Treasured Love:
Service Prayers after Pentecost
Proper 14 (Semicontinuous)

    Isaiah 1:1, 10-20    Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23    
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16      Luke 12:32-40

Call to Worship (Psalm 50)

Leader:             Come, listen to the One

People:            who speaks and summons the earth,

                        from the rising of the sun to its setting.

                        Come, see the One

                        who shines forth in the perfection of beauty.

                        Come, bring thanksgiving, the sacrifice that honors the One

                        who shows the salvation of God.

Invocation (Psalm 50 and Luke)

Leader:             God of salvation, all the earth cries out for the beauty within us

                        that comes from the covenant you made with creation. 

                        We, your little flock

                        of young and old, male and female,

                        rich and poor, strong and weak,

                        are not afraid,

                        for it is your good pleasure to give us now

                        your kingdom on earth as in heaven. 

                        We have come: we are dressed for action and have our lamps lit,

                        we are ready for a new dawn that brings an everlasting day.  Amen.

Confession (Isaiah)

Leader:             The words of Isaiah remind us in vivid terms

                        that the God of justice cannot endure

                        solemn assemblies that hold on to iniquity. 

                        We confess that our hands may be stained

                        with sins that are like scarlet, crimson red,

                        hands that need to be washed to be like bright wool,

                        as beautiful as fresh snow. 

Leader:             God of mercy, remove the evil of our doings so we may

People:            learn to do good!

                        God of mercy, remove confusion from our doings so we may

                        seek justice!

                        God of mercy, remove fear from our doings so we may

                        rescue the oppressed!

                        God of mercy, remove hopelessness from our doings so we may

                        defend the orphan!

                        God of mercy, remove complacency from our doings so we may

                        plea for the widow!

Assurance of Pardon

Leader:             God of compassion, your eternal love

                        brings us back in true friendship with you

                        through your boundless forgiveness. 

                        In Christ, this love is treasured in our hearts. 

                        Gathered as your community of believers, our family of faith,

                        we are empowered to forgive one another as we are forgiven.

People:            Thanks be to God!

Call to Offering (Hebrews)

            By faith we understand that everything seen was made by God

            from things that are not visible. 

            By faith we bring these things,

            especially our very selves as co-creating partners

            for constructing a heavenly homeland on earth,

            whose architect and builder is God.

Dedication (Hebrews)

            Life-giving God, by faith we obey your call

            to set before you the promise and inheritance

            of who we are and what we have,

            which you have first given to us in love. 

            May our humble offering be pleasing in your sight

            and multiply,

            as many as the stars of heaven

            and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore,

            for the greater good of all creation.

Benediction (Luke)

            As we go forth to proclaim and live the Good News,

            may our hearts remain set on an unfailing treasure in heaven

            where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

            Wherever we are, may we know your treasured love in our hearts,

            and be always ready to open a door

            as soon as we hear Jesus coming and knocking. 

            Let us follow the footsteps of Christ into the world,

            and like our Savior, may we unconditionally serve in love

            all who dwell on this home called earth.

            Amen!

Treasured Love: Service Prayers for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost was written by James E. Janecek, an ordained minister with standing in the South Texas Association of the South Central Conference, currently serving as United States Air Force Installation Chaplain, Morón Air Base, Spain.

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.