Call to Worship: Genesis 22

Here’s “a call to worship for a difficult text:  the binding of Isaac,” writes its author, Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy. 

Call to Worship

(inspired by Genesis 22: 1-14; Micah 6:8; Deuteronomy 6:5)

What does the Lord require of you?

To do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with our God.

What does God command of us?

To love God with all our heart,

and all our soul,

and all our mind,

and all our strength,

and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

God does not call us to ease or to comfort.

But to presence, and abundance,

and grace in our struggle.

Let us worship the God who believes in us,

and trusts in us, and abides with us.

Let us worship the God who will ask much of us,

but will be beside us every step of the way. 

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

Litany of Lament & Affirmation

Here’s a scriptural litany that contrasts the hope and confidence of the psalmist in Psalm 23 (in bold print) with the anguish and despair of the writer of Psalm 13 (light print).  The litany could either be read by two readers on behalf of the congregation, or the congregation could be invited to join in, choosing to read whichever psalm best represents their current experience of God’s presence.  

 

Whichever approach you choose, be sure to take your time.  Read slowly, without rushing.  

 

Experiencing God: Two Views

(Psalm 13 and Psalm 23)

O LORD, how long will you forget me? Forever?
How long will you look the other way?

            The LORD is my shepherd;

            I have everything I need.

            He lets me rest in green meadows;

            he leads me beside peaceful streams.

How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
with sorrow in my heart every day?

            He restores my soul.

            He guides me along paths of righteousness

            for the sake of his good name.

How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

Turn and answer me, O LORD my God!
Restore the sight to my eyes, or I will die.

            Even when I walk through the dark valley of death,

            I will not be afraid,

            for you are close beside me.

            Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!”
Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.

            You prepare a feast for me right in front of my enemies.

            You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil.

            My cup overflows with blessings.

But I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
I will sing to the LORD

because he has been so good to me.

            Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me

            all the days of my life,

            and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.  

~ Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

Benediction: Matthew 10: 40-42

Here’s a closing benediction inspired by Matthew 10:40-42. It was written by Rev. Elsa A. Cook, and posted on Cooking with Elsa (see link below).

Benediction

(inspired by Matthew 10:40-42)

Whoever welcomes you welcomes me.

Quench our thirst for love,

Satisfy our need to be known,

Assure us that we are indeed prophets of welcome.

Let us go to proclaim this peace in God’s name.

~ written by the Rev. Elsa A. Cook. an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. She writes liturgies and shares her thoughts on https://cookingwithelsa.org/.

Intergenerational Call to Worship: Psalm 13

Intergenerational Call to Worship

(based on Psalm 13)

We’ve come to worship,

to sing and pray and hear God’s Word, because:

God’s love lasts forever!

Even when God seems far away, we know:

God’s love lasts forever!

Even when nothing is going right, and we’re ready to give up, we know:

God’s love lasts forever!

When people treat us badly, we know:

God’s love lasts forever!

When we’re all alone,

and we feel like no one loves us, we know:

God’s love lasts forever!

Let’s worship God together!

~ Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

Call to Worship: Psalm 89

Call to Worship 1

(based on Psalm 89)

I will sing about the wonders of your love forever, O God!

I will tell everyone I meet about your faithfulness to all generations!

I will declare that your love stands firm,

that your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens above!

Blessed are those who know you as their God,

for they walk in the light of your presence!

Call to Worship 2

(Psalm 89:1-2, 15, New Living Translation)

I will sing of the tender mercies of the Lord forever!

Young and old will hear of your faithfulness.

Your unfailing love will last forever.

Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.

Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship,

for they will walk in the light of your presence.

Call to Worship 3

(based on Psalm 89)

Happy are we who hear the joyful call to worship,

for we walk in the light of God’s presence!

Let’s worship God together—

celebrating who he is and all that he has done!

For God is our strength and our protection,

the One in whom we trust.

Advent Prayer: Psalm 89

Here’s a responsive prayer inspired by Psalm 89 and Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1:47-55). It was written by R. Victor Klassen.

Responsive Prayer

(inspired by Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; Luke 1:47-55)

We will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever;
Our souls magnify the Lord;

With our mouths we proclaim God’s faithfulness to all generations

Our spirits rejoice in God our saviour.

We declare that your steadfast love is established forever;

His mercy is to those who fear him

from generation to generation.

Your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.

He has filled he hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.

You are our God and the Rock of our salvation.

~ written by R. Victor Klassen

Litany of Lament: U2 "40"

Here’s a litany of lament based on Psalm 13.  It simply combines the reading of that Psalm with a sung response—the refrain of U2’s song “40”:  “How long to sing this song?”  You can listen to the song on YouTube and see the lyrics here. 

If using the U2’s “40” isn’t an option for your congregation, here are a few other suggestions for a brief sung response. (In most cases, using just the refrain or single stanza would probably work best.)

Psalm 13, Brian Doerksen CCLI 3721852 (Listen to it on YouTube.) 

How Long, Lord, Graham Peart, Philip Percival CCLI 2446482 

How Long Will You Forget Me, Lord, Christopher Idle CCLI 1019910 (Tune: try Amazing Grace)

Psalm 13, Vineyard UK.  See lyrics and guitar chords here. Listen to it on YouTube. 

Psalm 13, Shane and Shane.  Listen to it on YouTube.   See the lyrics and guitar tabs here. 

How Long?

O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?
How long will you look the other way?
How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
with sorrow in my heart every day?

Sung refrain: “How long to sing this song….”

How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!
Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.

Sung refrain: “How long to sing this song…?”

Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!”
Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.

Sung refrain: “How long to sing this song…?”

But I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
I will sing to the LORD because He has been so good to me.

Sung refrain: “I will sing, sing a new song…

How long to sing this song…?”

Prayer of Commitment: Genesis 22

  (based on Genesis 22:1-14, the sacrifice of Isaac)

Loving and Sustaining God,

You call us to obedience,

to follow you in all things;

to give up the things we cling to,

and to give ourselves wholeheartedly to your purposes.

 

We confess that we don’t always find this easy to do.

We confess that it is often very difficult to let go of the things we love.

But we also know that you never ask more of us than what is possible,

and that you stand ready, at all times, to sustain us,

and to provide everything we need.

 

Give us courage to faithfully follow your leading,

even when we cannot see the outcome,

even when the path you call us to seems impossible to comprehend.

Help us to trust you in all things,

to let go of everything that would stand in the way

of whole-hearted obedience to you.

 

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray.

Amen.

Call to Worship: Matthew 10

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Call to Worship

(based on Matthew 10:40)

Jesus said,

“Anyone who receives you, receives me,

and anyone who receives me,

receives the Father who sent me.”

Sisters and brothers, boys and girls:

We gather together in the presence of the God

who receives us with open arms,

who loves us unconditionally,

and who bids us do the same to one another.

Let’s worship God together!

Opening Prayer: Psalm 89

Opening Prayer

(based on Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18)

Holy God,

your faithful love toward us never ends!

It is as sure and dependable as the sky over our heads.

We praise You!

We’ve gathered together in this place

to offer you our worship and our thanksgiving;

to declare to any who will listen

that You are our God, and we are Your people.

May Your Spirit be at work among us as we worship,

opening our eyes to the light of Your presence in this place.

To You alone,

    Faithful Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer,

    be all glory and honour,

now and forever.  

Amen.

Act of Confession: Romans 6 & 7

Here’s a congregational act of confession based on verses from Romans 6 and 7.  Feel free to adapt it to suit your circumstances.

Call to Confession

(based Romans 6:12-13)

Sisters and brothers, let’s not let sin control the way we live.

Let’s not give in to sinful desires.

Rather, let’s offer ourselves to God,

who through his mercy has brought us from death to life.

Opportunity for Confession

(based on Romans 7:14-27)

— Time of silent reflection —

God, we confess that we have sinned in your sight.

Despite our best efforts and intentions,

we have failed to consistently live in ways

that bring honour to your name.

Forgive us.

Through the grace of Jesus Christ

and the power of the Holy Spirit,

set us free from the grip of sin—

from attitudes and actions that do not lead to life.

Words of Assurance

(based on Romans 6:16-17; 22-23)

Once we were slaves to sin,

living lives that led only to death. 

But thanks be to God! 

In his mercy, he has set us free from the power of sin and death,

and has offered us forgiveness and eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord! 

Now you are free to choose life,

and to use your life to bring honour and glory to God!

Thanks be to God!

Opening prayer: Romans 6

Opening Prayer

(based on Romans 6:12-23)

God of grace,

You have brought us from slavery to freedom,

from despair to hope,

from death to life!

Holy is Your name!

We gather together in Your presence with gratitude and praise

for all that You have done for us.

May the presence of Your Holy Spirit inspire our worship.

May our words and music,

our thoughts and prayers,

even our very lives,

bring honour and glory to You.

This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ,

whose death and resurrection have brought us everlasting life.

Amen.