14th Sunday after Pentecost

COLOR: Green
SCRIPTURE READINGS: 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43; Psalm 84; Ephesians 6:10-20; John 6:56-69

THEME IDEAS

With the exception of the reading from John, prayer is a unifying theme of these texts. Solomon prays at the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem; the psalmist prays for Israel and the joys of being in God’s house; and Paul enjoins Christians to put on the full armor of God and pray in the Spirit at all times. To tie in the gospel reading, worship leaders could focus on how abiding in Christ is accomplished not only through the elements of Holy Communion, but also through prayer in the Spirit.

INVITATION AND GATHERING

Call to Worship (Psalm 84)

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!
To you our hearts and souls sing for joy, O God.
Happy are those who live in your house, O Lord of hosts.
Happy are those whose strength is in you, O God.
It is better to be a doorkeeper in your house
than to live in the tents of wickedness.
O Lord of hosts, happy are those who trust in you.

Opening Prayer (1 Kings 8, Ephesians 6)

Holy One of mystery and power,
there is no God like you
in heaven above or on earth below,
keeping covenant and steadfast love
with all who walk before you
with pure and upright hearts.
Fill our lives with your glory,
as you filled the temple with cloud
when Solomon first brought the ark
into your holy dwelling place.
Give us the strength and the power
to withstand the forces of evil
at work in our lives and in our world. Amen.

PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE

Prayer of Confession (1 Kings 8, Ephesians 6)

Mighty One of Israel,
we walk in paths well trodden
by generations of fellow believers.
We love to claim you as our God
and to be known as your people.
We love to hear the great deeds of the saints
who went before us.
We love to count ourselves
in their mighty company.
Forgive our hesitancy
to build our own monuments
to your importance in our lives.
Forgive our reluctance
to put on our own armor of faith
as we face the powers of sin and death
in our own lives. Amen.

Words of Assurance (Psalm 84)

The Lord God is a sun and shield,
bestowing favor and honor and every good thing
on those who walk uprightly.
Trust in the Lord and receive God’s blessings.

Invitation to the Word (John 6:68)

When Jesus’ followers heard that to abide in him, they must partake of his body and blood, many turned and went away. The teaching was too difficult for them to bear. Yet, the words of Jesus are spirit and life. As we listen to God’s word today, let us not look for easy answers, but affirm with Peter: “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Call to Prayer (Psalm 84, Ephesians 6)

The Lord of hosts hears our prayers. The God of Jacob and Solomon and Paul and Peter gives ear to our petitions and our songs of thanksgiving. Let us lift up our prayers to the One who is our strength and our shield.

THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION

Offering Prayer (Psalm 84)

Loving God,
in your care
even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself;
in your care,
even the least of us finds life and spirit
and blessing upon blessing.
In gratitude for all we have received,
accept our gifts and offerings,
that we may abide in your love. Amen.

SENDING FORTH

Benediction (Ephesians 6)

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of God’s power.
We will put on the full armor of God.
Withstand the spiritual arrows of darkness
and the temptations of this world.
We will fasten the belt of truth around our waist,
and put on the breastplate of righteousness.
Wear shoes to proclaim the gospel of peace.
Take the shield of faith and put on the helmet of salvation.
We will carry the sword of faith,
which is the word of God.
Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of God’s power.

CONTEMPORARY OPTIONS

Contemporary Gathering Words (Psalm 84, John 6)

Life is hard. Evil is all around.
We are strong in the Lord.
The powers of darkness rise against us.
We stand firm in our God.
Put on the full armor of God.
We wear the belt of truth, the breastplate
of righteousness, the sword of faith,
and the helmet of salvation.
Life is hard. Evil is all around.
We are strong in the Lord.

Praise Sentences (Psalm 84)

Our hearts sing your praises, O God.
To you our souls sing for joy, O Lord.
Our spirits rejoice in your splendor.
Our hearts sing your praises, O God.
To you our souls sing for joy, O Lord.

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Adapted from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2009, © 2008 Abingdon Press
The Abingdon Worship Annual 2013 is available now.