The true service of worship, Isaiah tells his incredulous readers, is …

to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the burdened and pressed go free, and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
(Isaiah 58:6-7)

If Isaiah is right, a little self-reflection will quickly exhaust us and bring us nigh unto despair. How can one live up to such a life-consuming standard of worship?

Isaiah, that prophetic instrument in the hands of a tender and compassionate God, anticipates the concern and provides a response on the lips of a Servant of the Lord:

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord for the display of his glory.
They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. (Isaiah 61:1-4)

In short: of course, such life-consuming worship, love in truth and unity, and self-renouncing service is beyond our ability or even desires. It is, of course, for that reason our lives are consumed by the love and mercy of God through the service of Jesus Christ: our mourning consumed by Jesus and turned to gladness; so that we are made oaks of his righteousness planted for the praise of his glory.

Since, then, we have been consumed and made new by the blood the Lamb, let us come with joy and confident hope into presence, bringing the sacrifices of praise that are fitting for such a great calling.

Order of Worship for 02.15.09