Psalm 82--Worship Resources

Music:
UMH: What Does the Lord Require, #441
UMH: O Day of God Draw Nigh, #730
UMH: Psalter Setting, #804a
UMH: This Is My Song, #437
To the Powers of the Earth (Psalm 82)--Stephen Pearson
Psalm 82 from the Emergent Psalter--Isaac Everett

Video:

Psalm 82 from The Voice Translation

Prayer:
God, every time the powerful meet together, you take a seat at their table.
Though unseen, you see.
Though unaddressed, you address.
And you say to them, "Strengthen the weak. Stand up for the orphans. Rescue the needy. Pursue the wicked."
But the powerful ignore your words. They fail to consider your call.
Therefore, God, take charge. Take over.
Do what they will not.
Strengthen the weak. Stand up for the orphans. Rescue the needy. Pursue the wicked.
And help us to do the same. Amen.

Sermon Illustrations:
"Confronting Visual Biases" http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/22/the-passage-cardboard-signs_n_4319568.html
What if, instead of doing injustice, the powerful actually stood in for those who were weak, orphaned, lowly, or destitute? A charity in London asked its volunteers to do just that. They hold hand-lettered, cardboard signs that proclaim their privilege and their decision to use that privilege to help those who do not have it. Pretty sure this divine council would get excellent performance reviews.

Missional Connection:
Health care for mothers and children in Sierra Leon: http://www.umcor.org/UMCOR/Resources/News-Stories/2013/December/sierraleonematernalchildhealth