Pentecost Year B
Katherine Hawker, 2003.
The winds raged
and the disciples trembled.
Goliath taunted
and Saul tasted fear.
Enter Jesus
Enter David
staring beyond the fear
daring us to do the same.The winds will rage
and giants will taunt
and fear will weaken our gait.
Still Jesus
Still David
offer a challenge
not limited to wind and bullies
but beckoning to the heart of the timid.Staring beyond the fear
focused on the greater power
daring us to do the same.
Call to Worship
Katherine Hawker, 1997.
Strength is commanding the wind and sea to obey,
Strength is wielding a slingshot in the face of a raging giant.
Strength is accepting vulnerability from inside the boat,
Strength is standing in solidarity with the powerless.
Strength is turning a cheek,
Strength is loving an enemy.
We come to worship
a God who redefines our vision of strength.
Prayer of Dedication (unison)
Katherine Hawker, 1997.
As we sit in the palm of your hand, loving God,
May we continue to see your strength revealed
In the vulnerability…
The dying, the crying, the rising
Of your people.
May our seeing thus inspire our acting.
Amen.
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Summer Year B - Reflections on the David Story
These prayers written for the summer cycles which includes the amazing stories of David. Written for Evangelical United Church of Christ, 2000. Copyright Katherine Hawker.
Invocation
God of Bathseba, we come yearning for
wisdom to embrace life
despite its tragic complexity.
God of Tamar, we come in search of
strength to endure
the horrific consequences of untamed greed.
God of Michal, we come claiming
courage to name the insults offered even now
that belie your goodness.
God of the Story, meet us today
with living waters abundant
to quench your thirst.
Litany of Confession and Promise
David loved Jonathon
yet he wore the uniform of Jonathon's killer.
David danced for joy in the streets
while Michal bore witness to his drunken excess.
David's power and status grew
as did his scorn of the blind and the lame.
David wanted to build a temple
thus proving his devotion.
David built a legacy of broken lives
thus proving his culpability.
We are David,
mourning the loss of our love and our innocence.
We are David,
guilty of exploiting those entrusted to our care.
We are David,
unexpected hero and unrepentant scoundrel.
We are David,
we belong to God.
Prayer of Dedication
Gather the gifts of our hands and hearts, living Spirit.
Use these gifts to build not monuments to your distant glory,
but testaments to your intimate love. Amen.