At Home with God [PDF]

Service Prayers for the 29^th Sunday after Pentecost
(Sunday before Thanksgiving)

“Where Thou art, that, is Home–
Cashmere, or Calvary, the same–
Degree, or Shame–
I scarce esteem Location's Name–
So I may Come…” –Emily Dickinson

Call to Worship (Psalm 132:1-12, 13-18; 2 Samuel 23:1-7)

One:             Welcome to the dwelling place of God!
                     Come inside—your family is waiting;
                     feast on what has been prepared for all . . .

All:*             (Name foods that you traditionally eat during Thanksgiving)

One:             There are abundant blessings to be received—
                     the laughter of children,
                     the comfort of a warm embrace,
                     bread for the hungry soul.

All:                Let us give thanks and worship the Faithful One!

One:              Are not our own homes like this with God?
                      Ordered, yet flexible enough for daily chaos,
                      Secure, but open and welcoming?

All:                Our homes are God’s homes—
                      Let love dwell within sturdy walls and
                      peace reign within grateful hearts.                                    

Unison Prayer of Invocation (Psalm 93)  

                      Alpha and Omega, beginning and end,
                      All of creation knows your greatness.
                      The light of morning prays for the land, and
                      the seas sing your praise.

                      Teach us to show gratitude for this homeworld
                      that you have made for us, and
                      to treat your holy house with care and respect. Amen.               

Confession

Holy Dwelling Place, at times we forget to make space for you in our homes and in our hearts. We become selfish and seek to reserve spaces for a select few whom we are most comfortable with. We often take credit for our houses and other things we own, forgetting to acknowledge that nothing is really “ours” and that each possession is a gift.

(Moment of silence and reflection)

Assurance of Pardon

Jesus came into the world and made his home with us, bridging the divide between God’s eternal palace and our earthly rental space. Through Christ’s temporary relocation, we have a permanent home that will never depreciate in value.

Call for the Offering

In gratitude for what we have received, let us give from our hearts, following Jesus’ example of extravagant love.

Dedication

Warm Blanket God, thank you for making us feel “at home” with you. May these gifts be used to create places of rest and centeredness for all who journey on the path of life. Amen.  

Benediction (Revelation 1:4b-8)

God’s house is an unlimited capacity mansion, and
Christ invites us to dwell there
in faithful witness to the joys of his kin-dom.
From the windows, let us shout a joyous invitation to passersby:

“Come! Eat, sleep, and live.”

* Alternative: Before the service, an age-diverse range of congregants can be chosen to name foods that they enjoy eating as part of their family’s Thanksgiving experience. Children/adults could also bring drawings/pictures of favorite foods.

“At Home with God” Service Prayers for the 29^th Sunday after Pentecost was written by the Rev. Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi, Minority Student Life Specialist at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO.
Copyright 2009 Local Church Ministries, Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.