"In Praise of Deliverance"

Call to Worship (Psalm 119, Jeremiah 31)

How beautiful is the word of the Lord! How wise are God’s commandments! Through the Lord’s precepts, we gain understanding. Through God’s wisdom, we find truth. The Lord is our God; we are God’s people. God’s word lives within us, for it is written on our hearts. Living Word, Great Teacher, lead us and guide us! Amen!

Opening Prayer (Psalm 119, 2 Timothy 3–4)

Lord, your words are sweet to the taste, sweeter than honey; let them be our daily meditation and our study. Give us ears to hear, for we marvel at your instruction. Train us in righteousness, grant us patience and persistence, and equip us for every good work. Inspire our faith, and give us voices to proclaim your message. Guide our feet, keep us from every false way, for you alone speak the words of life.

Offertory

You are invited to give thanks for all God’s goodness in your life and to offer your gifts. Let us thank God with our offerings—both those received today and outside this time of worship.

Prayer

Lord, everywhere we look we see the imprint of your creative love. The wondrous works of nature show your majesty. As we gather today to celebrate your love and creation, keep us mindful that we are part of that created order, meant to be stewards and not destroyers. Prepare us to work for you in ministries of peace and justice. AMEN.

Psalm 107 New International Version 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, 3 those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.[a] 4 Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. 5 They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. 6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 7 He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. 8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, 9 for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

39 Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled by oppression, calamity and sorrow; 40 he who pours contempt on nobles made them wander in a trackless waste. 41 But he lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks. 42 The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths. 43 Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.

Benediction/Blessing

You have been called to serve the Lord with gladness. Go from this place knowing that God’s blessings have been poured on you so that you may be a blessing to others. Be at peace and bring the good news of God’s love and peace to all whom you meet. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.