Worship Resources for
the Center for Faith and Giving
Pentecost +2
Genesis 12:1-9
Psalm 33:1-12
Romans 4:13-25
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
Call to Worship (in response to Psalm 33)
One: Rejoice in the Lord!
We’ve come to praise the Lord, singing a new song.
(If you can learn this ahead, use Chalice Praise #81, “Your Love, O God,” as a congregational “new song” as the call to worship. If not, have a soloist or choir sing the song and continue below…)
Many: We rejoice because the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
One: The Lord spoke and all the earth came to be.
Many: God’s counsel stands forever!
One: All the work of the Lord is upright, faithful and firm!
ALL: So we come to worship the Lord our God.
Opening Prayer
We celebrate, God of all creation, that you continue to breathe your Spirit into each of your daughters and sons. Your love fills us and gives us reason to hope even in the face of challenging times. Accept our praise this day, and hear our gratitude for the inspiriting of your Spirit as we worship you. AMEN
Moment for Stewardship
The Gospels tell us story after story of Jesus as “healer.” The Matthew 9 text today tells of healing the daughter of a leader, and a woman who had bled for 12 years.
He healed with a word, a touch, his own spit and dirt of the earth. In many cities around the world, we see hospitals, nursing homes, churches, and therapy offices where followers of Jesus use their gifts to bring healing today.
Here, week by week, we invite you to share your gifts to help heal the hurts of the world through the work of this congregation and the work of the wider church. Time, talent, and treasure all are needed.
Will you share your gifts this morning? You can do that by… [Describe several ways giving can happen – the offering plates, a note to offer help for a specific need, speaking to a leader.]
We are one part of the body of Christ, still in the healing business!
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Blessed are you, Lord God, for the ways you inspire and encourage each of us to follow Jesus. We offer these gifts to you, grateful for the varied ways each and all are contributors to the health and well-being of the world you continue to love. Help us utilize each gift to the max, enabling Good News to be embodied here and now. AMEN
Invitation to Communion
Matthew reports (Mt. 9:10) that Jesus shared dinner one evening in a house where he sat with his disciples, tax collectors, and sinners.
I wonder what a reporter might describe about us? That is, if someone could identify the activities of each and all of us, what might show up?
How marvelous to have Jesus’ response: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.”
ALL of us are welcome to share in this meal. Our identities, both those visible and those that are invisible, do not demand that we should be excluded. Rather, we are each welcome and invited to share in bread and juice, remembering Jesus and gaining strength
To see thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
Follow thee more nearly,
day by day.
(lyrics from “Day by Day,” 1971 Godspell)
The table is prepared and there is a place for you.