21st Century Africana Worship Resources for the Second Sunday After Pentecost, Year A

Call to Confession and Pardon
Confession (Based on Romans 3:23-25; 1:16)

Leader: Dear Lord, even as now we are justified by your grace as a gift, even as there is redemption in Christ Jesus, even as you provided atonement for sin by your blood, even as we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ;

People: We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Leader: We have failed to love all of God's children, including ourselves. We have failed to accept the beautiful blue-black, chocolate, honey-colored, caramel, beige, café-au-lait, yellow, vanilla, and white colors that you have given to all of your people. We have failed to love our kinky, nappy, crinkly, curly, and straight hair. We have refused to see your Spirit in others, whether through round, slanted, almond-shaped, black, brown, green or blue eyes.

People: We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Leader: We have not been obedient in lifting up the brokenhearted. We have looked down on the addict, the alcoholic, the poor, the undereducated, the imprisoned, and the jobless. We have failed to put out our hands in ways that show your love.

People: We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Leader: We have broken your law. We have been greedy, spending more than we have, taking more than our share, buying what we want and begging for what we need. We do not tithe. We do not save. We waste the earth's resources, even as our brothers and sisters do not have enough.

People: We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Leader: We have rebelled against your love. We have not used the gifts and talents you have given us to glorify you. We have not cherished the drumbeats of our African forebears, the spirituals of our slave ancestors, the creative genius of our gospel and blues singers, the intelligence of the jazz innovators, the wisdom of our stories and proverbs, the linguistic skills of our poets, rappers, and preachers.

People: We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Leader: Forgive us, Lord, for we know that you preached a gospel of love. Help us to not be ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith. By the power of your love, help us to love ourselves.

People: For we are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Leader: Help us to love our neighbor.

People: For we are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Leader: Help us to love you.

People: For we are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen.

(Silence)

Pardon (based on John 1:9)

Leader: Hear the good news: God has promised to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness if we but confess our sins. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

In the name of Jesus Christ you are forgiven. Glory to God! Glory to God! Amen.

Choral Reading for Second Sunday After Pentecost
(From Psalm 46:1-78; Matthew 7:21-25, NRSV) Choir: (Refrain only)
Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, a weary land, a weary land.
Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a shelter in a time of storm. (222, African American Heritage Hymnal)

Group 1: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Group 2: Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea. Group 1: Though its waters roar and foam.

Group 2: Though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

Choir: (Refrain only) Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, a weary land, a weary land.
Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a shelter in a time of storm. (222, African American Heritage Hymnal

Group 1: There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God.

Group 2: God is in the midst of the city! It shall not be moved.

Group 1: The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;

Group 2: God speaks and the earth melts.

Both groups: The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Choir: (Refrain only): Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, a weary land, a weary land.
Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a shelter in a time of storm. (222, African American Heritage Hymnal)

Group 1: Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in Heaven.

Group 2: On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?"

Both groups: Then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers."

Choir: Sing refrain of "My Hope is Built," 368, United Methodist Hymnal (1 time)

Group 1: Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Group 2: The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house.

Both groups: But it did not fall because it had been founded on rock.

All: Sing refrain of "My Hope is Built," 368, United Methodist Hymnal (Two times or sing first stanza and refrain.)

About the Author: Marilyn E. Thornton is the Development Editor of African American Resources at The United Methodist Publishing House and the Director of Christian Education at South End UMC in Nashville, TN.