The Lord Is My Shepherd: A 21st Century Africana Resource for the Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year A

Suggested Hymn: "Praise The Name of Jesus," 302, African American Heritage Hymnal

Suggested Praise Songs:

• "Praise Him," 172, African American Heritage Hymnal
• "What A Mighty God We Serve," Women of Worship: Gospel

Call to Worship
Leader: The world offers busy schedules and more stuff to do, but God offers rest.
People: The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not be in want!

Leader: The world offers faster cars and bigger houses, but God offers comfort.
People: The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not be in want!

Leader: The world offers war and terror, but God offers protection.
People: The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not be in want!

Leader: The world offers cheap love and cheap thrills, but God offers goodness and mercy.
People: The Lord is My Shepherd; I shall not be in want!

All: Come now and let us dwell in the house of the Lord!

Prayer Of Confession And Celebration
O God of miracles and mighty deeds, we acknowledge your healing and comforting presence in our lives. We confess that we have been blinded by materialism and driven by consumerism. Open our eyes to a new way of being. Send your anointing and grant us fresh insight for spiritual breakthroughs. Shine the light of your truth into our relationships and grant us victory over every secret and shame. We thank you in advance for healings and renewals in our lives. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Closing Blessing
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

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The Rev. Junius Dotson is the Senior Pastor of Saint Mark United Methodist Church, a thriving predominately African-American congregation located in the heart of Wichita, Kansas. He believes that effective ministry is about training, developing, and empowering leaders to establish ministries that address the needs of the "whole" person — body, mind, and spirit. Visit St. Mark's on the web at www.saintmarkumc.com.

"21st Century Africana Liturgy Resources: Worship Resources forthe Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year A" copyright © 2005 The Rev. Junius Dotson. Used with permission.