Worship Resources for
the Center for Faith and Giving
Pentecost +5
Colossians 1:1-14
Luke 10:25-37
Call to Worship
One: We’ve come together to worship the Lord, our God,
Many: Today we celebrate the gift of God’s Spirit,
inspiring God’s people here and around the world.
One: As followers of Jesus, the Christ, we’re eager to grow!
Many: We’re here to grow in our knowledge of God.
One: So we celebrate all the ways God leads us into L.I.F.E.
Many: This is our time to exercise and grow in strength as
disciples of Jesus, the Christ!
All: Let us offer our hearts and minds as we praise God!
Opening Prayer
Thank you, God of all creation, for waking us up to this new day,
bringing us together, eager to worship you.
Thank you for our sisters and brothers
gathered in congregations near and far.
May the words of our mouths, the meditations of our hearts,
and the gifts we offer,
demonstrate our love for you and for all our neighbors. AMEN
Moment for Stewardship
One of Jesus’ most familiar parables is known as “The Good Samaritan.”
Many people who are not regular church-goers have some awareness of this story. We even have “Good Samaritan” laws in every state in the US, which provide some legal protection from prosecution for people trying to help someone in evident need of attention (perhaps from a wreck, an accident, or a drug overdose).
So what would it take for you to identify as a “good Samaritan”
(or a “good ______ — [person from your own locale])?
In the face of attention needed here in our own congregation (name one or two specific needs), how can you step up to provide some of what’s needed?
Our offering today includes this request: see the need and respond!
Your generosity, modeled on that of the despised traveler, can make a world of difference!
Let us joyfully share our gifts, our tithes and our offerings as we act out our identity as people who love God and love our neighbor.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
With thankful hearts, Giving God, we rejoice in our capacity to be Good Samaritans/Good __________.
We ask you to accept what we’ve offered in these moments, and that you help us grow in awareness and willingness of the needs to which we can respond.
Fill us with your Spirit and draw us ever closer to you and to all who are our neighbors, AMEN
Invitation to Communion
With the Table of Christ’s love set before us, we’re reminded how Jesus gathered with all the disciples for his last supper. Judas, who sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Peter, who would deny Jesus once, twice, three times.
The others who still did not quite understand what was happening, even after following Jesus for years.
Perhaps you’ve had times when you were like the priest or the Levite, both religious leaders, who saw the bloodied, half-dead man lying in the road.
(You could use part of the following prayer, or rephrase it to help worshippers identify as the priest and/or the Levite.)
The Prayer of a Servant (inspired by Luke 10:25-37)
My Lord God,
I confess I am the priest and the Levite.
Not only did I walk past, I walked away.
I was too busy, too frightened, my heart was too cold.
In my own abundance,
I was too poor in spirit to bear the cost.
In my own comfort,
I was too complacent to suffer any inconvenience.
It was the Samaritan,
a man despised and without pride of position or parentage,
who was faithful and loving and who gave of himself sacrificially.
Father God, in your mercy,
say that it is not too late for me.
Another may have borne the burden,
but I can go to the inn and sit with the traveler while he heals.
I can bathe his wounds and feed him
and lighten his spirit until the Good One returns.
Grant me the grace to do that little service with a grateful heart;
please stand with me so that I will not walk away
and shun the greater service the next time.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
have mercy on me, the sinner. Amen.
Does this encourage you? You are welcome here; there is a place for even you at this Table.