Call to Worship
One: God calls to us, saying, “You are my child, you are fearfully and wonderfully made”
All: Speak, Lord, for we are listening.
One: God challenges us, saying, “Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate”
All: Speak, Lord, for we are listening.
One: God promises us, saying, “Do not fear, I am with you. I have called you by name; you are mine.”
All: Speak, Lord, for we are listening.
One: Almighty God, fill us once more with your Word that set the world on fire, and set us on fire to proclaim the Good News, make disciples of all nations, and bring justice and mercy to all the earth. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
God of grace, there are so many voices calling for our attention, we confess that we struggle to hear your Word. We hear stories in the Bible of incredible miracles given to ordinary people, but we confess that we do not expect you in our lives.
Forgive us, Lord for not listening for your call, and for being unwilling to respond. Merciful God, give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to listen. Enable us to hear your voice alone amidst all the others, meet you on our paths, and take up our crosses and follow you.
Scripture Samuel 3:1-11
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.
2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; 3the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4Then the Lord called, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ and he said, ‘Here I am!’ 5and ran to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call; lie down again.’ So he went and lay down. 6The Lord called again, ‘Samuel!’ Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call, my son; lie down again.’ 7Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9Therefore Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” ’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’ 11Then the Lord said to Samuel, ‘See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle.