Adapted from Psalm 23

Leader: The Lord is our shepherd.

People: All our needs will be met. God provides a place and time for deep rest and restoration. God leads us beside still waters; restores our souls and leads us in right paths. We do not need to be afraid; for God is with us; now and forever.

Leader: Such faith calls for some singing!

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Adapted from Psalm 139:1-6

O Lord, “you have searched me, and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise.

You perceive my thoughts from afar.”

“You are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue,

You Lord, know it completely.

Such knowledge is too wonderful… too lofty.”

We are in awe of you. All we can do is offer our worship and praise.

Submitted by Austin D. Hill (Ps 139:1-4, 6, NIV, adapted for liturgical use)

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Adapted from Isaiah 49:8–16a

Sing for joy, heavens and earth;

break forth, O mountains, into singing!

Our Creator has comforted the people

and will have compassion for the ones who are suffering.

Come out! The imprisoned shall have freedom. Show yourselves! Those who live in darkness will see the light of day.

God will feed you and protect you;

God will guide you and ease your way.

Glory be given to our Protector

because God will never forget us;

we are inscribed in the palm of God’s hands!

Sing for joy!

The Comforter has love and compassion for us.

Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year A, Volume 2, Presbyterian Publishing Corporation.

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Adapted from Isaiah 25:1, 3-4, 9 (ESV)

Pastor: O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

All: Therefore, strong peoples will glorify you; cities of ruthless nations will fear you.

Pastor: For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.

All: Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

Submitted by Dustin Ray (ESV, adapted for liturgical use)

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Adapted from Isaiah 40

“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God.

A voice of one calling:

“In the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord.

Make straight in the desert a highway for our God

Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low;

The rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.

And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,

And all people will see it together.”

Austin D. Hill (Is 40:1, 3-4, NIV, adapted for liturgical use)

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Adapted from Psalm 31:20-2131:21 Ps. 31:3 Ps. 31:3,5,19

Friends in Christ, let us gather in the shelter of God’s presence.

Let us bless the Lord, for God has wondrously shown us steadfast love.

God is indeed our rock and our refuge.

God guides us and leads us.

Into God’s hands we commit our spirits, for God has redeemed us.

Abundant is the goodness that the Lord has stored up for those who gather to worship God!

Kimberly Bracken Long Ed., Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year A, Volume 2, Presbyterian Publishing Corporation.

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Adapted from Mark 1:2-4, 7-8

Leader: As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;

People: the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”

Leader: John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

People: He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.

Leader: I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Stuart Strachan Jr. (NRSV, adapted for liturgical use)

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God who hears our cries and is moved by our suffering,

Speak to us a word of comfort, challenge, co-mission.

Capture our attention and call us out of our routines,

That we might catch a vision of your deliverance,

finding our place in the movement of God’s justice

Be in our worship, Lord

Quiet our resistance,

Orient us to action,

And in all things, root us in your love.

Mandy England Cole

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“The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,

A stronghold in times of trouble.”

And those who know your name

Put their trust in you,

For you, O Lord,

Have not forsaken those who seek you.

Let us worship God together.

Submitted by Austin D. Hill (Ps 9:9, ESV, adapted for liturgical use)

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