These words are here for YOU. You may use them as they are or adapt them to your context. They come from members of our online community, underscoring the truth that we are connected by the Holy Spirit and the gifts of technology. If you use them in printed materials, please note the author and revgalblogpals.org. If you use them in online worship and it is possible to give credit in video descriptions, that is sufficient (no need for verbal attribution). Thanks!
Call to Worship (Psalm 123) by Elsa Cook (more at her blog)
O God, you have been our help
in ages past. You’ve reminded us
what was possible
and pushed us beyond our fears.
You’ve raised our eyes
to higher ground
and made our hearts soar
with the hope of years to come.
Be our guard while
these troubles last
and dare us to dream
in this new day.
Surprise us, O God,
with good trouble
in our worship
this day.
Prayer of Confession (Psalm 123) from Kathy Swaar
We lift up our eyes, Heaven-dwelling God,
acknowledging your place as Creator
and ruler of the Cosmos, and of each human heart.
We lift up our spirits in worship and praise,
even as we bow our souls to confess and ask your mercy.
We are weary, Holy One.
Tired of the vitriol and contempt, the criticism and ridicule,
the my-way-or-the-highway rhetoric, the blaming
and finger-pointing, the constant barrage
of offensive and abusive memes, posts, and tweets.
Have mercy on us.
Forgive us for the times those same sentiments
have escaped our lips, when we posted or secretly
agreed with those memes,
when we entertained thoughts that those
hurtful words—or worse—were deserved.
And forgive us for the times we’ve lashed
out in anger upon reading or hearing them.
Have mercy on us and heal us, Author of Life.
Draw our vision—our hearts and minds and attention—
away from division to your abundant
grace and forgiveness, your radical inclusion.
May that mercy, empathy and compassion
rule our hearts, guide our speech,
drive our every action.
silent prayers of confession may be offered here.
Assurance of Pardon: Ever gracious and compassionate, the steadfast love of God is from everlasting to everlasting.
Hearing our pleas for mercy, the Holy One pours out grace and forgiveness without measure.
Friends: Believe the Good News of the Gospel, and be at peace. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
Call to Worship from Sarah Erickson
One: The Lord calls us to always be ready to share the Good News.
ALL: How can we stay ready?
High voices: We will encourage one another;
Low voices: We will build each other up.
All: With God’s help, we will be ready. Now, let us worship God!
Prayer for Illumination from Sarah Erickson
As the Scriptures are read and the Word is proclaimed, show us how to respond when you call, especially when that call leads us away from our certainties, calls into question our discipleship and leads us to confront uncomfortable truths. Amen.
RevGalBlogPals encourages you to share our blog posts via email or social media. We do not grant permission to cut-and-paste prayers and articles without a link back to the specific post. For permission to use material in paper publications, please email revgalblogpals at gmail dot com. For Worship Words, you may use or adapt what you find here, but please credit the author in printed orders of service/web publications and in public video descriptions if possible.
If you have written words for worship in this strange new world that you are willing to share, please send us an email: revgalblogpals at gmail dot com.
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