May our church be like the tree of heaven, with room for all
Come let spend some time at home with God
Call to Worship
The Lord has done great things for us
Let us rejoice
May those who sow in tears, reap with shouts of joy
Come, let us shout to the Lord, for he does great things.
Prayer of Confession: God, we know we have trouble letting everyone into the nest. We claim there is not enough room, or resources, or we discriminate against the odd ducks who look or act different than us. Remind us that the kingdom of heaven is like a tree of bounty with enough food and room for all, and teach us to be more open, accepting and to share more we pray.
Prayer of Confession: I confess that my tears do not feel like they are watering anything today. I have forgotten what seeds I have planted, and have lost hope that they will grow. You know what work has been done, you know that the tending counts, help the good things grow into harvest I pray.
Assurance of Pardon: God promises that we will come home with shouts of joy, carrying a harvest of grace, Know the good news: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen.
Eucharist Prayer: God, you planted the very first seeds with Adam and Eve and continue to tend the gardens of the earth. On the day of Jesus’ resurrection, the first thing he did was to kneel in the dirt, and be mistaken for a gardener, because he is the gardener. May this meal together plan the seeds of grace in our souls to be tended and grown. Send your Holy Spirit on these elements to nourish us and our community we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication/Prayer of the Day: Lord let us tend what needs to be tending. Help us to root out the weeds, and water and nourish all that is good in the world, help us to grow we pray. Amen.
Hymns: To God Be the Glory; Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God; Somebody’s Knocking At Your Door; Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise;
With Children: Treasure Hunt: explain that finding the meaning of parables is like a treasure hunt; plant seeds/mustard seeds; cut out and glue lots of kinds of birds on a big tree/nest;
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
![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.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/image.png?w=198)
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