Worship Resources for
the Center for Faith and Giving
Pentecost +8
Genesis 28:10-19a
Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24
Romans 8:12-25
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Call to Worship (in response to Psalm 139)
L: Friends, come! Today we lift our hearts to praise God,
who knows each of us, and all of us.
P: God knows us, thru’ and thru’!
L: No matter where we go, God is with us and for us.
P: Even when the way seems fearful, God leads us.
L: So we rejoice, for God knows us, loves us, and leads us!
P: At home, traveling,
moving to step into a new life chapter,
wherever we are, in the day or in the night,
God steps with us,
ALL: Together we worship the Lord our God!
Opening Prayer
In the midst of summer,
some of us celebrate the ability to slow down and relax;
others find it a more hectic season.
Thank you, God of all time,
that you continue to lead us
no matter how these summer days unfold.
We give you thanks for your constant presence,
and pause to drink in the wonder
of you caring for each one.
In this hour,
fill us with awareness of you
and of your desire for each of us
and each one of ALL your beloved ones
to be cherished and cared for in your love, AMEN
Moment for Stewardship
For many families, adoption is an important part of their story. If adoption has touched your life—whether you are adopted, have welcomed a child through adoption, are part of an extended family shaped by adoption, or love someone whose story includes adoption—take a moment to reflect on what that has meant to you.
At its best, adoption is a powerful expression of belonging: the promise that someone is welcomed, loved, claimed, and embraced as family.
In Romans 8, we hear, “When we cry ‘Abba! Father!’ it is the Spirit bearing witness…that we are children of God…heirs…”
Yes! YOU are an heir and have already received part of your inheritance from God.
As people who have inherited much, we respond with gratitude! We can share our delight in our adoption by offering some of that inheritance back to the One who has claimed each one of us.
With your financial gifts, your time, and the sharing of your talents, you offer from your inheritance in order to live your life fully.
So let us receive our morning offering.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Abba! We give thanks for the inheritance
we have already received from your gracious hand.
Accept these gifts as an offering
to identify ourselves clearly with you.
Help us use them wisely to care
for this part of the Body of Christ,
and for those who struggle
to find food, clothing, shelter,
or even a cold cup of water. AMEN
Invitation to Communion
When we come to this Table, we’ve joined across time and space with those who have claimed Jesus as our sibling, and as the one we seek to follow on the Way.
Here we remember and give thanks for Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, trusting we, too, are welcomed here as full-fledged “children of God.”
A hymn some of us may know, written by the Gaither family, includes this:
I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God,
I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
for I’m part of the family,
the family of God.
Come share this feast of thanksgiving and anticipation, for you’ve been adopted and are fully part of the family!