21st Century Africana Resource for the Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost, Year A

Revised Common Lectionary Readings
Exodus 14:19-31
Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21 (UMH 135)
Romans 14:1-12
Matthew 18:21-35

Call to Worship
Leader: This week it felt like life was pursuing us, like Pharaoh's pursuing army.

People: Go before us, O God, like a pillar of cloud to show us the way.

Leader: Sometimes life feels hopeless, like being pursued by Pharaoh's army.

People: Go before us, O God, like a pillar of fire to light the way.

Leader: Let us worship this God who goes before us day and night.

People: Let us worship God with our praises, our hymns, and our offerings.

Hymn of Praise: "O Mary Don't You Weep, Don't You Mourn, 153, Songs of Zion

A Litany of Praise
(Based on Exodus 15:1-18)

Leader: I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed.

People: Our enemies have been thrown into the sea; they threaten us no more.

Leader: The Lord is my strength. The Lord gives me a song to sing.

People: The Lord has been our God, our strength, our praise for many generations.

Leader: The Lord is greatly to be feared by those who do evil.

People: The right hand of the Lord is sure, full of excellence, power and righteousness.

Leader: You cast your enemies into the sea with breath from your nostrils.

People: Who is like you, O God, glorious and holy?

Leader: All people will hear of your glorious power and will give you praise.

People: The mightiest of all nations will fall down and worship you.

Benediction
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless before the presence of
His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior, who alone is wise,
be glory and majesty, dominion and power,
Both now and forever. Amen.
(Adapted from Jude 24-25)

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The Rev. Dr. Eugene Blair is a clergy member of the Detroit Annual Conference, where he serves as the Director of the Office of African American Spiritual Formation. Dr. Blair is a former Dean of The Upper Room Chapel.

21st Century Africana Liturgy Resources: "Worship Resources for theThirteenth Sunday After Pentecost, Year A" Copyright © 2005, 2011Eugene Blair. This 21st Century Liturgy Resource may be printed, copied, distributed, reprinted in church bulletins or newsletters, or otherwise used for nonprofit local church worship or education with the inclusion of the copyright citation: 21st Century Africana Liturgy Resources: "Worship Resources for the Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost, Year A" Copyright © 2005, 2011Eugene Blair. Used with permission.