PROPER 7
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series III, Cycle A
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come and bow down before God, and glorify God's name. For God is great and does wondrous things; who alone is God.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Meticulous God of immeasurable grace, how shall we measure our sins? Only you know their real dimensions; the history of human disobedience; the ramifications of hatred, greed and lust; the multiplication of wrongdoing by generations; the perpetuation of prejudices by unthinking repetition; the aggravation of offenses by the unforgiving and vengeful. However you accountfor our sin, there are none of us who do not stand in need of some measure of your grace, which in Jesus Christ is out of all proportion to human wrongdoing. Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! God's act of grace is out of all proportion to human wrongdoing, the gift that came to so many by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ. Friends, believe the Good News. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
Do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Fear him rather who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Creator of all life, reassuring Parent, help us to tell simply and clearly the promises of your love and care that we have received in secret so that our brothers and sisters who live in doubt and fear may trust you as well through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
We give thanks to you, O God, that the gate of heaven may be found in any place, and your house wherever we receive your revelation. You send your messengers to us in both waking and sleeping hours, to comfort and reassure us of your constant care and love. You reaffirm to us promises old and new, in law and gospel, in word and sacrament. Receive our praise, Guardian of sparrows and of sinners, Teacher of the simple, Enlightener of all who seek light in darkness. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Though we are bound to serve you, divine Master, we do not serve you without fault. Achieve your purposes through the church, despite our imperfect commitment to service, and the reproach of the world, to the glory of your name. Amen.
PSALM 86:1-10, 16-17
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; he 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 ciy 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.
All the nations you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.
For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.
Turn to me and be gracious to me;
give your strength to your servant;
save the child of your serving girl.
Show me a sign of your favor,
so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame,
because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
Come and bow down before God, and glorify God's name. For God is great and does wondrous things; who alone is God.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Meticulous God of immeasurable grace, how shall we measure our sins? Only you know their real dimensions; the history of human disobedience; the ramifications of hatred, greed and lust; the multiplication of wrongdoing by generations; the perpetuation of prejudices by unthinking repetition; the aggravation of offenses by the unforgiving and vengeful. However you accountfor our sin, there are none of us who do not stand in need of some measure of your grace, which in Jesus Christ is out of all proportion to human wrongdoing. Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! God's act of grace is out of all proportion to human wrongdoing, the gift that came to so many by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ. Friends, believe the Good News. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
Do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Fear him rather who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Creator of all life, reassuring Parent, help us to tell simply and clearly the promises of your love and care that we have received in secret so that our brothers and sisters who live in doubt and fear may trust you as well through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
We give thanks to you, O God, that the gate of heaven may be found in any place, and your house wherever we receive your revelation. You send your messengers to us in both waking and sleeping hours, to comfort and reassure us of your constant care and love. You reaffirm to us promises old and new, in law and gospel, in word and sacrament. Receive our praise, Guardian of sparrows and of sinners, Teacher of the simple, Enlightener of all who seek light in darkness. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Though we are bound to serve you, divine Master, we do not serve you without fault. Achieve your purposes through the church, despite our imperfect commitment to service, and the reproach of the world, to the glory of your name. Amen.
PSALM 86:1-10, 16-17
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; he 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 ciy 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.
All the nations you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.
For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.
Turn to me and be gracious to me;
give your strength to your servant;
save the child of your serving girl.
Show me a sign of your favor,
so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame,
because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
