Third Sunday After Pentecost

Scripture Readings: Genesis 21:8-21; Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17; Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39
Color: Green

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

People: And also with you.

Leader: Come and bow down before God, and glorify God's name.

People: For God is great and does wondrous things; who alone is God.

INVOCATION

You alone are our God, and we will worship no one and nothing else. We give thanks for the good things you have done for us and all your people. We ask you to receive our praise and our petitions through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Meticulous God of immeasurable grace, how shall we measure our sins? Only you know their real dimensions; the history of human disobedience; the ramifications of hatred; the multiplication of wrongdoing by generations; the perpetuation of prejudices by unthinking repetition; the aggravation of offenses by the unforgiving and vengeful. However you account for our sin, there are none of us who do not stand in need of some measure of your grace, which in Jesus Christ is out of all proportion to human wrongdoing. Amen

DECLARATION OF PARDON

Pastor: Friends, hear the Good News! God's act of grace is out of all proportion to human wrongdoing.

People: God's gift has come to so many by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ.

Pastor: Friends, believe the Good News!

People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

[AND]

Exhortation

Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Fear him rather who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

God, help us to tell simply and clearly the promises of your love and care that we have received in secret so that our brothers and sisters who live in doubt and fear may trust you as well, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

We give thanks to you, O God, that the gate of heaven may be found in any place, and your house wherever we receive your revelation. You send your messengers to us in both waking and sleeping hours, to comfort and reassure us of your constant care and love. You reaffirm to us promises old and new, in law and gospel, in Word and Sacrament. Receive our praise, Guardian of sparrows and of sinners, Teacher of the simple, Enlightener of all who seek light in darkness. Amen

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

Though we are bound to serve you, divine Master, we do not serve you without fault. Achieve your purposes through the church, despite our imperfect commitment to service and the reproach of the world, to the glory of your name. Amen

PRAYER OF INTERCESSION AND COMMEMORATION

Compassionate God, may the offering of this ministry of intercession overflow with many thanksgivings to you. May we not only offer our prayers but contribute to the needs of the saints and extend hospitality to strangers.

Risen and glorious Christ, your eyes are like a flame of fire, to search out and refine your church of the dross that corrupts her life. Save your church from the sloth of indifference, from compromise with half-truths, from the influence of false leaders, from alliance with partisan political parties. May your light shine in the church like the morning star and offer hope of a better day.

Bless our land and counsel our leaders, our lawmakers, and all who administer the affairs of state. In our various vocations make us trustworthy and loyal to the crown of Christ.

To your tender care we commend all who are in sorrow, trouble, sickness, or want, remembering especially those who are not worshiping with us, as they usually do, because of failing health. Sustain all who look after the sick and bless all chaplains and church visitors who attend them in hospitals and nursing homes.

Deliver the dying from this body of death through Jesus Christ that all who trust in him and look for his appearing may know the joy of seeing him face to face.

Eternal God, we rejoice that the ransomed of the LORD have returned and come to the heavenly Zion with singing; they have obtained joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing have flown away. In your own time bring us at last to the place you have prepared for us that there may be a joyful homecoming and a glad reunion with our beloved dead who have preceded us to behold your glory. To you, O God, we ascribe majesty, grace, and immeasurable love, now and ever. Amen