21st Century Worship Resources for the Third Sunday in Lent, Year C

Gathering Meditation: I Thirst for You
by Toni Payne

(Based on Psalm 63:1-8)

I thirst for you from a dry and desolate place in my soul. I long for you, shunned by family and friends, and troubled by the worries of this world. It is the shelter of your loving kindness that I seek.

I look to you for strength in times of weakness. You are my shelter from every storm. You dry my tears, calm my fears, and restore clarity to my being. I search for you.

In the midnight hour, you are my Comforter. In the early morning, you give new mercies. I search for you.

I praise you in the sanctuary, with joy in my heart and a loud voice. I lift up my hands and praise you in the sanctuary, for your loving kindness is better than life.

Toni Payne is a Systems Support Administrator in the IT Deparment at the Discipleship Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee.
Selection taken from The Africana Worship Book for Year C © Discipleship Resources, 2008. Used with permission.

Call to Worship: A Love Better Than Life
by Valerie Bridgeman

(Based on Psalm 63:1-8)

Sisters and Brothers, God our God is full of power!

Like someone stranded in the desert looking for water, we will seek the Lord.

God's love is better than life and worthy of our praise.

We will praise the Lord as long as we live, lifting our hands to heaven.

God is our help and upholds us like an eagle gathering her own.

We will bless the Lord and sing under the shadow of God's wings.

About the Author: Valerie Bridgeman, Ph.D., Biblical Studies (Hebrew Bible), is an Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible/Homiletics and Worship at Lancaster Theological Seminary.