Psalm 100--Worship Resources

Music:
UMH: Psalm 100 setting, #821
FWS: How Can I Keep From Singing, #2212
FWS: Sing allelujaha to the Lord, #2258, Trad.
This is the Day
Psalm 100--Matt Gilman
Make a Joyful Noise--The Rizers (Children)

Video:

Psalm 100 from James Drake on Vimeo.

Prayer:
Exalted One, we joyfully celebrate our unlimited trust in your faithful promises. We pray that all people will someday sound a cacophony of hallelujahs as they truly accept your steadfast love. May these gifts that we gladly lay upon your altar enable ministries that support this chorus of praise. We pray with praise and thanksgiving in our hearts. Amen.

Sermon Illustrations/Resources:
"Why We Sing" by Carolyn Winfrey Gilette
"Ode to Joy" by Stacy Horn
"Have Christians Stopped Singing" by David Murrow
"The Singing Thing: A Case for Congregational Song" by John L. Bell

Missional Connection:
Lincoln County Second Chance Choir: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/lincoln-county-inmates-perform-at-churches-as-second-chance-choir/article_62c1bcc7-5dff-53e9-aa86-7a5a995823e0.html
Inmates from Lincoln County have formed a choir, and are performing at area churches. For them, the experience brings them closer together and creates an opportunity for local congregations to make connections with those who imprisoned.

Psalm 32--Worship Resources

Music:
UMH: Amazing Grace, #378
UMH: Grace Greater Than Our Sin, #365
W&S: Confession (Musical Response), #3138
FWS: You Are My Hiding Place, #2055
While I Keep Silence--Wright
Psalm 32--Mike & Liz Mumford
You are my Hiding Place
Pretty much any Kyrie would be appropriate, too.

Prayers of Confession and Pardon:
W&S: #84-97
BOW: #474-494

Video:

Songs of Deliverance from Biltmore Baptist Church on Vimeo.

Sermon Illustrations:
10 Risks Happy People Take: http://www.marcandangel.com/2013/10/20/10-risks-happy-people-take-every-day/
Many of these "risks" have to do with opening up about being imperfect, off-track, and being willing to grow. Sounds like what it means to open up to God in confession. Could see using this list in a sermon series on beatitudes: "Happy are those..."

Nelson Mandella's ability to forgive: http://newday.blogs.cnn.com/2013/12/08/finding-forgiveness/?sr=sharebar_facebook
A video on Nelson Mandella's forgiveness of those who imprisoned him. Conversation turns to how to begin the process of forgiveness. Clincial Psychologist discusses changing perception--confession and assurance from God can help us do this. Biblical scholar Brent Strawn discusses Psalms, especially in dealing with enemies (at 6:40). Conversation with God keeps our own sin and sin of others from taking over our entire lives.

Missional Connection:
Freeing Slaves to Rebuild Lives: http://www.umcor.org/UMCOR/Resources/News-Stories/2013/December/1203freeingslavestorebuildlives
Some of our confession may need to be on a societal level. In the case of human-trafficking, I think many of us would prefer to keep our silence on the matter--to pretend that this issue just didn't exist. But in acknowledging and talking about this issue, we begin to confess the sins of our world, even if they are not our own personal sins, and can participate in sharing God's grace in these darkened paths.

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