Sing a Brand New Song!

Leader: Sing God a brand-new song! Earth and everyone in it, sing! 
People: We will sing to God! We will worship God!
L: Shout the news of his victory from sea to se.
P: We will take the news of his glory to the lost,
L: News of his wonders to one and all!
P: For God is great, and worth a thousand Hallelujahs. 
L: Sing God a brand-new song! Earth and everyone in it, sing! 
P: We will sing to God! We will worship God!

This Call to Worship is an adaptation of Psalm 96 from Eugene Peterson's The Message paraphrase.

Sing Praises

L: Friends we’ve been given voices to sing
P: Sing praises to God

L: Because God has written a tune in our hearts
P: Sing praises to God

L: Because God loves us even better than our fathers and mothers
P: Sing praises to God

L: Because God has called us to be one body in Christ
P: Sing praises to God

L: Even when storms of life cause a change to our plans
P: Sing praises to God

How Great is Our God!

Leader: How great is our God!

People: There is none like our God!

L: Where else can we find a god who loves and accepts broken people like us?

P: Who else has a God who listens to our every need?

L: Who else is worthy of our worship?

P: There is none like our God!

L: If we don’t devote ourselves to God, we’ll end up giving our lives to something vastly inferior.

P: So let’s give ourselves to our wonderful God.

L: Come Christians, sing out to your God!

P: How great is our God!

L: Come Christians, break bread as the People of God!

P: How great is our God!

L: And Christians, as we leave, let us worship God with our lives!

P: How great is our God!

Pulled in so many directions...

L: In the midst of your hectic week you have come to worship God.

P: Our lives are pulled in so many directions, we seek God’s guidance.

L: Let go of the burdens that weigh you down. God will take them.

P: We thank God for the rest we are given.

L: Tune your hearts and voices in praise to God.

P: Let our voices bear the joy we feel because of God’s love for us.

Seeking the Kingdom...

People: We have come seeking the Kingdom of God.

Leader: God’s Kingdom has no borders and no specific location.

P: Where then can we find it?

L: Search for the King, and you will find the Kingdom.

P: Where can we find the King?

L: The King resides in the edges of this world’s kingdoms, at those places where this world does not meet the needs of its people.

P: Then we will look into our own suffering and the suffering of those around us.

L: Let us be blessed in the search.

P: Let us remember that the King said, “Seek and you will find.”

The table has been set...

Leader: As we approach our Master in worship this morning,

People: The table has been set and a feast has been prepared.

L: Who will sit and partake in this spiritual feast?

P: All who are hungry, all who long to be with their Master.

L: Many have been invited, but not all have come.

P: Who can we find to fill these empty seats?

L: Let us bring in everyone – rich and poor, sick and well, young and old, free and oppressed.

P: Let us join together in the Great Feast prepared by our God.

A Call to Worship from Children...

(written by children in Mississippi)

Leader: Children want love. Will you love me?

People: As Jesus loves the children, we will love you.

L: We want to learn to pray. Will you pray with us?

P: As Jesus prayed with his disciples, we will pray with you.

L: Sometimes we are mean and do bad things. Will you teach how to say I'm sorry?

P: As Jesus forgives, we will look into our own hearts and forgive.

L: When we grow up, we will take care of you. Show us how to care.

P: With God's help, we will show you how to care.

L: We cannot vote. Will you vote for us?

P: We will stand for you and we will vote for you.

L: Our world is all messed up. It is hard to know what is right. Will you help?

P: With God's help, we will show you how to live.

L: Jesus listened to children. Will you hear us when we call your name? Are we important to the church?

P: Jesus said, "Unless you turn and become children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Children are our teachers. Yes, we are the church together!