Sunday, October 5, 2025
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Luke 17:5-10 | “Increase Our Faith”

Call to Worship (Inspired by Psalm 37)
One: Do not despair at the acts of the wicked-
Many: Trust in God. Scatter the seeds of justice in our world.
One: Do not desire or trust in the power of worldly empires-
Many: Delight in the power of God whose light fills our souls.
One: Do not embrace wrath or resentment; find patience in times of shadows-
Many: Commit to the ways of God.  Trust in the Holy One as Divine Love fills our earth.

Invocation
Holy Assurance,
The cobwebs of doubt spread as we notice divisions and injustices grow.  We are uncertain of your presence and have great doubt of the ways you work through us.  As we seek your presence among us, clear our minds of the distractions.  As mercy blossoms, our doubts will transform to belief.  Fill our souls with hope.  May we know that your Realm abides around us.  Amen.

Prayer of Transformation and New Life
Spirit of Encouragement,
You thrive in our times of doubt.  Your work takes root even if the drought of fear destroys our fertile soil.  Yet we allow our mistrust of you and our neighbors to disturb our growth.  We ask you to increase our faith when we are refusing to cultivate it.  Motivate us to seek new ways of exploring our faith. Embolden us to trust even when fear creeps into our minds.  Amen.

Words of Grace
In seasons of drought and rains, God is still giving us the encouragement to grow in faith.  Know that through the grace of God, we will continue to find the strength to stretch ourselves and expand our faith.

Invitation to Generosity
As we journey with God, we listen to God’s still-speaking voice asking us to have faith in all we share.  The Spirit of God asks us to live into our faith as we share our treasures, talents, and time with all of creation.

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication
Holy Vessel of Endurance,
When our spirits experience dehydration, you quench our souls.  When doubt creeps into our minds, you fill our hearts with your hydrating presence.  Encourage us to stretch ourselves in our giving.  Help us to see that we have the faith to take movements forward into the future with courage and strength.  Amen.

Benediction
Beloved children of God,
Trust in the faith that abides within you.
Know that the Spirit will nurture that faith,
Believe that the Christ will inspire that faith
And know that our Holy Parent will encourage your faith in each stage in life
Today and always.
Amen.

Increase Our Faith: Service Prayers for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost was written by Rev. Michelle L. Torigian , an ordained UCC minister in Belleville, Illinois.