Isaiah 49
Isaiah 49:1-7
Reading Based from Isaiah 49:1-7 (unison)(This is loosely lifted from these seven verses!)
Before I was born, the Lord called me. He named me while I was in my mother’s womb. This is what the Lord says, the Redeemer of Israel and His Holy One: “You are my servant, Israel. I have given you as light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. Kings will see this happen and will stand in awe; princes will fall on their faces because of the Lord who is faithful. The Holy One of Israel has chosen you.”
Hymn/Song Suggestions:
“Song for the Nations” (May we be a shining light to the nations…) CLB 439
“Blessed Be the God of Israel”
“I Stand in Awe”
“O Zion, Haste”
Reading from Isaiah 49:8-16
for three solo readers
Reader One: The Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you – this is what he says:
Reader Two: In a time of favor I have answered you.
Reader Three: On a day of salvation I have helped you.
Reader One: I have kept you and given you as a covenant - to reconnect you - to put your land in order and re-establish your families.
Reader Two: To those in prison, I say, "Come out."
Reader Three: To those who are in darkness, I say, "Step into the light and show yourselves."
Reader One: They shall find food along the way, and even on all the bare, rocky high places they shall find their pasture.
Reader Two: They shall not hunger or thirst.
Reader Three: Neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them down.
Reader One: I will have pity on them and be their leader.
Reader Two: By springs of water I will guide them.
Reader Three: I will turn all my mountains into a road, and my highways shall be raised up.
Reader One: Sing for joy, O heavens!
Reader Two: Exult, O earth!
Reader Three: Break forth, O mountains, into singing!
Reader One: I, the Lord, havebrought comfort tomy people,
Reader Two: I will have compassion on those who are suffering.
Reader Three: You may think I have forsaken you.
Reader One: Ask yourself this question: Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child she brought into this world?
Reader Two: Even if these mothers should forget their children, yet I will not forget you.
Reader Three: See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.
Reader One: This is the Word of the Lord!
All: Thanks be to God!
Hymn/Song Suggestions:
Anthem - “Write Your Blessed Name” (K. Lee Scott)
Responsive Reading from Isaiah 49:8-16
The congregation’s lines have been personalized and changed to first-person statements of what God says in the passage.
Leader: The Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel – our God has chosen you.
People: In a time of his favor he has answered us. On the day of salvation he has helped us.
Leader: He has kept you and given you as a covenant, to reconnect you – to put your land in order and re-establish your families.
People: To those of us imprisoned, he has said, “Come out.” To those in darkness, he has said, "Step into the light and show yourselves."
Leader: You shall find food along the way, and even on all the bare, rocky high places you shall find pasture.
People: We shall not hunger or thirst. Neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike us down.
Leader: God will have pity on you and be your leader.
People: By springs of water he will lead us. He will level the mountains and raise up the low places in the highways.
Leader: Sing for joy, O heavens! Exult, O earth! Break forth, O mountains, into singing!
People: The Lord has brought comfort to his people. He has treated the suffering ones with compassion.
Leader: Do not think that our God has forsaken you.Ask yourself this question: Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child she brought into this world?
People: Even if these mothers should forget their children, yet our God will not forget us. He has inscribed us on the palms of his hands.
Leader: This is the Word of the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!