September 15, 2019
Proper 19
Worship Resources for
the Center for Faith and Giving
Call to Worship (from I Timothy 1:12-17)
One: We’ve come together because God’s grace overflows!
Many: We rejoice because Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
One: As sinners, one and all, we have all received mercy!
Many: So to the Ruler of the ages, the only God,
One: behonor and glory forever and ever!
Many: Strengthened by Jesus, let us offer our thanks.
Opening Prayer
We are sure of this, God of grace; you overcome our ignorance and brokenness! In this place, we celebrate the Good News of your chosen One, Jesus. We rejoice because you offer forgiveness and mercy to all who seek to live as your beloved children. Strengthen us to claim once more our decision to follow Jesus and honor him as “the Christ”. AMEN
Moment for Stewardship (from Luke 15:1-10)
When one sinner repents, there’s a PAR-TEE!
Imagine with me a family where one person abuses drugs, drinks to excess, refusing to take responsibility for painful, damaging decisions. Do you get the picture?
Then, that person checks into rehab, does the hard work, identifies with the whole/holy life desired, and emerges to step back into relationship with other family members.
Would the family refuse to welcome that person? Even tho’ hesitant, could you imagine the hope wrapped up in this new start, both for the person and for family members?
If it’s YOUR family, what are you willing to do — to give — to share –, as you rejoice with the one who has been found?
Today we have opportunity to make an offering in gratitude for the times this congregation has been, and yet will be, those who are rejoicing! Our morning gifts will help keep this a place where parties occur, lives are transformed, families are restored.
With open hands and open hearts, let us receive our morning offering.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Gracious God, you open our imagination. We now can see when “the lost is found”! Thank you for inviting us all to be your stewards – to joy-fully share a part of what you give us, that we might all celebrate each time the lost is found!
So use these gifts as signs from our hearts that we desire to be part of the party. We’re eager for those here and those yet to come to know this as a place of gratitude and joy. Let’s start the celebration! AMEN
Invitation to Communion
Many times when we gather around the Lord’s Table, we come in solemn silence and focused introspection. But today, I invite us; Come! Rejoice and be glad! Celebrate “the lost is found”!
Here we have symbols of LIFE, remembering Jesus’ body and blood.
Here we recognize the amazing grace we’ve been given.
Here we anticipate the feast of the Lamb, when people are gathered from across time and space to sit at Table with the Great Shepherd of the sheep.
So let’s claim our true identity, welcome all to this table of abundance, and prepare to “go with joy, to give the world the love that makes us one.” (quoted from “I Come with Joy”, Chalice Hymnal #420, which could be used as our communion hymn).