Curated Worship Suggestions
Perfect Wisdom of God - Keith & Kristyn Getty
The Kingdom of God - Taize (could be played quietly during prayer)
Sermon Overview
Today, we are looking at the mid-afternoon hour, around 3pm, which is called the Wisdom Hour.
In the wisdom hour the day is aging.
Shadows lengthen as the light stretches toward evening.
As the earth turns away from the sun, we set our yearning towards completion.
In this brief afternoon pause we contemplate how we can put things in order as the day begins to fade.
Scriptures
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
~Romans 8:28Sustain me as you have promised that I may live; disappoint me not in my hope.
~Psalm 119:116I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
that it surpasses your fame.
When I called, you answered me;
you greatly emboldened me.
May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord,
when they hear what you have decreed.
May they sing of the ways of the Lord,
for the glory of the Lord is great.
Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
though lofty, he sees them from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
with your right hand you save me.
The Lord will vindicate me;
your love, Lord, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands
~Psalm 138, of David
The Wisdom Hour Prayer Guide
Opening
We stand before the dying day
Offering our bouquet of life.
Scripture:
Psalm 138
I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
that it surpasses your fame.
When I called, you answered me;
you greatly emboldened me.
May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord,
when they hear what you have decreed.
May they sing of the ways of the Lord,
for the glory of the Lord is great.
Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
though lofty, he sees them from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
with your right hand you save me.
The Lord will vindicate me;
your love, Lord, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.
Poem:
Put everything in order as day begins to fade.
All things are passing, moment by moment.
breath by breath.
All things are passing, moment by moment,
birth to death.
Take off that cloak of fear,
the divine strength you seek is here.
and you know you are dying to live.
So put everything in order
as day begins to fade.
~Macrina Wiederkehr
Prayer: To the one who lives in me I pray…
O ancient wisdom so deeply rooted in the ground of my being, anoint me with your wise knowing. As I look toward day’s end, let me draw energy from your insight and good judgement. Open my eyes to the riches you have gifted me with this day. Help me gather it all in as a bountiful harvest. Let me sit at your feet and learn from you how to live and die, how to give and forgive.
O teach me wisdom.
May it come to pass.
