October 2, 2016

For Sunday, October 2, 2016

Year C, Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost

WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY

RECONCILIATION SPECIAL OFFERING (US)

THANKSGIVING SPECIAL OFFERING (CANADA)

Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost :: Green :: 

Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 :: Psalm 37:1-9 ::  2 Timothy 1:1-14 :: Luke 17:5-10

Call to Worship (Responsive)    

Adapted from Psalm 37

L: Trust in the LORD, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
P: We will trust in the LORD

L: Take delight in the LORD, and the LORD will give you the desires of your heart.
P: We take delight in the LORD
L: Commit your way to the LORD; trust in the LORD, and the LORD will act.
P: We commit our way to the LORD

L: Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
P: Those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land

 

Invocation: 

How long O Lord are we called to wait?  How long O Lord are we asked to work at what seems in vain?  We cry out with the exiled Israelites from the shores of Babylon, seeking a word from your prophet.  We seek a word of hope and peace, and come together once again as your people.  Grant us hearts which love beyond our walls and boundaries.  Grant us wisdom to work for your reign.  Grant us peace as we see your hand at work beside us.  Help us this day O God, to be your faithful people, following in the footsteps of the one you sent, Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

 

Stewardship Moment: ( US Reconciliation Sunday)

Church, we have our work cut out for us! From one day to the next jobless rates and gas prices are either up or down. Human relationships are faltering – fixated on each other’s faults. While the media continues highlight our troubles, we Disciples highlight hope. The scripture in Romans 5 reminds us that our hope is not in vain. Our suffering and even our failures “produce endurance, and endurance character, and character hope – hope that does not disappoint. . .” Our hope is in God, who gave us the Good News in Jesus Christ. It is this Good News that we proclaim in the witness and ministry of Reconciliation. Your giving to Reconciliation Ministry is changing lives and communities. Thank you for your generosity.

 

Stewardship Moment: (Canada Thanksgiving Sunday)

Educating Ministers is one of the most important and faithful marks of a growing church. If we do not make an effort to prepare shepherds, how can we realistically expect our flocks to grow? The thanksgiving special offering supports the work and ministry of the College of Churches of Christ in Canada. The “college” in turn provides scholarships for ministers in training. Please give generously to the future of the church and make an offering to the Thanksgiving Special Offering. 

 

Offertory Prayer: 

We bring our gifts before you O God, because we believe in you these gifts make a difference. We believe that in you, these gifts change lives. Take and bless the offerings we bring O God, and use them to make a difference, we pray.  We offer them in the name of the Risen Christ. 

 

Communion Meditation:

Today the world gathers for communion.  Bodies which celebrate communion rarely will be at the table. Bodies which celebrate once a quarter will be at the table.  Bodies which celebrate once a month will be at the table.  Bodies which celebrate weekly will be at the table.  Today, we are not many bodies, but truly one body.  Today we Christians are one body, because together we celebrate and remember the gifts of the body and blood of Christ.  As we come to the table today, let’s do it knowing today the body of Christ is one body, united and blessed to bless.  Come and join in celebrating the living body of Christ.

 

 

All material copyright 2016 The Jubilee Fund, Inc., and appears on this website via a partnership agreement with the Center for Faith and Giving.  Permission granted to reproduce and use any of the above for Churches and Congregations to the glory of God without requirement of compensation or notification.

 

Scripture Quotations from the New Revised Standard Version. Online Scripture links a service of the Jean and Alexander Heard Divinity Library, of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

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