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The Timeless Psalmsby Joan Stott |
A Call to Worship
Epiphany 5, Year A, Psalm 112: 1-9
Praise to the Lord our God! Glory be to God’s holy name!With joy and thankfulness, we come to worship our God!
Praise to the Lord our God! Awe and wonder belongs to God!
With trust and confidence, we come to worship our God!
Praise to the Lord our God! We delight in and praise our God!
In faith, hope and expectation, we come to worship our God! Amen.
If used in shared worship, please provide an acknowledgement as follows:
© 2011 Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year A, used with permission.
Prayers of Praise
Epiphany 5, Year A, Psalm 112: 1-9
Radiant God, you are the vibrant Light that leads us to lifein all its fullness; you are the Light that takes the harsh sting
out of fear and uncertainty; and you are the Light that helps
us in our choices, our options and priorities in life and living.
We offer our praises to our God for your gracious goodness.
God our Leader, you are the Guide that shows us the path
of justice and mercy; you are the Guide that takes us by
the hand to lead us into the direction of trust and confidence
in the unfailing goodness of God; and you are the Guide that
teaches us about living with our brothers and sisters in peace
and contentment, and not being anxious by the need for ’things’.
We offer our praises to our God for your gracious wisdom.
Unsparing God, you are the Generous Giver that gives us
many blessings and mercies; who shows love for your children,
however deserving or otherwise they are of such love; you are
the Generous Giver that enriches our life with the blessings of
love given and received; of forgiveness offered, received and
shared; and the Generous Giver of courage and endurance, to
enable us to live faithfully each day, following your commands.
We offer our praises to our God for your gracious bounty.
Compassionate God, hear our prayers for people who turn a
blind eye and a deaf ear to your teachings, who through their
self-centredness, are unable to see your generosity as a gift;
and who seek to exploit your goodness to their own advantage.
We offer our praises to our God for your gracious forgiveness. Amen.
If used in shared worship, please provide an acknowledgement as follows:
© 2011 Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year A, used with permission.
A Personal Meditation
Epiphany 5, Year A, Psalm 112: 1-9
Generous God, it all sounds so easy! It’s all so simple!Love and obey God, and you will have all your heart
desires! You will have every wish granted; every craving
satisfied; and every fancied acquisition freely provided!
| Creative pause: | It all sound so simple – nothing to it! |
But wait - there’s more! That is not all there is to living!
What about the whole idea of cherishing or delighting,
even relishing in being obedient to God’s Word and Laws?
What about worshipping God and being faithful to God?
What about being compassionate, kind and generous?
What about being fair and honest in business practices?
What about hospitality or sharing resources and talents?
| Creative pause: | But wait - there’s more! What about....? |
How blessed we are when through God’s generosity and
mercy, life is good for us; when our homes are places of
love and sharing; when our relationships are strong and
supportive; and when life’s bounty is ours. However, with
all these gifts, there also comes the responsibility of sharing;
of using these blessings to bless other people; and to be
God’s Light in their dark world, so that they may find their
way back to God, and a new understanding of life and living.
| Creative pause: | How blessed we by God’s generosity! |