Worship Resources for
the Center for Faith and Giving
Pentecost +4
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13
Psalm 20
2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17
Call to Worship (inspired by Psalm 20)One: When troubles surround us, and challenges beset us,
Many: we lift our voices to God.
One: When we’re focused on the Lord, our God, we can stand upright
Many: and place our trust in the Maker of heaven and earth.
One: May the God of Jacob send us help and support,
Many: may we shout for joy as we claim VICTORY!
Opening Prayer
Mighty Lord,
Today we lift our voices to praise you, for our pride is not in wealth or weapons, but our pride is in your name!
Like the Hebrews of old, we ask you to answer us. Help us find victory
over the challenges which surround us (name some specifics…for your own congregation, for your community, for your country).
Grant us confidence in your presence among us both here and in all the places we go this week. AMEN
Moment for Stewardship
Mark’s Gospel includes many parables, including the ones in Mark 4, known as the parable of the growing seed and the parable of the mustard seed (Mark 4:26-32).
Even for people who are not farmers, we understand it takes planting before anything can be harvested. Today we have the opportunity of planting “seeds” as we receive our morning offering. Do you remember the old song “Bringing in the Sheaves”? The images are there: “sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness…we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves”
What we share, what we SOW, becomes the means by which we come to a time of harvest after our ministries grow into maturity.
We especially see this in our ____________________ (name a particular ministry, such as: ”support of our choir”, “food pantry outreach”, “funding our youth group’s activities and minister”. Or, on this Father’s Day, highlight the congregation’s support for families, the men’s organization, or your counseling for men).
Let us joyfully share our offerings, and rejoice when we come to a time of “bringing in the sheaves”.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Gracious God, we offer these gifts as symbols of all we yearn to harvest. May these checks, coins and on-line gifts come vital seeds which will grow into a bumper crop of good as we seek to partner with you in the coming of your Realm. AMEN
Invitation to Communion
Mark writes “with many such parables (Jesus) spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.”
We may not be able to hear Jesus’ own voice, telling parables to us, but we DO have the gift of communion as a parable in bread and cup. When we take the bread, when we drink from the cup, we’re re-membering (putting together) Jesus. What we touch, taste and take into ourselves becomes part of our own bodies.
All are welcome at this table.
Come, you who find this “Jesus” thing a mystery.
Come, you who yearn to be gathered close to Love.
Come, you who need to know you can be forgiven and made whole again.
Come!