As if it were designed for a prophetic summary of the New Testament, it begins with that which begins the gospels, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness” (ch. xl. 3), and concludes with that which concludes the book of the Revelation, “The new heavens and the new earth,” (ch. lxvi. 22).
“Speak to the heart of Jerusalem (v. 2); speak that which will revive her heart, and be a cordial to her and to all that belong to her and wish her well. Do not whisper it, but cry unto her: cry aloud, to show saints their comforts as well as to show sinners their transgressions; make her hear it:”
We must get into such a frame of spirit as will dispose us to receive Christ and his gospel: “Prepare you the way of the Lord; prepare yourselves for him, and let all that be suppressed which would be an obstruction to his entrance. Make room for Christ: Make straight a highway for him.”
Double imperative: Comfort! Comfort! The people of Jerusalem are not “deserving” of comfort according to the norms of retributive justice, but God insists — no, commands — that they be comforted.
Advent candlelighting; opening prayer; call to worship; rite of confession; hymns; offering prayer; and a confession of faith. Please note **/*** at the end indicating sources and give appropriate credit. If not **/*** then from Barb Hedges-Goettl, please give credit if using/adapting these as well. Thank you.
In the context of Blue Christmas/Longest Night; if you’re not doing a separate service, you could provide for folks in need of this kind of a service this week. See
Take heart, Jeremiah says the days are surely coming
The days are coming where God will fulfill God’s promises
And God will execute justice and righteousness throughout the land, and all people will be safe
Come Let us worship the lord.
Call To Worship
God is our very help in a time of trouble, what do we call Jesus?
Savior and Messiah, Wonderful Counselor, Protector of Peace
Come let us call upon the Lord
Let us worship God together
Call to Worship
Rejoice, O Pure of Heart.
We will rejoice, give thanks, and sing.
Let us praise God, for great things he has done.
Come let us worship the Lord
Prayer of Confession: At times I feel like do not want to give thanks. I forget that you are Lord and King, I sit in my smallness. Lord, remind me that I am blessed to be a blessing. Teach me to be as generous as you are, teach me to give thanks I pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession: Lord, I confess I do not always know who you are and what it is you are doing in my life. I ignore you, or I get stuck in my own head. I get lost is petty thoughts or just feel too overwelmed by the trouble I see in the world. Teach me the grace to get through all of these things I pray.
Prayer of Confession: Lord, I confess that I get tired of waiting for things to change. So I give up. But you have promised that justice will ring out, and the all will be fulfilled. Grant me the hope I need I pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession: You know I don’t have much hope right now. At best, I confess, I am hoping for hope. I feel empty–and yet you promise all will be fulfilled. Help me when hopelessness overwhelms me I pray.
Assurance of Pardon: God plants the seeds of hope in love, and our hope is in Jesus Christ, so we can be assured of the truth: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Assurance of Pardon: God is coming! But know the truth God already loves and forgives us, hear the good news: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Prayer of the Day/Dedication: Lord, you have promised to use us as a part of the promise of Jesus. This is our hope. Help us to go forward working so that all might be a fulfilled, we pray. Amen.
Communion Prayer: Lord, God, Jesus, Messiah. Let us name you and all the ways it is right to give you are thanks and praise. When we could no longer connect or feel your presence. When we felt distant from your love, you sent Jesus to be conceived and born of a human. Living, breathing, laughing and growing up, here on this earth. Jesus spent time with us, so we might truly begin to understand God’s love for us. And gifted us, even when he knew his time was up, with this Holy Meal, wherein we can call up a very real presence of Jesus whenever we might need it, and so that we can celebrate his love as a community. Send your Holy Spirit here on these elements, we pray, that we might taste and see your love, all the more, and so that we might live into the Hope of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Hymns: Live Into Hope, We Are One in the Spirit, Rejoice Ye Pure of Heart, For the Fruit of All Creation, God of the Sparrow, Advent Hymns to Christmas Carol Tunes
Children Ideas: Go through newspapers together and find stories of hope, Discuss what to do when one doesn’t feel hope, Light candles as beacons of Hope: Sing This Little Light of Mine, Discuss the Appearing of the Star and how that was a sign of Hope, Give everyone empty plates: discuss waiting and hoping for food–>pass out a snack to fill/fulfill the plate/hope
The time is surely coming, when Christ will be with us.
Our hope is in the Lord our God, Eternal Protector, the Might of Peace. Let us wait in Hope
Sing: O Come, O Come Emmanuel
O come, Thou, Dayspring from on high
And cause Thy light on us to rise
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadow put to flight
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
Or Magnify the Lord v1. to the tune of O Come All Ye Faithful
The time is surely coming Refuge and Salvation The Jesse, the Jesse branch will spring up from David. Justice and Righteousness, Will be the spice of worship
We hope for God’s justice; We hope for God’s justice; We hope for God’s justice; Magnify the Lord
The time is surely coming, when Christ will be with us.
When God appears, we will be comforted, able at last to put down our sorrows. We will say: this is the day that Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. How can we not wait for that kind of joy?
Sing: O Come O Come Emmanuel
O come, O come, true prophet of the Lord
And turn the key to heaven’s door
Be Thou our comforter and guide
And lead us to the Father’s side
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall by His word our darkness dispel
Or Magnify the Lord v 3. to the tune of O Come All Ye Faithful
Rebuild the Temple Built with ex-alt-ta-tions For God, is good an’ just, an’ loves us forev’r Shout with Rejoicing Come let’s praise our Savior
We practice our rejoicing; We practice our rejoicing; We practice our rejoicing; Magnify the Lord
The time is surely coming, when Christ will be with us.
When God appears, war will be but a memory, the lion will lie down with the lamb, and everyone will be made whole, so we wait for Shalom.
Sing: O Come O Come Emmanuel
O Come, Thou King of nations bring
An end to all our suffering
Bid every pain and sorrow cease
And reign now as our Prince of Peace
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come again with us to dwell
Or Magnify the Lord v 4. to the tune of O Come All Ye Faithful
Peace Seed, we await thee Mighty and Graceful Deliver, deliver us; Jesus, Messiah Come strengthen justice Fill the world with mercy
Create the earth’s-Shalom; Create the earth’s-Shalom; Create the earth’s-Shalom; Magnify the Lord
In days to come
the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be raised up above the hills.
Many nations shall come and say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.’
Come Let us worship the Lord
Come Let us Worship the Lord.
Call to worship: (Luke 1:46-55)
Come let us magnify the Lord
I have heard you, says God
For the Mighty One has done great things for me.
My spirit rejoices in the Lord.
Call to Worship (2 Kings 22)
God calls us to his house
Let the repair work begin!
We are called to turn around so that we might rejoice in God
Come let us hear the word of the Lord
Call to Worship
Lord open our eyes that we mights see
Grant us visions of truth
Open our Hearts so we might know your scripture
Open us to the Holy Spirit!
Prayer of Confession: Lord, too often we are like the kings and people of Israel. We forget your covenant. We don’t keep your commandments within our hearts and within our souls. We fall out of step. Help us to follow you we pray.
Prayer of Confession: Lord I confess, that I have no always magnified you. I have not worked with you to lift up the downtrodden, to feed the hungry good things, and I have forgotten you’re mercy. Help me to fully embrace who you are so we might not live as a people living on scraps of your grace, but instead by a people woven together by your blessings, we pray.
Assurance of Pardon: God’s mercy is to all who fear him from generation to generation, let us tell the good news: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Assurance of Pardon: When God judges–God shall hammer swords into the ploughshares, every time. Hear the Good news: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Prayer of Dedication/the Day: Lord we are thankful whenever we can see your grace dripping down to earth. We are grateful when we can right the wrongs, turn to another path, and encourage one another. Help us to recognize your fire as it burns in our hearts today and everyday we pray.
Eucharist Prayer: Lord grant us the hearts we need to give thanks with a grateful heart. Remind us that your judgement looks less like a sword and more like a tool of planting. As we await the harvest, let us enjoy the fruits of your labor–this covenantal meal. Remind us of your bounty and grace and seal our hearts, once again, with the fire of your Holy Spirit. For whenever we gather from East and West into your House, you promise we will each sit under our own vine, and we will make war no more. Let us practice that peace in communion today, we pray. Amen.
With Children: Cut Out a Puzzle: Put it back together talk about it as a power of forgiveness. Glowsticks/Electric candles: The glow/power of the Holy Spirit. Study the Ten Commandments, Have a Feast: Explain how one can always go home to dinner at God’s house and/or tell the prodigal son story and explain that Josiah is another version of that story.
God is coming, this I promise a shoot shall come out of the stock of Jesse
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him.
The spirit of wisdom and understanding. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord
Let us worship our God who is coming
Prayer of the Day/Dedication: Let us go forth praising the Lord for God’s wonderful works for humankind. God satisfies the thirsty and the hungry he fills with good things. Let us offer a thanksgiving and tell of God’s deeds wherever we go, we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession:
God we do not always see you. So we forget to forgive debts, heal the sick and free the prisoner. We spend so little time working to make your kingdom come. Forgive us for our lack of vision, give us eyes to see and ears to hear your word we pray. (Silent Prayer).
Prayer of Confession: Lord, we forget to tend the vineyard, and so often hurt the messenger when they call our our neglect to foster love and understanding. We flinch when we hear the words racism or bigotry or sexual misconduct, and verbally thrash any who might dare to point out injustice, because we are afraid to admit complicity or ignorance. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear injustice so we might weed it out and successfully tend the vineyard, we pray.
Assurance of Pardon: God is the vine and we are branches, whenever we abide in God we flourish in grace. Let us renew our relationship knowing that truth:: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Prayer of Eucharist: Lord, you give us the vine and invite us to drink deeply in your love. You provide us meal after meal until we are filled to the brim, and you have us celebrate your covenant with a meal. Let us celebrate you today, so that we might make a sacrifice of praise to you today, we pray.
With Children: Eat Grape & Discuss vine and branches. Play throw a ball of string to make a web of interdependence, Plant seeds/pluck harvest and talk about the abundance of God, Have a thanksgiving celebration meal
The couple in the face masks at a California vineyard wedding represent the love song that went amiss in the Song of the Vineyard in Isaiah 5
Narrative Lectionary: Isaiah 5:1-7; 11:1-5 (November 17, 2019?) Peaceable kingdom is 11;6-9; some resource below focus more on these additional verses. For another take on God as the vintner, see Psalm 80.
Overview of Isaiah focusing on judgement and hope; doesn’t deal directly with Isaiah 5 but applicable nonetheless; does deal with Isaiah 11’s burned stump’s new branch.
Isaiah 5:1-7 suggests that the establishment of a just society in which people do right by those in need was the single desired outcome of God’s relationship with Israel and Judah. By failing to achieve this, they have both angered and grieved God.
Crying out in the face of injustice; for me these two raise the question of how the relationship between God and government/country should be understood in light of the judgment of Isaiah 5–not an easy question in these polarized days.
Maybe one way to deal with the God/government question is to take up the passage’s cry to help the underdog and then talk about who that might be. (I’m thinking of starting with a Phils/Cubs illustration!) This exegetical take on the passage is from the Lutheran Seminary folks but from the RCL context. It deals with word play, justice for the underdogs, and God singing the blues.(The peaceable kingdom from Isaiah 11:6-9 caouldhelp with this two—who are unlikely companions/friends? How can we make these friendships happen?)
Call to Worship from Isaiah 11 (from The Message translation)
Original resource by Barb Hedges-Goettl; please give credit if using/adapting
God send your life-giving Spirit over us–
the Spirit that brings wisdom and understanding.
God send your life-giving Spirit over us–
the Spirit that gives direction and builds strength.
God send your life-giving Spirit over us–
The Spirit that instills knowledge and Fear-of-God.
God send your life-giving Spirit over us—
this day and throughout our lives.
Call to Worship: Advent 2A
Here’s a responsive call to worship inspired by the suggested scripture readings for the second Sunday of Advent, Year A (Isaiah 11: 1-10, Psalm 72: 1-7, 18-19 and Matthew 3: 1-12). It comes from the Ministry Matters website.
Call to Worship for Advent 2 A
(inspired by Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72, Matthew 3:1-12)
In this season of prophecy, promise, and preparation,
we come to be renewed and refreshed.
We come to be inspired by stories of a messiah
who will change the world—and change us.
We come to listen for words of hope and joy,
promise and challenge.
We come with open ears, open minds, and open hearts.
We come to receive the blessings God has in store for us
in this season of waiting.
Come! Let us worship our God—
the One who brings all things to fulfillment.
Original resource by Barb Hedges-Goettl; please give credit if using/adapting.
*Call to Confession*** Reader
Faith rooted deeply in God reflect God’s justice and righteousness—but we know that this is not always how we live. Let us ask for God’s forgiveness and renewal.
*Prayer of Confession-unison*** Reader
O God, sometimes we are led more by what we hear and see than by your ways. We get caught up in how someone looks, or what we have heard. We forget that appearances can be deceiving and that some voices are silenced. Help us to look deep within your word and deep within ourselves. Reveal to us the places where our judgments are faulty and our hands are dirty, so that we may repent and be made clean. [Silent Confession]
Assurance of Forgiveness While all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, God continues to re-make us. God brings new life out of the death. Thanks be to God for God’s continual righteousness and faithfulness: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
Confession: Advent 2A
Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by the suggested scripture readings for the second Sunday of Advent, Year A. It was written by Jane Stranz.
Prayer of Confession
(inspired by Isaiah 11: 1-10, Psalm 72, Matthew 3:1-12)
When our faith is rooted deeply in you, O God,
our lives reflect your kingdom values of justice and righteousness,
but sometimes our lives become so entangled with the values of the world,
that your values take second place.
Forgive us, O God,
and reconnect us to the Holy Spirit,
source of power and life.
Merciful God, strip our hearts and minds
of all that prevents our lives being firmly rooted in you.
May our lives bear fruit worthy of our faith in you,
as we watch and wait for your breaking into our world once more,
in the person of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Amen
Assurance of Forgiveness
Blessed be the Lord our God, who does wondrous things. (Psalm 72: 8)
The most wondrous of all being God’s entry into our world in Jesus Christ,
“not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”
“Those who believe in him are not condemned.” (John 3:17,18)
Thanks be to God!
Isaiah 11 prayer (Advent context)
https://day1.org/weekly-broadcast/5d9b820ef71918cdf2002b98/not_much_but_enough_for_me Lord, you know all too well that to be human–to be able to feel joy and delight–is also to be able to feel pain and sadness. So come to us all this Advent, O God, bringing glad tidings and good cheer, comfort and hope, for we celebrate that marvelous mystery we call incarnation–when you became one of us, born a baby, who grew up and lived and breathed, seated and cried, ate and drank, lived and died.
Through him, bring us hope, bring us joy, bring us healing and wholeness, bring us a sure refuge in the darkness as we await for something new to be born in us, something small and bright, a tiny flame that will carry us into the future. In the name of that light which sure came to save us, even Jesus the Christ, Amen.
Isaiah 11 offering prayer
https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/offertory-prayers-and-invitation-for-december-2016 Gracious God, we lift our voices to glorify you! You sent your Son Jesus to lead us in wisdom and mercy. His kindness to the poor and meek reveals the harmony of your heavenly kingdom. Help our church’s ministries to demonstrate your love for the world. We dedicate our tithes and offerings to bless people in our community who are searching for Christ’s abiding peace. We pray in his name. Amen. From Discipleship Ministries, an agency of The United Methodist Church
Opening Litany: Return of the King
Here’s an opening litany for Advent from the Wellsprings website. It is inspired by verses from Psalm 72 and Isaiah 11.
In his days justice shall flourish and peace till the moon fails
In his days, justice shall flourish
and the voice of those who are oppressed will be heard.
The poor will receive enough on which to live
and the rich will share gladly
the abundance they have received at the hand of God.
In his days justice shall flourish and peace till the moon fails.
The wolf lies down with the lamb:
the fierce gives way to the tame,
the weak protect the strong,
the powerless contain the power of the mighty.
In his day justice shall flourish and peace till the moon fades.
God will give judgment to the King,
to the One who comes in the name of the Lord,
to establish peace and justice
with integrity and with mercy.
~ from the Wellsprings website. http://wellsprings.org.uk/
Call to Worship Based on Isaiah 11:1-10
We come to worship the coming King. The One who was and is and is to come!
Robed in Justice, carrying equity in his heart,
Righteousness is a belt around his waist, faithfulness in the clasps of his sandals.
We have prepared ourselves for worship.
We intend to do no harm; to love our neighbors and to stay in love with God!
We look forward to the Reign of the coming King!
The wolves will walk with the lambs; the leopards skip with the kids;
and the calves will be friends with the lion cubs.
Peace will come through the root of Jesse, and we will abide with the King!
The Rev. Nathan Decker is the pastor of the South Sussex Charge of the Petersburg District of the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Nathan has great love for the diversity and inspiration of God’s creative nature in worship. https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/call-to-worship-based-on-isaiah-111-10
Prayer of Intercession: Advent 2A
Here’s a prayer of petition and intercession inspired by Isaiah 11:2 and Matthew 3: 1-12, two of the suggested scripture readings for Advent 2, Year A. It was written by Terri.
Prayer of Intercession
(inspired by Isaiah 11: 1-10, Matthew 3: 1-12)
Let us pray for the Spirit of Wisdom to rest upon us
A spirit of understanding and knowledge
Grant us to live in harmony
God’s mercy prevail
Let us pray for God’s steadfastness to gird our spirit
May peace prevail like lamb and wolf
Grant us to live in harmony
God’s mercy prevail
Let us pray, for voices crying out in the wilderness
Women living in fear, children hiding
Grant all a place of harmony
God’s mercy prevail
Let us pray, repent of harm done to the innocent
Clear the chaff of abuse and hurt
Bear the Spirit of harmony
God’s mercy prevail
Let us pray for the God of hope, joy and peace to fill
All hearts, one voice glorify
God, prepare the way
God’s mercy prevail
~ written by Terri, and posted on RevGalPrayerPals. http://revgalblogpals.org/2010/12/05/sunday-prayer-advent-2a-sixteen-days-of-prayer-advocating-for-the-end-of-domestic-violence/ Reposted at
Here’s a gathering rite or opening litany inspired by Isaiah 11:1-10: “Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot….” It was written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Mucky Paws.
Gathering Words
(inspired by Isaiah 11: 1-10)
From the bulb there comes a flower
from the desert rock a flow of water
from the rainbow there come the hope of life
from the bible there comes the word of truth
from the cross there comes the love of God
from the tomb there comes the resurrection
from the prophet comes the vision of new earth
but from the stump
from this dried out log
from a family tree that has lost all integrity…
…there comes the shoot of David
the lifeline of salvation
the promise of justice
the longing for transformation
the word of life
the expectation of Messiah
Here’s an affirmation of faith inspired by Isaiah 11: 1-10, the suggested scripture reading for the second Sunday of Advent, Year A.
We Believe
(inspired by Isaiah 11: 1-10)
In that day, the wolf and lamb will live together…. Isaiah 11:6
Jesus has taught us to speak of hope as the coming of God’s Kingdom.
We believe that God is at work in our world
turning hopeless and evil situations into good.
We believe that goodness and justice and love will triumph in the end,
and that tyranny and oppression cannot fast forever.
One day ‘all tears will be wiped away’
and ‘the lamb will lie down with the lion.’
True peace and true reconciliation are not only desirable,
they are assured and guaranteed.
This is our faith, and our hope.
~ from Third World Solidarity Day, from the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, 1987. Posted in Liturgy, Justice and the Reign of God Integrating Vision and Practice http://www.jfrankhenderson.com/pdf/LJRG.pdf
Prayer: Isaiah 11: 1-10
Here’s a prayer inspired by Isaiah 11: 1-10. It comes from the Vanderbilt Divinity Library website.
ORACLES
music and lyric by Steve Bell
lyrics adapted from the four advent oracles of Isaiah:
2:1-5, 7:10-16, 11:1-10, 35:1-10
Isaiah 11 verse: And it will surely come to pass
Justice will reign on earth at last
The wolf will lie down with the lamb
No beast destroy, no serpant strike the child’s hand
The Vineyard of the Lord, two versions of the same contemporary setting of Psalm 80
Call to Worship:
Happy are those who take refuge in God
Serve the Lord with fear and trembling and kiss his feet
The nations conspire in vain, for our Lord is God, and God will break ancient schemes
Come let us worship the Lord our God.
Hear the Good News; The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed.
The smallest of seeds, but it has grown into the greatest of shrubs.
See all the air come and make nests in its branches
Come, let us come home and nest with God.
Call to Worship:
I shall never be afraid
God is my rock, God is my salvation
Whom shall I fear?
No One
Why should I run, no one can harm me, I shall overcome: come let us proclaim the truth
God is my rock.
Invitation to Confess: Like a loving parent, God awaits us with open arms to hear our troubles and soothe our sorrows. Come let us confess to the Lord
Prayer of Confession: Lord, sometimes I feel like I have nowhere to run to. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed, and that I have no one to turn to. Sometimes I just want to run away. So I ignore things, or I snap at life, or I feel hopelessness overwhelm me. Remind me that you are always present, that I can turn to you with anything. Strengthen me with your love I pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession: I confess that I don’t feel like a child of God today. I see all of my cracks and mistakes, and have trouble focusing on the good. How can I go home broken? But then you remind me, if I’m broken, how can I not go home? Help me to come to you so I might bathe in your good food, soft beds and loving hospitality and be restored, I pray.
Assurance of Pardon. God’s love is from everlasting to everlasting. God does not hold grudges, but instead loves us when time are good and when times are bad. Reassure one another with the truth: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Assurance of Pardon: When the walls are tumbling down, God remains our rock and salvation, and so we can hang onto the truth: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Eucharist Prayer: God, bless this food with thanksgiving and hope. Remind us that the one who sent his only son to teach us and bless us and feed us, will not turn us away from the table. When asked how it is we are to care for one another, Jesus answered feed me sheep, feed my sheep, feed my sheep. Let this be the celebration meal to fill our hearts and soothe our souls. Send your Holy Spirit down on these elements so that we might take on the new day with energy, intelligence, imagination and hope, we pray in your loving son Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.
Hymns:
Here I am Lord
Somebody’s Knocking At Your Door
Spirit
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart
God Folded the Mountains Out of Rock
Rock of the Ages
With Children: Runaway Bunny, Play Hide and Seek and talk about how God finds you, Play Eye Spy: Talk about how God keeps track of you and how you keep an eye out for God, Plant seeds (especially mustard seeds), Make a Gratitude paper chain of all the things you are grateful for (can continue for many weeks), Wise Man builds his house on the rock Song, Build a tower and discuss the importance of salvation/God as your rock. Pairs well with Prodigal Son, Father Abraham had man sons Song
Let, the enemies of God be scattered, but let the righteous be joyful.
As smoke is driven away, wickedness perishes before God. God who created us and called us good.
Let us exult before God, let us be jubilant with Joy.
Call to Worship
Let God rise up. Can you hear the voice of God?
It is in the still, small voice of a prophet, the quiet crackle of the fire, the joyous shrieks of children.
When the world mutters and murmurs, calling on other things for help, let us call on you.
Because you alone are God, Let us worship you today.
Call to Worship
Do not limp with different opinions
If the Lord is your God, then call on God!
Remember the God who answers by fire is indeed God.
Light us up with the fire of the Holy Spirit we pray.
Call to Confession: When we are out of fuel and drowned in sorrow, this is the time to share the burden with Christ, so that he can remind us of who we serve and give us the energy to do it.
Prayer of Confession:
God who whispers in our heart of hearts, I confess that I cannot hear your voice over the mutters and cries of help. The world is full of the noise of injustice, and I have forgotten to seek your still, small voice. Speak to the embers of justice in my heart, and light me on fire to be a troublemaker for you I pray
Prayer of Confession: Lord, we confess that we are divided, we don’t want to upset anyone so we don’t express our opinions. We find we limp with two different opinions instead of seeking justice. We are too quiet in the face of injustice. Give us the spark within so that we can be inflamed with justice and goodness. Help us to act for justice for one another we pray.
Prayer of Dedication/the Day: O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your bidding. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.
Assurance of Pardon: The fire of the Holy Spirit never goes out. It is always inspiring us, energizing us and refueling us through the power of grace. The Holy Spirit tells the truth to our hearts: in Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen.
With Kids: This Little Light of Mine, Light candles and talk about fuel and the Holy Spirit (bonus if your are near all Hallow’s Eve/Halloween), Build a pretend Campfire. Play Whisper down the Lane: Talk about how hard communication is and how hard it is to listen for God, Practice Noise vs. Celebration: Talk about how we humans confuse the two, Invisible vs. Visible Church: Discuss the power of a cloud of witnesses vs a noisy here and now crowd, Practice Prayer: Discuss how Prayer is not a magic spell but feeding the fire/connection with God
God’s response to Israel’s request for a king 1 Samuel 8:11-17
The king as the helper of the needy Psalm 72:12-14
Bethel (where Jeroboam puts a golden calf): Genesis 12:8; 28:10-19 and 35:9-15.
POTENTIAL THEME:
Servant leadership means that the leaders serve the people rather than vice versa
This means that Christians are called to serve the world, and also to let others help/serve them. (While some help too little, others do not accept help enough.)
Mighty God, your servant Rehoboam divided your kingdom with his tyranny, yet you remained faithful to both kingdoms, even in the midst of conflict. Show us your presence in conflict, and help us to resolve our differences, uniting this world in your name. Amen. https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2564
America, Trump and the Two Golden Calves. Written right after Trump’s election, this Israel-based evangelical/conservative author proposes the two golden calves, placed by Jeroboam in two very different geographic/socio-political settings could represent the Democrats and Republicans (neither one actually being God!)
Except the Sarasota Statement, these are all by Barb Hedges-Goettl; please give credit if using/adapting.
Opening Prayer (Psalm 72:12-14 The Message)
God, our Parent and Creator, you are worthy to rule over us. You rescue the poor and the destitute. You open a place in your heart for the down-and-out. You restore the wretched of the earth. You free them from tyranny and torture. You bleed with those who bleed. You die with those who die. Teach us, your people, to be more like you. In the name of Jesus, our best example, and in the power of the Spirit, we pray. Amen.
Call to Worship
One: O God, you have served us from eternity. Many You made us. You provide for us. You watch over us. You rescue us. You stay with us. You save us. You have compassion on us. You love us. And so, O Lord, this day and forevermore we love and serve you.
.
*Opening Hymn O Worship the King, O Glorious Above Blue Hymnal, 476
*Call to Confession Reader
We are called to serve one another and to serve the Lord. This call is not easy, and we do not do it consistently or well. Let us ask for—and receive–God’s forgiveness.
*Prayer of Confession (unison)
Reader God, sometimes we are all too human. We hedge our bets by not giving you our all. We like to be needed, serving others to feel important. We like to be in charge, refusing the help offered by others.
(Silent confession) Forgive us and cleanse our motives. Empower us to serve you fully. Enable us to treat those we help as the important ones. Humble us so that we accept the help of others.
*Assurance of Pardon (Matthew 20:28) The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Thanks be to God for the Good News: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
Offering Hymn Lord of Light, Your Name Outshining Blue Hymnal, 425
* Prayer of Dedication (unison) Pastor Barb
O God, make us servants of your grace. Use our talents in your service. Commission us to fulfill your purpose. Invest these gifts with your love. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination (sung ) Blue Hymnal, #129 v. 3
Come, O spirit, dwell among us; Give us words of fire and flame.
Help our feeble lips to praise You, Glorify Your Holy name.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Three in one: what mystery!
We would sing our loud hosannas Now and through eternity.
Hebrew Scripture Reading: I Kings 12:1-19 Reader
Message Are You Being Served? Pastor Barb
*Confession of Faith (Preamble to the Sarasota Statement**)
We are people of hope who confess Jesus Christ is Lord over a Kingdom
in which no one is hungry, violence is no more, and all suffering is gone.
All sit together around a shared table, wolves and lambs enjoy each other’s company, and every tear is wiped away from every eye.
Our hope is not simply that we will experience this Kingdom in the future, but that, as Christ’s prayer demands, this Kingdom comes “to earth as it is in heaven.” So, we lament any and all instances of its absence. When we witness hunger, injustice, discrimination, violence, or suffering, we grieve deeply and repent of our sins that have enabled such brokenness to persist – knowing that these things should not be.
Furthermore, we are incited to act and to be vehicles of change through which God’s Kingdom breaks into the world and our earthly lives. Our commitment is to acts that feed, clothe, instruct, reconcile, admonish, heal, and comfort – reflecting the power of God’s hope and an eagerness to see the Kingdom made manifest.
We believe God’s Kingdom comes not because we are confident in our own capacities, but because we trust in God, who can do more than we can ask or imagine. We are humbled and amazed that, in and through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God includes us in the work of redeeming all creation and reconciling the whole world. And so we thank and praise God. Amen.
*Closing Hymn Lord, You Give the Great Commission Blue Hymnal, 429
More Narrative Lectionary Seeds Resources can be found here.
We celebrated David’s power with cymbals and tambourines
Let us celebrate you with good works
Call to Worship 2
Back of the bread is the flour
Back of the flour is the mill
Back of the mill is the wind and the rain, and the Father’s Will
Come let us worship the source of all power, God Almighty.
Call to Worship 3
God often we think power comes from kings and wealth
Yet you remind us of the power of presence and prayer
Kings and rulers are anointed everyday, governments reign in the human world
Yet often truth is more powerful than any human being or structure
Remind us of your power, God, gift us with prophecies of hope
All glory, laud and honor to God.
Call to Worship 4
Praise theLord! Praise God in his sanctuary; Praise him for his mighty deeds praise him according to his surpassing greatness!Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Invitation to Confess: Let all who struggle with power and empowerment come and lay that struggle at the feet of Christ.
Prayer of Confession: Lord God we all give things power over our lives. We fail to take responsibility. We fear things that are not you. We blame as much as the day is long. We forget that you have the power, we forget that we have nothing to fear but you. Take our confession and transform our hearts so that we no longer give sin or objects or other people what is due to you we pray.
Prayer of Confession: Lord, we are always looking for easy fixes. Like the people of the Bible, we would love to find a King David to celebrate when things go right, and to blame when things go wrong. We forget that only Christ can save us. We forget that Christ does not give us the easy out, but instead requires responsibility and hope. Remind us of who Christ is so that the scales may drop from our eyes and we can see our Savior at work we pray.
Affirmation of Forgiveness: Nothing separates us from the love of Christ: all our imperfections and wrong turns and roadblocks are nothing in the face of God’s love, so declare and know the truth today and everyday In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Eucharist Prayer: Lord when you came in to the world as a tiny baby, you experienced human life. You felt the wonder of watching dandelion seeds, the love of a warm snuggle and the joy of spending time with family and friends. You experienced the world viscerally, in tactile and concrete ways. You know that we humans have trouble with abstract experiences, so you came to us a flesh and blood human who could skin his knees and hunger in the desert. Then you consecrated the simple, necessary act of eating together, putting your very flesh and blood into this simple meal, reminding us that we only have to call out and you will be particularly present to us in this communion word-act. Come Holy Spirit, fill this bread and cup with your wholeness and wholesomeness, that when we go into the world, we can ignore kings and power and instead pay sharp attention to prophets of good news, the presence of friends and family, and the joy of eating together. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication/Prayer of the Day: Parent God, sometimes our eye gets caught by the flashy things in our lives. Sometimes we forget to celebrate the simple pleasures of green grass, warm homes, and good food. Remind us of who is the source of goodness, and let us celebrate all that is good and wholesome in our lives, we pray.
With Children: Write down all kinds of praise words for God, Hold a parade for God, Do follow the leader/Simon Says discuss power and kingship,Write Letters to someone in power to change something: discuss how power can be changed with truth telling, Tell the Emperor’s Clothes Story.
Hymns
Praise to the Lord, The Almighty, the King of Creation
Thine is the Glory
To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Hath Done
All Glory, Laud and Honor
Painting here by The Sanctuaries, a community of artists whose mission is to ignite the sacred power of the arts for social change
More Narrative Lectionary Seeds Resources can be found here.
Ruth was present with Naomi; see Pooh parable below about presence. Here’s a blow-up from part of picture at https://weheartit.com/entry/331438744 as an illustration to go with the presence of Pooh with Eeyore. Need to change “Piglet” in the story to “Tigger” if using the picture. (Couldn’t find one of Pooh, Piglet & Eeyore, which actually illustrates how this is a Pooh parable rather than originally being from the AA Milne Pooh stories.)
It occurred to Pooh and Piglet that they hadn’t heard from Eeyore for several days, so they put on their hats and coats and trotted across the Hundred Acre Wood to Eeyore’s stick house. Inside the house was Eeyore.
“Hello Eeyore,” said Pooh.
“Hello Pooh. Hello Piglet,” said Eeyore, in a Glum Sounding Voice.
“We just thought we’d check in on you,” said Piglet, “because we hadn’t heard from you, and so we wanted to know if you were okay.”
Eeyore was silent for a moment. “Am I okay?” he asked, eventually. “Well, I don’t know, to be honest. Are any of us really okay? That’s what I ask myself. All I can tell you, Pooh and Piglet, is that right now I feel really rather Sad, and Alone, and Not Much Fun To Be Around At All. Which is why I haven’t bothered you. Because you wouldn’t want to waste your time hanging out with someone who is Sad, and Alone, and Not Much Fun To Be Around At All, would you now.”
Pooh looked and Piglet, and Piglet looked at Pooh, and they both sat down, one on either side of Eeyore in his stick house.
Eeyore looked at them in surprise. “What are you doing?”
“We’re sitting here with you,” said Pooh, “because we are your friends. And true friends don’t care if someone is feeling Sad, or Alone, or Not Much Fun To Be Around At All. True friends are there for you anyway. And so here we are.”
“Oh,” said Eeyore. “Oh.” And the three of them sat there in silence, and while Pooh and Piglet said nothing at all; somehow, almost imperceptibly, Eeyore started to feel a very tiny little bit better.
Ruth and Star Wars—is Naomi deserted by God? Or is Ruth evidence otherwise? Naomi’s complaints are not rhetorical flourish. They are the author’s explicit means of establishing the book’s central crisis: Is Naomi right? Has Yahweh forsaken her and shamed her household? If Naomi’s plight were indeed the thrust of the story, then one would expect the rest of the book to resolve this crisis, particularly at the end. This is precisely what happens.
Ruth refuses to be left out/leave the focus on Naomi. Ruth emerges as an acting agent in verse 14: she clings to Naomi, a term used in contexts of profound love, inalienable possession, unshakable commitment (see, e.g., Genesis 2:24; Numbers 36:7, 9; Deuteronomy 4:4; 10:20; 11:22). As Naomi remains convinced that her bitterness is solitary, she makes another appeal, urging Ruth to follow Orpah.
At that moment, Ruth adds speech to her action. Indeed, she utters what might be a speech-act, in which she actually does something in and by saying something (cf. “I do” in weddings or “I believe” in the Creed). What she says-does is powerful and it is poetic, lining out in nicely parallel lines like the best of Hebrew poetry. https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=413
The book of Judges, which comes right before Ruth, ends with inter-tribal conflict and these ominous words: “In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes” (Judges 21:25)…In this context, we get the book of Ruth, which is a tale about belonging, about blessing, about faithful love (in Hebrew, hesed), God’s faithfulness, incarnated in human beings.
Ruth, a woman, and a foreigner at that, chooses to join her story to the story we’ve been hearing the last several weeks; she chooses to enter into Israel’s covenant with God. She chooses thereby the life of being a stranger in a foreign land. She chooses to leave all that she has known and to go to a place she’s never been, with no assurance of security. A childless widow in ancient Israel had to rely on the kindness of those around her. In this story, Naomi relies on Ruth, and Ruth herself has to rely on the kindness of strangers.
One of the beautiful themes in the book is that hesed meets hesed; that is, faithfulness engenders faithfulness, kindness meets kindness. Ruth goes above and beyond the minimum requirements of the Law out of love for Naomi. And when Boaz learns of Ruth’s loyalty to her mother-in-law, he blesses her:
Whatever Ruth’s circumstances may be, her clinging to her mother-in-law is a gift of grace that Naomi cannot at first see. Naomi says God has turned against her (verse 13), and later she tells the women of Bethlehem, “The Almighty has dealt bitterly with me … brought me back empty … dealt harshly with me, and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me” (verses 20-21). This is Naomi’s theology, and at first it is all she can see.
But the narrator sees things differently, attributing none of Naomi’s tragedies to God, not even the famine. Rather it is God who has given the people food (verse 6). This point is underscored at the end of the chapter: “They came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest” (verse 22). Near the end of the book, the Bethlehemite women will articulate to Naomi what has been evident all along, that Ruth’s love is worth more than seven sons. Grace is walking right beside Naomi, unseen, yet refusing to leave her.
Ruth holds a thoroughly action-oriented, thoroughly pragmatic theology. She does not argue with Naomi’s perception of events, nor does she assert her own. She simply communicates presence. She refuses to leave. It’s not about God’s actions or intents, but her own. Ruth will worship the God that Naomi believes abandoned her. And she swears to do what four other people — Elimelech, Mahlon, Chilion, and Orpah — couldn’t do: to stay. Not even death, the chief resident of their household, will get in her way.
Ruth. She comes closer to God and God’s ways through her deep love for her mother-in-law. She leaves behind her own family and her own religion and traditions not for complex theological reasons, but out of the affection for someone who loved her first. http://www.sacraconversazione.org/?p=294
PRAYERS and other bulletin pieces
Prelude: Faithful Friend Twila Paris
Call to Worship
Original resource by Barb Hedges-Goettl; please give credit if using/adapting; (slightly adapted from prayer for Genesis 2 on companionship)
One: O God, we come one by one.
Many: O God, we come with each other.
We come because it is not good to be alone.
We come because we want to be companions on the journey.
We seek communion with you.
We seek communion with one another.
Make us companions to one another,
that we may walk faithfully and joyfully in your way.
ALL: IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN.
Rite of Confession
Original resource by Barb Hedges-Goettl; please give credit if using/adapting;
*Call to Confession (from Colossians 3:12-14, The Messsage)
Chosen by God for the new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God has picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, and quick to forgive. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
*Prayer of Confession (unison)
O God, at times we fail to act in love. Wrapped in our own concerns, we may not hear the cries of others. We can be slow to listen, but quick to give advice. Promising prayer, we may not add the power of being present with others. Uncomfortable with the pain and needs of others, we may want them to just get over it. Empower us with your love, that we may meet and hear others where they are.
*Assurance of Pardon (from Colossians 3:15-17 The Message) The peace of Christ keeps us in tune with each other. The power of the Spirit keeps us in step with one another. The grace of the Father grants forgiveness, making us grateful. Thanks be to God for the Good News: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
* Prayer of Dedication (unison)
Original resource by Barb Hedges-Goettl; please give credit if using/adapting; Maker of all things, you bless us with many gifts: our lives, our possessions, and our time and our talents. Use this food and money—and our very lives—to show the world your presence and your love. Amen.
Eucharist Prayer/Prayer of Great Thanksgiving
One: The Lord be with you.
Many: And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O God, you create the vast universe and call it good. You make us in your image
and call us very good. Declaring that it is not good for us to be alone,
you make us companions on our journey.
And so we thank you, O God.
Throughout human history, you declare your presence with your people.
You speak to us through the law and the prophets, demonstrating your love and care.
You speak to us through your Son, Christ Jesus.
You speak to us through the Holy Spirit.
And so we thank you, O God.
Your Son proclaimed your reign and presence: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives,
teaching by word and deed, blessing the children,
healing the sick, binding up the brokenhearted,
eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners,
and demonstrating and proclaiming your love for all people. And so we thank you, O God.
When your Son was crucified, giving his life for the sins of the world.
you raised him from the dead, breaking the power of sin and evil,
demonstrating your triumph and presence.
And so we thank you, O God.
Today we gather in your presence.
You are here in the support and love we offer each other.
You are here in our praying and singing, in our words and our silences.
You are here in your Supper.
And so we thank you, O God.
HYMNS I used
Not so much out there on human companioning. I used
Prelude: Faithful Friend Twila Paris
*Opening Hymn I Come with Joy Presbyterian Blue Hymnal,507
Offering Hymn God is Here! Blue Hymnal,461
Prayer for Illumination (sung ) Blue Hymnal, #430 verse 3
This day God’s people meeting, The Holy Scripture hear Christ’s living presence greeting, Through bread and wine made near. We journey on, believing, Renewed with heav’nly might, From grace more grace receiving, On this blest day of light.
Closing Hymn Called as Partners Blue Hymnal, 343
Postlude He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother The Hollies
Prayer for Illumination (sung ) Blue Hymnal, #430 verse 3
This day God’s people meeting, The Holy Scripture hear
Christ’s living presence greeting, Through bread and wine made near.
We journey on, believing, Renewed with heav’nly might,
From grace more grace receiving, On this blest day of light.
Hebrew Scripture Reading: Ruth 1:1-17 Reader
Message The Present of Presence Pastor Barb
*Confession of Faith: The Nicene Creed (Ecumenical version) Blue Hymnal, p. 15
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (see insert)
*Closing Hymn Called as Partners Blue Hymnal, 343
*Charge and Benediction Pastors Barb and Len Postlude He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother The Hollies
More Narrative Lectionary Seeds Resources can be found here.
![Josiah’s Reform 2 Kings 22:1-10 [11-20], 23:1-3, Luke 24:30-32, Psalm 105, Micah 4-5, Magnificat](https://katyandtheword.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/image.png?w=198)
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