05B*
A Call to Worship
Christmas Day (ii) Year B 2011
Psalm 98

We gather in reverent awe before the power
of God, whose holy righteousness is glorious.
In joyful celebration, we worship the holiness of God.

We gather to honour, exalt and praise our God,
because of God’s unfailing goodness and mercy.
In joyful celebration, we sing our praises to God.

We gather to give thanks to God, whose Creative
Spirit moves and activates and guides all creation.
In joyful celebration, we sing our praises to God.
All creation responds with joy to its Lord and Creator. Amen.

Prayers of Praise
Christmas Day (ii) Year B 2011
Psalm 98

The Lord, the Holy God, has revealed to humanity the
wonders of God’s faithful righteousness, justice and
mercy; and has made known to wayward people that
God’s faithful love endures for ever - and for all time.
The Lord, the Mighty God has displayed for all to see, know
and experience, the saving grace of our Great Lord God.
All creation responds in joyful praise and thanksgiving.

The Lord, the Creating Spirit of God, has revealed to all
creation that their Creator has promised for all time to be
creation’s Restorer and Sustainer; continuing to provide for
the needs of all creatures great and small; and has pledged
to display the mighty creative powers that makes the earth
rejoice; the rivers to flow with joy; and the rhythms of the seas
to dance along their shores. The faithfulness of God’s Spirit
can always be trusted, and we give thanks for these blessings.
All creation replies in carefree rhythms of music and dance.

The Lord, The Righteous Judge that is God, has revealed that
the faithfulness of God is utterly to be relied upon; that God’s
hallowed word in unbreakable; and that God’s justice is a
sacred trust that is can never be tarnished, flawed or destroyed.
The glories of our God are to be praised forever, by all created
things and peoples, and never-ending songs of praise are raised
in honour of our great and glorious God – now and for all time.
All creation celebrates with hallelujahs of exaltation. Amen.

A Personal Meditation
Christmas Day (ii) Year B 2011
Psalm 98

The Holy One, the Lord God Almighty has inspired me
to write a new song; to create a new dance; and to write
and present a new epic theatrical performance - all dedicated
to the creative wonders and the faithful mercies of my God.
I will be supported in these creative “masterpieces” by the
waters, the waves and the winds as the background music.

Creative pause: God has inspired my songs and praises.


The Lord my God, the Timeless God, has inspired me to
believe in the promised love which even now is pouring
out like sunshine over a dark and gloomy landscape,
bringing light, hope, joy and peace to troubled peoples
and nations. I believe in God’s long-promised salvation
that is spreading like a warm breeze over the chilled earth,
as it huddles down in its misery, feeling like a forgotten toy
left out in the rain. I believe in God’s promised reign of
righteousness, as it scatters its seeds of hope in the bright
light and warm breeze, where they will grow and develop into
a harvest of justice and peace which will enliven all creation.

Creative pause: I can rely on God’s sacred promises.


God, who is the salvation of all creation, has inspired me to
believe that I will experience the wonders of my God, as God
claims the victory over all the powers that threaten to destroy
the coming of the Lord our God amongst us. In anticipation
of this miracle, I will see the waters dancing with joy; the hills
leaping in celebration; and the joyful sounds of music filling
the universe with choruses of praise to my Great Lord God.

Creative pause: God is the salvation of all creation.


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:
© 2011 Joan Stott – ‘The Timeless Psalms’ RCL Psalms Year B. Used with permission.

jstott@netspace.net.au

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