O Lord, What Time Is It?
- "I Don't Feel No ways Tired," 175, Songs of Zion
- "My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me," 69, Songs of Zion
- "We've Come this Far By Faith," 192, Songs of Zion
- "We Gather Together," 131, United Methodist Hymnal
Litany for the End of the Year
(Based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-13)
People: O Lord, what time is it?
Leader: It is time for celebration. We have been up, down, and all around this year, but the sun still came up in the East and set in the West; and God's love for us never changed. Thank you Jesus. Hallelujah, Amen.
People: O Lord what time is it?
Leader: It is time for us to get back to the basics, to tell the stories of Jonah, Isaiah, and Esther. To tell the stories of how we refused to die in the fiery furnaces of hate and despair, even when we were mortally wounded and our spirits and songs were beaten out of us. How we stood strong and faced the wrath of the cowardly. We've got to tell how we were thrown into prison because we were in the wrong place at the right time, but God set us free; and we walked out proud and unbowed. It is time to rebuild ourselves, our neighbors, our homes, our communities, our minds. It is time to mourn voices that were hushed by war, drugs, violence, hopelessness, and disappointment and celebrate hope, defiance, and courage. It is time to seek solace and peace because they're what we deserve.
People: O Lord what time is it?
All: It is time to rejoice. God is the first and the last, Alpha and Omega. All that God has been, God will continue to be. No matter what time it is. Hallelujah!
Prayer of Thanksgiving for a New Year
(Based on Revelation 21:1-6a)
Lord, you've been so good to us. We thank you because here we are at the beginning of a new and glorious year. A new heaven and a new earth. A new opportunity to be your people and for you to evict our fears and show our enemies you're in charge. We thank you because throughout the ages you have been on our side when nobody else was or when nobody else cared or came when we called. You have been our sanctuary when we were about to be swallowed whole by the whales and floods of life. You spared our lives and gave us something to sing and rejoice about. O' sovereign God, we thank you that you have conquered death, and the women who weep and wail over their lifeless babies and the men who grieve for their lost youth will be no more. We are ready for a new beginning. We will watch, pray and march triumphantly into all our tomorrows. Amen.
Benediction
(Based on Matthew 25:31-46)
Lord, as we leave this place, we will be your feet and hands. We will stop staring and pointing at the naked and clothe them, even if it means giving them ours. We will meet you at the prison, even if we are a little nervous; and we will share your love. We will wipe the brow of those who suffer and hold the hand of those who are afraid. We will share our inheritance, our food, water, and sustenance. Yes, this day we will spread peace in your name, to your people. Amen.
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