Prayer as We Gather: Lord, as we wander into the sanctuary today for another crack at worship’s mystery, we reverently invoke the spirit of Tabitha, beloved sister in the early church “whose life overflowed with good works and compassionate acts on behalf of those in need.” Help us emulate those qualities, not merely gawk at her for having been raised from the dead. May our own compassionate good works enliven those who daily move among us as people whose courage and hope have died, for we make this appeal in the power of our resurrected Lord, Jesus of Nazareth. Amen.*(Mitchell Simpson, inspired by Acts 9)
Call to Worship:
The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing.
God leads me into grassy meadows and restful waters, keeping me alive;
God guides me in proper paths for the sake of God’s good name.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger because You are with me.
Your rod and staff protect me.
You set a table for me right in front of my enemies.
You bathe my head in oil; my cup is so full it spills over!
Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life,
And I will live in the Lord’s house as long as I live. (Psalm 23, The Common English Bible)
Morning Prayer: Thank you, God, for Jesus’ calm assurance that “I and the Father are one.” When the cynical world’s shallow notion of cheap grace demands proof of Jesus’ credentials, re-shaping him in its own self-serving image, we hear his comforting reminder: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, they follow me, and no one will snatch them from my hand.” On that great promise we rest, safe and secure from all alarms. Thank you for the loving UBC family, whose caring embrace welcomes all and turns no one away. What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms of our Galilean Lord, who draws us in the Spirit’s tether through words he taught us to pray, saying …*(Mitchell Simpson, inspired by John 10 and the poetry of Elisha Hoffman)
Prayer of Confession: Forgive us, Lord, for always wanting to spike the football in the end-zone, faith-wise. We relish Revelation’s imagery of great, adoring crowds in flowing robes, waving palm branches and singing alleluias as they encircle the heavenly throne. It makes for good theater, and requires little commitment or sacrifice. And then the writer has to go and spoil it all by adding that nasty bit: “These people have come out of great hardship.” It’s that hardship bit we’d like to avoid, Lord, if at all possible. Could we maybe just keep the entertainment worship component and forgo the suffering hardship implicit in following Jesus? Have mercy on our reluctance to truly “take up the cross and follow,” as Jesus instructed. Amen.*(Mitchell Simpson, inspired by Revelation 7)
Assurance of Pardon: Take comfort, though your sins weigh heavy on your heart, and be of good courage, for as we walk through the valley in peace, Jesus himself is our witness, insisting “My Father, who has given my sheep to me, is greater than all.” Thanks be to God for a Savior who never said it would be easy to follow him, only supremely worth it. Ominous though evil may prove in our daily struggles, the battle has already been won on Calvary, and whatever hardships may come our way in Jesus’ name are only mopping-up skirmishes. Rejoice, the Lord is King!*(Mitchell Simpson, inspired by John 10, the poetry of Charles Wesley and anonymous words from a beloved traditional spiritual)
Thought for an Eastertide Sabbath: “Being a disciple is not just about the miracles we see, it’s about seeing God in the ordinary. God can perform wonder even in situations that appear dormant or dead.”
- Lisa D. Jenkins, senior pastor, St. Matthew’s Baptist Church of Harlem, New York City