Call to Worship

Welcome pilgrims on the way to the cross.
We are learning to follow Jesus.

For those who feel Christ near,
May we not turn away from the discomfort of the journey ahead.

For those who feel as far from Christ as the desert is from the ocean,
May we find Christ in the wilderness with us.

For all of us who stumble and fall in our silence, indifference, and lack of generosity,
May we reach for the hand of Christ, who raises us up to continue on the journey.

Pilgrims on the way, come let us worship God!
We come to worship God as we learn to live inside out! Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Director of Worship Arts, August 2022.

Prayer of Confession

O God, you offer us so much,
forgive us for sharing so little.

You have called us to your ways,
forgive us for ignoring your call.

You have given us the gift of family,
forgive us for not giving thanks.

You have given us countless blessings,
forgive us for taking your love for granted.
And now, gracious God, be merciful to us
in our sin and indifference, through Christ,
our Savior.

Amen.

From Joel N. Martínez and Raquel M. Martínez, Fiesta Cristiana: Recursos para la Adoración (Abingdon Press, 2003), 148.

Litany

The Tempter says, “If you are…”
God, help us prove that we are your people.

If we are the people of God, our love will flow from inside out to God, neighbor, self, and all creation.
God, help us prove that we are your people.

If we are followers of Christ, our faith will plant seeds of justice, so we can reap a harvest of reconciliation and healing where violence and desolation once took root.
God, help us prove that we are your people.

If we are students of the Holy Spirit, our hope will dream a world of flourishing for all of God’s creation, inspiring us to spread God’s abundant life like butter on warm toast.
God, help us prove that we are your people.

Though the Tempter says, “If you are…,” God says, “You are mine.”
God, as the people you claim as your own, teach us to live in and return to love, faith, and hope whenever we fall.

Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Director of Worship Arts, August 2022.

Benediction

The Scriptures say that we need more than bread for our lives; we must feed on every word of God. Go, feast on the words of the Most High, Creator God. Be overwhelmed by God’s goodness and let your life be your praise, until we meet again. Amen.

Written by Carolyn W. Dandridge and Catrinia N. Harrison, The Africana Worship Book Year A, edited by Valerie Bridgeman Davis and Safiyah Fosua (Discipleship Resources, 2006), 198.