Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Liturgy: The Kingdom Divided, 1 Kings 12:1-17 (October 29, 2023)

*You are welcome to use or adapt any of my resources for free, but I ask that you provide proper citation AND comment on this post to let me know.*

Hymns:

GTG #275, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
GTG #379, “We Shall Overcome”
GTG #313, “Lord, Make Us More Holy”


*Call to Worship (based on 1 Kings 12/Matthew 11:30)

Leader: Pharaohs of this world impose burdens that they are not willing to bear.
People: But your yoke is easy and your burden light, O Lord.
Leader: Kings of this world look around for more subjects to rule over.
People: But you came to serve others.
Leader: Reform the brokenness in this world, Lord. Reform our hearts to be more like yours.
People: We come, hoping to be changed. We come to worship the Lord!


Call to Confession (based on 1 Kings 12:13)

Leader: A king who disregards the wisdom of experienced advisors is considered foolish. How much worse is it, then, to disregard the counsel of the divine? Let us respond to God’s call to repentance and reformation in our lives.


Popcorn Prayer of Confession (based on 1 Kings 12:12-14)

You are invited to speak a word or short phrase that describes a personal or collective sin of which you repent and seek forgiveness.

When the gathered community is finished sharing, we pray together:

People: God of goodness and light, we do not heed your call to reform. Like Rehoboam, we choose the easy way, the familiar way, the way that makes us feel good at the expense of others. Help us embrace your call to re-form, to start from scratch, to let go of the things we cherish that no longer serve you. In your mercy, hear our prayers… 
(Silent prayers of personal confession)


Declaration of Forgiveness (based on 1 Kings 12:14)

Leader: God does not reign by exerting force, but by lavishly pouring out love and mercy upon God’s people. How wonderful it is to serve such a King! In Christ’s name, we are forgiven!
People: Thanks be to God!

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