Calls To Worship
Peace
Adapted from Exodus 3
The Lord says,
“I am the God of your ancestors.
I have indeed seen the misery of my people.
I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors.
So I have come down to rescue them.
And to bring them into a good and spacious land.”
Oh Lord Almighty,
We look to Zion, to your promise of restoration, of Shalom. Empower us to help bring about your kingdom here and now.
Submitted by Austin D. Hill
Adapted from Isaiah 2:3-5
Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
To the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
So that we may walk in his paths.
The law will go out from Zion,
The word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
God will judge between the nations
And will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords in plowshares
And their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
Nor will they war any more.
Come, house of Jacob,
Let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Austin D. Hill
Adapted from Psalm 85:8-13 (NIV)
I will listen to what God the Lord says;
he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—
but let them not turn to folly.
Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.
The Lord will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield its harvest.
Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps.
Stuart Strachan Jr.
Adapted from Proverbs 3:13-18 (WEB)
Leader: Happy are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding.
People: For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold.
Leader: She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.
People: Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor.
Leader: Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.
People: She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her.
Happy is everyone who retains her.
(WEB, adapted for liturgical use and inclusivity)
Adapted from Isaiah 65:17-25
The Lord says,
“For I am about to create a new heavens and a new earth;
The former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating;
For I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight.
The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox.”
Lord, help us to bring about this new creation even here today.
Submitted by Austin D. Hill
Adapted from Ephesians 4:3-6
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
There is only one body and one Spirit,
Just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
One Lord, one faith, one baptism;
One God and father of us all,
Who is over all, and in all, and through.
Submitted by Austin D. Hill
Adapted from Colossians 3:14-17
Leader: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
All: Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Leader: And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
All: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Leader: Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
All: And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
A Call to Worship For the Tragedy in Charleston
We declare together, oh Lord
With hearts breaking, eyes weeping and souls stirring
We will continue to stand and cry and weep with our brothers and sisters
We will continue to make a place of peace for even the enemies at our table
We will continue to open our doors and our hearts to those who enter them
We will continue to seek to forgive as we have been forgiven
We will continue to love in Jesus’ name because you taught us that love conquers all
Lord, we come here with lots of things on our minds, but now we turn our focus to you.
Help us to put aside our schedules and “to do” lists, and replace our worry with peace.
Guide us as we worship, lifting up our voices to show you our gratitude.
Let us learn and grow and be transformed as we worship the Living God!
Ellen R. Dawson
The Way of Peace
Based on Isaiah 59:8, NRSV
The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths.
Their roads they have made crooked; no one who walks in them knows peace.
You
You are the Way
Your way is Peace
An unbent highway of new life
Truth, Dignity, Empowerment
We will know you
We will walk in your ways
You
You are the Way
Your way is Peace
A shining path of justice
Integrity, Impartiality, Redeeming Love
We will know you
We will walk in your ways
You
You are the Way
Your way is Peace
An unbroken road of refuge
Safety, Belonging, Becoming
We will know you
We will walk in your ways
The Way of Peace © 2018, updated 2023 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com