Worship Resources for
the Center for Faith and Giving
Pentecost +1
Genesis 1:1 – 2:4a
Psalm 8
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Matthew 28:16-20
Call to Worship (in response to Psalm 8)
One: Gathered to worship God, Creator of the stars and all of life,
Many: we lift our hands and hearts to praise God, whose glory
is greater than all the heavens.
One: Formed as God’s own people, we are just a little lower than God.
Many: And it is God who gives dominion to humans!
One: How excellent is God’s name in all the earth!
Many: So let’s worship the One who launched the cosmos,
and still knows each one of us, and all in creation, by name!
Opening Prayer
God, maker of all life,
we’re together to give you our praise and offer you
our heart-felt gratitude for making us in your image.
We’re surrounded by a billion stars,
and yet we only know ONE where you’ve given dominion to your creatures.
You’ve called us by name,
and made your home with your millions of humans,
your sons and daughters, children all.
So we praise you and ask you to draw us close
so we may be filled once more by your Spirit
and led into a new week of love and service. AMEN
Moment for Stewardship
Matthew’s Gospel ends with a blessing from the resurrected Jesus, framed as “marching orders” for the disciples. Early Christians would have heard these instructions as a job description for every follower.
If we seek to follow Jesus, and want to step into action, what shall we do?
1) go make disciples
2) baptize the new believers
3) teach them everything I commanded you
4) remember “I am with you”
As we prepare for our offering, we recognize our financial gifts, joined with our gifts of time and talent, make it possible for us to:
–make disciples, inviting others through _________ [Describe in ways specific to your setting: advertising? on-line presence? Billboards? License plates? Support of a food pantry? Free classes?]
–welcome the newly baptized [Describe specifics: with a reception or lunch? Banners at baptism? Introductory classes to link newcomers?]
–teach Jesus’ commandments [Sunday School? Bible study? Book groups?]
–remember Jesus will always be with us [communion, small groups who pray together, support groups for those grieving, groups for recovering from addiction?]
Know your offering makes a difference for this congregation and for many who yearn for a community with which to identify!
Let us share our tithes and gifts.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Ever-Giving God,
Thank you for all the gifts you pour into our lives.
Even in the tough times,
we know the gift of life comes by the power of your Spirit at work,
blowing like the wind, filling us like a deep breath.
Receive the gifts we’ve offered today.
Help us use them to build up your Realm on earth as it is in heaven.
Draw us close to you, to one another,
and to those eager to hear the Good News of your love for each and all,
AMEN
Invitation to Communion
So often after a big event, the participants experience something of a let-down. All the energy expended leaves us a bit depleted. Think of the day after graduation, the week after a wedding, the return home after a powerful retreat.
I wonder if life was a bit like that after the first Pentecost? The gathered people heard Good News in their own language, tongues appeared like little fires burning, the Spirit filled each one, “inspiriting” them.
And then?
We grasp something of that same experience when we’ve shared the “high” of a congregational celebration…and then come back to see we’re mostly still the same people, with our same habits.
And yet…we remember!
We remember, bringing that “high and lifted up” experience into THIS day. We remember Jesus, giving us our marching orders. And we remember how we come to this Table to be nourished, inspired, and prepared for the ministry and outreach to which we are called.
So come! Find the bread and cup that are offered, touch them with your hands, and taste them. Be filled! Be inspired!
Be strengthened for the ways you can use your own voice, hands, heart, and mind to be a witness to the life-giving love of God made known most clearly through Jesus. We claim him as “the Christ.” We act with care and compassion, seeking to serve all those yearning to be set free.
Let’s share this meal and move out to be like Jesus. AMEN