This document contains a prayer, summaries of Isaiah 1 and Psalm 32, discussion questions on those passages, and a song about preferring justice over empty worship. The main ideas are: 1. Isaiah 1 and Psalm 32 discuss the importance of confession, repentance, and seeking forgiveness from God, rather than just performing empty religious rituals. 2. God promises to forgive those who confess their sins and make things right through seeking justice. 3. Both passages convey that God desires honest and cooperative relationships with people, not just control or superficial praise.

1. A Prayer For The People of God
Ancient of Days, through the outpouring of your
Holy Spirit you comfort and bless all creatures.
Gather from the four corners of the world
all those who weep in despair or loneliness,
those who are hungry, naked, or poor, those who have
withstood oppression and are bowed in anguish before
violence. Grant that they may rejoice in the new life of
justice and peace that you promised your people through
the compassionate witness of Jesus in us. Amen.

4. Isaiah 1 & Psalm 32
On FORGIVENESS and REPENTANCE

5. I’m Fed Up To The Teeth
With Your Worship
ISAIAH 1

6. ISAIAH 1:1-20
- Was this word written to me/you?
- Was it written primarily to
individuals/nation?
- Which is better: religious services,
justice, or both?
- Is Isaiah 1:18 good material for
a personal, inspirational meme?
- What encouragement can we
get from this passage?

7. Love Covers a
Multitude of Sins
PSALM 32

8. PSALM 32
- How does the psalmist find peace?
- What is the price of our silence
in the face of sin/Sin?
- What are the benefits
of confession?
- Which does God desire:
control or willing cooperation?
- Why does the psalmist worship?

9. Isaiah 1 & Psalm 32
On FORGIVENESS and REPENTANCE

10. INSIGHTS from ISAIAH 1 & PSALM 32
1. CONFESSION & REPENTANCE > SHOWY
RELIGION
God wants our honesty and our action

11. INSIGHTS from ISAIAH 1 & PSALM 32
1. CONFESSION & REPENTANCE > SHOWY
RELIGION
God wants our honesty and our action
2. GOD is FAITHFUL to COVENANT PROMISES
God forgives and restores those who confess/repent

12. INSIGHTS from ISAIAH 1 & PSALM 32
1. CONFESSION & REPENTANCE > SHOWY
RELIGION
God wants our honesty and our action
2. GOD is FAITHFUL to COVENANT PROMISES
God forgives and restores those who confess/repent
3. GOD desires RELATIONSHIPS of COOPERATION
This leads to justice, to setting things right for all

13. Instead of a SHOW, by Jon Foreman
I hate allyour show and pretense
The hypocrisy of your praise
The hypocrisy of your festivals
I hate allyour show
Away with your noisyworship
Away with your noisy hymns
I stop on my ears when you're singing 'em
I hate allyour show

14. Instead of a SHOW, by Jon Foreman
Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show…

15. Instead of a SHOW, by Jon Foreman
Your eyes are closed when you're praying
You sing right along with the band
You shine up your shoes for services
There's blood on your hands
You turned your back on the homeless
And the ones that don't fit in your plan
Quit playing religion games
There’s blood on your hands

16. Instead of a SHOW, by Jon Foreman
Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show
I hate allyour show

17. Instead of a SHOW, by Jon Foreman
Let's argue this out
If your sinsare blood red
Let's argue this out
You'll be one of the clouds
Let's argue this out
Quit fooling around
Give love to the ones who can't love at all
Give hope to the ones who got no hope at all
Stand up for the ones who can't stand at all...

18. Instead of a SHOW, by Jon Foreman
I hate allyour show
I hate allyour show
I hate allyour show
I hate allyour show
Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show
I hate allyour show

19. Isaiah 1 & Psalm 32
On FORGIVENESS and REPENTANCE

20. Benediction
Holy God,
all our worship is met
by the cleansing gaze
of your passion for justice.
Enfold us in your grace
that we may embody our devotion
in acts of justice, and in defense of the helpless,
to the glory of your name.
Amen.