13th 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

CALL TO WORSHIP

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

People: And also with you.

Leader: Come to Christ whose words are words of eternal life.

People: We have faith knowing that Jesus is the Holy One of God.

INVOCATION

In this house of prayer, O God, we invoke your name. There is no one like you who keeps covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart. Not only have you lived on earth in Christ, but by the Spirit live in our hearts. Regard our prayers in the name of Jesus. Amen.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of the promise, you have declared yourself to be our heavenly Parent through Jesus Christ. Forgive our denial of your promised care through anxiety and our hesitancy to identify ourselves with you despite your past provision for our needs. We are sorry for the disloyalty we have shown you from time to time through our rejection of the church. Absolve us for the sake of your ever loyal Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

DECLARATION OF PARDON

Pastor: Friends, hear the good news! Christ loved the church and gave himself for it, to consecrate it, cleansing it by water and word

People: so that he might present the church to himself all glorious, with no stain or wrinkle or anything of the sort, but holy and without blemish.

Pastor: Friends, believe the good news!

People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

EXHORTATION

As members of the church, be subject to Christ, and husbands and wives be subject to each other out of reverence for Christ.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Faithful God, when others leave you and your word, help us to be true to your Son, Jesus, no matter how hard that choice is and how unpopular. Steady us in our resolve to serve you always and to seek no easier service through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Loving God, we sing your praise and shout for joy at the thought of your unstinting generosity and unflagging help. You sustain us in physical, mental, and spiritual life. You provide support for us in the life of the church and the intimacy of marriage. You are gracious and good and we honor you, God of Israel, Ruler of the church, universal Spirit. Amen

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

Christ our Lord, Head of the church, receive what we offer as members of your body. As we serve you, coordinate our efforts so that nothing that should be done is left undone and all your purposes accomplished to the glory of your name. Amen

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND COMMEMORATION

God our Creator, God our Savior, God our Sustainer, we know you are beyond our reach and control and that we cannot contain your presence in the most magnificent temples or cathedrals. Yet these places are hallowed by our prayers. May our reverence for the house of prayer be an example to our neighbors. Spare us the desecration of those who proclaim their narrow politics with graffiti and hateful signs and symbols. Help all people of prayer to carry their faith with them into the political scene, frankly sharing their beliefs without seeking to impose them on others by verbal threats or actual violence. Let us find the common ground on which we can meet with mutual respect and tolerance that can proceed to loving our neighbors as ourselves.

Though we seek a measure of serenity, keep us from cowardice in the face of what can be changed. Help us first to model the values that we honor so that our speech is not seen as hypocritical and contrary to our actual way of life. May we seek consensus with others as to what is best for all of us, learning to speak the truth as we see it with love and not arrogance.

May our own peace of mind and trust in your providence be an example for those who are confused, depressed, or anxious. Great Physician, heal our illnesses and disease of body, mind, and spirit. No earthly sanctuary, even the most magnificent, can match the eternal sanctuary that your Son is preparing for us in order to be close to and with you. We rejoice in the security of those you have already taken to yourself and pray that your Spirit will lead us gently but surely on the way that leads to eternal life. We will praise you here and hereafter. Amen

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Adapted from "Prayers for the Seasons of God's People," Copyright © 1999 Abingdon Press