This opening of worship originally appeared in "Be Not Afraid—Epiphany 2: Fear of the Stranger."
God Calls Us to Worship and Praise
Call to Worship
I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
I will glory in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
—Psalm 34:1–3
Songs
“Praise the LORD! Sing Hallelujah” (st. 1, 3–4) Psalter
“Lord Most High” Harris and Sadler
Greeting from God
We Greet Each Other
The Lord Is Close to the Broken-Hearted
Call to Confession
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
—Psalm 34:4–6
Song
“Pelas dores deste mundo / For the Troubles” Neto
Prayer of Confession
O Christ, you are the light of the world. Shine into the dark places and expose the sins of greed, oppression, hate and violence. Fill us with love, joy, peace, patience, and a willingness to forgive.
O Christ, you are the light of the world. We pray for the homeless, the refugees, the expelled and forgotten people everywhere. Strengthen us in our belief that you are a God of justice. Empower us with the determination to work for basic human rights.
O Christ, you are the light of the world. We pray for people everywhere that you would show us how we are to live together as neighbors, understanding and respecting one another. We remember before you the many places in the world where there is conflict between nations. We pray that love may determine a just solution.
O Christ, you are the light of the world. As the Risen Christ you broke the chains of death; free us from every kind of oppression. Breathe your Holy Spirit upon us. Make us a people of hope who live in lands where there is peace and justice for everyone.
—Pocket Prayers for Peace and Justice, compiled by Christian Aid. Prayers for Peacemakers, page 46, by Women of Jerusalem, Church House Publishing, 2004, © The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England. Used by permission. copyright@churchofengland.org.
Assurance of Pardon
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all.
—Psalm 34:17–19
Revised Common Lectionary
Year A: Season after Pentecost—All Saints Day
Year B: Season after Pentecost—Proper 14 (19)
Year B: Season after Pentecost—Proper 15 (20)
Year B: Season after Pentecost—Proper 16 (21)
Year B: Season after Pentecost—Proper 25 (30)
