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.