God Keeps Faith Forever!
Service Prayers for the Second Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 5 (Inclusive)
 

Call to Worship (based on Psalm 146)

Leader:             Happy are those whose hope is in God,

                        maker of heaven and earth--

People:            for God keeps faith forever!

                        God executes justice for the oppressed

                        and gives food for the hungry.

                        God sets the prisoners free

                        and opens the eyes of the blind.

                        God lifts up those who are bowed down.

                        God watches over the strangers

                        and upholds the orphan and the widow.

                        People of God, sing praise to the One who is your help—

                        for God keeps faith forever!

Invocation

                        Faithful God, you draw near to us

                        in our joy and in our grief,

                        in our hope and in our despair. 

                        When we are bowed down, you raise us anew. 

                        We turn to you now in search of your healing touch. 

                        God of compassion and love,

                        move among us this hour. 

                        Open our eyes, dispel our fears,

                        and show us the real life you have to offer. 

                        We pray this in the name of the Risen One,

                        Jesus the Christ.  Amen.

Prayer of Confession

                        We confess, O God, that the burdens which weigh us down

                        also narrow our vision. 

                        Fear of scarcity makes us focus on our own survival.  

                        We regard strangers with suspicion and find it difficult to share. 

                        We speak words that we regret and keep silent when we need to speak. 

                        Weariness and discouragement sap our energy and our faith.

                        We wonder how there could be good news that is not of our own making. 

                        We, whom you call to be an Easter people, are in need of resurrection. 

Silent Prayer

Assurance of Pardon

                        In the person of Jesus,

                        God invites us to discover the freedom and new life that God offers us. 

                        God’s forgiveness heals us. 

                        God’s grace dispels our weariness and discouragement. 

                        God’s love clears our vision. 

                        God’s compassion lifts our burdens. 

                        We are made new!

All:                  Thanks be to God!  Amen.

Invitation to Share  (1 Kings 17: 8-16)

                        The widow of Zarephath thought the end was near. 

                        In a time of great drought, she had only enough meal and oil

                        to prepare a last bit of flatbread for herself and her son. 

                        And yet, when asked, she was willing to share what she had with a stranger. 

                        With great courage, she trusted God’s promise to provide for her family. 

                        Her story invites us to look at the act of sharing as an act of trust.  

                        Let us share generously and courageously

                        because we can trust God to provide us with what we need.

Prayer of Dedication

                        Gracious God, we give these gifts because you ask us to share. 

                        We dedicate this offering and our lives to your service,

                        that the hungry may be fed, the oppressed may receive justice,

                        and the stranger may be welcomed in our midst. 

                        We offer this prayer in the name of the bearer of your good news,

                        Jesus the Christ.                    Amen.

Benediction

                        People of God, trust this:

                        God keeps faith forever. 

                        Go from this place filled with new life,

                        ready to bear the good news of God’s promises. 

                        And should you find yourself feeling worried or discouraged this week,

                        remember that the wondrous love of God,

                        the healing power of Christ Jesus,

                        and the bold courage of the Holy Spirit,

                        go with you today and always.                       Amen!

God Keeps Faith Forever:  Service Prayers for the Second Sunday after Pentecost was written by the Rev. Heather A. Moody of the Pilgrim Association of the Massachusetts Conference, who is currently in search of a call.  Rev. Moody is a member of the Executive Council of the United Church of Christ.

Copyright 2010 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.