Some ideas for the opening worship at the conference…
Worship
Setting: music goes on in a public square with several people talking. One person is calling people attention to the poor. Another person comes takes him down and starts to talk about liberty and individual rights over social commitments. He stands in a box and bashes the poor. No one speaks back and everybody ends up believing in him. He continues to talk while the Call to Worship goes on.
Call to Worship
One: May God be with you!
All: And also with you.
One: Speak up brothers and sisters!
All: We are here to declare that God is our maker, our Redeemer and our rock!
One: Speak up brothers and sisters!
All: We are here as Christians, to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, the gospel of salvation, the gospel of transformation, the gospel of liberation and life for all.
One: Speak up brothers and sisters!
All: We are here to say no to injustice! We are here to join those who are fighting for the common good, for the right for all to have food, shelter, health and dignity and not only for some of us.
One: Speak up brothers and sisters!
All: Due to our commitment to the God of our lives, we will speak up and press those who own political positions to be accountable for their actions in favor of all of the people and not only some!
One: Speak up brothers and sisters!
All: The gospel calls us to live together and we are gathering here to counter the discourse and actions of those who stand in the public square, town hall meetings, political parties, government offices and church buildings preaching about private life, private faith and private government. We will stand with those who work for the common good. We will fight with and for the poor. Our faith is a common faith! We will not preach prosperity for ourselves if prosperity does not mean prosperity for all. We are all sons and daughters of God.
One: Speak up brothers and sisters for those who cannot speak for themselves,
All: In the name of Jesus, we will!
One: Speak up brothers and sisters for the rights of all who are destitute.
All: In the name of Jesus, we will!
One: Speak up brothers and sisters and judge fairly;
All: We will defend the rights of the poor and needy.
One: When will we speak up?
All: Always! Like our prayers, without ceasing. Together we won’t fear the struggle! The Holy Spirit will guide our feet!
One: God is here brothers and sisters!
All: Let us all give thanks to God!
One: May the world sing praises to God our creator!
All: Gloria, Gloria Gloria!
One: May we all sing praises to God our liberator, our rock and our salvation!
With piano and drums:
Sing: Alle-alle-alle-luia! Alle-alle-alle-luia! Alle-alle-alle-luia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
* If you are interest in joining us for this conference please come! More information here: http://ptsem.edu/offices/coned/faithandpubliclife/