A Harvest of Joy, Healing, and Peace
Service Prayers for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 9 (Inclusive)
 

Call to Worship (from Psalm 30)

Leader:             Let us sing praises to God, all you faithful ones,

People:            and give thanks to God’s holy name.

                        God does not abandon us in our distress.

                        God’s healing presence restores us to life.

                        Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

                         Indeed, God turns our mourning into dancing;

                        God takes off our sackcloth and clothes us with joy.

                        Let the peoples praise you, O God, and not be silent.

                         O Lord, our God, we will give thanks to you forever!

Invocation

                        Gracious and loving God,

                        we give you thanks for all the blessings we experience—

                        the freedom to worship you without fear,

                        the bounty and diversity of your creation,

                        and the precious gift of unexpected joy. 

                        As we draw near to you this hour,

                        may we immerse ourselves in your healing presence. 

                        Refresh us and renew us

                        that we might become faithful laborers

                        in your harvest of peace, justice, and joy. 

                        We pray in the name of our great Healer, Jesus the Christ.  Amen.

Prayer of Confession (see Luke 10, Galatians 6 and 2 Kings 5)

                        O God, we know that Jesus sent out his disciples

                        without purse, luggage, or sandals. 

                        All too often, we find ourselves clinging to possessions we don’t need,

                        looking for safety by avoiding risk,

                        and bearing heavy burdens that slow us down. 

                        Forgive us for our reluctance to travel lightly and heal us of our pain and guilt.

                        Forgive us and heal us, O God.

                        Holy One, the Apostle Paul encouraged the Galatians not to grow weary,

                        but to use every opportunity to work for the good of all. 

                        And yet, hectic schedules, competing demands, cynicism, and doubt

                        erode our commitment and leave us feeling burned out. 

                        Forgive us for any hollow excuses we are tempted to make

                        and heal us of our exhaustion.

                        Forgive us and heal us, O God.

                        O God, we confess that, like the warrior Naaman,

                        we sometimes think you only perform great complicated acts

                        in flashy and dramatic ways. 

                        We then fail to see how you are at work

                        in the simple tasks and ordinary experiences of everyday life. 

                        Forgive us for our misunderstanding and heal us of our sightlessness.

                        Forgive us and heal us, O God.

Silent Prayer

Assurance of Pardon

                        There is no pain that God cannot heal. 

                        There is no wrong that God cannot forgive. 

                        Come, immerse yourselves in the healing waters of God’s forgiveness. 

                        Come and be restored.  Let God make you whole.

                        Thanks be to God!  Amen.

Invitation to Share 

            Jesus sent out seventy disciples to share in his ministry

            by healing the sick and proclaiming that the kingdom of God has come near.

            As Jesus’ disciples in this time and place,

            We hear Christ's call  to consider how we can continue this ministry. 

            Each of us has so much that we can offer. 

            Let us share what we have joyfully so that our generosity may demonstrate

            how God’s realm of justice and healing has come near.

Prayer of Dedication

            We give thanks to you, O God,

            for you have blessed us with all we need to do your work. 

            Empower and embolden us to use our gifts in your service.  

            May our sharing be a sign of your inbreaking realm

            and a source of healing and hope to a world in need. 

            We pray this in the name of the One who sends us out, Jesus the Christ.  Amen.

Benediction

                        Go forth from this place refreshed and empowered

                        to do the ministry to which God calls you:

                        Travel lightly, for you carry within you all that you need. 

                        Notice God’s presence in simple, everyday experiences. 

                        Whenever opportunity arises, labor for the good of all. 

                        And the blessing and joy of God, our Creator, Healer, and Life-Giver

                        go with you today and always. Amen.

A Harvest of Joy, Healing, and Peace: Service Prayers for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost was written by the Rev. Heather A. Moody, an ordained minister with standing in the Pilgrim Association of the Massachusetts Conference of the U.C.C.  A member of the United Church of Christ Executive Council, she is currently in search of a call.

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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