Jesus Calms the Storm

Description

Here are worship resources inspired by the account of how Jesus calmed the storm.

Scripture

Matthew 8:23-27
Mark 4:35-41
Luke 8:22-25

Prayers

Opening Prayer

Mighty God, who speaks a word of peace to calm our troubled sea;
Caring God, who nudges us away from fear and toward faith;
Ever-present God, who fills us with awe
but also raises many questions
without easy answers;
Open our eyes to see you in our boat—today,
Strengthen our hearts for the challenges that lie ahead,
Open our ears this hour to hear the word you speak.
This we pray, In Jesus’ name.

Amen.

~ posted on the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren website.
http://rockhay.tripod.com/

Loving Through the Storm

The worst storms, Jesus, are the ones caused by our fear,
when we grow afraid of losing our power,
or we grow suspicious of the power of others,
when we refuse to acknowledge your mysterious authority;

Yet, it's in the storm that we find our capacity to love.
In releasing our weak claim to power
and opening to your reign,
we discover a new way of seeing ourselves —
as called and useful and beloved —
and the other, whoever they may be —
as dignified and precious and beloved.

Here in the storm, Jesus, we need you, and we need each other,
and the love you give us to share,
leads us through sacrifice and self-giving
to peace and calm,
if only we will loose our hold on fear.

Amen.

~ written by John van de Laar. Posted on his excellent Sacredise.com website.

Prayer of Confession

God of love and power,
we listen to the stories of miracles and doubt that these things can happen today.
We look at the waves of misfortune, distress, misery, distrust, and anger
and wonder how we can still those waves.
We feel the pressures of power and fear flooding into our lives,
threatening to drown us and wonder where you are.
Forgive us for the littleness of our faith.
Forgive us for our doubts.
Help us to place out trust in you, Lord Jesus.
Help us to fix our eyes on you and on the ministries to which you have called us.
For we ask these things in Jesus’ Name.

Amen.

Words of Assurance

Fear not!
God is with us, stilling the storms and raging fears in our lives.
Place your trust in God always.

Amen.

~ written by Nancy C. Townley, on the Worship Connection page of the Ministry Matters website.
http://www.ministrymatters.com/

Spoken Resources

Invitation to Trust

When dangers invade our sense of safety
and we wonder if our Redeemer cares,
we hear the invitation:
Be at peace. Be calm.

When we face job loss and financial downturns,
and our sense of security is shaky,
we hear the invitation:
Be at peace. Be calm.

When our congregations experience distress, conflict,
and loss of significant leadership,
we hear the invitation:
Be at peace. Be calm.

When controversial issues and rigidity of spirit
threaten to tear at the very fabric of the faith community,
we hear the invitation:
Be at peace. Be calm.

When our lives feel chaotic and desolate
because of illness or sorrow,
we hear the invitation:
Be at peace. Be calm.

Help us to know, O God,
that the one who calmed the dangerous sea is present with us,
cares for us, and can calm the stormy waters of our lives.
Help us to trust more fully and more deeply in you.
We pray in the name of Jesus, who invites us to be at peace.

Amen.

~ written by Connie R. Burkholder, Monitor Church of the Brethren in McPherson, Kansas.
Posted on http://rockhay.tripod.com/

Who is this Jesus?

To leave the safe sheltered quay;
to rest while strong men fear;
to doze through a storm at sea:
who is this Jesus?

To display the might of the meek;
to sleep while threats are near;
to dream while fierce gales peak:
who is this Jesus?

To know what keeps you afloat;
to let another hand steer;
to be safe in a foundering boat:
who is this Jesus?

To be see when there’s no light;
to trust when nothing’s clear;
to confront the powers of night:
who is this Jesus?

To speak the word that saves;
to know God is even here;
to command the wind and the waves:
who is this Jesus?

~ Copyright © B D Prewer 2000. Posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home Page.
http://www.bruceprewer.com/

Contemporary Call to Worship

Strength is commanding the wind and sea to obey,
Strength is wielding a slingshot in the face of a raging giant.
Strength is accepting vulnerability from inside the boat,
Strength is standing in solidarity with the powerless.
Strength is turning a cheek,
Strength is loving an enemy.
We come to worship
a God who redefines our vision of strength.

~ written by Katherine Hawker, 1997. Posted on Liturgy Outside.
http://liturgyoutside.net/

Songs

Traditional Hymn: Stand by Me

When the storms of life are raging,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When the storms of life are raging,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When the world is tossing me
Like a ship upon the sea,
Thou Who rulest wind and water,
Stand by me (stand by me).

In the midst of tribulation,
Stand by me (stand by me);
In the midst of tribulation,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When the hosts of hell assail,
And my strength begins to fail,
Thou Who never lost a battle,
Stand by me (stand by me).

In the midst of faults and failures,
Stand by me (stand by me);
In the midst of faults and failures,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When I do the best I can,
And my friends misunderstand,
Thou Who knowest all about me,
Stand by me (stand by me).

In the midst of persecution,
Stand by me (stand by me);
In the midst of persecution,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When my foes in battle array
Undertake to stop my way,
Thou Who savèd Paul and Silas,
Stand by me (stand by me).

When I’m growing old and feeble,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When I’m growing old and feeble,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When my life becomes a burden,
And I’m nearing chilly Jordan,
O Thou “Lily of the Valley,”
Stand by me (stand by me).

~ Charles Albert Tindley, ca. 1906.

Listen here: http://www.hymnary.org/text/when_the_storms_of_life_are_raging_stand

Contemporary Hymn: Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness

Praise the One who break the darkness
with a liberating light.
Praise the One who frees the prisoners
turning blindness into sight.
Praise the One who preached the Gospel
healing every dread disease.
Calming storms and feeding thousands
with the very bread of peace.

Praise the One who blessed the children
with a strong yet gentle word.
Praise the One who drove out demons
with a piercing two-edged sword.
Praise the one who brings cool water
to the desert's burning sand.
From this well comes living water
quenching thirst in every land.

Praise the one true love incarnate:
Christ who suffered in our place.
Jesus died and rose for many
that we may know God by grace.
Let us sing for joy and gladness
seeing what our God has done.
Praise the one redeeming glory
praise the One who makes us one.

Tune suggestion:
NETTLETON (“Come thou fount of ev’ry blessing”)
Listen here: http://www.hymnary.org/text/come_thou_fount_of_every_blessing

Contemporary Song: You Never Let Go

Even though I walk
Through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught
In the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back I know You are near

And I can see a light that is coming
For the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear
Whom then shall I fear

Oh no You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no You never let go
In ev'ry high and ev'ry low
Oh no You never let go
Lord You never let go of me

Yes I can see a light
That is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You
Still I will praise You

Listen to it here: http://www.worshiptogether.com/songs/songdetail.aspx?iid=559516

Images

~ from http://www.sv-galena.com/

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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