Chosen
Worship
THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE
Liturgical Aids
Call to Worship
We gather to worship -
That we might scatter to serve.
We are called apart by God -
That equipped we be sent back into the world.
By God's mercy we are chosen -
Chosen not for privilege, but for responsibility.
We are here today to affirm our discipleship -
That our worship be sincere and our service of value.
Invocation
God, you have elected to fashion your good work through human beings, human beings dedicated to your purpose and invested with your power. You choose those without power, yet humble of heart, and make them channels of your love and champions of justice. Though oft times frustrated by the world, they find great joy in your service. So have we been chosen - to serve in your name. Help us this hour to determine with greater clarity what this means; and then equip us, we pray, to carry out our commission, that faithfully we announce the Gospel and live it in the midst of both friend and stranger. All, that your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Call to Confession
When God's call comes, we are so apt to misunderstand it. We rightly see it as blessing, but then fail to see the cross, a cross meant for our carrying that comes with it, a cross for each one of us. We identify "chosenness" with privilege. Thus do we miss the mark. Moreover, we shall never see clearly until we confess our ignorance, at times a willful misdirection, and so ready ourselves to receive with our cross God's power to bear it.
Prayer of Confession
We would be true, O God, but there is much to tempt us away from the truth. For truth means an undivided loyalty, an unqualified commitment to love and justice. We would rather compromise - that life might be easy, at least for a time. Truth means faith in you, O God, a total dependence upon you and your way, even though we may not fully understand where the way will lead. We are reluctant to give our whole self; indeed, always it seems we hold back a part of self, and so are prone to a wandering from your way. Truth means knowing the difference between the holy and the profane and a consistent seeking of the holy. We fall short on that one too, O God. Forgive us; challenge us anew. May your call come again, we pray, that with your empowering, this time we follow on the right terms and with the right spirit. Keep before us always the example, the spirit, and the guiding power of Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Words of Assurance
God is present, here in our midst, to give us yet another chance. We must, however, be ready to receive it, not as a cure--all for the moment but as a radical change in our being and doing, meant for all time. If we are so prepared to heed God's call, it will truly be joy to us and to many another person whose life we shall have the privilege of touching.
Praise be to God that we might yet be servants of the Most High.
Psalter Reading (from Psalm 25)
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust.
Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths,
Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.
Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
Who are they that revere the Lord? He will teach them the way that they should choose.
Offering Sentences
God, in calling us, promises to care for us. Thus, we never need to fear want, an emptiness of resources or love or power. We can, therefore, be liberal givers, if all is done with God's will in mind. How generous do we dare be today, as we seek to serve God in love? Let your heart be your guide as you dedicate yourself in this way, through tithes and offerings, to the Lord's work.
Prayer of Dedication
We place our tithes and offerings here before you, O God. Wisdom is now needed that they be expended in a loving and just manner. How many words of hope can they bring, how many acts of mercy, how much upbuilding in love? May your Spirit, O God, work in and through us that satisfactory answers be found to all of these questions - and that in the answering, we discover much joy in serving others in your name. Amen.
Benediction
As it happened in the lives of those first disciples, may we through God's calling find ourselves moving from empty nets to wholesome and full lives. With God this is indeed possible! Will we allow it to happen in us? Let our answer be a resounding "Yes!" May this blessing be upon all!
We gather to worship -
That we might scatter to serve.
We are called apart by God -
That equipped we be sent back into the world.
By God's mercy we are chosen -
Chosen not for privilege, but for responsibility.
We are here today to affirm our discipleship -
That our worship be sincere and our service of value.
Invocation
God, you have elected to fashion your good work through human beings, human beings dedicated to your purpose and invested with your power. You choose those without power, yet humble of heart, and make them channels of your love and champions of justice. Though oft times frustrated by the world, they find great joy in your service. So have we been chosen - to serve in your name. Help us this hour to determine with greater clarity what this means; and then equip us, we pray, to carry out our commission, that faithfully we announce the Gospel and live it in the midst of both friend and stranger. All, that your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Call to Confession
When God's call comes, we are so apt to misunderstand it. We rightly see it as blessing, but then fail to see the cross, a cross meant for our carrying that comes with it, a cross for each one of us. We identify "chosenness" with privilege. Thus do we miss the mark. Moreover, we shall never see clearly until we confess our ignorance, at times a willful misdirection, and so ready ourselves to receive with our cross God's power to bear it.
Prayer of Confession
We would be true, O God, but there is much to tempt us away from the truth. For truth means an undivided loyalty, an unqualified commitment to love and justice. We would rather compromise - that life might be easy, at least for a time. Truth means faith in you, O God, a total dependence upon you and your way, even though we may not fully understand where the way will lead. We are reluctant to give our whole self; indeed, always it seems we hold back a part of self, and so are prone to a wandering from your way. Truth means knowing the difference between the holy and the profane and a consistent seeking of the holy. We fall short on that one too, O God. Forgive us; challenge us anew. May your call come again, we pray, that with your empowering, this time we follow on the right terms and with the right spirit. Keep before us always the example, the spirit, and the guiding power of Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Words of Assurance
God is present, here in our midst, to give us yet another chance. We must, however, be ready to receive it, not as a cure--all for the moment but as a radical change in our being and doing, meant for all time. If we are so prepared to heed God's call, it will truly be joy to us and to many another person whose life we shall have the privilege of touching.
Praise be to God that we might yet be servants of the Most High.
Psalter Reading (from Psalm 25)
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust.
Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths,
Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.
Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
Who are they that revere the Lord? He will teach them the way that they should choose.
Offering Sentences
God, in calling us, promises to care for us. Thus, we never need to fear want, an emptiness of resources or love or power. We can, therefore, be liberal givers, if all is done with God's will in mind. How generous do we dare be today, as we seek to serve God in love? Let your heart be your guide as you dedicate yourself in this way, through tithes and offerings, to the Lord's work.
Prayer of Dedication
We place our tithes and offerings here before you, O God. Wisdom is now needed that they be expended in a loving and just manner. How many words of hope can they bring, how many acts of mercy, how much upbuilding in love? May your Spirit, O God, work in and through us that satisfactory answers be found to all of these questions - and that in the answering, we discover much joy in serving others in your name. Amen.
Benediction
As it happened in the lives of those first disciples, may we through God's calling find ourselves moving from empty nets to wholesome and full lives. With God this is indeed possible! Will we allow it to happen in us? Let our answer be a resounding "Yes!" May this blessing be upon all!
