This is written as an intro to Matt and Beth Redman's song "Blessed be your name", but you could use it alone. The aim is to help people meditate on how they are feeling and make everyone feel welcomed, so that they know their contribution to worship is important however they are feeling. The idea is to put up the four images from the song, and ask people to consider which of these they relate to best this week. Can they think of specific reasons why they feel this way? Depending on the congregation, they could just reflect silently, or write their responses down, or share them in groups of three or four people (remember to stress that people only need to share as much as they feel comfortable with). Then say the following litrugy together:
(we say together:)
If you’re splashing in streams of abundance,
We welcome you – share your joy.
If you’re parched in a desert wasteland,
We welcome you – share your doubts.
If you’re relaxing in the light of contentment,
We welcome you – share your peace.
If you’re stumbling on a road of suffering,
We welcome you – share your pain.
(we pray together:)
God of water, earth, light and brokenness
We welcome you, as you welcome us.
Amen.
© engageworship.org
Sam co-leads engageworship.org with his wife Sara. He completed the LST degree in Theology, Music and Worship, and now teaches in the department two days per week. He also co-leads RESOUNDworship.org, the free worship song website, and has led musical and creative worship at events like Spring Harvest, New Wine North and the Baptist Assembly alternative stream. Their book 'How would Jesus lead worship' was published by BRF in 2009.
