Prophecy, Dreams and Visions
Service Prayers after Pentecost
Proper 25 (Semicontinuous)

Joel 2:23-32        Psalm 65          
2 Timothy 4:6-8              Luke 18:9-14

The text from Joel offers the promise of restoration and renewed vision from God. The apocalyptic imagery hints at the promise of a new heaven and a new earth. Similarly, Jesus’ parable calls us to humble recognition of our need for God’s grace.

Call to Worship (Based on Psalm 65)

Leader:

Praise waits for you, O God, in all your world!

People:

You hear our prayers, forgive our sins and call us to dwell with you!

 God of our hope, you are the life of the entire world.

Your faithfulness calls forth songs of joy from the ends of the earth.

You formed the mountains and still the roaring sea.

You calm the uproar of the nations.

You care for the land, bless it with water,

and fill it with grain to feed the people.

 Let all creation shout and sing for joy.

Invocation

We give you thanks

for all the ways that you bless our lives:

the beauty and abundance of nature,

the love of family and friends,

the joy of knowing you and hearing your word.

Send Your Spirit during this time of worship

so that we might dream your dreams

and see visions of the world as you created it to be.

Guide our thoughts and actions.

Bring us closer to you so that we might do your will

and dwell in your house forever. Amen.

Call to Confession

We turn to God in prayer

not because we are compelled but because God invites us.

We come to God

not because of our righteousness but because of God’s grace.

In that spirit, we offer this prayer of confession and unburdening.

Loving God, we know that in every generation

you call forth prophets to proclaim your word.

We give you thanks that you are still speaking even today.

Your Spirit inspires the young to see visions of a new creation

and elders to dream of a time not yet known.

Yet we confess that we fail to hear your voice

when it comes from an unexpected place.

Convinced that we are right,

we miss the Good News of your reconciling love.

Forgive us, God.

Restore us with humility and awaken us anew

to your presence and your promise. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

The God of creation is a God of mercy.

God is quick to forgive and God’s promise of restoration is for all people.

Friends believe the Good News of the Gospel

In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

Thanks be to God!

Call to Offering and Prayer of Dedication

In response to the promise of abundant life

God calls us to share our resources with those in need.

In that spirit of generosity, let us offer our gifts and tithes.

Loving God, we give thanks for the visions and dreams

that you share with your people.

We offer these gifts in response to your abundant blessings

and ask that you use them and the commitment they represent

to share your good news with all the world. Amen.

Benediction

Go into the world, renewed in hope and restored by God’s vision.

Go into the world to share God’s grace and mercy.

Go into the world and proclaim the Good News of what God has done for you.

To that end, may the blessings of God be with you this day and forevermore. Amen.

Prophecy, Dreams and Visions: Service Prayers for the Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost, was written by the Rev. Christopher Ney, Pastor of Central Congregational Church, UCC, of Newburyport, MA.

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. 

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