Preparation for Worship
Songs: Ask yourself and the people who will be worshipping with you (kids included), “What are some of the songs we sing that talk about the Triune God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)?” Play them on Spotify, sing them acapella, or create your own instrumental arrangement.
Bible: You will need a Bible to read from the scriptures. You can use this doc or your phone as well . . . but I’d recommend using an actual Bible.
This week’s liturgy is based on the following texts:
1 Samuel 8:4-11, 16-20 and Psalm 138, Genesis 3:8-15 and Psalm 130, 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1, Mark 3:20-35
You can decide who will lead the different movements of this gathering. It would be great for every person to have a part.
Gathering
Opening Words
As the world around us starts to open up, let us continue to be aware of the ways that God has shown up in our lives over the past year. Let us continue to lean into worshipping God, whether in large or small groups. Let us continue to trust in the faithfulness of our God in all of life’s seasons.
Call to Worship
Leader: Come and worship,
all you who love and serve our God —
All: who surrounds us with unfailing love,
and answers us when we call;
Leader: who cares for the humble and lowly,
and never abandons those in need.
All: This is our God,
worthy of our worship and praise!
Leader: Let us worship our great God!
Song of Praise
Sing one song that focuses on God’s love and God’s call.
Some suggestions:
All Creatures of our God and King
For other song ideas click here.
Reading from the Psalms
The Psalmist writes in Psalm 130 (ESV),
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
2 O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
7 O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.
Prayer for Illumination
God of Love,
We offer this time of worship to you,
praying that it may reflect our praise and thanksgiving
for the gifts of creation and for all that Jesus has done for us.
Now, by your Spirit,
Open our eyes and ears
That we might recognize what you are saying to us. Amen.
Listening
(The time of listening is a series of reading the scripture, re-telling the story, and paying attention to where God is stirring your hearts as you listen. Invite everyone to listen to the words of the scriptures and to be ready to re-tell the story.)
A reading from Mark 3. 20 Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. 21 And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”
22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.” 23 And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. 27 But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.
28 “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— 30 for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”
31 And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. 32 And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” 33 And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”
Re-Telling
Let’s remember together what was said in these readings. What was said first? What happened next? (Go around the circle and tell the story to each other. Try to remember as many details as possible.)
Paying Attention
What word or phrases captured your attention? Why do you think these words/phrases spoke to you?
What questions came up for you as you heard this text read and re-read?
What is God up to in these texts?
What will we carry into this week from this text?
How can we pray this week?
Responding
Prayers of the People
Holy and Gracious God,
you call us by name,
and call us to follow you.
help us to do so through your grace.
Like a shepherd taking care of their flock
you tend to our needs.
We pray today that you would be with those who struggle, suffer,
are in pain.
Guide those who are lost, or filled with worry and fear.
Protect those who are in harm’s way
heal those who are sick in body and spirit,
mend those who are broken,
as only you can.
God of peace, watch over those who lead us.
Fill our leaders with wisdom, patience, insight, and mercy.
Help them to lead with kindness and strength.
We thank you, O God, that you call workers into your harvest.
Help us faithfully follow when you call.
May we reflect share the good news of your love to all people we encounter.
And now we pray together the prayer you taught us to pray saying,
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever. Amen.
Sending
Benediction
Dear Friends,
Go with this blessing.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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