Christ the Center

Christ the Center is our worship theme for the fifth Sunday after Pentecost, June 23, 2013. Our focus scriptures are Psalms 42 and 43 and Luke8:26-39.

In the gospel passage, Jesus heals a man possessed by a legion of demons. This man is so symbolic of our time when people are pulled in so many directions and beset with messages about how they should look, what they should buy, how much money they need to be a success, etc. Jesus gives the command and the man is restored to sanity while all the disruptive powers end up drowning in the sea. It is Jesus alone who proves himself able to help the man.

All of us long to live in balance, to live lives of purpose and power. The words of the psalmist express that longing. In Jesus, we find One who is able to blossom out from the center of our souls and restore the balance that we have lost.

Here is a Call to Worship based on Psalms 42 and 43. Please use or adapt anything helpful to you.

Call to Worship    From Psalms 42 and 43

L: Like a deer longs for flowing streams, my soul longs for you, O God.

P: I thirst for you, the living God. Will I ever see your face?

L: Day and night I cry for you, while scoffers say, “Where is your God?”

P: Memories of other days flood my soul: how I led a happy throng to your house.

    How we rejoiced at your festival, sure of your presence.                      

L: Why are you cast down, O my soul, why are you so full of doubts?

     Hope in God; you shall turn again to praise.

P: My soul is cast down; yet you are the spring of life. You are like the waters

     of the Jordan bubbling up and cascading down from Mt. Herman.

L: Deep calls to deep at the thunder of your waterfalls.

     All your waves and billows wash over me, drowning me in you.

P: By day you command your steadfast love.

    At night you sing in my soul, you turn my life to prayer.

L: O God, my Rock, why have you forgotten me?

    Why must I walk about in sorrow while my enemies oppress me?”

P: Their taunts cut like a knife: “Where is your God?”

L: Why are you cast down, O my soul, why are you so full of doubts?

     Hope in God; you shall turn again to praise.

P: Vindicate me, O God! Defend me against these unbelievers!

All: Why are you cast down, O my soul, why are you so full of doubts?

     Hope in God; you shall turn again to praise.

New Life

New Life is the worship theme for the third Sunday after Pentecost, June 9, 2013. Our focus scripture reading is Luke 7:11-17.

The healing of the widow’s son at Nain is one of the stories that simply shows us who Jesus is. As he is entering the city, Jesus meets a funeral procession which is taking a young man out to be buried. He is the only son of a widow, meaning that his mother is going to be left in a very precarious position. Not only is she filled with grief, but in a society without Social Security or welfare she needs the help and protection of a man. She is in the same position as Naomi in the Book of Ruth.

Jesus sizes up the situation and is filled with compassion. Without being asked, he simply stops the procession and calls the young man to new life. Jesus is a walking piece of the kingdom of heaven, born into his life on earth. With the kingdom is love and compassion and healing for all. It is this kingdom work that we inherit from him and that is our ministry.

Here are two Calls to worship. Please use or adapt anything helpful to you.  

**Call to Worship

L: Once there was a man who lived without fear.

P: Wherever he went the love of God went with him.

L: In fact, God’s love flowed out of him like a circle of light.

P: Inside that circle, people were safe.

L: Sick people received healing.

P: Sad people received hope.

L: Angry people received the gifts of forgiveness and peace.

P: Weak people got backbone.

L: Aimless people got purpose.

P: All of them felt intuitively like they had walked into heaven on earth.

L: The man who lived without fear is gone now.

All: He left his circle of light for you... for me... step in!                                 

 Call to Worship    From Psalm 30

L: Praise you, O God! You rescued me! You lifted me over my enemies!

P: I cried out to you, Lord, and you healed me.

L: You drew me up from the grave, O God. You saved me from falling into the pit.

P: Sing, all you faithful! Bless God’s holy name!

L: For God’s anger lasts but a moment; God’s grace lasts a lifetime.

     Weeping may linger for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

P: Puffed up by prosperity, I bragged, “I’m invincible!”

L: By your grace, O Lord, you made me a strong mountain.

     But when you looked away; I fell apart.

P: Then I cried to you for help, O God. I begged your forgiveness and mercy.

     What good is it to you if I die? Can my dust praise you?

     Can I tell your faithfulness from the pit? Hear me, help me, gracious God!

L: Then you did it! You turned my mourning into dancing!

     You took off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy!

All: Now my soul is bursting with praise! I cannot keep silence!

     O Lord my God, I give thanks to you forever!