21st Century Worship Resources for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Year B

Gathering Meditation
(Based on 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27)

Saul,
Tried to destroy David
Hunted him
Stalked him
Pursued him
But Saul was king.

People loved David
Sang about him
Danced around him
Couldn't say enough about him
While Saul was king.

When Saul died . . .
David praised Saul
Lamented his death
And called a nation to grieve
What would you have done?

God says, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
(Matthew 5:44)

Prayer Litany
(Based on Psalm 130)

One: Out of the depths, we cry to you, Lord.
Many: Hear our voice. Hear our cry.
One: Listen
Many: Between each heartbeat.
One: Listen
Many: Between each breath.
One: Listen
Many: To things we don't say,
One: Can't say,
Many: things from which we run away.

Silence

One: If you counted every wrong we've done, who could stand, Lord?
Many: But you forgive.
One: So we wait on you.
Many: Our souls wait.
One: In your word is hope.
Many: We long for you,
One: More than the endless night looks for dawn,
Many: More than hunger looks for food,
One: We hope.
Many: For God is our hope and our salvation.

Offertory Prayer
(Based on 2 Corinthians 8:7-15)
Gracious God, our Provider, we pause to pray about people in need. In many ways, we are like the church at Corinth. You've blessed some of us to enjoy the riches others only dream about. We excel in speaking of our faith in you. Our generation has studied much about you. But, like the church at Corinth, we need more. We need a voice to urge us to be eager to give to those in need. Christ, though rich, became poor for our sakes. Teach us how to weigh our abundance against others' needs. Scripture says, "The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little" (2 Corinthians 8:15b). May that be our constant testimony. Prepare us to share our abundance now and anytime there is need. Amen.