PROPER 21
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series III
* CALL TO WORSHIP
Praise the name of the Lord, you servants of the Lord, who stand
in the house of the Lord, in the temple courts of our God.
* PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Most powerful Judge, you hear the outcry of the powerless who are
defrauded by the rich. You know without our telling you that we
have frequently envied the wealthy even though we know that their
possessions do not withstand death and decay. Forgive us if we
have conspired with any to deny the rights of the poor or
withheld from anyone the simplest help we were asked to give.
You will, at the last set all things right, rewarding even the
most humble service, as promised by Jesus our Messiah. Amen.
* DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! The Lord will give his people justice and
have compassion on his servants. Friends, believe the Good News.
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
* EXHORTATION
Do not try to stop anyone who does work of divine power in the
name of Jesus. Whoever is not against us is on our side.
* PRAYER OF THE DAY
Jesus, Messiah, Champion of God's rule, help us to gain control
of our bodies so that we restrain all harmful actions and are
free to serve others in modest ways that many may not notice but
which will be rewarded by you, from whom nothing is hidden.
Amen.
* PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
We praise you, O God, for, though you do what you please, your
pleasure is justice with compassion. We worship you, O God, for
though you choose your servants as you wish, your elect people
are called to serve all in obedience to you. We are awed by the
powers of nature, but assured that there is no force or being
that can overpower you. We are most grateful that you make
yourself known to us through the healing and saving power of
Jesus Christ, our Leader and Friend. Amen.
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Without the gifts of your Spirit, Generous God, we would be
unable to worship you by word and by work, but you enable our
service as we are obedient to the prompting of the Spirit through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
* PSALM 124
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side --
let Israel now say --
if it had not been the LORD who was on our side,
when our enemies attacked us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone the raging waters.
Blessed be the LORD,
who has not given us as prey to their teeth.
We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken, and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Praise the name of the Lord, you servants of the Lord, who stand
in the house of the Lord, in the temple courts of our God.
* PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Most powerful Judge, you hear the outcry of the powerless who are
defrauded by the rich. You know without our telling you that we
have frequently envied the wealthy even though we know that their
possessions do not withstand death and decay. Forgive us if we
have conspired with any to deny the rights of the poor or
withheld from anyone the simplest help we were asked to give.
You will, at the last set all things right, rewarding even the
most humble service, as promised by Jesus our Messiah. Amen.
* DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! The Lord will give his people justice and
have compassion on his servants. Friends, believe the Good News.
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
* EXHORTATION
Do not try to stop anyone who does work of divine power in the
name of Jesus. Whoever is not against us is on our side.
* PRAYER OF THE DAY
Jesus, Messiah, Champion of God's rule, help us to gain control
of our bodies so that we restrain all harmful actions and are
free to serve others in modest ways that many may not notice but
which will be rewarded by you, from whom nothing is hidden.
Amen.
* PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
We praise you, O God, for, though you do what you please, your
pleasure is justice with compassion. We worship you, O God, for
though you choose your servants as you wish, your elect people
are called to serve all in obedience to you. We are awed by the
powers of nature, but assured that there is no force or being
that can overpower you. We are most grateful that you make
yourself known to us through the healing and saving power of
Jesus Christ, our Leader and Friend. Amen.
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Without the gifts of your Spirit, Generous God, we would be
unable to worship you by word and by work, but you enable our
service as we are obedient to the prompting of the Spirit through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
* PSALM 124
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side --
let Israel now say --
if it had not been the LORD who was on our side,
when our enemies attacked us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone the raging waters.
Blessed be the LORD,
who has not given us as prey to their teeth.
We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken, and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
