Why Are You
Afraid?
is our worship theme for the fourth Sunday after Pentecost, June 24, 2012. Our
focus scripture is Mark 4:35-41.
This
brief passage comes early in Jesus’ ministry as his disciples are still
reckoning with his wisdom and power. Earlier in Chapter 4 Mark tells of Jesus
teaching in parables to great crowds who gather at the side of the Sea of
Galilee to hear him. When evening comes Jesus decides to head to Gentile territory on the other side. He gets comfortable in the stern of the boat
and falls asleep on a cushion. Soon, however, a great storm kicks up and begins
to swamp the boat. His disciples wake him in terror. “Teacher, don’t you care
that we are perishing?” With a word Jesus rebukes the wind and suddenly there
is a dead calm. “Why are you afraid?” Jesus asks the flabbergasted disciples. “Have
you still no faith?”
In
Chapter 5 Jesus will proceed to heal the man with the legion of demons, then
cross back again to Jewish territory to heal the woman with a continuous flow
of blood and to raise Jairus’ daughter. “Who is this?” the disciples ask each
other in awe at what Jesus does. “Who is this?” we may well ask ourselves. “What
is the source of his wisdom and power? And does Christ make it available still today to us?”
Here
are several Calls to Worship appropriate for this Sunday in the season of
Pentecost. As usual, please feel free to use or adapt anything useful to you.
**Call to
Worship
L: Sisters and
brothers, let us celebrate the presence and power of Christ!
P:
Jesus’ love surrounds us, encouraging us to love.
L: His life-creating Spirit works
constantly to heal us in every way.
P:
His vision of God’s kingdom inspires us to work for justice.
L: His personal integrity straightens
the crooked places in our lives.
P:
His trust in God leads us to a deep inner peace.
L: His compassion for the poor and outcast
stirs us to care for them.
P:
His hopefulness enables us to laugh even in difficult circumstances.
L: And his resurrection reveals our true
home in heaven.
All: Nothing can separate us from God’s love for
us in Christ!
Alleluia!
Let us worship God!
**Call to
Worship
(based
on Psalm 9)
L: I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with
my whole heart.
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
P:
I will be glad and exalt in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most
High.
L: You are a stronghold for the
oppressed,
a
fortress in times of trouble.
P:
Those who know your name put their trust in you.
All: For you, O God, never forsake those who
seek you.
**Call to
Worship (From Psalm 9:9-20)
Liturgist: Draw near, all who are weary
and burdened with
troubles.
Pastor: Call out to God in your distress.
Make your lament
known to the one whose love
brings wholeness and
peace.
All: Our
souls wait for God, more than those
who
watch for the morning.
Liturgist: Draw
near, all who hope against hope
for the healing and release.
Pastor: Hear
Jesus proclaim hope to you and to all,
“do
not fear; only believe.”
All: Our souls wait for God, more than
those
who watch for the morning.
Liturgist: Draw near, all who jump for joy in God’s presence.
Pastor: Rejoice
in the abundance of life.
Be eager and generous
in sharing.
All: Our souls wait for God, more than
those
Who watch for the
morning.
**Call to
Celebration (based upon
Psalm 107:1-3,17-22) by Rev. Paul Berry
Liturgist: Come and worship the Lord our God
with
thanksgiving and praise,
All: You alone, O Lord, are good
and Your loving kindness is forever.
Liturgist: Come to worship the Lord our God
with a sacrifice
of thanksgiving.
All: Your loving kindness, O Lord,
is shown in Your Word and Your wonderful deeds.
We come to worship You.
With thanksgiving, we open ourselves to Your
presence.
We celebrate Your grace and loving power.
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