Once upon a time, I used to write a lot of readings for use during church services. Some of the pieces were meant to tell a story in a unique way, other readings were simply a creative division of a Biblical text that would allow a congregation to listen to familiar words with fresh ears because 2-5 voices proclaimed them.
This summer at our church, there was a call for the congregation to bring our “Living Psalms” to one another. Below, you’ll find my psalm, the first script I’ve written in a quite a while. If you know of a congregation interested in using this piece (about 1:30 in length), you’re welcome to share it with them with my blessing!
At The Table
This psalm, to be read by two people (Voice 1, a male reader and Voice 2, and female voice), is inspired by the parable of the banquet found in Luke 14:15-24. This piece would be suitable as an intro. to communion.
Voice 1: The world says I am not invited to its party.
Voice 2: There is no place card for me at its table.
Voice 1: The world says my name is Poor.
Voice 2: Crippled.
Voice 1: Blind.
Voice 2: Lame.
Voice 1: The world calls me Loser.
Voice 2: Awkward.
Voice 1: Burden.
Voice 2: Ugly.
Voice 1: Failure.
Voice 2: Disappointment.
Voice 1: Sinner.
Voice 2: The world’s labels have branded me.
Voice 1: The identity they gave me was as comfortable as an old pair of sweats…
Voice 2: And as ill-fitting as a prom dress three sizes too small.
Voice 1: Sometimes, when I dream at night I imagine a different name for myself.
Voice 2: Those dreams are the true desire of my heart, hopes I don’t dare to voice when the world has already pronounced its verdict over my life.
Voice 1: Heavenly Father, you authored my desire.
Voice 2: You gave me those dreams.
Voice 1: Yet in the cold florescent glare of the world’s light, those dreams seem nothing more than a hazy fantasy of my own invention.
Voice 2: When I heard about invitations going out to the best party of them all, I shrugged it off.
Voice 1: I wouldn’t be invited to an event like that.
Voice 2: Why would I be?
Voice 1: Never had been invited before.
Voice 2: Never dared to dream I would be today.
Voice 1: And then, there was a knock on my door.
Voice 2: And then, a kind messenger handed me an invitation.
Voice 1: My name engraved on the envelope.
Voice 2: It was the name I’d only dreamed of hearing from you, Lord.
Voice 1: Friend.
Voice 2: Others just like me…
Voice 1: Others who’d been wounded with labels like the one I wore…
Voice 2: …received invitations that day, too.
Voice 1: Their invitations had names like ‘son’.
Voice 2: ‘Daughter’.
Voice 1: ‘Holy’.
Voice 2: ‘Beloved’.
Voice 1: Father, these were the names you gave to us before we were even born.
Voice 2: While each one of us was still in our mother’s womb.
Voice 1: You, Lord, prepare a place at your table for us.
Voice 2: You, Lord, invite us to come to your table.
Voice 1: To revel in your presence.
Voice 2: To feast on your goodness.
Voice 1: To savor your mercy.
Voice 2: To be transformed by your grace.
Voice 1: And so, we respond to your invitation here in this place.
Voice 2: Grateful.
Voice 1: Humbled.
Voice 2: In awe of all you are and all you’ve done for us.
Voice 1: We say yes to your invitation with our new name on it.
Voice 2: We come to your table.
Voice 1: And as we do, we are fed…
Voice 2: …restored
Voice 1: …and renamed.
Sharing is caring!
