Welcome

The service today is patterned after worship in the ecumenical community of Taizé, France. Through sung and silent participatory prayer, we contemplate God through Scripture, music, song, and silence. The different tempo of Taizé encourages us to break away from hurry and be still in the presence of Christ and community. Each of the songs below is a simple refrain, and will be sung through several times. Repetition helps us to reflect and internalize the words so that they become not words on a page but the prayers of our hearts. Wherever you are, you are in the presence of God. May you find there his peace.

Opening Scripture

Joel 2:13

Rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the LORD, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and relents from punishing.

Song

English
Our eyes are turned to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our eyes are turned to the Lord God, our Savior.

Latin
Oculi nostri ad Dominum Jesum,
oculi nostri ad Dominum nostrum.

Words: The Community of Taizé and Jacques Berthier (1923-1994) © 1998 Ateliers et Presses de Taizé, Taizé Community, France, GIA Publications, Inc.

Call to Confession

Numbers 21:4-9

From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.” Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.

Prayer of Confession

If you have a child in your home, invite them to lead the following prayer of confession.

God, we are often impatient like the people of Israel.
We want things our way and we want them in a hurry.
Forgive us when we think this way or say it out loud.
Lord, we are sinful. Please take away our sin.
Help us to see your way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

John 3:14-16

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man
be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And also with you.

Song

Come and fill our hearts with your peace.
You alone, O Lord, are holy.
Come and fill our hearts with your peace. Alleluia! 

Words: Taizé Community © 1982, 1991 Ateliers et Presses de Taizé, Taizé Community, admin. GIA Publications, Inc. 

Scripture Reading

In your Bibles at home, we invite you to read aloud the word of the Lord from Psalm 95:1-7.

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Song

Throughout this song, there are verses sung by a cantor with the refrain sung beneath the verses. If you are able, continue with the refrain while the cantor sings, or simply stop and listen reflectively, joining in again when the refrain comes to the fore.

English 

Sing, praise, and bless the Lord.
Sing, praise, and bless the Lord,
peoples! nations! Alleluia! 

Latin 

Laudate Dominum,
laudate Dominum
omnes, gentes! alleluia! 

Words: The Community of Taizé, Jacques Berthier (1923-1994) © 1991 Ateliers et Presses de Taizé, Taizé Community, France, GIA Publications, Inc. 

Old Testament

Reading: Exodus 17:1-7

New Testament

Reading: John 4:5-15

In your Bible at home, we invite you to read aloud the word of the Lord from Exodus 17:1-7 and John 4:5-15.

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Sermon

The Struck Rock

Prayers of the People

For the next 4-5 minutes, use the following sets of questions to prayerfully reflect on the past five months, and then offer these reflections up to God using the responsive words below.

Looking Back in Gratitude

Where have you seen God at work over the past five months?
In whom have you experienced God at work?
What gifts have you received during this time, for which you can give thanks?

Lord, we lift our joy and gratitude to you.
Lord, hear our prayer.

Looking Back at Pain

Where has there been pain, frustration, and discouragement this past five months?
What losses have you experienced, things you can’t get back?
Where has God seemed absent?

Lord, we lift our pain and sorrow to you.
Lord, hear our prayer.

Looking Forward in Trust & Hope

How are you feeling about the months ahead?
What is a grace that lies on the horizon for you? What are you apprehensive about?
How can you tangibly place these things in God’s hands and rest in him?

Lord, we place ourselves and our church in your gracious care.
Lord, hear our prayer.

Song

O Lord, hear my prayer,
O Lord, hear my prayer;
when I call answer me.
O Lord, hear my prayer,
O Lord, hear my prayer;
come and listen to me. 

Words: Psalm 102:1-2; adapt. The Community of Taizé © 1991 Ateliers et Presses de Taizé, Taizé Community, France, GIA Publications, Inc.

Offering

In addition to our various funds (General, Building, Mission, Benevolence, Christian Education), online giving is also now available for today’s special offerings (Sisters House 2 & Paper Goods for Brothers and Sisters House) through the Give button below.

Words of Parting

Psalm 41:13 and Philippians 4:7

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,    
from everlasting to everlasting. Amen.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord;
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.

Song

Bless the Lord, my soul,
and bless God’s holy name.
Bless the Lord, my soul,
who leads me into life.

Words: Robert Batastini (b. 1942) and The Community of Taizé © 1991, 1998 Ateliers et Presses de Taizé,Taizé Community, France, GIA Publications, Inc.