Order of Service

The wounded enter all alone.
Shake a hand and crush the bone.
Add another with a smile
As you turn and cross the aisle.
Turn the music up so high
You cannot hear the wounded cry.
Turn the lights down very low
So the bleeding doesn’t show.
Take your seats now if you care
To give respect to God up there.
If not Him, than we will do.
We’re putting on a show for you.
Recycled psalms with a different label
Stand and sing to the Lord a fable.
Worship is as worship does.
Get excited!  Get a buzz!
Now let’s hold hands and let’s pretend
That we all love each other and we call each other friend.
We’ll present to the Lord our plastic unity
Ask Him to bless you; ask Him to bless me.
Come on down and claim your prize!
We’ve some burlap tissues to dry your eyes.
Get solace for a day or two.
Need more than that?  What’s wrong with you?
Let’s not forget the important things.
We need to take your money while somebody sings.
But before we start to pass the hat
I have a little speech to insure that
You feel obligated as can be.
That’s the way it’s done; it was done to me.
Don’t forget the book of Malachi.
We want you to live and not to die.
Pick a scripture, any one
And I will show you how it’s done.
I will show you that it reads
Give ‘til you supply our needs.
And don’t forget the blessing part.
We should all know that by heart.
I know I’m going on and on,
But all your money isn’t gone.
God supplies all our needs you se,
But He needs a little help from me.
Now sit right down and open wide.
A little milk feels warm inside.
Are you a sinner?  Never fear.
I’m just going to tickle your ear.
Yes, I speak of truth and love
And of justice from above
But lest you start to have a doubt,
It’s just something we talk about.
The party’s over.  Wasn’t it fun?
Our duty for the week is done!
Let’s go get something good to eat.
Leave the hungry in the street.
The wounded exit all alone
Nursing another broken bone
They came for healing, but none was shared.
For solid food, but none was spared.
O Jesus, can You hear our call?
Do we belong to You at all?
Our meetings like a flag are waived.
“Come on in and you’ll be saved”!
They come, and there is nothing real!
It’s all about the way we feel!
But we run on, blind as can be,
And criticize the Pharisee.
© 2003 Larry Thacker Jr.

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Background

This grew out of frustrations with the church i was attending at the time.  It grew into a commentary on all that can go wrong.  We so easily lose the focus.  We forget that it's all about Jesus and His love for the world, and so our gatherings become disgraceful mockeries of what God intended.