Call to Worship: Hunger and Thirst

Here’s an opening call to worship from Ann Siddall. It was posted on the website of the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre website.

Call to Worship

(inspired by scripture passages 

like Isaiah 55:1-9, Psalm 63:1-8, etc.)

Only the hungry search for bread.

Only the thirsty look for water.

This is a place for those who are hungry and thirsty in spirit.

Only those who ache for meaning will pursue it.

Only those who yearn for a deeper life will seek it.

This is a place for those who ache and yearn for something more.

So let us come here today with our hunger and thirst,

our unsatisfied longings, our heart-felt yearnings,

and let the God of life satisfy our souls.

 

~ written by Ann Siddall, and posted on the website of the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre.  http://www.stillpointsa.org.au/

Call to Worship: Thirsting for God

Here’s a call to worship with a water theme. (Note that World Water Day is March 22.)

Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 63:1-2, Isaiah 55:1-5,

John 4:13-15, John 7:37-39, Revelation 21:6)

We’ve come to worship God,

who makes streams flow from rock,

who turns the parched earth into springs of water,

who sends the rain from heaven

and makes the wilderness blossom and flourish.

As the deer thirsts for flowing streams,

so we thirst for You, O God.

Come, let’s worship our life-giving God,

who pours out living water on all who thirst.

~ Christine Longhurst

Call to Worship: Psalm 22

Praise the Lord,

all you who worship the Holy One!

You children of Jacob, come glorify God! 

You children of Israel, stand in awe of the Lord of Hosts!

All who hunger,

come eat your fill at the Lord’s table.

All who seek the Lord,

sing praises and worship the God of glory!

Confession of Faith: Baptism of Jesus

Here’s an affirmation of faith inspired by the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River.  It was written by Bruce Prewer.

A Creed

(inspired by Mark 1:9-11, Matthew 3:13-17, Luke 3:21-23,

Galatians 3:27, Romans 6:3-6)

I believe in God

who speaks through the prophets

and lifts our gaze up to high and beautiful paths and peaks.

I believe in Christ Jesus,

free of corruption yet willingly numbered among the sinners,

baptised in the waters of the Jordan.

I believe in the Spirit

who rested on Jesus like a dove,

and who inspired him with such love

as the world has not seen before or since.

I believe that those who are baptised into Christ

shall share his Spirit, his mission

and his ultimate victory over sin and death.

I believe that there is no human ability that cannot be enlarged,

and no weakness that cannot be used by Christ to the praise of God.

I believe that this believing is a gift from God,

not to be used for self-gratification

but for the building up of the church

and for humble service the world

I believe in myself as a baptised child of God,

the recipient of a healing grace

which precedes and supersedes all my efforts to be true.

With the help of God,

I will attempt to live my belief all the days of my life,

and by his grace, dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Amen!

~ written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home page. http://www.bruceprewer.com/DocA/10BAPTIS.htm

Calls to Worship: Waters of God

Here’s a contemporary call to worship from Katherine Hawker’s Liturgies Outside website.

Contemporary Call to Worship:

Waters of God

Soft summer rain falling on parched earth

Waters of God, flow down upon us.

Torrential floods ripping lives into pieces

Waters of God, have mercy upon us.

Soaking waters which nourish the seed

Waters of God, replenish us.

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

Confession: Broken People

Here’s a prayer of confession and words of assurance inspired by Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Isaiah 64:8, where God is portrayed as a potter. It was written by Rev. Mindi.

Prayer of Brokenness/Confession

Creator God,

You created the earth, whole and round;

You created us to be whole people.

But we have become fragmented, cracked and broken.

We have been broken by false promises,

lost relationships, shattered trust.

We have become cracked with the experience of systemic sin:

prejudice, oppression and fear.

We have become fragmented,

building up walls instead of lending hands.

Forgive us when we have done the breaking,

heal us where we have been hurt.

Let Your light shine through our cracks and scars

so that we might bring light to the world,

showing that in You we are made whole.

In You we find healing.

In You we find renewed life.

Help us to forgive, to love, to mend. Amen.

Blessing/Assurance of Pardon

God is the Potter, we are the Clay.

When we are cracked and broken,

God helps to bring us back together.

Sometimes we don’t feel the same afterwards,

but God uses every piece,

and offers us the newness of life to begin again. Amen.

~ written by Rev. Mindi, and posted on Rev-o-lution.  http://rev-o-lution.org/

Prayer: Loving Others

Here’s a prayer of thanksgiving, confession and petition from the Baylor University website.

Prayer

Loving and merciful One,

we thank you for the community in which you have placed us,

for the brothers and sisters with whom we walk this pilgrim journey.

Yet, we confess that we fail to love as you love.

We push aside those whom we believe are the least in your Kingdom.

We fail to see your Kingdom in parables

because we fail to see your Kingdom in each other.

Form in us a new vision of community

in which there is neither East nor West, neither South nor North.

We pray for the sake of your Kingdom

that both is and is not yet. Amen.

~ posted in Hearing the Parables with the Early Church on the Baylor University website. http://www.baylor.edu/christianethics/parablesstudyguide2.pdf

Confession: 1 Kings 19

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by 1 Kings 19.  It was written by Dr. Tom Cheatham.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by 1 Kings 19)

O God, sometimes the journey is too much;

we can’t go on, and we complain that we are all alone.

Nobody cares, not even you.

Our strength is gone, and we are ready to give up.

In those times,

when we are consumed with self-pity

and convinced there is no hope,

send your Spirit into our hearts to remind us of your sustaining grace.

Strengthen us at your Table and by the daily claiming of our baptism,

so we may go confidently on our journeys,

carrying out the mission you have given us.

Through Christ we pray. Amen. 

~ written by Dr. Tom Cheatham, a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA).  He blogs at The Connection blog. http://theconnection08.wordpress.com/

New Hymn: For Freedom, Christ has Set Us Free

If you’re following the scripture readings suggested by the Revised Common Lectionary, here’s a contemporary hymn inspired by Galatians you might want to consider using over the next few weeks.  It was written by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette.  She suggests using the tune ELLACOMBE (I sing the mighty power of God).

For Freedom, Christ has set us free!

(Meter: 8.6.8.6 D)

"For freedom, Christ has set us free!"
What joy is ours to claim!
No more enslaved, humanity
Finds life in Jesus' name.
We try, Lord, to be justified
Through all the works we do.
Yet you adopt us, saying, "Child,
It's Christ who makes you new."

We're clothed in Christ and we belong;
Now no one waits outside.
In him we find our common song;
Old ways no more divide.
"It is no longer I who live,
But Christ who lives in me."
He died for us, new life to give —
And new identity.

Now, Spirit-filled, may we be led
From ways that would destroy.
May we your people turn instead
To lives of love and joy.
May we find peace that makes us whole
And patience everywhere.
God, give us kindness, self-control,
And hearts and hands that share.

Biblical Reference: Galatians
Text: Copyright © 2000 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Copied from Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor  by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (Upper Room Books, 2009).

Email: bcgillette@comcast.net  New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com

Prayer of Lament based on Psalm 42

Here is a prayer of lament and petition inspired by Psalm 42. It was written by Christine Jerrett.

Prayer

(based on Psalm 42)

We have come into your presence
singing your praise, O God,
and we are grateful for all your goodness to us.

Yet, even as we sing,
we are conscious that there are so few of us.

We remember those times when this place was full;
when the halls rang out the praise of hundreds of feet
hurrying off to Sunday School;
when there was no room in the parking lot.

You know the grief in our hearts
that those days are past.
You know the questions that haunt us
wondering what we could have done differently.

You know the yearnings,
the deep yearnings,
to hear your voice,
to perceive your presence,
to be led by your Spirit
into the joy and energy of your new creation.

But, for now,
we hold on to your promises.

You have promised that there will be a day
when blind eyes will be opened
and deaf ears unstopped
so that your Word will be heard and heeded.

You have promised a day when God’s people
will again rejoice and be glad and laugh
at the wonders you have worked in our midst.

You have promised that your light will shine in the darkness
and the darkness will not overcome it.

So, giver of all good things,
Redeemer of all people,
Giver of hope and energy and new community,
we choose to trust your promises.
We choose to live in hope in you alone.

We fix our eyes on you
and open our hearts and minds and spirits
to your Spirit’s guiding presence.

This we ask,
that you will give us courage
to receive the newness you are, even now,
creating in our world,
through the grace of Jesus, our Word,
by which you make all things new. Amen.

~ written by Christine Jerrett, and posted on Christine Jerrett: Reflections on being the church in God’s new creation. http://christinejerrett.wordpress.com/2009/06/17/a-prayer-based-on-psalm-42/

Prayer for Others: Send in the Angels

Here’s a prayer of intercession from Bruce Prewer.

Prayer of Intercession

The word angel originally meant “messenger.”

For God’s angels on this earth,

let us now pray.

We thank you, loving God,

that you do not leave us without helpers.

thank for your special agents, those guardian angels—

both human and heavenly—who never cease to care.

Wherever there are situations of confusion,

where doubts proliferate and anxieties spawn,  

please send in your angels of light.

Wherever people are crippled by guilt,

or deeply regret damage to others which they can never rectify,

send in your angels of mercy.

Wherever there is arrogance and deceit,

corruption and rapacious greed,

send in your fiery angels of judgement.

Wherever ignorance reigns

or superstition cripples individuals or communities,

please send in your angels of truth.

Wherever persons or nations become obsessed with aggression,

or resort to terrorism and warfare,

send in your agents of peace and goodwill.

Wherever families are at loggerheads,

or in the workplace folk feel alienated from one another,

send in your angels of reconciliation.

Wherever people see their future as bleak or dangerous,

and fall into the trap of inertia or despair,

please send in your angels of hope.

Wherever the church becomes exclusive,

or gets caught up in its own regulations, traditions, or inflexible dogma,

send in your angels of reformation.

Wherever ministers lose their passion for the Gospel,

or congregations become self-satisfied or apathetic,

please send in your angels of rebuke.

Wherever there are people who are afflicted by disease

or injured in accidents,

struggle against mental ills

or suffer from criminal violence,

send in your angels of healing.

Wherever the dying endure fears or pain,

and the bereaved either shed the hot tears of a fresh grief

or endure the long-term loss of a partner or friend,

send in your angels of comfort.

Loving God,

Lord of all the messengers of grace on earth and in heaven,

hear our prayers and enlist us, please God,  

within the ranks of your caring angels.

Through Jesus Christ your only True Son,

our Saviour and our inspiration.

Amen!

~ written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Homepage. http://www.bruceprewer.com/DocC/C38sun9.htm

Contemporary Songs: Psalm 42

If you’re looking for contemporary Praise & Worship song suggestions to use with Psalm 42 (the suggested psalm for  Proper 7C), 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 42: http://contemporarypsalms.blogspot.ca/2013/05/psalm-42.html

Call to Worship: Psalm 42 and Psalm 43

As the deer pants for streams of water,

so we long for you, O God.

We thirst for you, the living God.

When can we come and stand in your presence?

Through each day,

the Lord pours his unfailing love upon us,

Through each night

we sing his songs,

praying to the God who gives us life.

Send out your light and your truth, O God.

Let them guide us to Your holy mountain,

to the place where you live.

Then we will go to the altar of God,

to God—the source of all our joy.

Opening Prayer: Be Still

Here’s an opening prayer of invocation from My Redeemer Lives website.

Prayer of Invocation: Be Still

(inspired by 1 Kings 19:8-15, Psalm 46:10, Matthew 8:23-27,

Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25)

O God who is greater than the most powerful forces in this world,

enable us to be still and know that You are God.

O Lord who answers out of the whirlwind of everyday life,

breathe in us Your Holy Spirit to strengthen, comfort, and guide us in the midst of the storm.

O still, small voice, speak to us this hour

that we might become makers of Your peace

in our homes, in our communities, in our world.

We pray all this in the name of the One who calmed the raging sea. Amen.

~ posted on My Redeemer Lives website. http://www.myredeemerlives.com/prayers.html

Prayer for Others: Psalm 42

Here’s a prayer of intercession inspired by Psalm 42.  It was written by Rev. Adam J. Dillon.

Prayer of Intercession

(inspired by Psalm 42)

Eternal defender of the poor and sad,

hear our prayers for all who suffer.

For those who are refugees, exiles from home,

because of the cruelty of enemies or the vagaries of nature.

For those who are starving

and whose tears are their only food.

For those who are desperate for a drink,

and who thirst for life-giving water.

For those who are sad and troubled,

whose hearts break for want of hope.

For those whose faith is weak,

who feel that God has abandoned them.

Protector of the weak, be with all who need you today.

May they know that they are not forgotten.

~ written by Rev. Adam J. Dillon, and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/

Opening Prayer: 1 Kings 19

Here’s an opening invocation inspired by 1 Kings 19: 8-15.  It was written by Rev. Heather a. Moody.

Opening Invocation

(from 1 Kings 19: 8-15)

O God, you come to us not in the chaos of the whirlwind,

not in the roar of the earthquake, not in the crackling heat of the fire,

but in the sound of sheer silence. 

Quiet our minds, bring peace to our hearts and stillness to our bodies

that we might meet you in that silence. 

Help us to listen for your still, small voice. 

Give us the courage to go wherever you lead us,

trusting that you will prepare the way. 

We pray this in the name of our Companion on the journey,

Jesus the Christ.

~ written by Rev. Heather A. Moody, and posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/

Prayer of the Day: 1 Kings 19: 8-15

Here’s a prayer inspired by 1 Kings 19: 8-15, where Elijah encounters God at Mount Sinai.  It was written by Thom Shuman.

Prayer of the Day

(inspired by 1 Kings 19: 8-15)

When we feel compelled
to push everything to its limits,
especially you, Holy One,
it is enough that your grace
can slow us down.

When we stand naked and exposed
to the buffeting winds
of our doubts and questions.
it is enough, Healing Servant,
that you clothe us in your peace,
and put our minds at ease.

When we are entangled
in that legion of worries and fears
which consume our lives,
it is enough, Spirit of Silence,
that you untie the knots
and set us free.

It is enough,
God in Community, Holy in One,
that you are with us
even as we pray as Jesus has taught us, saying,
Our Father . . .

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

Prayer of Confession: 1 Kings 19

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by 1 Kings 19, where Elijah meets God at Mount Sinai.

Prayer of Confession

We come seeking God in mighty earthquakes.

We come listening for God in resounding thunder.

We come expecting God in sweeping victories.

Yet God is found in a baby's touch.

Yet God speaks in silence.

Yet God is found in the least of these.

Save us, O God, from our aimless wandering.

Save us, O God, from our idols.

Save us, O God, from our self-induced chaos.

God, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Hear the good news of God's love for us;

not in the earthquake, not in the storms, not in the mighty deeds

but in the silence, in the gentle touch, in the quiet rain

God says,

again,

"You are my Beloved. I love you."

~ written by Katherine Hawker (1995), and posted on Liturgies Outside. http://liturgyoutside.net/CPr5.html

Reflection: Uncharted Territory

Here’s a reflection on I Kings 19: 1-15.  It was written by Cheryl Lawrie.

uncharted territory

For all the stories of journeys in the bible
we know nothing of the maps people travelled with.

journeys that would have taken days
and crossed uncharted territory
of land and mind
are condensed in the space between
a full stop
and a capital letter.

Elijah ran from Jezebel –
a refugee in a strange land
with a distant mountain to aim for
and a world of fear and terror between.

And in this unmapped space
he fought to make his path

alone
but for the company of angels.

Who are the angels who give you food for the journey
when you find yourself alone
in the uncharted worlds of faith?

take some bread and eat it in their honour

And who can you be an angel for when you leave here?

drink some water and make your prayer for grace.

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

Opening Prayer: Abundant Water

Here’s a responsive prayer of invocation based on Psalm 42, Psalm 78 and Psalm 104. It comes from Living Waters for the World.

Opening Prayer

(inspired by Psalm 42, Psalm 78, Psalm 104)

God, you split rocks in the wilderness,

and gave your people abundant drink, as from the deep.

Come to us, Lord. 

Give us that abundant water.

You made streams come out of the rock,

and caused waters to flow down like rivers.

Come to us, Lord. 

Send the waters down upon us.

You turned the desert into pools of water,

the parched land into springs of water.

Come to us, Lord. 

Create springs in the parched desert of our hearts.

As a deer longs for flowing streams,

so my soul longs for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. 

Come to us, Lord, and fill our longing. 

~ posted on Living Waters for the World. http://www.livingwatersfortheworld.org/