Worship Words

It is useless to get up early
and stay up late in order to earn a living.
God takes care of God’s own, even while they sleep. -Psalm 127:2

I love sleep. I believe sleep is God’s gift to us. While we sleep, our bodies can renew, relax, and recharge. When I don’t get enough sleep, I am not at my best. (This is probably the understatement of the year!) Last week, I had to set my alarm for 2:15am to catch a flight. I’m sure other people were just getting to sleep at the time I needed to wake up. Changing time zones and sleeping in a strange bed always throw me off. All of these changes to my schedule has me thinking about sleep. So today’s prayer is a prayer for sleep for all of us who need more sleep!

God of All Hours,

You created Sabbath, and you created sleep. You beg us to slow down and rest. You urge us to shut off the lights, crawl under the covers, and stop worrying. Today we pray for sleep for all who need it. We pray for safety and your protection for those who have nowhere safe to lay their heads. We pray for sleep for the children and babies who refuse to nap or go to sleep at night. We pray for those in hospitals who want to rest and can’t due to tests and noise. We pray for those who work overnights and must try to sleep during the day. We pray for each other knowing that if we could all get a good night of sleep the world would be a more cheerful place tomorrow. God, grant us rest! Amen.

Sermon from April 10, 2014

Preached at Christ Congregational Church

Are We Listening?

John 21:1-19

 

The Psalm for this week is Psalm 148. This responsive reading of the Psalm features the words of the Psalm in italics and my words in regular font. I enjoy the process of rewriting Scripture while remaining faithful to its roots. Using different words to express the same ideas is one way to keep Scripture fresh and new for us. This practice can give you insight into how you see God and how others have seen God throughout time. Why not do a little rewriting of a psalm yourself this week? I’d love to see your results.

All-Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise God in the heights!

One-All who are faithful, Praise God! All who try to love God offer your praises!

All-Praise God, sun and moon; praise God, all you shining stars!

One-Let all praise the name of the Lord, for at God’s command all were created.

All-Praise God all creatures small and big who live in the oceans and waters.

One-Fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling God’s command!

All-Hills, valleys, and mountains, fruit and flowering trees, weeds and vines.

One-Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!

All-People with power and people with no power, all are God’s children.

One-All ages and all people are God’s children.

All-Let all praise the name of the Lord, for God’s name alone is exalted; God’s glory is above earth and heaven.

God,

Did you plan what you’d create each day? Did you make a spreadsheet or action plan to create most effectively? How much pre-planning is required when you are God?

I admit it, God. I plan. I organize. I make lists. I like to know what is going to happen when. And sometimes I get frustrated by those who don’t plan. No, that’s not true and prayers should be true. People who don’t plan make me frustrated all the time.

Surprising God, I need you to help me utilize my gift of planning and preparedness in ways that are helpful. I need you, Merciful One, to grant me patience and mercy for the non-planners in my life and in my work. Keep me flexible and open to surprises when I go off schedule. And maybe sometimes, help those in my life to plan a little. Is this a case where all things in moderation would be helpful in my life? Maybe so, God, maybe so. I’ll keep trying and keep asking for forgiveness. In your mercy, hear my prayer. Amen.

PS-This planner loves her passion planner.

In our Gospel Lesson for Sunday, Jesus repeats the same question to Peter three times.

In our world filled with distractions…

How many times do I need to be asked before I listen?

How many times do I need to see you before I notice you?

How many times do I need to read the words before I understand?

 

Spend some time thinking about when and where you need to be more attentive to what the Still Speaking God is saying to you.

As you go out into God’s world this week, be Easter people! Be those who say, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? Jesus is not here. He is risen.” Be ready to be surprised with what God will do next. Look for the risen Christ in those you meet. Let the Holy Spirit nudge and guide you. The tomb is empty because Jesus is out in the world, and now we must go out into the world too! May the joy and wonder of that first Easter morning live in your hearts today and everyday. Amen.

God,

Why?

Why?

Why?

So much does not make sense in our world today and in the time we remember this Holy Week. We understand how easy it is to be joyful on Sunday. We waved palms and shouted Hosanna! We understand how easy it is to get swept up in the frenzy and soon we are denying who we know and are hiding in fear.

God of All, We do not understand senseless violence. We do not understand hurting others even when we cause the hurt. This week in the church and this week in our world leaves us with many questions.

Faithful God, Give us the courage to ask our questions and not rush to answers. Give us the courage to seek answers through wisdom and patience. Give us courage this holy week as we follow you, Jesus.

We want to follow you and yet we may deny you. We may run away. We may hide. We will be scared. Forgive us and give us the courage to try again.

Be with us this week when the story is so familiar that we forget how difficult it is to remain faithful when uncertainty is all around us. Amen.

 

As I was reading the Scriptures for this week, the first portion of Psalm 118 grabbed my attention. I began to picture what it would look like and sound like to have a full church reminding each other that God’s steadfast love endures forever. Use your imagination and find creative ways to divide up the congregation to share this good news together this Sunday morning.

 

One-O let us give thanks to our God who is good. God’s steadfast love endures forever!

All-God’s steadfast love endures forever!

One-Let the right side of the church proclaim this good news.

Right Side-God’s steadfast love endures forever!

One-Let the left side of the church proclaim this good news.

Left Side-God’s steadfast love endures forever!

One-Let the children and youth shout out this good news.

Children and Youth-God’s steadfast love endures forever!

One-Let the adults should out this good news.

Adults-God’s steadfast love endures forever!

One-Let us all whisper to our neighbors.

All-God’s steadfast love endures forever!

One-Let us smile and wave our palms as we say together one more time.

All-God’s steadfast love endures forever!