A Service of Lament and Hope

A short order of worship for a congregation carrying grief: after a death in the community, a hard season, or a tragedy in the news. About 35 minutes.

Gathering

Call to worship (from Psalm 46:1-2)

Leader: God is our refuge and strength, People: an ever-present help in trouble. Leader: Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way, People: though the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.

Song: "O God, Our Help in Ages Past"

Naming the hurt

Reading: Psalm 13

Leader: The psalms give us permission to bring God our real questions. We do that now, in silence or aloud.

Silence, about two minutes.

Prayer of lament

Lord, we do not understand what has happened. We are tired of asking how long. We bring you our anger, our fear, and our tears, because you have told us to bring them to you and not to hide them. Hear us, O Lord. People: Hear us, O Lord.

Remembering who God is

Reading: Lamentations 3:19-24

Leader: The same writer who said "my soul is downcast" goes on to say this: People: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Reading: Romans 8:18-25

A brief word (five minutes at most). Suffering is real, and creation groans. But the groaning of creation is the groaning of childbirth, not of a deathbed. We wait with hope because Christ is risen.

Sending

Song: "It Is Well with My Soul"

Blessing (from Romans 15:13)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.