Have you been tasked with speaking to a people who are impudent and stubborn? Do you know exactly who is going to ask about being caught up into the third heaven? Here are a few worship words to help you on your way this week. Use them as they have been written, or let them be a spring-board for your own creativity, (and then share with us what you have written, if you will be so kind). Please give credit in print and video descriptions, but verbal attribution is not necessary.
A PRAYER OF RECONCILIATION for a Nation celebrating Freedom by Cathy Kowley
Forgive us, O God,
for how easily we forget
that freedom in Christ binds us
to love both enemy and neighbor,
and calls us to welcome the stranger and alien among us.
We too easily fall into the trap of assuming our side is right,
and we have the lock on grace for this world.
And centered in our righteousness, we believe it is our right to cast out the other.
With the angry words we speak, and with the ways we keep silent, we harm others in the name of freedom.
Remind us, O God, that true freedom in Christ binds us to one another.I
n the things we have done for the name of independence,
and in the things we have left undone in the name of freedom,
forgive us O God.
Bind our hearts to our neighbor once again.
For true freedom knows no border or boundary or bias.
So, reconcile us together into the freedom of Christ once again.
In your Holy Name we pray, Amen.
(Assurance of Grace) Paul reminds us that in Christ there is no longer Greek or Jew,
no longer male or female, but that we are all one in Christ,
and in that oneness, we find freedom in Christ and are bound to one another in love.
Grace frees us to love and serve each other in Christ’s name. Amen.
Confession and Assurance of Pardon by Julia Seymour (ELCA, USA)
Oh, faithful God, we know the truth of our own hearts.
We have been impudent and stubborn.
We fail to live in awe of your glory and grace.
We fall short in respecting your beloved creation.
Truly there have been prophets among us, whom we have failed to heed.
The more clearly they spoke the truth of your will for
Justice, peace, reconciliation, healing, restoration,
The more fiercely we resisted their words.
We have sinned by our actions
And in failing to correct the injustices of history.
In your mercy, faithful God, forgive us.
Guide our repentant turning.
Grant us the courage and will to be the people you have called and made us to be.
Renew us in your grace and send us forth in Christ,
Compelled to love our neighbors and the world. Amen.
Call to Worship by Julia Seymour (ELCA, USA)
Worshipping God is our duty and our joy.
God’s grace is sufficient for all our needs.
We are united by the Holy Spirit, whether together and apart.
God’s grace is sufficient for all our needs.
Our prayers, our meditations, our hopes form a holy communion in this hour.
God’s grace is sufficient for all our needs.
In silence, in song, in scripture, in speaking,
God’s grace is sufficient for all our needs.
Let us join together in praising the One who provides for all creation.
God’s grace is sufficient for all our needs.
Prayer for Illumination by Julia Seymour (ELCA, USA)
Holy God who is Love, make our hearts and minds open and hospitable households for your gospel. Grant us the faith that we will welcome prophets among us. Strengthen us to hear words of truth, to withstand their conviction, and to join in the work of your kin-dom. May we find more comfort in sharing than in possessing, in hoping than in holding, and in “we” than in “me”. Amen.
A PRAYER OF INVOCATION (based on Hebrews 4) by Cathy Kowley
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on us this morning.
Move through our midst and transform our hearts,
with the peace and the hope of the reigning Christ.
And as we gather in your Divine presence,
may we boldly worship your Holy name, and in doing so,
may we receive the mercy and grace that sustains us now and always.
In your Holy name we pray, Amen.
Musical Inspiration
We offer the following as inspiration for your worship planning. If you wish to use these videos, please follow the instructions of the artist.
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 that you are willing to share, please send us an email: revgalblogpals at gmail dot com. Material is due by Monday for the upcoming Sunday.
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