Call to Worship Cycle: Great Wild Mercy

These opening words for worship were created to accompany the Lenten sermon series “Great Wild Mercy.” The bolded words are spoken by the congregation. You are welcome to use or adapt these liturgies for worship, with credit. When printing these liturgies, please use the following credit line: “Prayer by Rev. Carol Holbrook Prickett.”

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Week 1: “Suddenly Angels”

People of God, can you remember?
Can you remember what Christ did?
In a wild place, Christ held onto God.
In a wild place, Christ held onto goodness.
It is possible, people of God.
There are angels in wild places.

Week 2: “Water in the Wilderness”

People of God, can you remember?
Can you remember what God did?
In a wild place, God turned a rock into a fountain.
In a wild place, God gave us what we needed.
It is possible, people of God.

Week 3: “At the Cliff’s Edge“

People of God, can you remember?
Can you remember what Jesus did?
In a wild place, Jesus saw a man tortured and outcast.
In a wild place, Jesus sent his demons far away.
It is possible, people of God.
There is compassion that does not give up.

Week 4: “Pity for the Shrub“

People of God, can you remember?
Can you remember what Jesus did?
In a wild crowd, Jesus slipped through hypocrisy’s nets.
In a wild crowd, Jesus silenced violence.
It is possible, people of God.
There is freedom inscribed into the very earth.

Week 5: “Caught in the Act“

People of God, can you remember?
Can you remember what God did?
In a wild place, God showed a people how to repent.
In a wild place, God turned a whole country around.
It is possible, people of God.
There is mercy that changes lives.

Week 6: “Who is This?” (Palm/Passion Sunday)

People of God, can you remember?
Can you remember what Christ did?
In a wild time, Christ rode into our lives.
In a wild time, Christ answered our desperate cries.
It is possible, people of God.
There is a Savior coming straight for us.

Week 7: “Great Wild Mercy” (Easter)

People of God, can you remember?
Can you remember what Christ did?
On a wild morning, Christ rose again.
On a wild day, Christ defeated death.
It is possible, people of God.
There is new life rising up all around.