God’s Word

Description

Here are worship resources which celebrate the gift of Scripture.

Scripture

Psalm 119
Isaiah 55:10-11
John 1:1-5
Romans 15:4
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Hebrews 4:12
Hebrews 4:12

Prayers

Light for the Path (based on Psalm 119:105-112, 18, 34)

Your Word, O God, is a lamp for our feet
and a light for our journey.

When everything around us is dark, and we can see no light at all,
may the light from Your Word show us the way to go.

When the future is uncertain, and we can’t see what lies ahead,
may the light from Your Word show us the way to go.

When we feel abandoned or betrayed, and have no one to turn to,
may the light from Your Word show us the way to go.

When we are tempted to do what we know is wrong,
may the light from Your Word show us the way to go.

Open our eyes to see the wonderful truths in Your Word.
Give us understanding,
that we may keep Your law,
and put it into practice in our lives.

Amen.

~ Christine Longhurst

Opening Prayer (inspired by John 1:1-5)

Creator God
swirling, formless one,
hovering over creation and bringing new things to life
you speak new worlds into being with language that creates and liberates

Eternal God
living, limitless one
inhabiting the vast universe with the rich complexity of your being
you reveal yourself to your creatures and invite us to know you

Friendly God
nurturing, welcoming one
opening yourself wide to the joy and pain of loving your people
you place us in communities and families that echo your true nature

(pause to think about the language we instinctively use for God)

Holy God
We thank you for the ways in which
we have known and understood you;
We thank you for the metaphors
that have opened our eyes to more of who you are;
We thank you for the language that has brought
the transcendent, timeless, mysterious God within our grasp.

Holy God
We are hungry for more of you;
We ask you to reveal more of yourself to us
to take us beyond the confines of familiar habits
to free us from the restrictions and distortions of our language
to expand our understanding of you
so that we can love you whole-heartedly
we can communicate you faithfully
and we can reflect your full image to a world that needs you.

Amen.

~ posted on the Fresh Worship website of Grace Church, an alternative congregation in London, England.
http://www.freshworship.org/

Prayer of Thanksgiving for the Word (based on Psalm 119:105-112)

Life-giving God,
we praise You for the gift of Your Word;
for the light and life it brings to our lives.
Through it, we come to know You better;
we come to understand ourselves more fully;
and we find the wisdom and encouragement we need
to live as Your faithful disciples.

Help us keep Your Word at the centre of our lives;
a light to guide our way in whatever darkness we encounter,
or whatever temptations we face.
Teach us what it means to follow Your commandments,
and to walk in Your ways.

Amen.

~ Christine Longhurst

Prayer of Confession & Commitment (based on Psalm 119:33-40)

God,
we long to follow You,
to walk in the way that You have shown us;
to know Your commandments, and to practice them whole-heartedly.

But we confess that we are easily distracted,
lured away by our own interests and desires,
enticed by the attitudes and practices of the world around us.

Forgive us.
Turn our eyes away from the things that distract us from Your way—
from the attitudes and behaviours that sidetrack us
from our desire to know You better and follow You more closely.
Give us a hunger for Your Word and Your ways.
Show us where true life and happiness are found—
in knowing and doing Your will.

Amen.

~ Christine Longhurst

Spoken Resources

Litany on Scripture

One: Know this:
no prophecy found in Scripture
is a matter of the prophet’s own interpretation.
For prophecy has never been a product of human initiative,
but it comes when men and women are moved to speak
on behalf of God by the Holy Spirit.

Two: For all Scripture is God-breathed;
in its inspired voice, we hear useful teaching,
rebuke, correction, instruction, and training for a life that is right,
so that God’s people may be up to the task ahead
and have all they need to accomplish every good work.

One: You see, everything written in the days of old
was recorded to give us instructions for living.
We find encouragement through the Scriptures
and a call to perseverance that will produce hopeful living.

Two: For the Word of God is alive and moving;
sharper than a double-edged sword;
piercing the divide between soul and spirit, joints and marrow;
able to judge the thoughts and will of the heart.

All: Your Word is a lamp for my feet
and a light for my path.
Open my eyes to see
the wonderful truths in Your law.
Give me understanding,
that I may keep Your law,
and put it into practice with all my heart.

~ Christine Longhurst

Words of Introduction to the Reading of God’s Word

(based on Isaiah 55:10-11)

Just as the rain and the snow come down from the sky
and stay on the ground to water the earth,
causing plants to grow
which provide seed to the farmer and bread for the hungry,
so it is with God’s Word.

God sends it out,
and it does not return to Him empty.
Instead, it does exactly what God wishes,
and accomplishes everything He intends.

Let us listen to what God is saying to us today . . .

~ Christine Longhurst

Songs

Traditional Hymn: Wonderful Words of Life

Worship Together #265

Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty
Teach me faith and duty.

Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life.

Christ, the blessed One, gives to all
Wonderful words of life;
Sinner, list to the loving call,
Wonderful words of life;
All so freely given,
Wooing us to heaven.

Sweetly echo the Gospel call,
Wonderful words of life;
Offer pardon and peace to all,
Wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior,
Sanctify us forever.

~ Philip P. Bliss.

Contemporary Hymn: Thanks to God Whose Word

Worship Together #261

Thanks to God whose Word was spoken
in the deed that made the earth.
His the voice that called a nation;
his the fires that tried her worth.
God has spoken:
praise to God for the open Word.

Thanks to God whose Word Incarnate
heights and depths of life did share.
Deeds and words and death and rising,
grace in human form declare.
God has spoken:
praise to God for the open Word.

Thanks to God whose Word was written
in the Bible's sacred page,
record of the revelation
showing God to every age.
God has spoken:
praise to God for the open Word.

Thanks to God whose Word is published
in the tongues of every race.
See its glory undiminished
by the change of time or place.
God has spoken:
praise to God for the open Word.

Thanks to God whose Word is answered
by the Spirit's voice within.
Here we drink of joy unmeasured,
life redeemed from death and sin.
God is speaking:
praise to God for the open Word.

Tune suggestions:
REGENT SQUARE (“Angels from the realms of glory”)

Contemporary Song: Show Us Christ

Prepare our hearts, O God
Help us to receive
Break the hard and stony ground
Help our unbelief
Plant Your Word down deep in us
Cause it to bear fruit
Open up our ears to hear
Lead us in Your truth

Show us Christ, show us Christ
O God, reveal Your glory
Through the preaching of Your Word
Until every heart confesses Christ is Lord

Your Word is living light
Upon our darkened eyes
Guards us through temptations
Makes the simple wise
Your Word is food for famished ones
Freedom for the slave
Riches for the needy soul
Come speak to us today

Where else can we go, Lord
Where else can we go
You have the words of eternal life

Listen, download guitar chords, lead sheets and full accompaniments here:
http://sovereigngracemusic.org/Songs/Show_Us_Christ/2

Contemporary Song: The Word is Alive

Looking out from His throne
the Father of light and of men
Chose to make himself known
and show us the way back to Him

Speaking wisdom and truth
into the hearts of peasants and kings
He began to unveil the word
that would change the course of all things

With eyes wide open, all would see

The Word is alive
and it cuts like a sword through the darkeness
With the message of life to the hopeless and afraid
Breathing life into all who believe

The word is alive
and the world and its glories will fade
but Him truth, it will not pass away
It remains yesterday and forever the same
The word is alive

Simple strokes on a page
Eternities secret revealed
carried on from age to age
It speaks truth to us even still

And as the rain falls from Heaven
feeds the earth before it returns
Lord, let your word fall on us
and bring forth the fruit you deserve

~ Mark Hall, Steven Curtis Chapman 2. Copyright © 2007 Sparrow Song (BMI) My Refuge Music (BMI) (adm. at EMICMGPublishing.com) / Club Zoo Music (BMI) / SWECS Music (BMI) / Peach Hill Songs (BMI) All rights reserved. Used by permission. CCLI Song #5077377. If you use this song in worship, be sure to report it on your CCLI license.

Listen to it here:
http://www.worshiptogether.com/songs/songdetail.aspx?iid=557851

Images

Notes

This worship resource was created/compiled by Christine Longhurst. You are welcome to use it free of charge, and where appropriate, please note the source. If you are printing any of the resources for distribution, please print the source as well. The content of the worship resource does not necessarily represent the views of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, which oversees the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies. For more worship resources by Christine Longhurst, see http://www.re-worship.blogspot.ca or http://www.faithmatters.ca.

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