Challenge
Worship
THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE
Liturgical Aids
Call to Worship
We gather in worship to still our souls.
For we are restless until our souls find their rest in God.
We come here to learn of God's way, a way of life and love and peace.
For we would press upward on that way, until the whole of our lives is joyfully subject to it.
We join here with others to be united as the one family of God.
For we would be prepared for our mission, the challenge of proclaiming good news of membership in God's family to still others.
Invocation
You are the one, O God, who makes things happen, this for our well--being, this for the well--being of all of your creation. Never do you search for an excuse for inaction. Never do you act in ways that are detrimental to communion or community. No task is either so overwhelming or so insignificant that you turn aside and so leave us without guidance, without the wherewithal to take right and decisive action. We ask your presence now, Lord, here during this time of worship, for we need your help, your active participation, so that we may be able to confront and to conquer those giants that threaten to undo us. For there are many; and without the promise of your strength by our side, we fear greatly. Thank you for being here, for this further evidence of your care! May we be attentive to that which you would share with us. Amen.
Call to Confession
Too often we catch ourselves saying, "It can't be done!" before we even try. We listen overmuch to our fears and find ourselves paralyzed by our anxieties. We fail to remember the many times that God has been with us in the past. So do we fail to believe that God will open new ways for us now. Let us rid ourselves of all that oppresses and depresses, that we be awakened to the strategies and the strength from God that will indeed mean life to us.
Prayer of Confession
Great God and true, you have wonderful and worthwhile things for us to do, things to be done in your name and for the welfare of humankind. We find, however, that giants block our way. These are very real, yet we allow them to immobilize us, this by fear, uncertainty, and indecision. We seemingly forget that you have a part, a crucial part, to play in our battles with giants. You have helped us in the past to survive - and more than survive, to conquer all that would oppress us. Forgive us for not seeing you with us now, providing resources, tools for each new challenge. Strengthen our faith, we pray, that we be assured that trust placed in you is not in vain, but rather wins the day, causing even giants to bow before the majesty of your being and the power of your love. For so will we find a new day dawning for each of us. In the name of Jesus, the one who trusted you completely, do we pray. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Hear these words of Jesus: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Let us rejoice that this grace of God is made available to each of us, that our weakness too might become strength, that the rough places be smoothed, and that the glory of God be revealed through the very story of our salvation.
Thanks be to God that we may live free of fear and are included in God's peaceable kingdom.
Psalter Reading (from Psalm 9)
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Sing praises to the Lord who dwells in Zion. Declare his deeds among the people.
For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
Be gracious to me, O Lord. See what I suffer from those who hate me; you are the one who lifts me up from the gates of death
So that I may recount all your praises, and, in the gates of daughter Zion, rejoice in your deliverance.
Offering Sentences
The knowledge of God's power available to us brings forth not only words of thanksgiving and praise, but actions born of gratitude, actions that would convey God's love to still others. One such action is that of providing resources for the church's work in the world. We do that through the offering of self that we now consecrate to the Lord's service. Let us present our offering with joy and with the conviction that God indeed works through us.
Prayer of Dedication
Gracious God, guide our giving. Guide it that many may be helped, helped in significant ways that promote healing, understanding, harmony among sisters and brothers. May we never be content with a job half done; rather may we stretch ourselves until our commitment is complete, and we see your kingdom come here on earth. This in Jesus' name. Amen.
Benediction
Giants always meet their match when confronted with God's love. Even those giants that pose the greatest obstacles to life yield before the power of God's redeeming grace. Let us walk then with God, and be hopeful, faithful, trustful of his ways with us. Amen.
We gather in worship to still our souls.
For we are restless until our souls find their rest in God.
We come here to learn of God's way, a way of life and love and peace.
For we would press upward on that way, until the whole of our lives is joyfully subject to it.
We join here with others to be united as the one family of God.
For we would be prepared for our mission, the challenge of proclaiming good news of membership in God's family to still others.
Invocation
You are the one, O God, who makes things happen, this for our well--being, this for the well--being of all of your creation. Never do you search for an excuse for inaction. Never do you act in ways that are detrimental to communion or community. No task is either so overwhelming or so insignificant that you turn aside and so leave us without guidance, without the wherewithal to take right and decisive action. We ask your presence now, Lord, here during this time of worship, for we need your help, your active participation, so that we may be able to confront and to conquer those giants that threaten to undo us. For there are many; and without the promise of your strength by our side, we fear greatly. Thank you for being here, for this further evidence of your care! May we be attentive to that which you would share with us. Amen.
Call to Confession
Too often we catch ourselves saying, "It can't be done!" before we even try. We listen overmuch to our fears and find ourselves paralyzed by our anxieties. We fail to remember the many times that God has been with us in the past. So do we fail to believe that God will open new ways for us now. Let us rid ourselves of all that oppresses and depresses, that we be awakened to the strategies and the strength from God that will indeed mean life to us.
Prayer of Confession
Great God and true, you have wonderful and worthwhile things for us to do, things to be done in your name and for the welfare of humankind. We find, however, that giants block our way. These are very real, yet we allow them to immobilize us, this by fear, uncertainty, and indecision. We seemingly forget that you have a part, a crucial part, to play in our battles with giants. You have helped us in the past to survive - and more than survive, to conquer all that would oppress us. Forgive us for not seeing you with us now, providing resources, tools for each new challenge. Strengthen our faith, we pray, that we be assured that trust placed in you is not in vain, but rather wins the day, causing even giants to bow before the majesty of your being and the power of your love. For so will we find a new day dawning for each of us. In the name of Jesus, the one who trusted you completely, do we pray. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Hear these words of Jesus: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Let us rejoice that this grace of God is made available to each of us, that our weakness too might become strength, that the rough places be smoothed, and that the glory of God be revealed through the very story of our salvation.
Thanks be to God that we may live free of fear and are included in God's peaceable kingdom.
Psalter Reading (from Psalm 9)
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Sing praises to the Lord who dwells in Zion. Declare his deeds among the people.
For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
Be gracious to me, O Lord. See what I suffer from those who hate me; you are the one who lifts me up from the gates of death
So that I may recount all your praises, and, in the gates of daughter Zion, rejoice in your deliverance.
Offering Sentences
The knowledge of God's power available to us brings forth not only words of thanksgiving and praise, but actions born of gratitude, actions that would convey God's love to still others. One such action is that of providing resources for the church's work in the world. We do that through the offering of self that we now consecrate to the Lord's service. Let us present our offering with joy and with the conviction that God indeed works through us.
Prayer of Dedication
Gracious God, guide our giving. Guide it that many may be helped, helped in significant ways that promote healing, understanding, harmony among sisters and brothers. May we never be content with a job half done; rather may we stretch ourselves until our commitment is complete, and we see your kingdom come here on earth. This in Jesus' name. Amen.
Benediction
Giants always meet their match when confronted with God's love. Even those giants that pose the greatest obstacles to life yield before the power of God's redeeming grace. Let us walk then with God, and be hopeful, faithful, trustful of his ways with us. Amen.
