Additional 21st Century Africana Worship Resources for the Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost, Year A

Gathering Meditation
(Based on Exodus 3:1-15)
It Takes Fire

It took a miraculous fire to get my attention. No loss of life. No burned out homes. No crowds to gawk and gaze. It was a private fire meant only for me.

"Come."
"Here I am."
"Not too close. Remove your shoes. This place is holy."

God puts holy fire into our mouths to speak truth to power.

How long will bullies frighten children?

How long will "higher-ups" oppress the rank and file?

How long will drug dealers hook innocents?

How long will companies lose workers' pensions?

How long will people die in senseless conflict?

As long as fire in holy places goes unnoticed…
and cool smoke rises where Christian passion once burned.
Sing: "This is Holy Ground"

Call to Worship
(Based on Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c)
One Voice: O give thanks to the Lord.
Many Voices: Thank you Jesus! Thank you Lord!

One Voice: O give thanks to the Lord.
Many Voices: Thank you for prophets like Moses, Martin, and Mandela.

One Voice: O give thanks to the Lord.
Many Voices: Thank you for putting fire in the mouth of "everyday prophets" who speak truth to power.

One Voice: O give thanks to the Lord.
Many Voices: Thank you for ignoring our excuses and inspiring us to carry out your prophetic will.

One Voice: O give thanks to the Lord.
Many Voices: Thank you that some "Moses" is among us to speak for the oppressed — a Moses who just might be me!

Call to Confession
(Based on Romans 12:9-21)
Precious Lord, strip away the mask I wear during the week to "get by." Lay my soul bare before you today. Help me to recognize genuine love. Teach me the love that hates evil and holds onto to what is good. Strip away the mask that holds my emotions in check when I should share your love with someone. Let me see the joy of giving to others. Show me the power of blessing those who persecute me. Strip away "the mask that grins and lies and lets the world think otherwise" about a child of God.

(Silence)

Words of Assurance An altar, a pew, a seat on the bus, a kitchen table — all become holy places when we confess our sins to God. Today, in this holy place, God meets us, hears us, and forgives us. In this holy place, God empowers us with genuine love to be shared with a hurting world. Be for God, a holy loving people.

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About the Author: Kwasi I. Kena is a former Discipleship Ministries staff member