God's call to be holy
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Call to Worship
Pastor:
All creation belongs to God, and all people.
People:
But many people do not know God; and many others do not love him as they ought.
Pastor:
Many reject or ignore God, because he calls his people to live holy lives.
People:
We do not want to be self-righteous. But we desire to be more holy in accordance with God's will.
Collect
Holy Father, who calls your children to be holy: Give us the inspiration of your Spirit; that we may order our lives after your will, and aim to be holy in all our endeavors. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We talk about being a Christian nation, Father, but we are far from being holy. We are too satisfied with a few statistics which reflect the presence of your church. Forgive us, who have received so much of your bounty, for not hearing and answering your call to live as a holy nation. Guide us, and all who are a part of your church, into the life which brings wholeness, not only to individuals, but to nations as well. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Hymns
"God, Who Touchest Earth with Beauty"
"Holy Spirit, Truth Divine"
"I Need Thee Every Hour"
"Take Time to Be Holy"
PROPER 17
Sunday between August 28 and September 3 inclusive
Second Lesson: Romans 12:1-13
Theme:
Be a living sacrifice to God
Call to Worship
Pastor:
God has made salvation possible through his Son, Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
People:
Because of God's love in Christ, we owe God the best lives that we can live.
Pastor:
We should live as persons transformed by God's love, instead of being conformed to the ways of the world.
People:
May our true worship of God be our daily lives, lived to his honor and glory.
Collect
Most gracious Father, whose wondrous love has restored us to life when our sins would claim us for death's victory: Enable us to offer ourselves to you as a living sacrifice, that we may be transformed by your Spirit in defiance of the world's persuasion to conform. Hear us for Jesus' sake. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Hear us, Father, as we beg your forgiveness for the poor worship our daily lives have expressed. We want to be transformed by your Spirit; but the power of the world is great, and we cannot resist. Let Jesus come into our hearts and cleanse us from within; that we may grow in your grace, and offer you true devotion. In our Savior's name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Have Thine Own Way, Lord"
"I Am Thine, O Lord"
"O Jesus, I Have Promised"
"Take My Life, and Let It Be Consecrated"
PROPER 17
Sunday between August 28 and September 3 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 16:21-28
Theme:
Discipleship demands self-denial
Call to Worship
Pastor:
To live the Christian life is to put Christ first, even above self.
People:
Putting the Christian life first often leads to cross-bearing on his behalf.
Pastor:
We may feel we have sacrificed our life; but in that sacrifice, we find real life.
People:
We desire to commit ourselves wholly to the Lord; assured that he will bless us with abundant living!
Collect
Almighty God, whose Son calls disciples who are willing to lay aside personal values for commitment to him: Convince us that living for our own selfish ends is a losing investment, that we may forget ourselves in your service and experience the joy of living for you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We enjoy life, Father, but much of our joy is superficial because we strive to please ourselves. Forgive us for not seeing life as a gift we can give to you. Challenge us with the discipleship our Lord requires; that we may not only be effective in service to him, but also find the life that is most satisfying to us. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymns
"Am I a Soldier of the Cross"
"Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken"
"Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone"
"Take Up Thy Cross"
Pastor:
All creation belongs to God, and all people.
People:
But many people do not know God; and many others do not love him as they ought.
Pastor:
Many reject or ignore God, because he calls his people to live holy lives.
People:
We do not want to be self-righteous. But we desire to be more holy in accordance with God's will.
Collect
Holy Father, who calls your children to be holy: Give us the inspiration of your Spirit; that we may order our lives after your will, and aim to be holy in all our endeavors. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We talk about being a Christian nation, Father, but we are far from being holy. We are too satisfied with a few statistics which reflect the presence of your church. Forgive us, who have received so much of your bounty, for not hearing and answering your call to live as a holy nation. Guide us, and all who are a part of your church, into the life which brings wholeness, not only to individuals, but to nations as well. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Hymns
"God, Who Touchest Earth with Beauty"
"Holy Spirit, Truth Divine"
"I Need Thee Every Hour"
"Take Time to Be Holy"
PROPER 17
Sunday between August 28 and September 3 inclusive
Second Lesson: Romans 12:1-13
Theme:
Be a living sacrifice to God
Call to Worship
Pastor:
God has made salvation possible through his Son, Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
People:
Because of God's love in Christ, we owe God the best lives that we can live.
Pastor:
We should live as persons transformed by God's love, instead of being conformed to the ways of the world.
People:
May our true worship of God be our daily lives, lived to his honor and glory.
Collect
Most gracious Father, whose wondrous love has restored us to life when our sins would claim us for death's victory: Enable us to offer ourselves to you as a living sacrifice, that we may be transformed by your Spirit in defiance of the world's persuasion to conform. Hear us for Jesus' sake. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Hear us, Father, as we beg your forgiveness for the poor worship our daily lives have expressed. We want to be transformed by your Spirit; but the power of the world is great, and we cannot resist. Let Jesus come into our hearts and cleanse us from within; that we may grow in your grace, and offer you true devotion. In our Savior's name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Have Thine Own Way, Lord"
"I Am Thine, O Lord"
"O Jesus, I Have Promised"
"Take My Life, and Let It Be Consecrated"
PROPER 17
Sunday between August 28 and September 3 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 16:21-28
Theme:
Discipleship demands self-denial
Call to Worship
Pastor:
To live the Christian life is to put Christ first, even above self.
People:
Putting the Christian life first often leads to cross-bearing on his behalf.
Pastor:
We may feel we have sacrificed our life; but in that sacrifice, we find real life.
People:
We desire to commit ourselves wholly to the Lord; assured that he will bless us with abundant living!
Collect
Almighty God, whose Son calls disciples who are willing to lay aside personal values for commitment to him: Convince us that living for our own selfish ends is a losing investment, that we may forget ourselves in your service and experience the joy of living for you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We enjoy life, Father, but much of our joy is superficial because we strive to please ourselves. Forgive us for not seeing life as a gift we can give to you. Challenge us with the discipleship our Lord requires; that we may not only be effective in service to him, but also find the life that is most satisfying to us. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymns
"Am I a Soldier of the Cross"
"Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken"
"Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone"
"Take Up Thy Cross"
