Sunday October 8, 2017
Year A, Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost :: Green ::
Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 ::Psalm 19 :: Philippians 3:4b-14 :: Matthew 21:33-46
Call to Worship (Responsive)
Adapted from Psalm 19
L: The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;
P: The decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple;
L: The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
P: The commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes.
L: Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight;
P: O LORD, our rock and our redeemer.
Invocation:
Omnipotent God, who has ruled throughout the ages, we come humbly to your mountaintop to offer our worship, and to hear a word from you. Help us this day to resolve to keep your commandments. Help us to follow in your way. Guide our steps and draw near to us in this time of worship; that all may know you are our God, and we, are your people.
Stewardship Moment: (US Congregations)
The apostle Paul writes to the church at Philippi about the gains to be had from life in Christ. Even as confident as Paul can be in Christ, he still implies there are things to be done. He writes that he continues to Press On toward the goal. As believers in Jesus Christ, what is left for us to do. We know we cannot earn our salvation through our works or behaviors. Yet there are things we are called to do to continue to grow in our walk with the Lord. We are called to spend time in prayer, to worship, to serve others, to study the scriptures, and we are called to give. As you consider your gift before the Lord today, consider making one which shows you are pressing on toward the goal.
Stewardship Moment: (Canadian Congregations)
It is thanksgiving time here in Canada. As Disciples, we celebrate Thanksgiving with a special offering to support Higher Education Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). This includes the Colleges and Universities of the Christian Church, Our Seminary partners, and in the case of the Canadian Church, the College of Churches of Christ, which supports our students in Theological Education with direct grants. As we gather together our tithes and offerings which express another year of Thanksgiving to God, let us not forget to also support those who will serve and lead the church in years to come.
Offertory Prayer:
God of all people. We come this day to bring our tithes and offerings before you. We give them with the prayer that these gifts will truly bless others. We bring them not looking out for our own interests, but for others. Multiply and use these gifts that all your children may know the confidence and peace which comes through your abiding love. Amen.
Communion Meditation:
We come to a table, set with bread and the fruit of the vine. So when we hear a parable about a vineyard, we perk up. Yet this parable seems a bit harsh to hear. Be of good hope. This week’s parable speaks well of those who received the Son of God as Lord and Savior. That’s us. So come to the table, and share the blessing of the Lord.
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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. Check out all of the awesome resources there at http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu