THE GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD (from Psalm 138)
I give you thanks, O LORD, 
with my whole heart I sing your praise.
I worship you and give thanks to your name 
for your stead-fast love and your faithfulness; 
for you have made your name and your word great ---
above every-thing. 
On the day I called, you an-swered me, 
you gave me encouragement, 
and you gave me strength deep within my being. 
Let all the rulers of the earth praise you, O LORD, 
in response to the words of your mouth;
and let them sing of the ways of the LORD, 
for great is the glory of the LORD. 
 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (from Psalm 138)
Blessed are you, O LORD, our God,
sovereign of all that is -- seen and unseen.
In every generation you have cared for the lonely, and grieving,
and heard the cry of those who call to you;
and you are aware of those who oppress or exploit.
Answer the cries in our hearts. 
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

There are times for each of us 
when we seem to walk in the midst of trouble.
Give us life in the face of the "strong men" that bind us
stretch out your hand and help us.Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

LORD God, 
your steadfast love endures for-ever;
by the presence of your Spirit 
remind us that you do not forsake the work of your hands. 
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

Looking for contemporary music and song resources? Try David MacGregor's Together to Celebrate
Or metrical psalms? Try Dale A. Schoening's Sing the Psalms

(PUT THE HYMN LIST HERE)