Mid-Week Worship
In the past, families would have a time of worship, on their own, on a weekly basis. There may have even been family altars, which held the family Bible, around which the parents and children would gather, read Scripture, and pray together. Like many good things in our world, this seems to be a thing of a bygone era, and yet now we have the opportunity to gather as a household, a couple, or an individual and come before God and worship again. This page is meant to help you do that. There will be prayers, music to listen to, and a Bible study that you can wrestle with, in order to make this worship experience your own. If something is helpful to you, perhaps return to this page again during the week. If something isn’t, feel free to move on.
The point is to carve out a space for God in our day and to proclaim Jesus the Lord of our lives.
At heart, the essence of worship is simply this: O come, let us adore him.
OPENING
PRAYER
Almighty God, you have attested to your Son Jesus Christ through having raised him up, having freed him from death. Therefore, because you did not abandon him to the grave, and you did not allow his body to experience corruption, our hearts are glad and we rejoice, and we shall henceforth live in faith, born anew into this living hope of an undying inheritance, kept in heaven for your children. In such hope and in the name of Jesus Christ, we offer you our joyful adoration and praise!
HYMN
CALL TO
CONFESSION
READ SILENTLY: Even before Pentecost, Jesus bestowed the Spirit upon his disciples with words of peace and with responsibility and authority either to forgive or to retain sins. Surely the broader witness of Scripture makes it clear that thorough and complete forgiveness is the better way, just as we, in confession, express our hope that none of our own sins should be retained. Let us confess our sins and repent of them sincerely.
PRAYER OF
CONFESSION
READ ALOUD: Blessed and beloved God, we confess that we have not always been as free or thorough in forgiving others as we would have them be in forgiving us, yet, with your help, we would surrender any remaining grudges or vestiges of resentment at this time. We see every day corruption in this world, as the power of death works on our mortal bodies, and we would know the good health that enjoys a clear conscience and exults in the freedom that is born of the sure hope of salvation. Forgive us, O Lord, of all our sins, our idolatrous acts and thoughtless oaths, and especially our slowness to believe and our slowness to forgive. As you did not allow your faithful Son Jesus Christ to remain in the tomb, so usher us from death to life, from sin to faith, from dark despair to radiant joy, that we might delight in your presence forevermore.
ASSURANCE
OF PARDON
Read silently until the bold,
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Thanks be to God!
THE WORD
CHILDREN’S
MESSAGE
BIBLE
STUDY
THE RESPONSE TO THE WORD
Questions for Reflection
- As you ponder the resurrection, what doubts do you bring to God this day?
- What do you do with your doubts? Can you be as upfront about them, as Thomas was, or do you feel shame or a desire to hide them? Realize that God is larger than our doubts and, in fact, will often use doubt to lead you closer to him.
- Which of the arguments against resurrection was most problematic or convincing? Why?
- Which of the arguments for bodily resurrection was most convincing? Why?
HYMN
HYMN
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
Take this time to pray for the concerns of your heart. Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer.
THE SENDING
The Benediction
Receive the Holy Spirit, for you are sent in Jesus’ name. Honor the risen Christ with indescribable and glorious joy. And may the power of God protect you, keep your heavenly inheritance for you, and unfold the plan of salvation before you as you tell others of the good news of forgiveness and the resurrection life.
Previous Mid Week Liturgies
The Opening Prayer, Call to Confession, Prayer of Confession, Assurance of Pardon, and Benediction were all borrowed or adapted from Timothy Matthew Slemmons’ wonderful liturgical resource book, Lightning from the East: Liturgical Elements for Reformed Worship, Year A (p. 125-127).