Sunday, August 17, 2025
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Luke 12:49-56 | "Cast Fire"

Call to Worship (Inspired by Psalm 80)
One:  Turn again, O God of hosts; look down from heaven and see; have regard for this vine, the stock that your right hand planted.
Many: The world is ablaze around us with pain and suffering, natural disasters and human schemes, injustice and brokenness.
One:  Create again, O God of Fire; respond to the needs of your people and shepherd us to be good stewards of your creation.
Many: Let your Holy Fire meet the infernos that seek to consume us with refining and renewing power. 
One:  Redeem again, O God of hosts; ignite a flame within your kindom that will spread as a wildfire of righteousness and love.
Many: Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Invocation
God of Fire, we recognize the spark that you bring into our gathering. Let it ignite within us as we worship you in the company of siblings. We honor your power and remain in awe of your glory. Let it fall again as Spirit dwells among us. May the warmth of your presence give us courage for these days and the clarity of your light give us discernment toward a future with hope. Be pleased by our worship, Eternal God, and be glorified in our praise. Amen.

Prayer for Transformation and New Life
Transforming One, forgive us for dampening your fire, even for our failure to recognize your movement among us. Help us to follow in the path of life abundantly for our neighbors and ourselves. Make us instruments of your kindom as we encourage and uplift one another like iron sharpens iron. Surround us as a community of accountability and support to transform us in your image, character, and nature. We receive the gift of new grace, new mercies, and new life that you offer to us each day. Amen.

Words of Grace
Beloved, in Jeremiah 23:29, the Voice declares, "Is not my word like fire, says the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?" We may be assured of God's power to break down in order to build back up. The brokenness we experience in life does not have the final word. For the redemptive love of God makes all things new and the healing grace of God restores and repairs. New life in Christ awaits us all this day and every day. 
 
Invitation to Generosity
May the gifts we have be the gifts we use to supply the needs of the community. When we employ generosity, we resist the powers of evil, reject the lie of scarcity, and assert trust in the God who provides. May our gifts reflect the blessings we have received and the faith that we proclaim.

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication
Holy, Holy, Holy God, who provides, who gifts, and who refines. We offer these gifts to you in gratitude and hope. May they extend beyond the walls of our sanctuaries so that your name will be known through us. May they spark hope and joy to dispel despair and despondency. May needs be met and lives changed through our giving and our living. Receive these gifts as our tangible prayer that your kindom come and will be done. Amen.

Benediction 
As you go, cast fire
To burn the acceptance of injustice
To illuminate the way of peace
To warm the bonds of human connection
To clear the path to a new world
We build together

Cast Fire: Service Prayers for the Tenth-Sunday after Pentecost was written by the Rev. Dr. Cheryl A. Lindsay, Minister for Worship and Theology for the United Church of Christ.