19th Sunday after Pentecost

COLOR: Green
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22; Psalm 124; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50

CALLS TO WORSHIP

Call to Worship #1

L: Welcome in the name of the Lord.
P: Thank you. We are glad to be here.
L: Open your hearts today to hear God’s word for you.
P: We open our spirits to receive God’s healing love.
L: Remember that God has called you to service.
P: Lord, help us to be ready to serve you in all that we do. AMEN.

Call to Worship #2

L: Sometimes we wonder how we have gotten through some difficult situations.
P: God has been with us, lifting and comforting our spirits.
L: We struggle and worry.
P: God’s loving presence sustains and strengthens us.
L: Listen for God’s call to you.
P: Lord, we are listening and seeking your guidance. AMEN.

Call to Worship #3

[Using THE FAITH WE SING, p. 2186, “Song of Hope”, offer the following call to worship as directed]

Choir: singing “Song of Hope” through two times...
L: Rejoice, God is with us.
P: Praise be to God who leads us each and every day.
L: God leads us into worship to strengthen our spirits.
P: God leads us into service that will offer peace and hope to others.
Choir and Congregation, singing “Song of Hope” through two times
L: Praise be to God!
P: Thanks be to God! AMEN.

Call to Worship #4

L: It’s a great day to be here.
P: There are so many things we can do to serve the Lord.
L: Just listen for God’s call to you. Let God guide your life.
P: We are willing to open our lives to God’s service.
L: Come, let’s worship and celebrate God’s good news for us.
P: Let us bring our hopes and prayers to God with joy. AMEN

PRAYERS, READING, BENEDICTION

Opening Prayer

Lord of joy and mercy, be with us this day as we seek your voice and your guidance. Remove the obstacles that block our commitment and help us to truly be your disciples; for we ask this in Christ’s Name. AMEN.

Prayer of Confession

Patient Lord, we know that you call us to service, but we often feel inadequate. We love to make excuses for not doing something or for doing something only half-heartedly. Remind us again of your loving and guiding presence. Forgive us when we stumble and falter. Turn us again to you, serving joyfully and confidently. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. AMEN.

Words of Assurance

Beloved Ones, you are the salty people - those who bring flavor to living. Your spirit of love and confidence gives hope to others. Remember that the Lord is always with you. AMEN.

Pastoral Prayer

Lord, you want us to be “salt”, to add savor to your world. We cannot be bland witnesses to your love, only working when it’s convenient for us or doing work that is incomplete. If we lose our “saltiness”, it cannot be regained. Give us courage and joy in our service to you. Help us to be people who clear the pathways to service rather than those who place roadblocks and “potholes” in which people can stumble. Many are called to serve You, O Lord. Help us to be people who work willingly with others, not demanding that our way is the only way, but rejoicing in a new approach to ministry. Give us confidence and joy in all that we do, for we offer our lives and our prayers to you in the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN.

Reading

Voice: How shall we live in God’s love? What should we do? How should we serve God by working with others? All these questions arise when we are called. What gifts can we bring, what peace, what hope?
Reader 1: There are those who are ill - they are suffering and hurting
Reader 2: Bring to them the healing love of Jesus, praying for them and asking for God’s loving mercy.
Reader 1: There are those who have strayed from faith and feel lost and alone.
Reader 2: Bring to them your loving, guiding presence - praying with them and listening to their hearts.
Reader 1: There are those who are cheerful and joyful in all that they do.
Reader 2: Bring to them a spirit of celebration and joy that they may continue in their happiness and peace.
Reader 1: There are those who are quiet and withdrawn.
Reader 2: Bring to them a presence of peace and pray with them.
Voice: In all your ways, bring God’s abiding and transforming love to God’s people, offering compassion, hope, peace and joy.

Benediction

Go in peace to serve the Lord. Remember the healing love that has taken place in your life.. Be open to all the wonders and opportunities that God puts before you. Go in peace. AMEN.

ARTISTIC ELEMENTS

The traditional color for this Sunday is: GREEN

Note: The handprints represent service and joy in God’s name.

SURFACE: Place a 10” riser on the worship center.

FABRIC: Cover the entire worship center with green fabric, so that it puddles to the floor in front of the worship center. Using a white cloth (it may be canvas or other fabric which will be able to receive paint,) have the Sunday School Children place handprints on the fabric (you may want to use Tempera Paint or Acrylic paint which washes off hands with soap and water. It is a good idea, if you are having children do this, that they wear a smock or old shirt over their clothes so that paint does not get on the clothes. Take this strip of “hand” painted fabric and place it over the 10” riser and down the front of the worship center so that is puddles on the floor..

CANDLES: Place two candles on either side of the 10” riser.

FLOWERS/FOLIAGE: You may use ivy vines or leafy plants on either side of the two candles.

ROCKS/WOOD: None needed for this setting.

OTHER: Place a brass or wooden cross on the 10” riser.