For Sunday June 22, 2014
Year A, Second Sunday After Pentecost
Second Sunday after Pentecost :: Green :: Genesis 21:8-21 :: Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17 :: Romans 6:1b-11 :: Matthew 10:24-39
Call to Worship (Responsive)
Adapted from Psalm 86
L: Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer, for we are poor and needy.
P: Preserve our lives, for we are devoted to you.
L: Be gracious to us, O LORD, for we cry out to you.
P: Gladden our souls, for we lift them up to you, O LORD.
L: For you, O LORD, are good and forgiving.
P: Give ear, O LORD, to our prayers.
L: You are great and do wondrous things, you alone are God.
P: We come and bow before you, O LORD, and glorify your Name.
Invocation:
Almighty and Everlasting God, who provides for us in times of need, and guides us in times of plenty. We come together in this, your Sanctuary, at the call of your voice. We cry out to you, from the depths of our troubles, and we know you hear our voice. Let us draw deeply from the well of your wisdom and truth. Guide our steps as we grow. We pray that this time of worship will be pleasing to you, and will draw each of us, here gathered, ever closer to you and your Son, Jesus, the Christ
Stewardship Moment:
One of the great truths of life is that it is hard to be free. When a person has unlimited options, they must make choices. The apostle Paul alludes to this in the sixth chapter of Romans when he challenges followers talking about freedom from sin. Paul’s recommended choice is to consciously live in Christ. To live 100% of our lives knowing Jesus is standing with us, nudging us to do that which Jesus would have us do. As we gather to receive our gifts, so that this church may continue the work of sharing the gospel, I ask you alongside the Apostle Paul. “What would Jesus do?”
Offertory Prayer:
Bless these gifts O God, and use them in your service. We offer them out of love for you and a passion for the mission on which you have sent us. Use these gifts, and each of us the givers, to further your reign, so others may come to know the joy of your salvation.
Communion Meditation:
Jesus offers a hard teaching in the tenth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel. Yet, even in the tough nature of Jesus saying “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth . . .” Christ reminds us that “everyone who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” When we come to this table, together, before others, we are remembering and acknowledging our Lord and Savior. Come to the table of the Lord.
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