Meditation for Gathering

God Will Raise Up a Prophet
(Based on Deuteronomy 18:15-20)

God will raise up a prophet when God needs a courageous word spoken.
Like Moses, and Mama and Auntie and Uncle
God will raise up a prophet from among us
Like coaches who care and teachers who pray
For athletes and students like they would their own.
Like barbers and beauticians who
Ask the right question at the right time
To pull us back to safety before we commit some crime.
God will raise up a prophet to speak God’s word to us.
And anyone who doesn’t listen will have to deal with God.

Written by Kwasi I. Kena, The Africana Worship Book, Year B (Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2007), 28.

Call to Worship

(based on Psalm 111 and Deuteronomy 18:15-20)

Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart in the company of the upright in the congregation.
Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.

The works of God’s hands are faithful and just; all God’s precepts are trustworthy.
They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

God’s works extend to you and me and the whole community as the Spirit nurtures gifts and graces in each of us.

Great are the works of the Lord, whose love and grace endures forever!

God raises up some to be prophets to help us follow God’s voice, yet all are called to lead by following.

We affirm the gifts of those who are called to be truth-tellers in our midst, helping us all to answer the call to be truth-doers. Great are the works of the Lord! Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, August 2023.

Opening Prayer

God of power and might,
you sent prophets to your people,
calling us back to your covenant,
and teaching us your ways.
In the fullness of time,
you sent us your Son Jesus,
teaching with such authority,
that our eyes were opened
to see your ways anew.
Open our hearts and minds,
that we may understand
and proclaim your teachings
for all to hear.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

From the Worship Elements page of the Ministry Matters website. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog, https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/01/opening-prayer-epiphany-4b.html.

Prayer of Confession

Holy God, hear our prayer. You send prophets and saviors to help us, to save us, to raise us, and our response is to question You. You heal someone’s beloved, and we ask, “Why not this one too?” You shower food upon some who hunger, and we complain that our stomachs are growling. Forgive us. Forgive us not for our doubts, but for our limited perspective. Open wide before us the vista of your grace, and the expanse of your love, and the wonder of your healing power. Through Christ, we pray. Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness

Sisters and brothers in Christ, hear the Good News: At some time, each one of us has been lost in many different ways. But now we are indeed found, and not simply found, but rejoiced over, and cherished, and beloved. Your sins are forgiven; you have come home. Alleluia! Amen.

Adapted from a prayer written by Beth Merrill Neel on her blog, ‘Hold Fast to What Is Good’. Used with permission. https://holdfasttowhatisgood.com/liturgy/prayer-of-confession/.

Benediction

As you go from this place, may God bless you with open hearts to recognize the gifts and graces in one another and in your neighbors, open minds ready to dream with the Spirit, and open doors ready to welcome the reign of God’s love right here and right now. Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, August 2023.