Always under God's care
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Call to Worship
Pastor:
We worship a God who is always present, no matter where we are.
People:
Many times we are not sure what life has in store for us, but we trust God to make his will known.
Pastor:
God will never abandon us, even when we feel we have left him.
People: Thanks be to God who is the author of our life!
Collect
Almighty God, who always knows where we are in the wandering of our lives: Assure us of your presence in all our life situations; that we may yield ourselves to your purpose, and fulfill your will for our lives. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Life gives us many strange feelings Lord. Sometimes we feel like a stranger; sometimes all alone. We have even doubted if you know how we feel, or care how we feel. Forgive us when we run away from you like that. Help us to be aware of your presence in our lives at all times, and to be submissive to your will as you reveal it to us. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Be Not Dismayed"
"God Moves in a Mysterious Way"
"He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought"
"If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee"
PROPER 10
Sunday between July 10 and 16 inclusive
Second Lesson: Romans 8:9-17
Theme:
Live by the Spirit
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Throughout life we must struggle with the conflict between our human nature and God's Spirit.
People:
We want to live by God's Spirit, but our human nature has such strong control over us.
Pastor:
If we live according to our human nature, we end in death; but if we live by God's Spirit, we are raised from death to life.
People:
May God's Spirit enable us to put to death our sinful ways; that we may live with him.
Collect
Eternal God, you have given your Spirit to defend us against the power of sin. Give us the desire to live by your Spirit; that we may resist the influence of our human nature, and live as your children. In our Savior's name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We struggle everyday, Lord, with our human nature that puts us in conflict with your Spirit. But we want to be led by your Spirit, and be your children. Forgive our weak response to the influence of your Spirit. Take possession of our wills; that we may no longer live as our human nature tells us to, but as your Spirit directs. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Be Thou My Vision"
"Breathe on Me, Breath of God"
"Holy Spirit, Truth Divine"
"Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart"
PROPER 10
Sunday between July 10 and 16 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Theme:
Parable of the sower
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Sin is always at work to counteract the good news of Christ.
People:
But thanks be to God, the church is always at work, too! And we are glad to be a part of it.
Pastor:
Amen! No matter how ineffective our efforts may seem, there is always fertile soil which bears fruit for our labors.
People:
We will continue to sow the seed of faith, convinced that many will be receptive, and come into our Lord's kingdom.
Collect
Eternal God, whose kingdom continues to grow in spite of the threat of sin: Encourage us in our ministry, that we may overcome discouragement by confidence in your power at work through your church. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We are easily discouraged, Father, when we look back a few years and see how the church used to be the center of community life. We feel the church today is on the other edge of existence for many people, and defeat haunts our aspirations. Forgive us for submitting to such hopelessness, when Christ has assured us of victory. Lead us through our barren valley of depression to the fertile soil where hearts are waiting to be won to Christ our Savior, through whom we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Am I a Soldier of the Cross"
"Christian, Dost Thou See Them"
"Fight the Good Fight"
"March On, O Soul with Strength"
Pastor:
We worship a God who is always present, no matter where we are.
People:
Many times we are not sure what life has in store for us, but we trust God to make his will known.
Pastor:
God will never abandon us, even when we feel we have left him.
People: Thanks be to God who is the author of our life!
Collect
Almighty God, who always knows where we are in the wandering of our lives: Assure us of your presence in all our life situations; that we may yield ourselves to your purpose, and fulfill your will for our lives. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Life gives us many strange feelings Lord. Sometimes we feel like a stranger; sometimes all alone. We have even doubted if you know how we feel, or care how we feel. Forgive us when we run away from you like that. Help us to be aware of your presence in our lives at all times, and to be submissive to your will as you reveal it to us. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Be Not Dismayed"
"God Moves in a Mysterious Way"
"He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought"
"If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee"
PROPER 10
Sunday between July 10 and 16 inclusive
Second Lesson: Romans 8:9-17
Theme:
Live by the Spirit
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Throughout life we must struggle with the conflict between our human nature and God's Spirit.
People:
We want to live by God's Spirit, but our human nature has such strong control over us.
Pastor:
If we live according to our human nature, we end in death; but if we live by God's Spirit, we are raised from death to life.
People:
May God's Spirit enable us to put to death our sinful ways; that we may live with him.
Collect
Eternal God, you have given your Spirit to defend us against the power of sin. Give us the desire to live by your Spirit; that we may resist the influence of our human nature, and live as your children. In our Savior's name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We struggle everyday, Lord, with our human nature that puts us in conflict with your Spirit. But we want to be led by your Spirit, and be your children. Forgive our weak response to the influence of your Spirit. Take possession of our wills; that we may no longer live as our human nature tells us to, but as your Spirit directs. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Be Thou My Vision"
"Breathe on Me, Breath of God"
"Holy Spirit, Truth Divine"
"Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart"
PROPER 10
Sunday between July 10 and 16 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Theme:
Parable of the sower
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Sin is always at work to counteract the good news of Christ.
People:
But thanks be to God, the church is always at work, too! And we are glad to be a part of it.
Pastor:
Amen! No matter how ineffective our efforts may seem, there is always fertile soil which bears fruit for our labors.
People:
We will continue to sow the seed of faith, convinced that many will be receptive, and come into our Lord's kingdom.
Collect
Eternal God, whose kingdom continues to grow in spite of the threat of sin: Encourage us in our ministry, that we may overcome discouragement by confidence in your power at work through your church. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We are easily discouraged, Father, when we look back a few years and see how the church used to be the center of community life. We feel the church today is on the other edge of existence for many people, and defeat haunts our aspirations. Forgive us for submitting to such hopelessness, when Christ has assured us of victory. Lead us through our barren valley of depression to the fertile soil where hearts are waiting to be won to Christ our Savior, through whom we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Am I a Soldier of the Cross"
"Christian, Dost Thou See Them"
"Fight the Good Fight"
"March On, O Soul with Strength"
