Proper 15 | Pentecost 13 | Ordinary Time 20
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids -- Series C
First Lesson: Jeremiah 38:1b-13
Theme: Faith in conflict with man-power
Call to Worship
Pastor:
World conditions can fill us with fear so quickly, and then our faith is threatened, as well as our destiny.
People:
We are God's children; and he has promised to take care of us. But it is so natural, when we are afraid, to trust more in our power than in God's promises.
Pastor:
Man's worst condition is when he loses his trust in God, and feels he must take things in his own hands.
People: Whatever our future holds, we want our trust in God to be our most powerful force!
Collect
Almighty God, whose promise of divine guidance and salvation is more powerful than any of the forces man can exert: Remove our fears that make us trust in our own might, that trusting and obeying you, we may be free to enjoy your providence and protection. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Our faith is precious to us, Father, but fear too easily overpowers it. Forgive us when we have restricted our faith, and have given way to fear, making decisions in disobedience to your will. Convince us of the surety of your promise to be our God, that we may not trust in the false hopes of our own power. In our Savior's name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"God of the Ages, by Whose Hand"
"If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee"
"When We Walk with the Lord"
No. 152 - Second Lesson: Hebrews 12:1-6
Theme: Encouraged in faithfulness
Call to Worship
Pastor:
We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who, because of their faithfulness, encourage us in our faith.
People:
We need that kind of encouragement, because there are times when we become discouraged in our faith.
Pastor:
The church triumphant is a fellowship of believers who kept their eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom faith depends.
People:
We are inspired by all who have served, and are serving our Lord in faithfulness. We join with them in determination to be just as faithful.
Collect
Eternal God our Father, whose church triumphant is made up of generations of faithful Christians who victoriously faced difficulties, discouragement, and persecution: Encourage us by their witness, that we may run with perseverance the race you have set before us. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We are your church, O God, but we are still affected by our human characteristics and frailties. Forgive us for taking our eyes off Jesus, who defends us against all that would weaken our faith. Strengthen us with determination to live the Christian life with sincerity. We pray through Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
Hymns
"O For a Faith that Will Not Shrink"
"Faith of Our Fathers"
"He Who Would Valiant Be"
"O Jesus, I Have Promised"
No. 153 - Gospel: Luke 12:49-56
Theme: When Christ doesn't bring peace
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Christ is the source of peace. But because not everyone accepts him, he is also a source of division.
People:
Division in a home is real, where one accepts Christ and another rejects him.
People:
Each person must make his own decision. But the response Christ asks for is complete loyalty to him.
People:
We want to be committed to Christ and pray for our loved ones to make the same response.
Collect
O Lord God, whose gift of peace brings strife and conflict in households where some accept and some reject your Son: Grant us harmony, that as families we may be united by our faith in your Son as our Savior, without whom there can never be peace. In his name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We have fooled ourselves, Father, because our apathy has prevented serious religious division in many of our homes. We silently agree not to be too religious, or too sinful; and so we know too little about the genuine peace and security you also bring. Forgive us for our noncommital attitude that has been our polite rejection by mutual consent. We do not ask for division in our homes, but for common understanding of the importance for Christ to be the center of our homes, receiving the first loyalty of each of us. In his name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Blest Be the Dear Uniting Love"
"Happy the Home Where God is There"
"O Lord, May Church and Home Combine"
Theme: Faith in conflict with man-power
Call to Worship
Pastor:
World conditions can fill us with fear so quickly, and then our faith is threatened, as well as our destiny.
People:
We are God's children; and he has promised to take care of us. But it is so natural, when we are afraid, to trust more in our power than in God's promises.
Pastor:
Man's worst condition is when he loses his trust in God, and feels he must take things in his own hands.
People: Whatever our future holds, we want our trust in God to be our most powerful force!
Collect
Almighty God, whose promise of divine guidance and salvation is more powerful than any of the forces man can exert: Remove our fears that make us trust in our own might, that trusting and obeying you, we may be free to enjoy your providence and protection. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Our faith is precious to us, Father, but fear too easily overpowers it. Forgive us when we have restricted our faith, and have given way to fear, making decisions in disobedience to your will. Convince us of the surety of your promise to be our God, that we may not trust in the false hopes of our own power. In our Savior's name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"God of the Ages, by Whose Hand"
"If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee"
"When We Walk with the Lord"
No. 152 - Second Lesson: Hebrews 12:1-6
Theme: Encouraged in faithfulness
Call to Worship
Pastor:
We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who, because of their faithfulness, encourage us in our faith.
People:
We need that kind of encouragement, because there are times when we become discouraged in our faith.
Pastor:
The church triumphant is a fellowship of believers who kept their eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom faith depends.
People:
We are inspired by all who have served, and are serving our Lord in faithfulness. We join with them in determination to be just as faithful.
Collect
Eternal God our Father, whose church triumphant is made up of generations of faithful Christians who victoriously faced difficulties, discouragement, and persecution: Encourage us by their witness, that we may run with perseverance the race you have set before us. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We are your church, O God, but we are still affected by our human characteristics and frailties. Forgive us for taking our eyes off Jesus, who defends us against all that would weaken our faith. Strengthen us with determination to live the Christian life with sincerity. We pray through Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
Hymns
"O For a Faith that Will Not Shrink"
"Faith of Our Fathers"
"He Who Would Valiant Be"
"O Jesus, I Have Promised"
No. 153 - Gospel: Luke 12:49-56
Theme: When Christ doesn't bring peace
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Christ is the source of peace. But because not everyone accepts him, he is also a source of division.
People:
Division in a home is real, where one accepts Christ and another rejects him.
People:
Each person must make his own decision. But the response Christ asks for is complete loyalty to him.
People:
We want to be committed to Christ and pray for our loved ones to make the same response.
Collect
O Lord God, whose gift of peace brings strife and conflict in households where some accept and some reject your Son: Grant us harmony, that as families we may be united by our faith in your Son as our Savior, without whom there can never be peace. In his name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We have fooled ourselves, Father, because our apathy has prevented serious religious division in many of our homes. We silently agree not to be too religious, or too sinful; and so we know too little about the genuine peace and security you also bring. Forgive us for our noncommital attitude that has been our polite rejection by mutual consent. We do not ask for division in our homes, but for common understanding of the importance for Christ to be the center of our homes, receiving the first loyalty of each of us. In his name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Blest Be the Dear Uniting Love"
"Happy the Home Where God is There"
"O Lord, May Church and Home Combine"
