Adapted from 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 (ESV)

God says, “If my people, 

Who are called by my name, humble themselves, and pray 

And seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,” 

“I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and heal their land. 

Now my eyes will be open and my ears will be attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.” 

Loving God, we claim your promises to us today. Heal our land. Heal us. Help us to seek your face in worship today. 

Austin D. Hill (ESV, adapted for liturgical use)

Adapted from 2 Corinthians 5:17-20

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!  

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 

That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We remind one another in our service of worship: 

Be reconciled to God. 

Submitted by Austin D. Hill

Inspired by Colossians 1:15-20

Let us enter into worship, acknowledging the Lordship of Christ and his work of reconciliation by proclaiming together the words of Colossians 1:15-20, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers–all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.”

Submitted by Scott Bullock

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

Onechurchliturgy.com