19th Sunday after Pentecost

COLOR: Green
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Job 1:1; 2:1-10; Psalm 26 (or Psalm 25); Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12; Mark 10:2-16

THEME IDEAS

Even when God allows us to be tested, we are called to give God thanks and praise. We share in the glory and inheritance of Jesus, who is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters.

INVITATION AND GATHERING

Call to Worship (Psalm 26; Hebrews 1, 2)

In the great congregation, let us bless the Holy One.
With songs of thanksgiving, we retell God’s wondrous deeds.
We love the house in which God dwells
and the place where God’s glory shines forth.
Proclaim God’s name to all the world!
In the midst of the congregation, we praise God’s holy name.

Opening Prayer (Job 1, 2; Hebrews 1, 2)

Holy Mystery, Protector of the faithful,
glorious Spirit of wonder, Bread of heaven,
you have made us a little lower than the angels
and crowned us with glory and honor.
You have called us to be your witnesses,
to proclaim the good news in good times and in bad.
Sanctify us and help us see ourselves in you,
the living body of the risen Christ,
broken and poured out to feed a hungry world. Amen.

PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE

Prayer of Confession (Job 2:10, Psalm 26)

God of steadfast love,
we have ignored your many gifts;
we have forgotten to give thanks in all things.
We have taken for granted the air we breathe,
the food that nourishes our bodies,
even the love of family and friends.
We have forgotten that all these gifts
come from you.
We have sinned with our lips and in our hearts.
Unlike your servant Job,
when we are tested we do not say,
“Shall we receive the good at the hand of God,
and not receive the bad?”
Forgive our selfish ways,
and turn our hearts to you.

Words of Assurance (Psalm 26; Hebrews 1, 2)

Even before we ask, God promises to redeem us and forgive us. In God’s abundant grace, our feet stand on level ground and we are clothed in honor and glory. Amen.

Passing the Peace of Christ

As brothers and sisters in Christ, let us give one another signs of peace: The peace of Christ be with you, always. And also with you.

Response to the Word (Mark 10)

Holy Mystery, Bread of heaven, Spirit of wonder,
Protector of the innocent,
by your word you have made us
your grateful children,
open to the gift of life
in your Spirit. Amen.

THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION

Offering Prayer (Psalm 26; Hebrews 1, 2)

Holy Giver of all that we need,
you have filled our hearts with joy
and our hands with overflowing abundance.
With thanks and joy, we bring these gifts,
offering ourselves in communion with you
and with all creation. Amen.

Great Thanksgiving

Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give our thanks to the Holy One.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is a right, a good, and a joyful thing,
always and everywhere to give our thanks to you,
Ruler of the Universe,
for you bring forth grain from the earth,
and fruit from the vine.
You make the rain to fall in its season,
and the sun to shine, giving light and warmth
to all your creatures.
By your word, the trees give their fruit,
the crops and grasses flourish,
and all your creatures grow in grace.
And so, with your creatures on earth
and all the heavenly chorus,
we praise your name
and join their unending hymn, saying:
Holy, holy, holy One, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one
who comes in your holy name.
Hosanna in the highest.

Holy are you, and holy is your child, Jesus Christ.
When he saw the little children, he called them to him,
taking them up in his arms,
laying his hands on them, and blessing them.
In his suffering and death,
he taught us the true meaning of love,
of accepting and doing your will
for the healing of the world.

(Words of Institution)

And so, in remembrance of your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died.
Christ has risen.
Christ will come again.

Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here,
and on these gifts of bread and wine.
Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ,
that we may become one with Christ,
one with each other, and one in communion
with you and with all the world.

Protector of the innocent, Spirit of grace,
Bread of heaven, we praise you now,
tomorrow, and always.
Amen.

SENDING FORTH

Benediction (Psalm 26; Hebrews 1, 2)

Go out in wonder and joy,
clothing everyone you meet in honor and glory.
Amen.

CONTEMPORARY OPTIONS

Contemporary Gathering Words (Psalm 26; Hebrews 1, 2)

We love the house in which God dwells,
and the place where God’s glory shines forth.
Let us bless the Holy One,
going forth with songs of thanksgiving
to retell the stories of God’s wondrous deeds.

Praise Sentences (Psalm 26; Hebrews 1, 2)

Proclaim God’s name to all the world!
We praise God’s holy name, now and forever!

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From “The Abingdon Worship Annual” edited by Mary J. Scifres and B.J. Beu, Copyright © Abingdon Press.