Prelude Miriam Enman
Call to Worship: Psalm 63
1 You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.
9 Those who want to kill me will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.
10 They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.
11 But the king will rejoice in God;
all who swear by God will glory in him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced.
Hymn: Come, Christians, Join to Sing
Come, Christians, join to sing Alleluia! Amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King; Alleluia! Amen!
Let all, with heart and voice, before his throne rejoice;
Praise is his gracious choice: Alleluia! Amen!
Come, lift your hearts on high, Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky; Alleluia! Amen!
He is our Guide and Friend; to us he’ll condescend;
His love shall never end: Alleluia! Amen!
Praise yet our Christ again, Alleluia! Amen!
Life shall not end the strain; Alleluia! Amen!
On heaven’s blissful shore his goodness we’ll adore,
Singing forevermore, Alleluia! Amen!
Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
The present form of this world is passing away. Therefore, help us to keep our focus on you, Lord, for true power and steadfast love belong to you. We pray together: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Offering
Special Music Don and Meg Shuler, Miriam Enman
Prayer for Offering
Great God, accept these gifts we offer as we wait in hope for your coming again. Use all that we have and all that we are as you bring light in every darkness, ease heavy burdens, and turn our endless warring into your endless peace. In Christ’s name, we ask it. AMEN
Prayer of the Day
Hymn: Breathe on Me, Breath of God
Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew,
That I may love what thou dost love, and do what thou wouldst do.
Breath on me, Breath of God, until my heart is pure,
Until my will is one with thine, to do and to endure.
Breath on me, Breath of God, till I am wholly thine,
Until this earthly part of me glow with thy fire divine.
Breath on me, Breath of God, so shall I never die,
But live with thee the perfect life of thine eternity.
Scripture: Psalm 62
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
1 Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
3 How long will you assault me?
Would all of you throw me down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
4 Surely they intend to topple me
from my lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.
5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
9 Surely the lowborn are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie.
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.
10 Do not trust in extortion
or put vain hope in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.
11 One thing God has spoken,
two things I have heard:
“Power belongs to you, God,
12 and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;
and, “You reward everyone
according to what they have done.”
Questions to Ponder Regarding Both Psalm 62 (Scripture) AND 63 (Call to Worship)
- What stands out to you in each Psalm?
- These Psalms were written by David. What do you remember about David?
- How does your knowledge of David change the words of the Psalm you are reading?
- Which phrases give you hope?
- What are some praises of God given in both Psalms? How can you use these words to give praise this week?
- Which phrases trouble you?
“Psalm 62 ends by saying, ‘God you repay to all according to their work.’ Some of us may find that statement unsettling. Would you rather have God treat you with payment you deserve or with the grace that you hope for in Jesus Christ?” - If you were to write a Psalm (a song or a prayer) to God this week, what phrases would you use? Take some time to write a song or prayer to God.
- Which are some of the promises that you can cling to this week?
- What is one way you can foster a deeper faith this week?
Hymn: O Master, Let me Walk with Thee
O Master, let me walk with thee in lowly paths of service free;
Tell me thy secret: help me bear the strain of toil, the fret of care.
Help me the slow of heart to move by some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay, and guide them in the homeward way.
Teach me thy patience- still with thee in closer, dearer company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong, in trust that triumphs over wrong;
In hope that sense a shining ray far down the future’s broadening way,
In peace that only thou canst give, with thee, O master, let me live.
Blessing
Postlude