Call to Worship (Responsive) Adapted from Psalm 119 L: Teach us, O LORD, the way of your statutes; P: And we will observe them to the end. L: Give us understanding; P: That we may keep your law and observe it with our whole hearts. L: Lead us in the paths of your commandments; P: For we delight in them. L: We have longed for your precepts; P: In your righteousness give us life.
Invocation: Gracious, loving, giving God; we are gathered in your sanctuary prepared to praise your name. We come not out of habit or obligation, but out of love. Teach us to live the kind of lives you would wish for us. Guide us as we walk your light. Help us to representthe true meaning of what it is to be your disciples. We come offering ourselves in worship of your everlasting love. Accept our offering and make of us a blessed sacrament. We come in the name, by the grace, and for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Stewardship Moment: (from Week of Compassion Materials) Chronicles depicts an aging King David as engaged and active, preparing for the future. In his last years, as he consecrates an offering given to the work of God, David draws all the people together to share in the great giving. This great offering came notfrom one person but from the representatives of all the tribes and clans, giving together as one on behalf of all the people. David’s prayer is especially instructive, because he acknowledges that giving to God’s work is a great privilege. The scripture notesthat the reaction of the people was joy: “Then the people rejoiced because these had given willingly, for with single mind they had offered freely to the LORD; King David also rejoiced greatly” (1 Chronicles 29:9). Today we give to Week of Compassion not only as individuals, not only as an individual congregation, not even as only one denomination among the nine which gather the offering. Rather, we give as one people, one in Christ, as Christ is one with God. Take holdof the life that is real life. Receive and give in God’s name!
Offertory Prayer: (based on the offering prayer of King David in 1 Chronicles 29:10-17) Blessed are you, O God of our ancestors, forever and ever. Yours are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours. We give thanks to you and praise your glorious name, for who arewe that we should be able to make this freewill offering? All things come from you, and from your own have we given you. We dedicate these gifts and this Week of Compassion to your glory and to caring for your children in need worldwide. Amen.
Communion Meditation: In Matthew 5 Jesus gives a hard teaching: turn your cheek; give your coat and shirt; walk the second mile. On the surface these are hard things to accept in the name of Christ. . . .perhaps. When you put Jesus’ teachings in the shadow of the cross, everythingchanges. When the one who gave his life tells you to turn the other cheek, you turn the other cheek. We come to the table to remember the one who gave all. Will you come the second mile to meet Christ here at HIS table?
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