Worship Resources for
the Center for Faith and Giving
Pentecost +3
Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7)
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
Romans 5:1-8
Matthew 9:35 – 10:8
Call to Worship (in response to Romans 5)
One: Good News! We gather to worship God, through whom we have peace
because of Jesus Christ.
Many: Even when we’re suffering, we recognize that suffering produces
endurance, and leads us to HOPE.
One: God’s love continues to pour into our hearts thru’ God’s Spirit,
Many: so we can stand up, lifted by God’s grace!
One: Come now!
Let’s praise God with our hearts, our hands, our minds and our spirits!
ALL: Praise God!
(Consider singing verse 4 of Chalice Hymnal #329, “Come, Be Glad!” to conclude this call to worship.)
Opening Prayer
(Continue, adapting from verses 4 and 5 of “Come, Be Glad!”)
We come, God of Grace,
Here we give thanks and sing your praise.
We’re eager to see what you have done!
And we’re filled with gratitude for the ways you send us out
to go and make disciples!
We rejoice, celebrating that Christ is alive and reigns in glory, always!
So bless us this day with an outpouring of your Spirit
that we might delight in the life, love, and joy that binds us together.
AMEN
Moment for Stewardship
Psalm 116 asks, “What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?” The psalmist answers, “I will lift up the cup of salvation…I will call on the name of the Lord…I will pay my vows to the Lord…I will offer you a thanksgiving sacrifice.”
Does this sound like what happens in worship?
Here the Psalmist provides a cup, a promise made and honored, an offering! Today, we’re reminded to give back to God a portion of what God has given us. Together, let’s offer a portion of our praise, a portion of our thanksgiving, a portion of what we recognize as coming from the blessings of our lives.
The psalmist offers these things to God “for the Lord inclined his ear to me.” We present our gifts to God, who not only notices us, but embraces and blesses us. With what we’ve received and what we’ll give, we find ourselves anointed as agents of God’s remarkable love. With our gifts of time, talent, and treasure, we’re equipped to act in love for siblings right here and across the world.
There’s no telling what positive actions are possible when we step up as partners working to build up God’s Realm on earth. Please join God’s active community as we share our tithes and offerings!
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Loving God,
You have called us into the mission fields right here and around the world.
We’re willing to show our brothers and sisters what your love looks like,
so may these gifts we offer today be fuel for the fire that burns
because of your Spirit at work within us.
Ignite our desire to work with one another,
with other people yearning for love and peace, and with you!
Help us use these gifts as one way to live out
our promises as followers of Jesus the Christ.
Amen.
Invitation to Communion (in response to Matthew 9:35-10:8)
Matthew’s Gospel is the one that connects Jesus’ actions of teaching, preaching, and healing all as a response of compassion for the crowds. He recognized they were “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
I wonder if that’s how you might feel?
Like life is confusing and difficult and some of us may regularly sense we are without confidence that there is someone we can trust to lead us in these challenging days. It’s a feeling I recognize – perhaps you do, as well.
That reality gives me an eagerness to come to this Table where Jesus is our host, the meal is prepared, and we are welcome to come just as we are.
Feeling anchorless? Sensing an abyss in some part of your life? Unsure about what the future holds?
Come, just as Jesus’ first disciples came.
Come to receive the emblems which bring us to remembrance of Jesus.
Come to find we’re bound together in love,
here where there is a living hope
as we claim and proclaim the Good News of God’s abundant love
for each and all.