A Living Libation – A Meditation for Gathering

Make my life a libation
poured out like oil,
diffused through air
like perfume
blessing multitudes.

Make me a libation
poured out to God,
not Mother Church,
or someone else’s agendas;
an emissary of Christ,
lighthouse and cattle-prod,
good news and conscience-goad,
bringing tidings of peace
and warnings of the wrath to come.

Let me not be sacrificed
on the altar of the church’s indifference,
nor let me confuse sacrifice with suffering for selfish gain.

At the end of my days
when life on this globe is over,
let it be truthfully said
my life was poured out
for you.

Safiyah Fosua, The Africana Worship Book for Year C, Valerie Bridgeman Davis and Safiyah Fosua, eds., (Discipleship Resources, 2008), 50.

A Spanish Translation of A Living Libation

Sacrificio Vivo

Haz de mi vida un sacrificio derramado como aceite,
Difundido por el aire como perfume, bendiciendo multitudes.
Hazme un sacrificio derramado a Dios, no a la Madre Iglesia, o a otras agendas;
Hazme un emisario de Cristo, faro o cayado, portador de buenas nuevas y conciencia,
Llevando noticias de paz y advertencies de la ira venidera.
Que no sea yo sacrificado en el altar de la indiferencia de la iglesia,
Ni permitas que confunda el sacrificio con el sufimiento que lleva a una ganancia egoista.
Al final de mis dias, cuandola vida en esta acabem
Que se diga con verdad que mi vida.

Safiya Fosua, translated by Julio Vargas-Vidal, Worship and Song: Worship Resources Edition, (Abingdon, 2011), #190, p.72-73.

Call to Worship

We worship because the Lord stood by us on difficult days.

Even when we weren’t aware and felt alone.

We worship because the Lord gives strength.

Even when we feel so weak.

We worship because we have been rescued again and again.

Even when we are afraid that we have lost.

Come and worship the God who stands with us in our darkest days and promises to be with us to the end.

We will worship in hope, seeking eyes to see and hearts to believe in God with us.

Derek Weber, Discipleship Ministries, March 2022

Opening Prayer

(inspired by Hebrews 12:1-2, 2 Timothy 4: 6-8)

At the starting line of this day,
we call on your name, God of grace.
As we run the race you have set before us,
help us to keep our eyes on your goals, not our own.
When we falter, give us fresh strength and courage.
When we are fleet-footed, let us give you the glory.
Keep us from wanting to win at other’s expense
or to count ourselves better than those at our side.
All runners are your children.
In the race You imagine,
each one is a winner. Amen.

Written by Carol Penner and posted on The Contemplative Network. https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Contemplative-Network/219806301435597. Reposted: https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2013/07/opening-prayer-running-race.html.

Prayer

(inspired by 2 Timothy 4: 6-8 and Hebrews 12: 1-3)

Lord,
thank you so much for your faithfulness to us in the difficult times.
Help each of us to run with perseverance
the race that you set before us
and to finish that race well with your help.
Help us to keep the faith
and the teaching that you have entrusted to us
and pass it on faithfully to those in the next generation
who can teach others also.
We know you will be with us to the end.
We know that your grace is sufficient.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Written by Ralph Wilson and posted on the Jesus Walk website. http://www.jesuswalk.com/timothy/11_fight.htm. Reposted: https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2013/09/prayer-running-race.html.

Benediction

Our gathered worship has ended, but our race goes on. The faith we celebrate in here continues to be the faith we keep out there. As you have poured yourself out in worship – in song and in prayer, in fellowship and in unity – now may we go to pour ourselves out in service to the world God so loves. Let the church be the witness that God is at work in the world. Go with God. Amen.

Derek Weber, Discipleship Ministries, March 2022