Call to Worship: Come!

Here’s a call to worship inspired by Matthew 11:29 and Revelation 21:5.  It was written by Rosie Venner.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Matthew 11:29 and Revelation 21:5)

Come all who are weary

of wealth, of poverty, of power, of struggle, of division

Come all who are heavy-laden

with too much, with too little, with anxiety, with fear, with anger

Come all who have hope

for liberation, for peace, for freedom, for the kingdom

Hear these words

“See, I am making all things new.”

~ from I Am Making All Things New, written by  Rosie Venner.  Posted on the WSCF Europe website. http://wscf-europe.org/mozaik-issues/mozaik-25-the-powers-that-be/worship-i-am-making-all-things-new/

Call to Worship: Matthew 11: 28-30

Here’s a call to worship inspired by Matthew 11:28-30 (CEV).  It comes from the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand website.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Matthew 11: 28-30)

If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens,

come to me and I will give you rest.

Take the yoke I give you.

Put it on your shoulders and learn from me.

I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest.

This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.

Christ calls us to come to worship
To rest from the things that are troubling us
To learn what Christ can teach of life
To realise what we can offer to others
And so to return into the world to serve
Let us worship God

~ posted on the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand. http://www.presbyterian.org.nz/

Intergenerational Call to Worship: Matthew 11

Here is an intergenerational call to worship, inspired by Matthew 11:28-30, one of the suggested lectionary texts for Proper 9, Year A.

Call to Worship

(based on Matthew 11:28-30)

Brothers and sisters, boys and girls—

come and worship!

Even if you’re tired and worn out—

come and worship!

Lay down the heavy things you are carrying—

come and worship!

Listen to what Jesus wants to tell you—

come and worship!

See if you can discover how Jesus wants to use you—

come and worship!

For Jesus is humble and gentle,

and he will give us everything we need to follow him.

~ Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

Prayer: Matthew 11: 28-30

Here’s a prayer of praise inspired by Matthew 11: 28-30.  It was written by John Birch.

Prayer

(inspired by Matthew 11: 28-30)

In times of weakness and hour of need,
yours is the strength by which we carry on,
the shoulder we rest our head upon.
When our load is heavy and too much to bear,
yours are the arms stretched out to help us
the grace that we depend on.
In times of weakness and hour of need,
your voice is heard,
‘Come… find rest.’
This is grace divine,
the path we tread to wholeness
of body and spirit,
the path that leads to you,
and for which we offer our offering of praise.

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

Prayer for Others: Psalm 145

Here’s a prayer of intercession inspired by Psalm 145. It was written by Thomas Turner, and posted on Everyday Liturgy.

Prayer of Intercession

(inspired by Psalm 145)

Our Creator,

You sustain all life,

give bread to all who need it,

and hear the calls of the poor.

You alone are powerful

and the rightful ruler of the nations,

and you are the provider of safety and security.

We ask that,

as you have graciously provided for us

and our needs,

may you provide for those

who call to you

in despair and dire need.

Grant them their daily bread these coming days. Amen

~ written by Thomas Turner, and posted on Everday Liturgy. http://everydayliturgy.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

Call to Worship: God is Gracious

Here is a call to worship from Rev. Daniel Commerford at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Georgia.  It was posted on the LiturgyLink website.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Joel 2: 13-15, Hosea 14:1,

Psalm 145:8, Zechariah 1:3)

Return to the Lord your God,

for God is gracious.

Confess to the Lord your God,

for God is merciful.

Repent to the Lord your God,

for God is slow to anger.

Praise the Lord your God,

for God abounds in steadfast love.

Worship the Lord your God.

Together, let us worship God!

~ written by Rev. Daniel Commerford, Bethany Presbyterian Church, Covington, GA.  Posted on LiturgyLink. https://www.liturgylink.net/

A Prayer for Weary Worship Leaders: Matthew 11

Here’s a prayer of confession and petition for tired pastors and worship leaders inspired by Matthew 11: 28-29. It was written by Dorcas.

Prayer for Tired Worship Leaders

(based on Matthew 11:28-29)

Come to me...

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.

For I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11: 28-29

God, we have become proficient in religious planning and performance.

We can say all the correct words,

but sometimes we leave our hearts far behind.

Have we practiced our worship to make it predictable and safe,

becoming as bored as we are proud? 

Where you find it, break through false religious pride.

Surprise us with Your supremacy.

Stun us with how dangerous You are! 

We have sometimes kept ourselves busy.

But for many, self-sufficiency has left exhaustion in its wake,

and we are left anxious and bereft.

We give up trying to get our act together!

We come to you now, as you have summoned us.

Show us your heart and train us in humility. 

We ask for insight to see and to seize opportunities for rest. 

Thank you, gentle Savior. 

Amen

~ written by Dorcas, and posted on RevGalBlogPals. http://revgalprayerpals.blogspot.ca/

Call to Worship: Matthew 11

Here’s a responsive call to worship from Matthew 11: 28-30.  It was written by Rev. Mindi, and posted on Rev-o-lution.

Call to Worship

(based on Matthew 11:28-30)

Come, all that are weary, all that are carrying burdens so heavy
Jesus will give us rest
Come, take what Jesus has to offer: love, forgiveness, and grace
Christ will give us peace
Come, find rest, and learn from Jesus
For our Savior will give us rest in our souls
Come, let us worship our God
Let us follow our Savior, who leads us into life.

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

Contemporary Songs: Psalm 145

If you’re looking for contemporary Praise & Worship song suggestions to use with Psalm 145 (the suggested psalm for  Proper 20A, Proper 13A, Proper 9A, Proper 12B, Proper 27C), 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 145: http://contemporarypsalms.blogspot.ca/2013/05/psalm-145.html

Call to Worship: We gather together

Here’s a simple call to worship from the United Church of Canada

Call to Worship

We gather together

in the name of the One who bids us come.

We gather together

to hear the words of the One who is Love.

We gather together

to sing praises of the One who teaches peace.

Come, let us worship!

~ The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada Worship Service—Peace in Community, prepared by Miriam Spies.  http://www.united-church.ca/worship

Confession: Prayer for the Journeyers

Here’s a lovely prayer of confession and commitment written by William Loader.

A Prayer for the Journeyers

O God,
Our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you.

You are beyond our busy imaginings,
far above our elevated constructions of thought.

Yet you meet us in the dust.
Your footprints cross ours.
Behind us and before us you tread the path,
you lead the way,
you exult,
you bow low,
you lift us up.

You look upon us through the face of the poor;
you bless us in the nurture of friendship;
you challenge us in the cries for justice
and the weeping for hope.

Yoked to Jesus your Son,
joined in oneness with yourself,
we strain against your direction
and we know ourselves irksome;
summoned to follow your way,
we burden ourselves and others;
asked to stand up,
we cower in our own inadequacy
and our own discrediting.

Forgive us the wrongs we have done
to others, to ourselves, to you.

Forgive us our bondage to fixed patterns
when they no longer serve you;
our surrender to newness when newness is folly;
our failure to listen to the old people of this land
and the old and new who are hurting
and hidden beyond our preoccupations.

Lift us from our fear that we may see your vision
know your wisdom
and find our rest in you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Jesus said: Come to me all you who are weary
and are carrying heavy burdens
and I will give you rest.

— written by William Loader, and posted on Bill Loader’s Home Page. Visit that site for many other thoughtful worship resources.

Call to Worship: Psalm 123

Here’s a call to worship based on Psalm 123, one of the suggested scripture readings for November 13, 2011 (Proper 28A, Ordinary 33A).  It was written by Joan Stott, as part of her “Timeless Psalms” collection on the Geelong City Parish UCA website.

Call to Worship

(based on Psalm 123)

Great and Glorious God, we gather to worship you.
We lift our eyes to you, in reverent awe before your majesty.
Great is the Lord our God, and greatly to be praised!

Generous and Merciful God, we come to worship you.
We lift our eyes to you, giving thanks for your compassion.
Gracious is the Lord our God, and greatly to be praised!

Welcoming and Empowering God, we worship you.
We lift our eyes to you, and we celebrate your faithfulness.
Holy is the Lord our God, and greatly to be praised!
We lift our eyes, seeking to worship and praise our God. Amen.

— Copyright Joan Stott.  If used in shared worship, please provide the following acknowledgement: © 2011 Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year A, used with permission.

Words of Assurance: Psalm 145

Words of Assurance following Confession

(based on Psalm 145:8, 14, 18-19)

Our God is full of mercy and grace,

slow to anger, and rich in love.

When we fall, He is there to help us up again.

When we find ourselves burdened by past events and circumstances,

He comes alongside to support and encourage us.

God is always close at hand,

ready to listen when we call out to Him.

He hears our prayers, and answers them.

So be at peace.

God has heard your prayer.

Song Suggestion: Humble King

Here’s another contemporary song suggestion for the third Sunday after Pentecost (July 3, 2011): Brenton Brown’s Humble King (CCLI 2650388). 

The song would work well, because three of the suggested lectionary passages refer to the humility and mercy of God. In Matthew 11:28-29 Jesus says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you.  Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

In Zechariah 9:9 we read that our God—though righteous and victorious—comes to us in humility, riding on a donkey.

And in Psalm 145:13-14 we hear of a God who always keeps his promises, who helps the fallen and lifts those who are bent beneath their loads.

Brenton Brown’s Humble King beautifully depicts the humility and mercy of God.  It’s a song of worship but it’s also a song of commitment—it expresses our desire to be and act like the merciful and humble God we follow. 

It's a song of response, so I would use it to respond to the Word, or as a continuation of spoken prayer. 

If you have SongSelect with CCLI, you can access lyrics, guitar tabs, and lead sheet on the CCLI website. Lyrics and chords are also available on many other sites online.

For more song suggestions for the third Sunday after Pentecost (July 3, 2011), see:

Contemporary Hymns: Proper 9A

Praise & Worship Songs: Proper 9A

Traditional Hymns & Songs: Proper 9A

Praise & Worship Songs: Proper 9A

If you are working with the lectionary texts for July 3, 2011 (the third Sunday after Pentecost), here are some suggestions for contemporary Praise & Worship songs you might consider using. I’ve provided  links to many of them.  The vast majority are covered by a CCLI license.

See also Traditional Hymns & Songs: Proper 9A and Contemporary Hymns: Proper 9A. 

Romans 7:15-25

Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone), Louie Giglio/Chris Tomlin CCLI 4768151

Arms Open Wide, Sam Knock CCLI 5371334

Change My Heart, O God, Eddie Espinosa

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, David Crowder CCLI 2919359

Forever Reign, Jason Ingram/Reuben Morgan CCLI 5639997

Jesus Saves, Tim Hughes

Saving One, Starfield CCLI 5673991

You Alone Can Rescue, Matt Redman CCLI 5376377

Matthew 11:25-27

Jesus Saves, Tim Hughes

Light of the World, Matt Redman CCLI 2650577

Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord, Paul Baloche

Open Up the Heavens, Joel Houston CCLI 4119999 

Matthew 11:28-30

Call My Name, Third Day CCLI 5208476

Come, All You Weary, Thrice 

Come, All You Weary, Greg Scheer CCLI 4496715

Come to the Water/I Will Run to You, Matt Maher/John Foley 

Come Ye Sinners, Robbie Seay Band CCLI 4582588

Cry Out to Jesus, Third Day CCLI 4586106

Forever Reign, Jason Ingram/Reuben Morgan CCLI 5639997

Psalm 62, Stuart Townend, Aaron Keyes CCLI 5040902

We Will Lay Our Burden Down, Iona Community  

Zechariah 9:9-12

Deliverer, Vicky Beeching CCLI 5657498

Freedom Song, Charlie Hall CCLI 2057998

He Reigns, Marc James CCLI 5818550

In Your Freedom, Hillsong CCLI 4869902

Jesus Saves, Tim Hughes

Who Is This Love Amazing, Chris McClarney

This is Our God, Chris Tomlin/Jesse Reeves CCLI 3330810

You’ll Come, Brooke Fraser CCLI 5012583

Psalm 145:8-14

Almighty, Wayne Watson

Forever, Chris Tomlin CCLI 3148428

Forever Reign, Jason Ingram/Reuben Morgan CCLI 5639997

He Reigns, Marc James CCLI 5818550

How Great is Our God, Tomlin/Reeves/Cash CCLI 4348399

I Sing Praises to Your Name, Terry MacAlmon

Let It Rise, Holland Davis

Mighty is Our God, Greco/Gustafson/Moen

Rise Up and Praise Him, Paul Baloche/Gary Sadler

Contemporary Hymns for Proper 9A

If you are working with the lectionary texts for July 3, 2011 (the third Sunday after Pentecost), here are some suggestions for contemporary hymns you might consider using. I’ve tried to provide links to most of the songs.  The songs marked with an asterisk (*) are available on Hope Publishing’s Online Hymnody website, and are yours to use if you have a CCLI, One License or LicenSing copyright license.

See also Praise & Worship Songs: Proper 9A and Traditional Hymns & Songs: Proper 9A. 

Romans 7:15-25

Kind and Merciful God, Bryan Jeffrey Leech

Every Promise of Your Word, Keith Getty/Stuart Townend

Jesus Calls You Now, Ralph Parks  CCLI 774562

*Freedom and Life Are Ours, Christopher Idle

Let God, Who Called the Worlds, David Mowbray CCLI 1348203

From the depths of sin, Willard Jabusch

*Your Word, O God, a Living Sword, Christopher L. Webber

*Broken, Bitter, Bruised We Come, Daniel Charles Damon

*Christ is all the world’s good news, Christopher Idle

*Beyond the Depths of Numb Despair, Carl P. Daw

*Create in Me a Clean Heart, John Carter

*Daniel the Prophet Bowed in Prayer, Christopher Idle

*Sovereign Maker of All Things, Carl P. Daw

Eternal God, May We Be Free, Michael G. Dell

Matthew 11:25-27

*Christ is the World’s Light, Fred Pratt Green

God of Every Generation, Paul Marino/Greg Nelson CCLI 4640406

*Christ is all the world’s good news, Christopher Idle

*Hidden Christ, Alive Forever, Brian Wren

Matthew 11:28-30

When Trials Come, Keith & Kristyn Getty CCLI 4619523

Psalm 62, Stuart Townend, Aaron Keyes CCLI 5040902

*Now Let Us Learn of Christ, Christopher Idle

Jesus Calls You Now, Ralph Parks  CCLI 774562

O let all who thirst, John B. Foley

*How clear is our vocation, Lord, Fred Pratt Green

*Come, Let Us Praise the Lord, Timothy Dudley-Smith

Be Not Afraid, Bob Dufford

Come Away from Rush and Hurry, Marva Dawn

*Broken, Bitter, Bruised We Come, Daniel Charles Damon

*Christ is all the world’s good news, Christopher Idle

*Draw Near to God, Timothy Dudley-Smith

*To Christ, Whose Hands Will Bless, Shirley Erena Murray

*What Boundless Love, O Carpenter of Nazareth, Carl P. Daw

*Where Does Our Salvation Start?, Fred Pratt Green

Zechariah 9:9-12

*Blow Upon the Trumpet, Michael Perry

*How Sure God’s Purpose Is, Margaret Clarkson

Psalm 145:8-14

Tell Your Children, Grace Hawthorne  CCLI 41305

*Tell Out, My Soul, Timothy Dudley-Smith

*Beyond all mortal praise, Timothy Dudley-Smith

*Timeless Love, We Sing the Story, Timothy Dudley-Smith

*Heavenly Hosts, in Ceaseless Worship, Timothy Dudley-Smith

Traditional Hymns & Songs: Proper 9A

If you are working with the lectionary texts for July 3, 2011 (the third Sunday after Pentecost), here are some suggestions for traditional hymns and songs you might consider using.

See also Praise & Worship Songs: Proper 9A and Contemporary Hymns: Proper 9A.

Romans 7:15-25

All the Riches of God’s Grace, Jan Harrington

Amazing Grace, John Newton

And Can It Be, Charles Wesley

Breathe on Me, Breath of God, Edwin Hatch

Breathe on Me, Edwin Hatch, B.B. McKinney

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Robert Robinson

I Then Shall Live, Gloria Gaither

Jesus, I Come, William Sleeper

Jesus, Lover of My Soul, Charles Wesley

Just as I am, Charlotte Elliott

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, Charles Wesley

Make me a captive, Lord, George Matheson

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Julia Johnston

O Thou, In Whose Presence, Joseph Swain

Out of the depths, Martin Luther

Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me, Augustus Toplady

When in the hour of deepest need, Paul Eber

Wonderful Grace of Jesus, Haldor Lillenas

Matthew 11:25-27

God Has Spoken by the Prophets, George Briggs

Open My Eyes, That I May See, Clara H. Scott

Open Our Eyes, Lord, Robert Cull

Thanks to God Whose Word Was Spoken, R.T. Brooks

Matthew 11:28-30

Cares Chorus, Kelly Willard

Come, ye disconsolate, Thomas Moore

Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy, Joseph Hart

Forth in thy name O Lord, I go, Charles Wesley

I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say

Jesus, I Come, William Sleeper

Just as I am, Charlotte Elliott

Lord Jesus, Think on Me, Synesius of Cyrene/Chatfield

Lord of All Hopefulness, Jan Struther

O God, in restless living, Harry Emerson Fosdick

Softly and Tenderly, Jesus is Calling, Will Thompson

There Is a place of quiet rest, Cleland B. McAfee

Zechariah 9:9-12

O for a thousand tongues to sing, Charles Wesley

Prepare the Way, O Zion, Frans Mikael Franzen/Charles Price

Rejoice Today with One Accord, Henry William Baker

Thou art the way, George W. Doane

Psalm 145:8-14

All Creatures of Our God and King, Francis of Assisi/Draper/Ken

God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand, Daniel C. Roberts

Holy God, We Praise Your Name, Ignaz Franz/Walworth

Holy, Holy, Holy, Reginald Heber

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee, Henry van Dyke

Let All the World in Every Corner Sing, George Herbert

My God, How Endless Is Your Love, Isaac Watts

O Worship the King, Robert Grant

Praise the Lord! O Heavens Adore Him, author unknown

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, Joachim Neander/Winkworth

Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven, Henry Francis Lyte

Rejoice, the Lord is King, Charles Wesley