WORSHIP SERVICES

One:    The wilderness is without and within. It too is part of God’s path, though we fear wild, barren places, as did the people of old.

Many: When the people became impatient, asking, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?” God answered by bringing healing.

One:    In our barren places, God calls us to wholeness, even when we cannot see beyond the danger, isolation, and need.

Many: We forget that God is already at work in these difficult, painful places.

One:    Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Chosen One be lifted up, that whoever believes may have eternal life.

Many: For we are what God has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

All:      We call out to you, as you call us to deeper healing.

Many: Deep calls to deep. We call to you from the depths of our hearts

One:    We confess how the wilderness has revealed our need,

                        uncovering our impatience,

                        lifting up our pain.

We confess how the wilderness has revealed your truth.

            We are created for good works.

            We can turn and live.

            (Silence. Or name the forces that keep us from deep healing.)

Deep calls to deep. You call to us from the depth of your love.

Many: Calling us to deep healing. We come to you, God.

One:  The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork.

Many: Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.

One:  There is no speech . . . yet the voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

Many: In the heavens you set a tent for the sun. . . . Its rising is from the end of the heavens, its circuit to the end of them; nothing is hid from its heat.

One:  The law of the Lord is perfect . . . sure . . . clear . . . true and righteous. The fear of the Lord is pure.

Many: God, clear us from hidden faults; teach us to trust you.

All: Let the words and meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you, O Lord, our rock and redeemer. We call out to you, as you call us to deeper wisdom.

Many: Deep calls to deep. We call to you from the depths of our hearts.

One:    We confess when we have settled into sameness,

                        forgetting the rhythms of the heavens,

                        ignoring the rhythms of justice.

We confess when we have not looked up

            into the eyes of a neighbor,

            into your Word that still lives.

            (Silence. Or name the forces that keep us from deep wisdom.)

Deep calls to deep. You call to us from the depth of your love.

Many: Calling us to deep wisdom. We come to you, God.

One:    God, you ask us to set our minds on you, to walk before you and be blameless. You teach us what matters, and you do not hide your face from us.

Many: With each step along the path, we are transformed into who you made and called us to be.

One:    God, you teach us that when we lose our life, we save it.

Many: With each step along the path, we hope against hope in your promises.

One:    God, you say you will make us exceedingly fruitful, that you will bless us.

Many: With each step along the path, we take up our cross and follow you.

All:      We believe your everlasting covenant is to be God to us, and that we will live forever. We call out to you, as you call us deeper into this covenant.

Many: Deep calls to deep.

We call to you from the depths of our hearts.

One:    We confess when we have stayed on the edges.

                        Not listening to each other.

                        Not taking the path you show.

We confess when we have strayed from the way.

            Silencing suffering.

            Forfeiting life.

            (Silence. Or name the forces that keep us from deep commitment.)

Deep calls to deep.

You call to us from the depth of your love.

Many: Calling us to deep commitment.

We come to you, God.