Choosing
Worship
THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE
Liturgical Aids
Call to Worship
We come because God has called us.
Yet it is by conscious decision that we come.
We come because we have been chosen by God.
It remains, though, for us to choose God.
There are many gods that would claim our allegiance.
We come here to worship the one true God, who is Creator, Savior, and Sustainer of all.
Let then our choice be clear - to any who witness who we are and what we do.
Yes, let both our word and our deed proclaim our commitment to the God we serve.
Invocation
God, thank you for giving us a choice. You did not create us that we merely mimic your will. Neither did you create us to be alone, forced to fare for ourselves. Rather, you created us for fellowship, for friendship. True and abiding friendship, we know, demands that choices be made along the way by both parties. It, however, is hindered - it fails - when one party in any way tries to manipulate the other. Thus, again we thank you, holy and gracious God, for giving us the power, the right, to choose, for valuing your relationship with us so highly that we are to enter into it as friend and partner. May we now, having seen you clearly, choose wisely. This, with Christ as our guide. Amen.
Call to Confession
It is not that we don't have the choice. It is that at times we choose poorly. We choose ways of death, when we could have just as well chosen ways of life. We choose ways that, yes, bring temporary pleasure, but disaster in the long term. We find ourselves lured, indeed manipulated, by other gods. Or we choose a god we think we can control and manipulate. Let us confess the error, the several errors, of our poor choosing, ask forgiveness of the one true God we've ignored, and further implore the nurture and wisdom of that God that we do better in our choosing.
Prayer of Confession
How foolish we are, O God! You offer us the beauty of a relationship with the Holy, one in which we are valued as friend, in which there is freedom to grow, in which there is great and lasting joy. It is a relationship built on love, honor, and respect. Yet we choose to treat it lightly, or ignore it completely, as we turn to other gods, other relationships, ones that play to an obsession deep within that says we must be in control. Forgive us, Lord. May we at long last come to that realization that in choosing your way we in no way diminish self, but rather enhance self, for in so doing we open our lives to all of the many blessings you would share with us. Help us toward that sure belief that by choosing you we are choosing life; and then keep us steady against all that would tempt us and lure us astray. So do we call upon your goodness, your guidance, your eternal presence with us now and always. Amen.
Words of Assurance
The statement is simple and sure: We trust in God's steadfast love. Let us bless God, and remember all that God daily provides: a forgiveness of our sin, a healing of our diseases, the satisfying of us with good, and renewal for all aspects of our living. All is wondrous evidence of God's love and faithfulness.
Praise be to God that even during our moments of turning away, God does not desert us but chooses to love us.
Psalter Reading (from Psalm 119)
Put false ways far from me; and graciously teach me your law.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your ordinances before me.
I cling to your decrees, O Lord; let me not be put to shame.
I run the way of your commandments, for you enlarge my understanding.
Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain.
Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways.
Confirm to your servant your promise, which is for those who revere you.
See, I have longed for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life.
Offering Sentences
Hear these words of Jesus: "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put in your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back." We have each one of us received of God's abundance. Let us from that abundance bless others and so share the good news of God's love.
Prayer of Dedication
How wonderful it is to know that these offerings, by the guidance of your Spirit, O God, can bring hope to others! How wonderful it is to know that we can have a part in your proclamation of good news! Let not only these offerings but our lives be used in this fashion, this day, and during each day of this new week. Amen.
Benediction
The words of Joshua are meant for us too: "Choose this day whom you will serve ... As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." May you too serve the one true God, Creator, Savior, and Sustainer. Let that be your choice; and may it be apparent in your living. Amen.
We come because God has called us.
Yet it is by conscious decision that we come.
We come because we have been chosen by God.
It remains, though, for us to choose God.
There are many gods that would claim our allegiance.
We come here to worship the one true God, who is Creator, Savior, and Sustainer of all.
Let then our choice be clear - to any who witness who we are and what we do.
Yes, let both our word and our deed proclaim our commitment to the God we serve.
Invocation
God, thank you for giving us a choice. You did not create us that we merely mimic your will. Neither did you create us to be alone, forced to fare for ourselves. Rather, you created us for fellowship, for friendship. True and abiding friendship, we know, demands that choices be made along the way by both parties. It, however, is hindered - it fails - when one party in any way tries to manipulate the other. Thus, again we thank you, holy and gracious God, for giving us the power, the right, to choose, for valuing your relationship with us so highly that we are to enter into it as friend and partner. May we now, having seen you clearly, choose wisely. This, with Christ as our guide. Amen.
Call to Confession
It is not that we don't have the choice. It is that at times we choose poorly. We choose ways of death, when we could have just as well chosen ways of life. We choose ways that, yes, bring temporary pleasure, but disaster in the long term. We find ourselves lured, indeed manipulated, by other gods. Or we choose a god we think we can control and manipulate. Let us confess the error, the several errors, of our poor choosing, ask forgiveness of the one true God we've ignored, and further implore the nurture and wisdom of that God that we do better in our choosing.
Prayer of Confession
How foolish we are, O God! You offer us the beauty of a relationship with the Holy, one in which we are valued as friend, in which there is freedom to grow, in which there is great and lasting joy. It is a relationship built on love, honor, and respect. Yet we choose to treat it lightly, or ignore it completely, as we turn to other gods, other relationships, ones that play to an obsession deep within that says we must be in control. Forgive us, Lord. May we at long last come to that realization that in choosing your way we in no way diminish self, but rather enhance self, for in so doing we open our lives to all of the many blessings you would share with us. Help us toward that sure belief that by choosing you we are choosing life; and then keep us steady against all that would tempt us and lure us astray. So do we call upon your goodness, your guidance, your eternal presence with us now and always. Amen.
Words of Assurance
The statement is simple and sure: We trust in God's steadfast love. Let us bless God, and remember all that God daily provides: a forgiveness of our sin, a healing of our diseases, the satisfying of us with good, and renewal for all aspects of our living. All is wondrous evidence of God's love and faithfulness.
Praise be to God that even during our moments of turning away, God does not desert us but chooses to love us.
Psalter Reading (from Psalm 119)
Put false ways far from me; and graciously teach me your law.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your ordinances before me.
I cling to your decrees, O Lord; let me not be put to shame.
I run the way of your commandments, for you enlarge my understanding.
Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain.
Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways.
Confirm to your servant your promise, which is for those who revere you.
See, I have longed for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life.
Offering Sentences
Hear these words of Jesus: "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put in your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back." We have each one of us received of God's abundance. Let us from that abundance bless others and so share the good news of God's love.
Prayer of Dedication
How wonderful it is to know that these offerings, by the guidance of your Spirit, O God, can bring hope to others! How wonderful it is to know that we can have a part in your proclamation of good news! Let not only these offerings but our lives be used in this fashion, this day, and during each day of this new week. Amen.
Benediction
The words of Joshua are meant for us too: "Choose this day whom you will serve ... As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." May you too serve the one true God, Creator, Savior, and Sustainer. Let that be your choice; and may it be apparent in your living. Amen.
