21st Century Africana Liturgy Resources for the Third Sunday After Pentecost, Year B

Gathering Meditation
You who are weary
Sleepless
Tired
Depressed
Discouraged…

Do not be afraid!

You who are fed up
Hopeless
Visionless
Fearful
Tearful…

Do not be afraid!
The Lord is present in your suffering and is here to calm the winds and waves of your soul!

Call to Worship

One: There is good news for those who are beaten down by systems of oppression.
Many: Now is the acceptable time. This is the day of salvation.

One: There is a Word for those who face discrimination, racial profiling, and neighborhood redlining.
Many: Now is the acceptable time. This is the day of salvation.

One: There is hope for those who are unemployed or underemployed.
Many: Now is the acceptable time. This is the day of salvation.

All: Holy Spirit, Come! Let justice roll down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream!

Prayer of Celebration and Confession
O God of justice, miracles, and mighty deeds, we lift up to you those who have been silenced by hardship, affliction, and injustice. Forgive us for not speaking up for the least of those among us. We confess that we have not exercised our influence and position to change things. Grant us the courage to be agents of change and instruments of justice. Empower us with the will and the desire to see your kingdom manifest on earth as it is already done in heaven. In Jesus' Name, we pray, Amen.

About the Author: The Rev. Junius Dotson is the Senior Pastor of Saint Mark United Methodist Church, a thriving predominately African-American congregation located in the heart of Wichita, Kansas. He believes that effective ministry involves training, developing, and empowering leaders to establish ministries that address the needs of the "whole" person -- body, mind, and spirit. Visit St. Mark's on the web at www.saintmarkumc.com.