21st Century Africana Worship Resources for the Third Sunday After the Epiphany, Year B

Call to Worship
(Psalm 62:5-12)
Come let us gather to proclaim the glory of the kingdom of God!
Come let us smother evil acts against our sisters and brothers!
O let us rejoice in the deliverance of our mothers and fathers!
Let our souls explode with the majestic power of the Lord!
As God speaks, let us hear, receive, and obey!

Opening Hymn: "Christ Is Alive," 318, United Methodist Hymnal

Prayer of Confession
O great and wonderful God, we come confessing that we have sinned.
We have put our faith in buildings made by humans.
We have neglected
To gather in people who are homeless,
To nurture people addicted to drugs,
Children abandoned,
People who are weak,
People living with HIV/AIDS.
We are caught with our nets full of material things
That have no value in the Kingdom of God.
We are ready to repent. We are ready to be made whole.
We are ready to boldly declare:
"God alone is our rock and our salvation. We shall not be moved."
In the matchless name of Jesus, we shout:
"You are God and God alone!"
Amen.

Litany
(Mark 1:14-20)
Leader: Though often misunderstood, often held captive by fabricated realities, our souls long for peace.

People: O God, we long for your presence; we long for peace.

Leader: We run without a destination
Surrounded by highways of turbulent noise.
We are tired, worn, and battered; and our souls long for joy.

People: O God, we long for your presence; we long for joy.

Leader: Through it all; in it all; and around all of it,
choose to love the astounding teachings of the Messiah.
Look to experience peace and joy ?? even in the midst of disappointment, war, injustice, or poverty.
Allow your soul to become acquainted with the One who changes
hard challenges into opportunities for transformation and growth.

People: Peace and joy are possible in the presence of the Savior.

All: In spite of the world's challenges,
We choose peace; we choose joy;
We choose to follow YOU, Lord!

About the Author: Carolyn W. Dandridge serves as the Communications Coordinator at the Discipleship Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee.