"Finding Joyful Worship"

Call to Worship (Psalm 65, Joel 2)

Praise is due to you, O God, O you who answer prayer. Happy are those who live in your courts— those who are satisfied with the goodness of your house and your holy temple. You are the hope of all things, Holy One, from the ends of the earth to the farthest seas. You make the gateways of the evening and the morning shout for joy. Rejoice in God, O people, and be glad. Let us shout and sing together for joy.

Opening Prayer (Joel 2)

God of all generations, on this Reformation Sunday, we remember mothers and fathers in the faith who took bold steps in new directions to re-form your church. Pour out your spirit upon us, that we too may dream dreams, see visions, and view the whole created order as your bountiful temple. With responsibility and joy, we pledge ourselves to renew this temple, in Jesus’ name.

Invitation to the Offering (Psalm 65)

Aware of the bounty of God’s created earth, we are invited now to give generously from our abundance. Let us share God’s blessings, as we collect our tithes and offerings.

Prayer (Psalm 65, Joel 2, Luke 18)

Creator God, we confess this day to engaging in habits that diminish the bounty of your creation. Be merciful to us, for we have sinned. Answer us with awesome deeds of deliverance,O Hope of the Earth. Give us vision and a prophetic spirit. Renew our vocation, as stewards of your creation. Amen.

Psalm 84 New International Version 1 How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! 2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. 8 Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob. 9 Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one. 10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12 Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Benediction (Psalm 65:12-13, Joel 2)

Breathe in the words of the psalmist: “The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.” Let these words fill you as you go forth, inspiring you to do no less. Dream dreams, see visions, renew God’s temple, God’s church, God’s earth. Go in peace.“May the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”