Open Hands
Worship
THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE
Liturgical Aids
Call to Worship
An open hand, bestowing the bounty of creation.
So do we know you as Creator, O God.
Open hands, nailed to the cross in love.
So do we know you as Savior, O God.
An open hand, extended to us in friendship.
So do we know you as Holy Spirit, O God.
We too would worship you with open hands.
Holding nothing as our own, but offering all to you.
Invocation
You teach us, as the God who gives and gives again, that the way truly to hold onto life is - with open hands. Too often we try to hang on with fists clenched, reluctant to turn loose for fear of losing, losing that for which we have labored so diligently and so long. So do we clutch, clasp, and grasp, all the while turning inward, causing life to shrink rather than expand. You proclaim that life, O God, has quite a different meaning, that it finds its purpose and is fulfilled only as we turn loose and give ourselves away. Let that be our focus this hour, we pray, and in our worship of you discover life in all of its splendor and glory. In the name of Christ, who with open hands offered himself that we might live. Amen.
Call to Confession
All of us have our particular and peculiar ways of hanging on. We have heard God's call to turn loose, yet can find neither the desire nor the strength to comply fully. Can't we see that we are much the poorer because of this failure to grow in spirit? Let us ask God to open eyes, mind, heart, and finally our hands - that we learn how much better life can be as we let go and let God.
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, help us to shake ourselves free - that we cling not to self but rather trust in you. We are so prone to define what is "mine" that we allow little room for neighbor, for family, or even for you, O God. Self and things for self become all consuming. So do we insulate and isolate ourselves from others - and from life. No wonder that "life," as we view it within our own narrow dimensions, becomes less than fulfilling, indeed often drives us to disappointment and despair. God, forgive us this smallness, this provincialism, this selfishness. Though you have lo these many centuries proclaimed the true meaning of life - hands open, bestowing, sacrificing, loosing all for us - may we at last awaken to the fact that you mean for us to follow the same pattern too, that we enjoy fullness of life in a total sharing of life. With your love prompting us, Lord it can be so. May it be so today. Amen.
Words of Assurance
God not only gives us a pattern for living, but also resources and encouragement which enable us faithfully to make the pattern our own. Thus, we can know life in all its fullness. All is a gift of God's love, a love that in costly fashion is revealed to us in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Though impossible for us to achieve by the strength of our own labors, this great gift is nonetheless bestowed upon all who would receive it, this because of God's concern and care for each one of us, Christ's open hands that even now embrace us and bring us peace.
Thanks be to God for a gift beyond measure, one that means life for us all.
Psalter Reading (from Psalm 32)
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and I did not hide my iniquity.
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.
You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous.
And shout for joy, all you upright of heart.
Offering Sentences
A definite way to determine whether the hand is clenched or open is to observe your response at this point in our worship each Sunday, as gifts are presented to sustain God's work on this earth. Have we indeed been freed enough by God's grace to give freely? God's grace certainly is sufficient. But have we received it without condition into our living? We answer, as in an act of worship we bring and consecrate tithes and offerings.
Prayer of Dedication
Help us more and more, O God, to know the joy of giving, the assurance that we are here building up lives, fitting them for service in your name. Hope here takes precedence over despair. Sharing is shown to be more satisfying than selfishness. Hurt is healed. Aimlessness becomes life lived with purpose and zeal. All because we are learning, God, to let your love be administered by open hands, hands that truly help rather than hinder. We do this, with Christ as our guide. Amen.
Benediction
Pay attention to your hands during the days of this new week. How often are they fists clenched tightly, reluctant to turn loose of that which could mean life for another? How often are they open - to receive another into God's care, an action that will bless you both? Make your assessment; and whatever it be, ask God to guide you to yet further growth. For God is good; God's love is ever present and full. Amen!
An open hand, bestowing the bounty of creation.
So do we know you as Creator, O God.
Open hands, nailed to the cross in love.
So do we know you as Savior, O God.
An open hand, extended to us in friendship.
So do we know you as Holy Spirit, O God.
We too would worship you with open hands.
Holding nothing as our own, but offering all to you.
Invocation
You teach us, as the God who gives and gives again, that the way truly to hold onto life is - with open hands. Too often we try to hang on with fists clenched, reluctant to turn loose for fear of losing, losing that for which we have labored so diligently and so long. So do we clutch, clasp, and grasp, all the while turning inward, causing life to shrink rather than expand. You proclaim that life, O God, has quite a different meaning, that it finds its purpose and is fulfilled only as we turn loose and give ourselves away. Let that be our focus this hour, we pray, and in our worship of you discover life in all of its splendor and glory. In the name of Christ, who with open hands offered himself that we might live. Amen.
Call to Confession
All of us have our particular and peculiar ways of hanging on. We have heard God's call to turn loose, yet can find neither the desire nor the strength to comply fully. Can't we see that we are much the poorer because of this failure to grow in spirit? Let us ask God to open eyes, mind, heart, and finally our hands - that we learn how much better life can be as we let go and let God.
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, help us to shake ourselves free - that we cling not to self but rather trust in you. We are so prone to define what is "mine" that we allow little room for neighbor, for family, or even for you, O God. Self and things for self become all consuming. So do we insulate and isolate ourselves from others - and from life. No wonder that "life," as we view it within our own narrow dimensions, becomes less than fulfilling, indeed often drives us to disappointment and despair. God, forgive us this smallness, this provincialism, this selfishness. Though you have lo these many centuries proclaimed the true meaning of life - hands open, bestowing, sacrificing, loosing all for us - may we at last awaken to the fact that you mean for us to follow the same pattern too, that we enjoy fullness of life in a total sharing of life. With your love prompting us, Lord it can be so. May it be so today. Amen.
Words of Assurance
God not only gives us a pattern for living, but also resources and encouragement which enable us faithfully to make the pattern our own. Thus, we can know life in all its fullness. All is a gift of God's love, a love that in costly fashion is revealed to us in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Though impossible for us to achieve by the strength of our own labors, this great gift is nonetheless bestowed upon all who would receive it, this because of God's concern and care for each one of us, Christ's open hands that even now embrace us and bring us peace.
Thanks be to God for a gift beyond measure, one that means life for us all.
Psalter Reading (from Psalm 32)
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and I did not hide my iniquity.
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.
You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous.
And shout for joy, all you upright of heart.
Offering Sentences
A definite way to determine whether the hand is clenched or open is to observe your response at this point in our worship each Sunday, as gifts are presented to sustain God's work on this earth. Have we indeed been freed enough by God's grace to give freely? God's grace certainly is sufficient. But have we received it without condition into our living? We answer, as in an act of worship we bring and consecrate tithes and offerings.
Prayer of Dedication
Help us more and more, O God, to know the joy of giving, the assurance that we are here building up lives, fitting them for service in your name. Hope here takes precedence over despair. Sharing is shown to be more satisfying than selfishness. Hurt is healed. Aimlessness becomes life lived with purpose and zeal. All because we are learning, God, to let your love be administered by open hands, hands that truly help rather than hinder. We do this, with Christ as our guide. Amen.
Benediction
Pay attention to your hands during the days of this new week. How often are they fists clenched tightly, reluctant to turn loose of that which could mean life for another? How often are they open - to receive another into God's care, an action that will bless you both? Make your assessment; and whatever it be, ask God to guide you to yet further growth. For God is good; God's love is ever present and full. Amen!
