Costly Grace
Worship
THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE
Liturgical Aids
Call to Worship
God's love is a costly love.
It is costly, yet liberally bestowed.
Indeed, Christ could even forgive those who crucified him.
We too need to learn to walk the second mile - and beyond.
Here in worship we seek to understand and to make our own this higher wisdom of God.
We would do this - by truly hearing the Word and by gathering at the table.
Invocation
Gracious God, your love is longsuffering, for when costly action is required, you do not, you will not, abandon us. You work in our midst that which is needed to love us into submission, knowing that the better course is to win trust rather than compel obedience. In grateful response, we offer you our praise and heart's devotion. We eagerly anticipate your presence during this hour of worship as yet a further demonstration of your care directed to our well--being - as with Word and Spirit you nurture us and so elicit from us an ever greater measure of commitment and joyous participation in your way of life. We do pray in the name of Christ, he who most clearly reflects this love of which we here speak. Amen.
Call to Confession
In our dealings with others, we all too often grow impatient. If we dare to examine our actions carefully, we will discover that there is little about our love that can be called longsuffering. For so it seems, we are more apt to dwell on our "rights" than the other person's needs; and by so doing, not only do we block our own growth in spirit, but thus do the needs of the neighbor go unmet. Lip service to God's way of costly grace is not enough. We are urged to become participants in the drama. Therefore, let us ask God, yes, that past wrongs be forgiven, but also that wisdom and strength be ours to walk the way of love aright. Let us so pray.
Prayer of Confession
Following faithfully the way of your Son is not easy, O God. Yet with resources that you provide, it is possible. And by so doing, all benefit; all find life, life that is joyful, full of meaning and purpose. First, you would forgive us, free us from past failings that have built up within us shame and guilt. We humbly ask that you do so, for the burden is heavy indeed. Then we ask of you the gift of compassion, that concern for others that we see in Jesus, for such will equip us for servant living, which can alone build community. Teach us too the cost in so doing, yet grant us, we pray, that joyful resolve to attempt great things for the One who is our Lord and Savior. Thus do we hope to know the basics of being a Christian and so rejoice in the cross of Christ. In the name of your Son do we dare ask these blessings. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Did not Jesus say, "Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you"? So do we ask, search, and knock - that God's way be real to us, and that we find strength of mind, heart, and spirit to follow it faithfully. God's assurance is that of these things, things of worth, we shall not want.
Praise be to God for remaining true to covenant and promise. We shall not want.
Psalter Reading (from Psalm 86)
Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all day long.
Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication.
In the day of my trouble I call on you, for you will answer me.
There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.
Offering Sentences
May we be a people who give in ways that count, who when alert to need seek to address that need whatever the cost, though it demands from us a full measure of understanding, compassion, and grace. For in so doing will we know that we are walking the way of the Christ, and will we find life being lived to the fullest, life abundant and lasting, not only for self but for all. Let us bring forth at this time tithes and offerings which in deed give credence to the good words we speak.
Prayer of Dedication
We need your wisdom, holy God, in routing these gifts - that they initiate healing, bring hope, instill a greater sense of acceptance and belonging in those whose lives they touch. Even as we dedicate this portion of ourselves to your service, may this be but the prelude to a willing gift of all of self, as alert to those ways in which your call will reach us this week, we seek to respond with love, and justice, and peace. Indeed, our greatest blessing is this opportunity that you offer us to serve in your name. So be it! May we act accordingly.
Benediction
It is costly grace, not cheap grace, that defines discipleship. It is from God that we learn this, through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Son of God, our Savior. We shall know this grace in our own lives even as we place the love of Christ first, above all else, and then live that love among all that we meet. This is our calling, a costly calling, but also our joy and our reward. Go forth, and so order your life. In the name of Jesus. Amen!
God's love is a costly love.
It is costly, yet liberally bestowed.
Indeed, Christ could even forgive those who crucified him.
We too need to learn to walk the second mile - and beyond.
Here in worship we seek to understand and to make our own this higher wisdom of God.
We would do this - by truly hearing the Word and by gathering at the table.
Invocation
Gracious God, your love is longsuffering, for when costly action is required, you do not, you will not, abandon us. You work in our midst that which is needed to love us into submission, knowing that the better course is to win trust rather than compel obedience. In grateful response, we offer you our praise and heart's devotion. We eagerly anticipate your presence during this hour of worship as yet a further demonstration of your care directed to our well--being - as with Word and Spirit you nurture us and so elicit from us an ever greater measure of commitment and joyous participation in your way of life. We do pray in the name of Christ, he who most clearly reflects this love of which we here speak. Amen.
Call to Confession
In our dealings with others, we all too often grow impatient. If we dare to examine our actions carefully, we will discover that there is little about our love that can be called longsuffering. For so it seems, we are more apt to dwell on our "rights" than the other person's needs; and by so doing, not only do we block our own growth in spirit, but thus do the needs of the neighbor go unmet. Lip service to God's way of costly grace is not enough. We are urged to become participants in the drama. Therefore, let us ask God, yes, that past wrongs be forgiven, but also that wisdom and strength be ours to walk the way of love aright. Let us so pray.
Prayer of Confession
Following faithfully the way of your Son is not easy, O God. Yet with resources that you provide, it is possible. And by so doing, all benefit; all find life, life that is joyful, full of meaning and purpose. First, you would forgive us, free us from past failings that have built up within us shame and guilt. We humbly ask that you do so, for the burden is heavy indeed. Then we ask of you the gift of compassion, that concern for others that we see in Jesus, for such will equip us for servant living, which can alone build community. Teach us too the cost in so doing, yet grant us, we pray, that joyful resolve to attempt great things for the One who is our Lord and Savior. Thus do we hope to know the basics of being a Christian and so rejoice in the cross of Christ. In the name of your Son do we dare ask these blessings. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Did not Jesus say, "Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you"? So do we ask, search, and knock - that God's way be real to us, and that we find strength of mind, heart, and spirit to follow it faithfully. God's assurance is that of these things, things of worth, we shall not want.
Praise be to God for remaining true to covenant and promise. We shall not want.
Psalter Reading (from Psalm 86)
Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all day long.
Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication.
In the day of my trouble I call on you, for you will answer me.
There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.
Offering Sentences
May we be a people who give in ways that count, who when alert to need seek to address that need whatever the cost, though it demands from us a full measure of understanding, compassion, and grace. For in so doing will we know that we are walking the way of the Christ, and will we find life being lived to the fullest, life abundant and lasting, not only for self but for all. Let us bring forth at this time tithes and offerings which in deed give credence to the good words we speak.
Prayer of Dedication
We need your wisdom, holy God, in routing these gifts - that they initiate healing, bring hope, instill a greater sense of acceptance and belonging in those whose lives they touch. Even as we dedicate this portion of ourselves to your service, may this be but the prelude to a willing gift of all of self, as alert to those ways in which your call will reach us this week, we seek to respond with love, and justice, and peace. Indeed, our greatest blessing is this opportunity that you offer us to serve in your name. So be it! May we act accordingly.
Benediction
It is costly grace, not cheap grace, that defines discipleship. It is from God that we learn this, through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Son of God, our Savior. We shall know this grace in our own lives even as we place the love of Christ first, above all else, and then live that love among all that we meet. This is our calling, a costly calling, but also our joy and our reward. Go forth, and so order your life. In the name of Jesus. Amen!
