Worship Elements: February 5, 2012
Color: Green
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39
Theme Ideas
God’s compassion is a central tenet of today’s readings. In Isaiah, God’s everlasting presence and promise of renewal find poetic expression. In Psalm 147, we praise God for the compassion and healing offered to all who are in need. Paul writes of his call to express the saving love of God to all people—doing all of the ministry he can, with all the people he can, in any way he can. And the healing of Simon’s mother-in-law in Mark’s Gospel initiates a series of compassionate healings and miracles at the hands of Jesus. In these acts of compassion, the good news is seen and heard so that we may know and hear that Christ is the everlasting God, offering love to the weak and the downtrodden!
Call to Worship (Psalm 147)
Come, sing a new song to God.
Praise the One who gathers us here.
Give thanks for the rain, the grass, and the earth.
Give thanks for the gifts of God.
Come, sing a song of praise.
We sing to the everlasting God.
Call to Worship (Isaiah 40)
Do you know? Do you hear?
Our God is from everlasting to everlasting.
Come to know. Come to hear.
Our God gives powers to the weak.
Are you tired? Are you faint?
Our God will renew your strength.
Come, lift up your weary arms.
Rise up like eagles on the wings of God!
Call to Worship (Isaiah 40)
Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
Yahweh is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all to the ends of the earth.
Call to Worship (Psalm 147, Isaiah 40)
Gather us in, the brokenhearted and the joyful.
Gather us in, the weak and the strong.
Gather us in, the fearful and the brave.
Gather us in, the young and the old.
Gather us in, to sing of God’s works.
Gather us in, to praise Jesus Christ.
Gather us in, to worship and wonder.
Gather us in, to know of God’s love.
Contemporary Gathering Words (Psalm 147)
Hallelujah! Sing praise to God!
For God has called us here.
Hallelujah! Sing praise to God!
Let us worship the Lord of life.
Praise Sentences (Psalm 147)
Praise the Lord! Sing of joy and hope!
Praise the Lord! Sing of joy and hope!
Great is God, and greatly to be praised!
Great is God, and greatly to be praised!
Opening Prayer (Isaiah 40)
Holy One, we come to you,
listening for your word of compassion.
Renew us with your strength.
Empower us with your love.
Guide us in your ways,
that we may know you and worship you,
our everlasting God.
Opening Prayer (Psalm 147)
Gracious God,
hear our songs.
Gather us in as one people,
that we may worship you as one body.
Heal our broken hearts and bind up our wound.
that we may come into your presence
healthy and whole.
As we seek your wisdom.
Help us to discern your greatness,
as we honor the power and glory of your love.
Amen.
Prayer (Mark 1)
O Christ, our healer,
hear us as we pray.
Heal us in our sickness
and comfort us in our sorrow.
Impassion us in our apathy
and strengthen us in our doubt.
Help us to know and accept your healing grace,
that we may rise up and minister amongst your
people.
Help us to go forth,
showing your love
to all who search for you.
Speak through us
that our lives and our words
may proclaim your good news. Amen.
Benediction (Isaiah 40)
Go forth with the power of God.
Go into the world with the strength of faith.
Benediction (Isaiah 40)
May you run and not be weary.
May you rise up on the wings of eagles.
May you know without doubt
that the everlasting God goes with you!
Benediction (1 Corinthians 9)
Proclaim the gospel, the promise of hope!
Preach to the world, the truth of God’s love.
Do all the good you can, in any way you can,
to all the people you meet!
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