, see the glorious things that our God can do!

Be still in God’s presence.

Know that God alone is the one true God.

He will be honoured throughout the earth;

He will be honoured in every nation. 

God alone is our shelter and strength.

God alone defends and protects us. 

Litany: Psalm 46 for Today

Here’s a two-reader litany which intersperses Psalm 46 with contemporary headlines.  (It’s a bit dated – you’ll want to update the headlines to reflect current events.)  The litany comes from a service on the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship.

Contemporary Litany

(based on Psalm 46)

God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble . . .

Suicide Bomber attacks, two killed, ten injured in town square.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Terrorists strike again! Embassy bombed.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy place, where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall.

God will help her at break of day . . .

Africa hard hit by AIDS; infections booming in Asia and Eastern Europe.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall . . .

Last Filipinos leave Iraq; kidnapped soldier soon to be released.

He lifts his voice, the earth melts . . .

Kidnappings rock Palestinian government; emergency session called.

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Financial dirt discovered on big businesses; lawsuits pending.

Come and see the works of the Lord,

the desolations he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,

he burns the shields with fire.

Martha Stewart gets five months.

Be still and know that I am God:

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.

Thousands are dying in Sudan; is it genocide?

The Lord Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

~ from My Refuge and Strength: Psalm 46, posted on Calvin Institute of Christian Worship.

http://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/service-my-refuge-and-strength-psalm-46/

Prayer of Praise: Psalm 46

Here’s a prayer of praise inspired by Psalm 46.  It was written by Alan Burrow.

Prayer

(based on Psalm 46)

God our Father, we worship and thank you,

for you are our refuge and our strength.  

You are our help in times of trouble.  

Therefore we will not be moved

though the earth be moved and the mountains be piled into the sea;

though the nations roar and the peoples be in tumult,

we will not be moved.  

For through Christ and the Spirit

you have made a river of life that makes us glad.  

You have saved us and gathered us

and made us your holy city, your tabernacle.  

You dwell in our midst; therefore we shall not be moved.  

By your presence you help us; just at the break of day you save us.  

We behold your works, and we praise you.  

You make desolations in the earth.  

You make wars to cease.  

You break the bow and cut the spear in two

and cast the chariot into the fire.  

You are God and God alone.  

You shall be exalted in your people;

you shall be exalted in all the earth.

Receive our worship and our thanks

by the Holy Spirit and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,

whom we worship with you,

and who with you live and reign above,

world without end.  Amen.

~ written by Alan Burrow, based on Psalm 46. Posted on FaithWorking. http://www.faithworking.com/

Call to Worship: Psalm 46: 10-11

Be silent, and know that I am God!

I will be honored by every nation.

I will be honored throughout the world.

The Lord Almighty is here among us;

the God of Israel is our fortress.