16B – Epiphany 8B

15B - Epiphany 7B17B - Transfiguration
 
Psalm 103:1-13, 22
Bless the LORD, my soul,
and all my inmost parts bless God’s holy name
Bless the LORD my soul,
and do not forget all the benefits of God’s doing:
forgiving all your wrongdoing;
healing all your diseases;
redeeming your life from the Pit;
crowning you with lovingkindness and mercy;
filling your eternity with goodness
– so that your youth is restored, as an eagle’s.
The LORD, who works to put things right,
with justice for all the oppressed, 
whose way was made known to Moses,
and God’s deeds to the children of Israel.
The LORD, compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, and always faithful,
whose displeasure is not long-lasting,
whose anger is not for ever;
does not do to us according to our sins
nor deal with us according to what we have done wrong.
Indeed, as high as the heavenly canopy is above the earth,
so is God’s lovingkindness for those who hold the LORD in holy awe.
As distant as the sunrise is from the sunset
the LORD removes our rebellion from us.
As a father is compassionate to his children 
so the LORD is compassionate to those who revere the LORD God.

Bless the LORD, all God’s works, in every part of God’s realm.
Bless the LORD, my soul.

CALL TO WORSHIP AND PRAYER OF INVOCATION (from Psalm 103:1-5)
Bless the LORD, my soul,
and all my inmost parts bless God’s holy name
Bless the LORD my soul,
do not forget all the benefits of God’s doing:
We bless you, O LORD,
forgiving our wrongdoing;
healing us of all that causes unease in our lives;
rescuing our lives from death;
crowning us with your lovingkindness and mercy;
filling our eternity with goodness
so that we have a sense of being young again; strong as an eagle.
LORD God, you who work to put things right,
with justice for all the oppressed;
you who made your way known to Moses,
and your deeds to the children of Israel;
gather us by your Spirit,
enliven us by your Word,
that our worship may be to your glory. Amen

CONFESSION (from Psalm 103:8-10)
God of mercy and grace,
slow to anger, always faithful:
our lives are not as you would have them be.
Our ways have not been your ways;
our words have not been your words;
our thoughts have not been your thoughts.
Deal with us,
not according to what we have done wrong,
but according to your lovingkindness.
By your Spirit, direct our lives
so that we might walk more closely
in the way of Jesus Christ our Lord,
in whose name we pray. Amen.

 
A WORD OF ASSURANCE (Psalm 103:11-12)
Indeed, as high as the heavenly canopy is above the earth,
so is God’s lovingkindness for those who hold the LORD in holy awe.
As distant as the sunrise is from the sunset
the LORD removes our rebellion from us.
Bless the LORD, O my soul.

For use in worship, with acknowledgement. © Jeff Shrowder 2000, 2011.

OFFERING
Giver of all good gifts,
we offer these symbols of our daily living
to the glory of your name:
grant us vision and courage,
that in the light of your light,
we may devote ourselves to your way,
being a light to others,
for the sake of the Light of the world.
Amen.

For use in worship, with acknowledgement. © Jeff Shrowder 2011.


A CREATIVE MOMENT 


THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
(A prayer to gather the spoken and silent concerns/joys/thanks expressed by the congregation and lead into a more structured Intercession with connection to the lections for the day. Sometimes this prayer will borrow lightly from other sources e.g. Uniting in Worship 2 or publications of the Iona Community.)

Source of life,
draw near to the marginalised and unwanted,
in the compassion of others.
Word of life,
draw near to the neglected and abandoned,
in the hospitality of others
Breath of life,
draw near to the unloved and unlovable,
by the inclusive love of others.
Source of life,
Word of life,
Breath of life
draw near to us and strengthen us
that in compassion, hospitality and love
we show ourselves to be a letter of Christ,
to be known and read by all;
written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God…
(The prayers continue…)


Looking for contemporary music and song resources?
Try David MacGregor’s Together to Celebrate

HYMN SUGGESTIONS FOR EPIPHANY 8
Fairest Lord Jesus, Lord of all creation TIS 203
Praise to the living God TIS 102
Rejoice, the Lord is King TIS 216
Sometimes a light surprises TIS 128
What shall I do my God to love TIS 122
Psalm 103:1-13, 22  
Bless the Lord, my soul TIS 706
Father, whose everlasting love TIS 213
O bless the Lord, my soul TIS 64
O worship the King all-glorious above TIS 133
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, TIS 111
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven TIS 134
The Lord Jehovah reigns TIS 117
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy TIS 136
Mark 2:13-22  
Come as you are, that’s how I want you TIS 693
O Jesus Christ, may grateful hymns be rising TIS 620
Refresh my heart, Lord TIS 744
Take my life, and let it be TIS 599

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