Worship Resources for
the Center for Faith and Giving
Pentecost +7
Genesis 25:19-34
Psalm 119:105-112
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Call to Worship (in response to Romans 8:1-11)
L: Beloveds in Christ, as “set free” people, we come to offer our praise to God.
P: We’re gathered, yearning for the life and peace offered to us by God’s Spirit.
L: In this place we’re setting our minds on the things of the Spirit.
P: God raised Jesus, the Christ, from the dead! God’s Spirit lives in us!
ALL: So let us worship, giving thanks to God for all we’ve been given.
Opening Prayer
Holy God, giver of life,
we turn to you this day,
filled with gratitude for the ways
your Spirit continues to inspire us.
We open our hands,
our hearts, and
our whole lives to you,
eager to be drawn closer.
Accept our desire,
increase our faith,
and encourage us to see you at work
in each of our lives,
in the life of this congregation,
and across the whole Body of Christ. AMEN
Moment for Stewardship
In Matthew 13, we hear Jesus’ telling of the parable of the sower and an explanation of the meaning behind the parable.
Using everyday language which could be easily understood by those who planted and waited eagerly for the harvest, Jesus uses familiar images to inspire his disciples to be good soil which bears fruit.
How do we see and understand these images today?
Some of us may find we don’t actually hear or understand anything at all about God’s Realm…like seed scattered on a hard path. Some of us may feel excited as we experience worship, but as soon as we walk out the door, our minds and hearts are focused somewhere completely removed from what we’ve heard or experienced…like seed unable to root into the ground. Yet others find their energies completely absorbed by everyday cares and concerns…like seed in the thorns.
However, some of us are like good soil, allowing Good News to take root and flower into lives of justice, love and compassion.
When THAT happens, we’re energized to share our time, our talents and yes, even our treasure.
Today, I invite you to make an offering. We’re eager to turn your gifts into ministry, so let your desires to work, to lead, to pray, to pay, let your gifts become part of nurturing not only your life but the life of this congregation!
Joyfully, let’s share what we’ve been given as we receive our morning offering.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Loving God,
We freely offer these gifts,
eager to be part of your beloved Realm on earth.
Accept our finances and the time and talents we offer,
eager to translate what’s here into a harvest
which is 30, 60 or 100 times greater
than what is before us today.
In joyful anticipation, we give thanks! AMEN
Invitation to Communion
Each Sunday we come into this sanctuary (“safe space”) and find this Table at the center of our vision. It’s a familiar part of the décor, yet it holds meaning beyond it’s size and shape.
All are welcome at this Table.
There’s room enough for all.
There’s no rank order of who can approach
or who can receive these gifts of bread and juice.
Yet those who hear the Word,
those whose lives are fruitful and generous,
those who help multiply the Way of Love,
these can lead the way for ALL,
confidently recognizing Christ in each and every person.
So come!
Share in this meal,
find your life enlarged,
your energies enhanced,
and the Spirit of God pouring out through you
with Good News
for a hungry and thirsty world. AMEN
HYMN: Happy Are Those Who Walk in Your Ways
ASSURANCE 9.10.9.9 with Refrain (“Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine!”)
| Psalm 119 | |
| Happy are those who walk in your ways; Happy are those, Lord, who keep your decrees. By our obeying, we give you praise! We find your path that blesses and frees! | 1, 3 2 7 45,56 |
| Grace is a gift that comes from your hand. How can we thank you? What can we do? Fixing our eyes on what you command, We can live each day faithful to you. | 58 6 |
| How can the young ones keep their way pure? How can the stranger find blessings of home? How can your people never be poor? By gladly making your way their own. | 9 19 14 24 |
| Grace is a gift that comes from your hand. How can we thank you? What can we do? Fixing our eyes on what you command, We can live each day faithful to you. | 58 6 |
| Sweeter than honey, reason for joy, Lamp to our feet and a light to our way, Comfort and shield when sin would destroy — All your commandments guide us each day. | 103 105 114 |
| Grace is a gift that comes from your hand. How can we thank you? What can we do? Fixing our eyes on what you command, We can live each day faithful to you. | 58 6 |
Tune: Phoebe Palmer Knapp, 1873 (“Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine) (MIDI)
Text: Copyright © 2008 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Email: carolynshymns@gmail.com
**Hymn Use Permission: This hymn is copyrighted and is not covered by any organization. If you would like to use this hymn, please contact Carolyn and Bruce Gillette (carolynshymns@gmail.com) for permission and get a copy of the hymn in MS Word format for bulletin use.