Taking The Plunge (What's An Ebenezer?)
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series VII, Cycle A
Call To Worship
Sooner or later we take the plunge. Sooner or later we step out in faith. Sooner or later we reject the darkness and walk towards the light. Sooner or later we stand up for Jesus. Come forward today in worship and praise. It's time.
Collect
Father of all, we have wandered and wondered long. Now we pray in our worship today for a sign that you are close at hand. We will no longer wait on Jordan's banks. With your aid we're stepping forward towards the prize. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
What monument have we built to our faithfulness? What stones have we raised to demonstrate your good will? What do you desire of us Lord? Not an edifice made of stone or wood. In order that others may know you have led us into the Promised Land we will work hard to provide purpose for our seniors, care for our poor, love for our children, and a place for every lost soul hoping to be found. Then others will know that the Lord has been in this place. Amen.
Hymns
"Surely The Presence Of The Lord Is In This Place"
"On Jordan's Stormy Bank I Stand"
"Come, Thou Font Of Every Blessing"
Proper 26/Ordinary Time 31
Sunday between October 30 and November 5 inclusive
Second Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Theme: Credit Where Credit Is Due
Call To Worship (Psalm 43)
Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people; from those who are deceitful and unjust deliver me!
For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you cast me off? Why must I walk about mournfully because of the oppression of the enemy?
O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling.
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.
Collect
Lord, when we consider the diversity of your people, and the beauty you have invested into every face, every body, our response must be: How great you are! Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Father, the year wanes. Now we take stock of our resolutions and dreams. Where we have been successful as your people we pray that you will receive the credit. Where we have fallen short we pray that we will see in you the solution. We praise you for the renewal of hope that follows good harvest or disappointing yield, because you are constant in your mercy and love. Amen.
Hymns
"Come Let Us All Unite To Sing God Is Love"
"How Great Thou Art"
"Precious Lord, Take My Hand"
Proper 26/Ordinary Time 31
Sunday between October 30 and November 5 inclusive
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 23:1-12
Theme: Using The Word As A Blunt Instrument
Call To Worship
Hope in Christ. Hinder no one who wishes to worship with us. Have faith.
Collect
Father in heaven, gather us in, the haughty and proud, the meek and the lowly, the saint and the sinner, the winner and loser. Gather us as one people who have come to realize that all of us are loved and wanted by you in your kingdom. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Alas for us when we exalt ourselves at the expense of others. We ask your forgiveness for those occasions when we have forced burdens on others that we might have carried for you. We ask your forgiveness when we accepted the popular cant and taught condemnation when we might have studied your words and given hope. Patient God, we praise you for your forgiveness and ask for guidance as we seek to pastor each other in your holy name. Amen.
Hymns
"Here In This Place"
"Lord, I Want To Be A Christian"
"Great God We Sing That Mighty Hand"
Sooner or later we take the plunge. Sooner or later we step out in faith. Sooner or later we reject the darkness and walk towards the light. Sooner or later we stand up for Jesus. Come forward today in worship and praise. It's time.
Collect
Father of all, we have wandered and wondered long. Now we pray in our worship today for a sign that you are close at hand. We will no longer wait on Jordan's banks. With your aid we're stepping forward towards the prize. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
What monument have we built to our faithfulness? What stones have we raised to demonstrate your good will? What do you desire of us Lord? Not an edifice made of stone or wood. In order that others may know you have led us into the Promised Land we will work hard to provide purpose for our seniors, care for our poor, love for our children, and a place for every lost soul hoping to be found. Then others will know that the Lord has been in this place. Amen.
Hymns
"Surely The Presence Of The Lord Is In This Place"
"On Jordan's Stormy Bank I Stand"
"Come, Thou Font Of Every Blessing"
Proper 26/Ordinary Time 31
Sunday between October 30 and November 5 inclusive
Second Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Theme: Credit Where Credit Is Due
Call To Worship (Psalm 43)
Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people; from those who are deceitful and unjust deliver me!
For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you cast me off? Why must I walk about mournfully because of the oppression of the enemy?
O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling.
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.
Collect
Lord, when we consider the diversity of your people, and the beauty you have invested into every face, every body, our response must be: How great you are! Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Father, the year wanes. Now we take stock of our resolutions and dreams. Where we have been successful as your people we pray that you will receive the credit. Where we have fallen short we pray that we will see in you the solution. We praise you for the renewal of hope that follows good harvest or disappointing yield, because you are constant in your mercy and love. Amen.
Hymns
"Come Let Us All Unite To Sing God Is Love"
"How Great Thou Art"
"Precious Lord, Take My Hand"
Proper 26/Ordinary Time 31
Sunday between October 30 and November 5 inclusive
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 23:1-12
Theme: Using The Word As A Blunt Instrument
Call To Worship
Hope in Christ. Hinder no one who wishes to worship with us. Have faith.
Collect
Father in heaven, gather us in, the haughty and proud, the meek and the lowly, the saint and the sinner, the winner and loser. Gather us as one people who have come to realize that all of us are loved and wanted by you in your kingdom. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Alas for us when we exalt ourselves at the expense of others. We ask your forgiveness for those occasions when we have forced burdens on others that we might have carried for you. We ask your forgiveness when we accepted the popular cant and taught condemnation when we might have studied your words and given hope. Patient God, we praise you for your forgiveness and ask for guidance as we seek to pastor each other in your holy name. Amen.
Hymns
"Here In This Place"
"Lord, I Want To Be A Christian"
"Great God We Sing That Mighty Hand"
