06B*
A Call to Worship
Christmas 1B 2012
Psalm 148

We gather to praise you O God, for all the things
we can see, and sometimes understand: the sun,
moon and stars; the clouds and changing weather:
We join in their eternal chorus of praise to God.

We gather to praise you, O God, for all the things
that we cannot see or understand: all heaven’s
angels, outer space; and the skies above us;
We join in their eternal chorus of praise to God.

We gather to praise you O God, for all the things
in life that we experience: the created world, people
of all ages and circumstances, all God’s creations.
We join in their eternal chorus of praise to God:
whose name is glorious, and whose ways are holy. Amen.

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Prayers of Praise and Exultation
Christmas 1B 2012
Psalm 148

Let us praise the name of our Glorious God, whose radiance
is brighter than the sun, and whose Creative Spirit is beyond
our imagination, dreams or thoughts. Let us come together
to sing the praises of our eternal God – people in all their
diversity - all ages; all cultures and traditions; people of all
languages and skills; people of all shapes and sizes – all are
welcome to come and praise our Holy and Magnificent God.
Together we praise the name of our Great God. Hallelujah!

Majestic God, your beauty and power is seen every day in the
mighty mountains; in the flowing rivers and streams; in the
pounding waves and in the depths of the seas; in the diversity
of the creative life on this planet in addition to humanity – birds,
animals, trees and plants; fishes and all that inhabit the world’s
waters; and all things that creep above and below the surface
of the earth. Each of these is a testimony and symbol of praise
and honour to God - their Infinite Creator, Sustainer and Renewer.
Together we praise the name of our Great God. Hallelujah!

Mysterious God, we know that this earth is only a fragment of
your entire creation, much about which we know or understand
very little – and yet in the minds of your people – there has always
been a yearning to know and understand more of your glorious
creation. Throughout the ages, people have looked up and wondered
what is out “there” - however, only you, the Mighty and Mysterious
Creator, knows all there is to know about the ”works of your hands”.
Together we praise the name of our Great God. Hallelujah!

God – our Quiet Centre – each of has an inner yearning to know
more about our God, and to know how best to respond to you, our
Refuge and Strength. God has given each of us a mind and soul
that longs for a closer relationship with God, and we praise and give
thanks to God for the way God’s-Own-Self has been made known
to us through the centuries. We praise you and give thanks for these
revelations given to God’s chosen peoples to be shared with others.
Together we praise the name of our Great God. Hallelujah! Amen! Amen!

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A Personal Meditation
Christmas 1B 2012
Psalm 148

Last night I watched in awed wonder, the rising of the full moon.
During the night, I watched and waited for the “Morning Star” to
appear in all its golden glory; then as day dawned with its fine and
mysterious fog, everything was shrouded in an almost eerie glow,
as the light gradually strengthened. How glorious is God’s creation!
How I long to be able to express my praise of God in relevant ways.



Today I worked in the garden, planting and applying thick mulch
to help preserve the precious moisture in the ground - and God and
I watched in delight as the plants settled into the new home - just
waiting to show forth their beauty to those creatures that have eyes
to see. As we watched, the birds warbled a chorus of “Hallelujahs”
in praise and at the joy to their Creator. How pleasurable it is to share
in God’s creative actions, and to be a partner with God in helping to
keep this world a place of beauty, and as a symbol of my Great God’s
glory. How I long to be able to express my praise of God in useful ways.



Tonight, I hope that I will go to my rest, tired from my activities, and
yet conscious that other people will be waking up to the delights
and challenges of their new day in God’s wonderful world. In the
hours of my quiet rest, I believe that God’s world will keep turning;
that day will follow the night; that the moon and stars will beam
forth their praise of God; that the planets will sing in their merry
circuits; and that God will be there watching over all that has been
created – and will know that it is and always will be “very good”.
How I long to be able to express my praise of God in worthy ways.



Tomorrow – I hope that I will wake to the knowledge that I am a
child of God amongst many other such loved children, who have
been blessed by being a part of this glorious world, and yet who
face many difficulties and challenges – most of which have been
caused by humanities insensitive attitudes towards others. My prayer
is that I may help in some small way to make life easier for people
who are troubled or sad, lonely or in need of a friend to listen to them.
How I long to be able to express my praise of God in caring ways.

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Acknowledgements:
Unless stated otherwise, all Bible readings and extracts used in these weekly Prayers and Meditations are from
‘The New Revised Standard Version’ Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council
of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

*The additional weekly numbering is from the Revised COCU Indexing Scheme
COCU = ('Consultation on Church Union'); as it offers an easy sequential numbering
for the Revised Common Lectionary for the Church Calendar.

If any part of these Prayers and/or Meditations is used in shared worship, please provide
the following acknowledgement:
© 2012 Joan Stott – ‘The Timeless Psalms’ RCL Psalms Year B. Used with permission.

jstott@netspace.net.au

Download/view a pdf file of this document here: christmas1b_2012.pdf

© 2012 Joan Stott - " The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year B