Worship Resources for
the Center for Faith and Giving
19th Sunday after Pentecost
Call to Worship (in response to Psalm 119:97-105)
L: We come to worship God, who teaches us the Way of Life.
P. Today’s Psalm sings of the beauty and wonder of God’s decrees.
L: We turn to a poetic call for believers to follow God’s word.
P: Like the sweet taste of honey, scripture delights us!
L: We’re inspired! Turn away from false teaching and claim God’s direction.
P: God’s direction is a light in the dark, which will draw us to life.
Opening Prayer
Holy God, we turn to you this morning, aware of the gift you give us in scripture. You offer us your truth in story, in song, and in hard teachings. Help us recognize the goodness of what’s offered.
Encourage us to seek what you offer.
Challenge us to discipline ourselves to learn.
Inspire us celebrate the love which expands in us
as we draw closer to you and to your ways. AMEN.
Moment for Stewardship (inspired by Luke 18:1-8)
Jesus asked the question in Luke 18:
“When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Today as we come to our time of offering, let’s recognize this is one act which demonstrates our faith.
We give because we have faith, expressed through the ministries and work of this congregation (name one or two).
We give because we have faith, knowing our financial support will help build up this congregation, allowing us to show God’s love in the midst of apathy, distrust, and selfishness.
We give because we have faith in Jesus,
the one who taught his followers to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the least – to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.
So this invitation is for each and all of us to give financially, to give our talents, to give our time.
Give in response to the abundance we have received: life, air, water, food, and so much more!
Let us share our morning tithes, gifts, and offerings.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Generous God, thank you for your abundant gifts by which our lives are blessed. Thank you for the ways you offer us your commandments and decrees to support the destitute and care for the widows and orphans.
Thank you now for these gifts and for each one who has given, that we might use these resources to help create life on earth as it is in heaven. AMEN.
Invitation to Communion
Like the widow in Jesus’ parable from Luke 18, sometimes we might
come to this table persistently seeking a deep connection to justice.
Sometimes we come reluctantly,
sometimes we may admit our own lack of interest.
Sometimes we come feeling fear-filled, angry or anxious.
Sometimes we arrive at church hurt (maybe even by someone here).
There are times we might come to this table
with fractured relationships nearly breaking us.
Today, I invite you to hear Jesus’ words, as though he is speaking directly to each of us:
“Will not God grant justice to (you),
his chosen ones who cry to him day and night?
Will (God) delay long in helping (us)?”
Bring all of yourself to this Table today for these gifts of bread and cup. Bring your cares and concerns.
Bring all your yearning for justice, for help, for connection to the Christ who came so all might know, and live, in God’s design.
Come!