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The Timeless Psalmsby Joan Stott |
A Call to Worship
Psalm 22: 23-31, Lent 2B 2012
Awe-inspiring God, we gather together to praise youfor your tender compassion and care of needy people.
Come, all who seek the Lord God, offer your prayers.
Listening God, we gather to revere and honour your
supportive concern for people who cry to you for help.
Come, all who seek the Lord God, offer your praise.
People of every nation are called to gather together to
worship God, in thankfulness for God’s loving mercies.
Come, all who seek the Lord God, offer your worship. Amen.
If used in shared worship, please provide an acknowledgement as follows:
© 2012 Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year B, used with permission.
Prayers of Praise and Trust
Psalm 22: 23-31, Lent 2B 2012
Let all the people praise our God, let all the people sing theirpraises, giving thanks for the generosity of our Generous God,
who shows loving compassion and care to all people who are
sorrowing, suffering distress or deprivation. We offer our praises
to our God, because of God’s faithfulness in listening and acting.
Loving God, in a world that doubts everything it hears; and,
even with wide open eyes, doubts everything it sees; we know
we can trust you in all things. In a world that often scoffs at
our faith and trust in God, we praise you that every day you
do continue to demonstrate your trustworthiness to people
who have eyes to see, and ears to hear your gentle words
of encouragement, grace and mercy. We offer our praises to
our God, because of God’s faithfulness in listening and acting.
In reverent praise and awe, we praise our Lord God with hearts
and minds filled with joyful trust, because you have never left
us bereft of comfort and help when we needed it. We praise you
for the many signs in the past of God’s presence with your people;
we thank you God, for all the daily signs we see that God always
comes to people looking for God; and we ask your blessings on
future generations who will also learn of your listening ear; your
strong arm that protects vulnerable people; and your loving heart
that inspires trust. We offer our praises to God, because of God’s
faithfulness in listening and acting. May God always be praised! Amen.
If used in shared worship, please provide an acknowledgement as follows:
© 2012 Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year B, used with permission.
A Personal Meditation
Psalm 22: 23-31, Lent 2B 2012
I may or may not be a direct descendent of Jacob/Israel, but I canclaim to be a descendent of many faithful God-fearing people who
have loved and served their Lord all their lives; and because of this, I
give my heartfelt thanks for God’s goodness to this - my own generation.
Many times they suffered for their faith, but as far as I can tell, they
remained true to their commitment to God, and revelled in their faith.
| Creative pause: | I give thanks for my forebears in the faith. |
Like so many people before and after them, my forebears came to
a new land, to a new life in tough circumstances, and trusted God to
guide and bless them as they settled into a new way of life, sharing
their faith and trust in God, wherever they went. Then when trouble
inevitably came along, they pressed on in hope and faith; they knew
sorrow and deep pain as they mourned their losses; but together—
they still fulfilled their promises to God - wherever God placed them.
| Creative pause: | I give thanks for their faith-filled examples. |
With each succeeding generation, people have spread the good news
of God’s love, mercy and forgiveness, so that the “eternal story” will
never fade or lose its power. No matter how often I fail, the God of all
grace and goodness will always raise up people to continue their witness
to God’s eternal goodness towards vulnerable people; and who will share
their personal knowledge of the God who always listens to the cries of
needy and broken hearted people. These witnesses to God’s beauty and
truth will always gather people together to worship their God, wherever
and whatever their circumstances, because they have promised to do so.
| Creative pause: | I give thanks for the promises made by God’s faithful people. |