CALL
TO WORSHIP
In
a world of storms and winds and want.
God
calls us to trust, to listen, to step out boldly.
As
the storms of life are raging,
we
gather to worship the God who stands by us.
As
people who trust that the Peace of Christ can calm the storms,
we
share that peace with our neighbours...
OPENING
PRAYER (uses
words from the hymn “Stand By Me”)
God
of life, God of the wild wind and the still calm, we gather for
worship.
When
the storms of life are raging, stand by me.
God
who calls us to step out into the storm, to take risks in faith and
trust,
When
the world is tossing me like a ship upon the sea
Thou Who rulest wind and water, stand by me
Thou Who rulest wind and water, stand by me
In
this time of worship remind us that though the storms may rage we are
held in your arms.
So
that we would have the courage to step out of the boat.
We
pray in the name of the One who stilled the water, the One who taught
his friends to pray saying...
PRAYER
FOR AND ASSURANCE OF GRACE
(uses
words from Let It Go from the movie FROZEN)
God
of grace, the wind blows, the snow piles up, the waves threaten to
overwhelm us. And yet you would have us say:
It's
time to see what I can do to test the limits and break through... Let
the storm rage on
God
of challenge, you call us to step out of the boat, out of our safe
places, to take risks for the Gospel.
But
we are afraid, we are sure we will sink and be overwhelmed.
God
of grace, God of power, help us take the risk, overcome the fear,
help us trust in your wisdom and power. Help us stand tall and
proclaim:
Here
I stand in the light of day let the storm rage on,
Walking
on water, or maybe swimming, as we live out who you have formed us to
be.
And
maybe we we will find that the storm won't bother us anyway. Amen.
COMMISSIONING:
Our
hour of worship comes to a close,
and
now it is time to step out of the boat, to walk into the storm.
We
go from this place with faith and trust,
those
things that keep us going, that keep us from floundering.
We
go to share the promise and possibility of life with the storm-bound
world,
so
that the peace that passes understanding would bring hope and calm.
Go
with God, who stands by us as the wind blows and the storm roars.
Our rock, our anchor, always. Thanks be to God! Amen.
