Worship Resources for
the Center for Faith and Giving
Pentecost +9
Genesis 29:15-28
Psalm 105:1-11, 45b
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Call to Worship (in response to Psalm 105)
L: I invite you to take a deep breath and then let it out (model this).
Now, begin to focus your heart and mind so together we can worship
the Lord our God.
P: Tuning our minds and hearts, we come to give thanks to the Lord.
L: Glory to God’s holy name! Let us rejoice!
P: We remember what God has done:
making a covenant with the people to be their God.
L: And we, too, are part of God’s own people,
P: Praise God!
(Use Chalice Hymnal #6 “Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above” as the opening hymn.)
Opening Prayer
Holy God, we do give you praise and glory!
Joyfully, we offer you our gifts
of time, talent and treasure,
remembering how you pour out your gifts to us.
Help us in this hour
set aside all that would leave us here in body only.
May our energy be focused on you,
your Word, and the ways we might better
live out our identity as followers of Jesus,
whom we know as the Christ. AMEN
Moment for Stewardship
Jesus used parables to engage and teach those who heard him. In Matthew, we hear a whole series of parables seeking to identify what the Kingdom (Realm) of God is like.
Each week when we pray the Lord’s Prayer we say:
(use the language used in your congregation)
“Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.”
When we ask: “What can we do to help ‘thy Kingdom come’?” one way is to share our financial resources. When we give, we make possible the ministries of care and compassion of our congregation (name one or two).
When we act like the finder of a treasure hidden in the field, or like a merchant in search of fine pearls (as in two of the parables in Matthew 13), we become willing to give not only generously but perhaps even sacrificially.
How are you acting on Jesus’ teachings and the prayer we pray?
Let us share with joyful hearts as we receive our morning offering!
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Giver of all good gifts,
we lay before you this morning’s offering.
May our reflection on Jesus’ parables,
and our own praying of the Lord’s Prayer,
work together to challenge us to move on
toward generous and grateful giving.
AMEN
Invitation to Communion
Growing as a disciple of Christ can be costly!
We may find ourselves drawn away from the challenges of being a follower of Jesus when so much around us says, “Take the easy way!” or “Grab for all the gusto…you deserve it!”
Yet week by week, we’re invited to share a simple meal and keep company with Jesus as he offers emblems of his life, his death, and his resurrection in the bread and the cup before us.
Here we find strength to turn away from greed, selfishness and narcissism.
Here we are nourished to choose actions of generosity, selflessness and agape’ love which Jesus modelled.
Here we remember we are part of the Body of Christ.
Come, for the meal is prepared, and you have a place at this Table.