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Worship Order for
Sunday
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Call to
Worship
One: Your revealed will is right on the mark, LORD; it gives
our souls their second wind.
All: What you say goes, and any fool can wise up by
taking note.
One: Your instructions are spot on, LORD; anyone who follows
them will be glad they did.
All: What you direct us to do is easy to see, and
once seen, everything becomes clear.
Left: Respect for you keeps us true, LORD, nothing can
corrupt it, now or ever.
Right: What you decide is always accurate; a fair
ruling, beyond dispute.
Left: Your Word is worth far more than even diamond
encrusted gold!
Right: It is sweeter by far than any mouth watering
delicacy, even chocolate dipped strawberries with cream!
One: But that’s not all! Your Word, O LORD, keeps me out of
danger, and following it pays off richly.
All: Can anyone put their finger on all their own
faults? LORD, eradicate the bugs I haven’t even identified yet.
One: Remind me not to entertain sour contemptuous thoughts,
and don’t let them start pulling my strings. Without them, I can
stay on course, and keep my record clean.
All: That’s what I want, O LORD. I want all the
things I say, and all the things I mull over in my heart, to be
things I’d be proud to offer to you, for you are the bedrock of
my life; the one who puts me back where I belong.
Psalm 19:7-14,
Laughing Bird Version
©2000 Nathan Nettleton
www.laughingbird.net
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Opening
Prayer
As much as we
desire our words and actions, even our inner life, to be
pleasing in your sight, O Lord, we realize how far we are from
pulling it off. If not for your eternal mercies, every day we
would only be spinning our wheels, racing into the wind and
getting nowhere. Instead, you guide us to identify our failings,
such that – when we truly pay attention – we can stop repeating
the same mistakes, over and over. You pick us up when we fall
flat on our face. You bandage our scrapes, and you set us on our
way, forgiving and living in us. Your Spirit empowers us to walk
in the way of Jesus. In fact, you help us to spread our spirit
wings and fly upon your holy wind. Because of this, we have
gathered in the name of the One whom you sent to save us, that
together we might sing out and live out your praise. May it be
so. Amen.
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For
Children
“Pray
for one another”
Together, we’ll explore the memory verse, focusing upon the
encouragement to “pray for one another.” What does that
mean? How can we do it? When do we do it? As suggested by
Carolyn Brown, I’ll offer the children
prayer sheets on which to write/draw their own prayers
for their church and for people in it, using the time of
sharing joys and concerns during worship as a model. Challenge
them to listen to what is shared and write down (or even draw,
if that is easier) people for whom we are asked to pray that
day. Take it home and use it during the week to remember to pray
for them. As the children go back to their seats, offer (via the
ushers) these sheets to any adults who wish to have one.
borrowed and adapted from
Worshiping with Children, Carolyn C. Brown, 2012.
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Pastoral Prayer
written closer to the time (if not at the
moment)
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Returning
our Tithes and Offerings
How easy it is
to be suspicious of others
who may not be like us,
even if the cup of water they give
quenches our thirst.
How hard it is
to keep from causing
others to stumble,
even if our criticism
is well meant.
Being salt is difficult work.
Jesus never promised otherwise.
What God has promised
is that we don’t do it alone.
The ability to receive and give service,
to be the
hands of Christ,
to add flavor
to the world around us –
this power is provided for us
by the One who calls us as disciples
and sends us as apostles.
Please
pray with me.
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Help us to see you in what is offered to us, O Lord.
Forgive us when we cause others to fall, and lead us
to help them stand as our friends. Receive what we
are about to give as seasoning, that together we
might dwell in your peace. In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen. |
Ushers?
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Benediction
May God bless you through times of
suffering,
that your prayers might become real,
even when unanswered.
May God bless you when things are going well,
that your praise might become honest,
aware of your own failings.
May God bless you when you open yourselves
to the touch of other believers,
that together we might more fully become the body of
Christ,
confessing our sins and professing our faith,
alive to the power of the Holy Spirit within.
Amen!
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