Do you ever wonder what it would have been like to have been among the first recipients of a New Testament letter? To have heard it read, beginning to end, for the first time? To listen eagerly, excitedly, curiously, maybe a little fearfully? This service tries to capture a bit of that wonder.
The entire book of James is read in the course of this service, interspersed with songs and prayers. Because the epistles originally would have been read during church gatherings, this service gives worshipers the opportunity to hear the letter as it was originally intended: as a complete work from beginning to end.
It would be fitting to hold this service on a Sunday close to or on July 25, which in some liturgical traditions is the Feast of Saint James, a day to commemorate and celebrate the life and ministry of James, an apostle of Jesus Christ. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, James wrote the letter that bears his name. This liturgy could also be used as an introduction to a series on the book of James or on a Sunday when a preacher is not available.
Gathering
Opening Hymn: “Take My Life and Let It Be” Havergal, LUYH 863, GtG 697, SSS 627
Invocation
Leader: In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen!
Psalm
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, Lord,
like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.
—Psalm 126
Persevering Through Trials
Reading 1: James 1:1–12
Hymn: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” Chrisholm
Confession and Assurance
Reading 2: A Litany of Confession and Assurance from James 1–2
Leader: Hear the Word of God, and respond in repentance and gratitude:
“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:13–15).
God, keep us from seeking to blame you or others for our sins. Help us to accept responsibility and to seek your forgiveness.
“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created” (James 1:16–18).
We thank you, Father, Son, and Spirit, for the good gifts that flow into our lives from your hand and for the birth into truth that we experience by your grace and mercy.
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (James 1:19–21).
Forgive us for all sins of anger, and wipe out all corrupting influences on our lives.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do” (James 1:22–25).
Give us hearts that desire to do your will, and make us eager to follow your commands.
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:26–27).
Forgive our loose speech and our failure to care for those society has neglected.
“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here’s a good seat for you,’ but say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet,’ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
“Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers” (James 2:1–9).
Forgive us for looking at each other with worldly eyes and treating each other according to our society’s values. Help us to see each other through your eyes and to treat each other as precious children of God and as your image bearers.
“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘You shall not murder.’ If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker” (James 2:10–11).
None of us does good—no, not one. We all sin and fall short. Forgive us. Have mercy upon us. Strengthen us to do your will.
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:12–13).
God, your mercy triumphs over your judgment. Fill our lives with your grace, and transform our hearts to be aligned with your will. Amen.
—James 1:13–2:12; adapted to a litany with prayers by Bethany Besteman, Reformed Worship, © 2025 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike. Used by permission.
Hymn: “God of Grace and God of Glory” Fosdick
Faith in Action
Reading 3: James 2:14–26
Hymn: “So Let Our Lips and Lives Express” Watts
Reading 4: James 3
Hymn: “Lord, Make Us Servants of Your Peace” St. Francis of Assisi & Quinn
Submitting Ourselves to God
Reading 5: James 4
Hymn 5: “Holy, Holy, Holy” Hebe
Prayers of the People
Reading 6: James 5:1–6
Prayer: “A Collect for Justice”
Dear all-seeing and holy God,
who has cared for the poor and weak throughout time,
please bring justice for all who have been hurt, killed, silenced, neglected, or slandered,
so that tears would no longer obscure the sight of your great glory and unfailing love.
In the name of Jesus, who both wept over Jerusalem and turned over tables, we pray.
Amen.
—Bethany Besteman, © 2021 Bethany Besteman, Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike. Used by permission.
Reading 7: James 5:7–12
Prayer: “A Collect for Patience”
Dear God beyond time,
for whom a hundred years is no more than a moment,
please give us patience as we wait
for justice and flourishing in this broken world
so that we can learn to depend on you and listen to you
as you prepare us to be your hands and feet.
In the name of Jesus, who promised us the Holy Spirit,
our great helper and comforter, we pray.
Amen.
—Bethany Besteman, © 2021 Bethany Besteman, Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike. Used by permission.
Reading 8: James 5:13–18
Prayer: “A Collect for Flourishing”
Dear Abba Father,
who delights in and desires our good,
please heal the sick, end violence, bring food to the hungry,
give work where it is wanted and rest where it is needed,
so that, in the flourishing of your people,
the world can catch a glimpse of our future hope of heaven.
In the name of Jesus, who proclaimed your coming kingdom, we pray.
Amen.
—Bethany Besteman, © 2021 Bethany Besteman, Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike. Used by permission.
Hymn: “O God, My Faithful God” Heermann & Winkworth
Sending
Reading 9: James 5:19–20
Prayer
Almighty, gracious, and eternal God,
just as you chose and called James to be your apostle and witness,
even so you have chosen and called us.
Grant us the strength, encouragement, and comfort to serve like him.
Help each of us to be faithful unto death in our service to you and your church.
Please hear our prayers for [insert prayer needs specific to your congregation].
Be gracious to them for Christ’s sake,
even as we join together and pray as your Son taught us:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen!
Blessing
May the Lord bless us, defend us from all evil,
and bring us into eternal glory.
Amen!
Hymn: “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart” Plumptre