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The Transforming Power of Prayer - Mark 6

A sample service plan from the Calvin Symposium on Worship planned around the theme, "The Transforming Power of Prayer."

Worship Service

Theme of the Service

Congregation

"The Lord Be With You" (G)

Welcome
LEADER reads from Psalm 98 about all Creation praising God.

Celebration

"All Creatures of Our God and King" (E) - All verses about nature (vv 1-2, 4). Celebrative arrangement.

Adoration

LEADER: Improvised collect of praise, leading into our continued sung
prayer.
"Better is One Day" (E) - Whoosh, guitars, drums intro (violin, too). Less is more.
Leave ceiling room.

Adoration

LEADER (praying): We come to seek you, God, to draw near to you, and
find that you are already here. Awaken us to your presence everywhere.
-- invite congregation to sit

Confession

--invite congregation to sing on the refrain, and to listen to Ps. 139 as we
prepare to confess.
Psalm 139 - "I Cannot Flee from Your Presence, Lord" - through v. 10. - Daniel
and Angel.

LEADER offers call to confession cast as prayer: God, you are inescapable. We can shield our thoughts, our shame, from each other, but not you. You are always there. Close. Jesus brought you too close. That's why he was killed. All our sins, whether they become words and deeds, begin as wicked thoughts - and you know them all. Lord, have mercy.

"Kyrie" (Ron Rienstra) (Cm) - while speaking above, begin instrumental.
Sing 3x through (Engl., Greek, Engl.). Instrumental interlude as
LEADER offers a brief prepared spoken prayer, invites silent confession,
and welcomes kneeling.
Reprise
"Kyrie" (English)

Redemption

Violin plays through "Oh the Deep" one time to introduce it, while

LEADER gives words of assurance: God's inescapableness would be torture if not for Jesus. Nobody but God could know our thoughts and love us unconditionally. We can't know our own thoughts and hold our heads up. But nothing we can do or think can make God love us either more or less. To be known through and through by perfect love is a comfort. Hear the good news: In Jesus Christ, we are known and forgiven! Washed clean in Christ's blood, washed in the waters of God's deep, deep love.

"Oh the Deep Deep Love of Jesus" (Em) - igrace arrangement: acoustic guitar
subdivisions, whoosh wall of sound, funky bass - full, washing
- Congregation is invited to stand

"Forever" (G) - celebratory, up-tempo

Preparation

LEADER: Improvised: Holy Spirit, help us to hear, to understand, to love,
and to obey what you would speak to us today.

Proclamation

Scripture: Mark 6:30-32
Sermon: "Norah Jones and Jesus" - Mary Hulst

Intercession

"St. Patrick's Prayer" (Dm) - piano intro.

Intercession
Dedication
Thanksgiving

LEADER gives instructions: While these songs are sung, congregants write down - or draw -- prayers of thanksgiving or intercession or dedication on paper found under their seats. Then, whenever they are comfortable doing so, they bring them forward to the table (t'giving), to the font (dedication), or to the cross (intercession).

"O Lord, Hear Our Prayer" (Dm) - instrumental only, ebb and flow. Piano & guitar
exchange. Go To.
"Give Us Light" (Cm) - Solo voice and recorder and whoosh
"Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying" (Eb) - piano, bass, and minimal
percussion.
- up 1 step after everyone's come forward, then up 1 more step.
LEADER leads congregation in speaking the Lord's Prayer (music
continues)

Celebration

LEADER introduces "Revelations" and briefly teaches the song to the
congregation.
"Revelations" (G) - all out band. Piano as Go To.

"Prince of Peace" (D) - if time permits.

Benediction

MARY: Spoken blessing (Biblical)
"Benediction" (D)