Adapted from Jeremiah 31:7-13 

Leader: Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations.

People: Make your praises heard, and say, ‘Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’

Leader: See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return.

People: They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back.

I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble,

Leader:  “Hear the word of the Lord, you nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands:

‘He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’

People: For the Lord will deliver Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they.

Leader: They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord.They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more.

People: Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well.

I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Inspired by Psalm 23

Leader: Let us worship the God who satisfies our every need, the Good Shepherd who guides us to abundance and refreshment. Let us praise the God who specializes in the restoration of the soul, who navigates our perfect path, and is present with us in times of trouble. He is our Blessing and our Protector. God surrounds and nourishes us in the midst of the assailing forces that seek our destruction. Let us give thanks to our relentless God, the Hound of Heaven who pursues us with goodness and mercy all the days of our lives. Amen. 

Scott Bullock

Adapted from Psalm 80

Restore us, God Almighty; make your face shine on us that we may be saved.

You transplanted a vine from Egypt, you drove out the nations and planted it.

Return to us, God Almighty! Look down from Heaven and see!

Watch over this vine, the root your right hand has planted, the son you have raised up for yourself.

Your vine is cut down it is burned with fire.

Restore us, Lord God Almighty, make your face shine on us that we may be saved.

Submitted by Austin D. Hill

Adapted from Psalm 80:1-7

Leader: Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us.

People: Only then will we be saved. 

Leader: Turn us again to yourself, O God of Heaven’s Armies. Make your face shine down upon us.

People: Only then will we be saved. 

Leader: Revive us so we can call on your name once more.

All: Turn us again to yourself, O God of Heaven’s Armies. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved. 

Scott Bullock

Adapted from Psalm 126

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.

Stuart Strachan Jr.

Adapted from Psalm 126 (Modern day Context)

When the LORD restored the fortunes of _______, we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the people, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the ________.
May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their harvest.

Stuart Strachan Jr.