54A*
A Call to Worship
Pentecost 11A [Ordinary 22A] or [Proper 17A] 2011
Psalm 105: 1-6, 23-26, 45c

God of the Ages, the inhabitants of the world
give praise and thanks for your great mercy.
Sing praises to God, shout the good news that
our God is a great Deliverer and Redeemer.


We come to praise our God, remembering with joy
God’s blessings and mercies, and God’s tireless love.
We come, because we need the blessings of
God’s wisdom and strength for life’s journey.


We join with our forebears to celebrate the
wise judgements and guidance of our God.
Come, all who seek to worship the Lord our God.
Come, to praise and give honour to our Lord. Amen.



Prayers of Praise and Trust
Pentecost 11A [Ordinary 22A] or [Proper 17A] 2011
Psalm 105: 1-6, 23-26, 45c

God of the past, present and future, today we gather to
praise you, and to remember all that you have done for
us throughout our lives; for the way you have blessed
and guided us, just as you did in ancient times, when
people put their trust in you and set out on a long journey
to an unknown destination. You have also been the Guide
and Strength of countless generations, and they have
trusted you, and you have never failed them or left them.

As we gather to praise and worship you O God, we are
mindful of the many expressions of the strength, powers
and majesty that are yours. We praise you for the wonders
of your creation; the joy we experience in celebrating
through song the glories of our God who creates, sustains
and renews us; and for the ways God’s Holy Laws gives
us a pattern for the worship and praise of our God, and also
a pattern for harmonious community life and relationships.

We praise you for giving us the gift of memory that enriches
our life in so many ways; for the joys of family life; the
comfort we find amongst friends; and for the blessings we
receive as members of a community of faith that comes together
to worship and praise our God. We praise and thank you for
the gift of your Holy Word, from which we can receive the
blessings of knowledge of our God, and to learn the ways
you have led your people through countless generations.

We praise you for the trust that has grown within us – our
trust in you our Father God; our trust in our fellow-travellers;
and our trust in people who care for us when we are vulnerable
and need help. We praise you for the gift of wise leaders, for
conscientious advisors, and for generous family and friends. Amen.


A Personal Meditation
Pentecost 11A [Ordinary 22A] or [Proper 17A] 2011
Psalm 105: 1-6, 23-26, 45c

I want to write a new song; I want to create a new poem;
I want to tell my life story – all about the wonders of my God,
and of the way God has blessed and guided me through many
difficult times, and also many exciting challenges. I want to do
this because I want to add to this world’s vast collection of songs,
poems and personal life stories about God’s great goodness
to humanity as a whole, and to individual people, as they go on
their journey through life, with its hassles and ‘ups and downs’.

Creative pause: I want to add to the vast collection of praises to God.


Do I need to search for God? Surely, God is beside me; above
and below me; surrounding me and uplifting me – therefore, do
I have to search for God – or do I just have to be continually
aware of God’s presence? Wherever I look I am reminded of
God’s presence; God’s creative capacities; God’s merciful
encouragement and empowerment; and God’s amazing wisdom.

Creative pause: Do I need to search for God? Isn’t God already there?


My memory reminds me of God’s frequent use of ‘Improbable
people for impossible tasks’, It never ceases to amaze me
how God plucks people out to serve God in the world, in
communities; and in the church; and how God’s purposes
are fulfilled often in spite of, rather than because of our efforts.
My life experiences are an example of the way God lifts people
out of their comfortable and orderly life, into scary and wild
adventures of faith and courage, and how always, with God’s
help my needs were met and my strength enough for the challenges;
and I thank God for those great opportunities and blessings.

Creative pause: Improbable people for impossible tasks!



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 A. Used with permission.

jstott@netspace.net.au

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