What is Liturgy?
Liturgy usually refers to formal rituals in worship, and in this case I will be using the more general definition of corporate worship and the specific example of a series of readings meant to be read in community. Think of the below liturgy like a recipe in a cookbook. It was built from a particular perspective and with a particular goal, but if you prefer a little more spice, feel free to adjust it to your taste. The important thing is that you cook the recipe and share the dish with others.
For this liturgy I have chosen the framework of Orientation, Disorientation, and Reorientation. This structure relies heavily on the scholarship of Walter Breuggemann* and his reading of the Psalms. Our initial Orientation is to God’s sovereignty and the order inherent in creation. However, when we look at the world around us, we experience Disorientation of the created order and we experience grief and loss because of the pain and suffering we see. Lastly, through the lens of the cross, Jesus offers a Reorientation of the created order allowing us to see the work of reconciliation in the world through Jesus and simultaneously observe that this work is not yet complete.
Orientation:
Read by leader
Psalm 8 (NRSV)
Divine Majesty and Human Dignity
1 O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
to silence the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
4 what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?
5 Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet,
7 all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Disorientation:
One: Lord, when we observe the world we grieve that your good creation has been dis-ordered through brokenness, injustice, hunger, and violence.
One: God of truth, may your righteousness rule
All: God of truth, hear our prayers
One: God of justice, in your wisdom you create all people in your image
All: God of justice, hear our prayers
One, God of mercy, teach us to be merciful as you are merciful
All: God of mercy, hear our prayers
One, God of peace, make us peacemakers to all around us
All: God of peace, hear our prayers
Reorientation:
All: Lord, though the world is divided may we clasp hands with friends near and far. May we set our eyes on Your vision of reconciliation in our communities. May we listen to the voices that have not been heard. May we speak with boldness for Your truth, justice, mercy, and peace. And may we be in one mind, with Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Amen
*Walter Brueggemann, Spirituality of the Psalms (Minneapolis, MI.: Augsburg Fortress, 2001)
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris supports every employee at HopeChest as a member of the IT Department through the management, interpretation, and distribution of information. Chris is a maker and a creative. He earned his bachelor’s degree in media education and a master’s degree in theology and film. Chris’s ideal day includes sleeping in, having a big breakfast, brewing a batch of beer, going hiking with my family, eating a nice dinner at home, and watching a movie with his wife before going to sleep. His favorite book of all time is the sci-fi classic, “Dune!”
