Storms
Worship
THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE
Liturgical Aids
Call to Worship
We worship God, whose creation is good.
Storms in life, therefore, must have a purpose.
We worship God, who is in control, whose will is supreme.
Even storms must bend to this will and so be used by God.
We worship God, whose love makes things whole.
Thus do fears subside and healthy expectations of life arise.
So do we come to worship, expecting good from God.
And we shall not be disappointed, for so will God gift us.
Invocation
God, we know that storms do arise. Life, at times, can be quite tempestuous. Yet you are ever present - to still storms both within and without. May we have the courage - and the good sense - to admit our need and to welcome your intervention. For you would use even that which seems the greatest threat, that through it we might grow in understanding, in resolve, and in strength to persevere and overcome. May we here in worship discover more fully your way with us - such that even in the midst of that which challenges us sorely, we may find peace for our souls and confidence for our living. We pray in the name of Jesus, the one who can truly accomplish this in us. Amen.
Call to Confession
It is our greed, our pride, and our fear that defeat us, a focus upon self rather than upon God. Either we think that we can manage on our own, or we despair of any solution. So often in all of this there seems to be no room for God, let alone the welcoming of God as first in our lives. Let us confess how we are the obstacle to our own well--being - and so make way for God's mercy and direction.
Prayer of Confession
When storm winds blow - in our lives and in the life of the world around - where can we turn, O God of power and purpose, except to you? Our lives flounder; we grow discouraged. Yet you have the power to still the storm, to bring peace to our living. Then why is it that we so often ignore these gracious overtures, the gifts of acceptance, love, and guidance that you offer? All are here - and available - for our well--being. Help us to overcome doubt with faith, a centering on self with a giving of self, a compulsion to control with a yielding of spirit - that we be led from death to a life unimaginably rich and full. For you would introduce us, Lord, to abundant living, fullness of joy, and a power that can truly accomplish marvelous things in your name. May that happen to each of us. Give us the courage to allow it to happen. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Words of Assurance
With Isaiah the prophet let us too say, "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation." Let us too trust, for God bestows mercy, a saving grace that stills the storm, and so prepares us for service in his name.
Thanks be to God for renewed hope and a confidence that is born of love.
Psalter Reading (from Psalm 65)
Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion; and to you shall vows be performed.
O you who answer prayer, to you all flesh shall come.
When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us, you forgive our transgressions.
Happy are those whom you choose and bring near to live in your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, your holy temple.
By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance, O God of our salvation; you are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas.
By your strength you established the mountains; you are girded with might.
You silence the roaring of the seas, the roaring of the waves, the tumult of the peoples.
Those who live at earth's farthest bounds are awed by your signs; you make the gateways of the morning and the evening shout for joy.
Offering Sentences
We are called upon to make sacrifices - of thanksgiving. In response to the many blessings of God, let our thanks be reflected in talents that are shared, in gifts that find use both near and far, and in time devoted to the well--being of others. Let ours be a joyful sacrifice, one that expresses a heartfelt thanks that we belong to the family of God.
Prayer of Dedication
Use these gifts, O God, to still storms, to bring encouragement, your calm and peace into lives that at present are distraught, yea even despairing, to spread your message of health and hope for body, mind, and spirit to many a needy soul both far away and near. Use these gifts - and us - to cause your way of love and peace to prosper here on this earth. In Christ's name we know that it can be so!
Benediction
We are sent forth from this place to be light, hope, and strength to others, that others may know that there is indeed a way through the storms of life to a safe haven and to a peace grounded in the assurance of God's love. May we forget ourselves long enough and thoroughly enough to be this kind of witness to our neighbor. Always and ever in Jesus' name. Amen.
We worship God, whose creation is good.
Storms in life, therefore, must have a purpose.
We worship God, who is in control, whose will is supreme.
Even storms must bend to this will and so be used by God.
We worship God, whose love makes things whole.
Thus do fears subside and healthy expectations of life arise.
So do we come to worship, expecting good from God.
And we shall not be disappointed, for so will God gift us.
Invocation
God, we know that storms do arise. Life, at times, can be quite tempestuous. Yet you are ever present - to still storms both within and without. May we have the courage - and the good sense - to admit our need and to welcome your intervention. For you would use even that which seems the greatest threat, that through it we might grow in understanding, in resolve, and in strength to persevere and overcome. May we here in worship discover more fully your way with us - such that even in the midst of that which challenges us sorely, we may find peace for our souls and confidence for our living. We pray in the name of Jesus, the one who can truly accomplish this in us. Amen.
Call to Confession
It is our greed, our pride, and our fear that defeat us, a focus upon self rather than upon God. Either we think that we can manage on our own, or we despair of any solution. So often in all of this there seems to be no room for God, let alone the welcoming of God as first in our lives. Let us confess how we are the obstacle to our own well--being - and so make way for God's mercy and direction.
Prayer of Confession
When storm winds blow - in our lives and in the life of the world around - where can we turn, O God of power and purpose, except to you? Our lives flounder; we grow discouraged. Yet you have the power to still the storm, to bring peace to our living. Then why is it that we so often ignore these gracious overtures, the gifts of acceptance, love, and guidance that you offer? All are here - and available - for our well--being. Help us to overcome doubt with faith, a centering on self with a giving of self, a compulsion to control with a yielding of spirit - that we be led from death to a life unimaginably rich and full. For you would introduce us, Lord, to abundant living, fullness of joy, and a power that can truly accomplish marvelous things in your name. May that happen to each of us. Give us the courage to allow it to happen. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Words of Assurance
With Isaiah the prophet let us too say, "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation." Let us too trust, for God bestows mercy, a saving grace that stills the storm, and so prepares us for service in his name.
Thanks be to God for renewed hope and a confidence that is born of love.
Psalter Reading (from Psalm 65)
Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion; and to you shall vows be performed.
O you who answer prayer, to you all flesh shall come.
When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us, you forgive our transgressions.
Happy are those whom you choose and bring near to live in your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, your holy temple.
By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance, O God of our salvation; you are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas.
By your strength you established the mountains; you are girded with might.
You silence the roaring of the seas, the roaring of the waves, the tumult of the peoples.
Those who live at earth's farthest bounds are awed by your signs; you make the gateways of the morning and the evening shout for joy.
Offering Sentences
We are called upon to make sacrifices - of thanksgiving. In response to the many blessings of God, let our thanks be reflected in talents that are shared, in gifts that find use both near and far, and in time devoted to the well--being of others. Let ours be a joyful sacrifice, one that expresses a heartfelt thanks that we belong to the family of God.
Prayer of Dedication
Use these gifts, O God, to still storms, to bring encouragement, your calm and peace into lives that at present are distraught, yea even despairing, to spread your message of health and hope for body, mind, and spirit to many a needy soul both far away and near. Use these gifts - and us - to cause your way of love and peace to prosper here on this earth. In Christ's name we know that it can be so!
Benediction
We are sent forth from this place to be light, hope, and strength to others, that others may know that there is indeed a way through the storms of life to a safe haven and to a peace grounded in the assurance of God's love. May we forget ourselves long enough and thoroughly enough to be this kind of witness to our neighbor. Always and ever in Jesus' name. Amen.
