Sunday, October 19, 2025
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Luke 18:1-8 | “Not to Lose Heart”

Call to Worship (Inspired by Psalm 121)
One:As the sun sets behind the hills,
Many: We celebrate hope in our Creator.
One:Even as the sun strikes the earth in daytime
Many: We celebrate peace in our Creator.
One:As we move about this earth from day to day
Many: We celebrate the love of our Creator.

Invocation
Holy One, Holder of our Hearts,
From time to time, we notice our souls are heavy from injustices.  From the ways our community members are treated to the lack of compassion towards folks in faraway places, we attempt to embrace hope and often feel defeated.  Yet you continue to be the bearer of dreams, God of Love.  May we feel your Spirit’s peace even when struggles accumulate.  May we be baptized by your glimmers even as we journey through a world filled with ashes. Amen.

Prayer for Transformation and New Life
Beloved God of All,
We often feel deserted by Divine Justice and Peace, especially after absorbing the news each day.  We allow ourselves to fully walk away from spreading Good News of your love and grace after feeling the lack of mercy in our world.  We would rather be silent in places of comfort instead of shining your light in our pain-present reality.  Our hearts can not bear knowing of any further wrongdoings.  Open our souls to your healing.  Embolden us to be persistent in our quest to do justice and love kindness.  May we follow your light when the shadows attempt to swallow our resolve.  Amen.

Words of Grace
Our souls continue to open to the healing and hope of God.  May we embrace the glow of God’s grace as we seek ways to care for our neighbors.

Invitation to Generosity
God our Creator looks for us to celebrate hope, peace, and love through the ways we give from our spirits.  May we find our hearts become full of light as we share our treasures, talents, and time with our communities.

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication
Divine Connector of our Souls,
With much gratitude, we share our gifts with you today.  We continue to search for your dreams and fulfill your visions as we create your Realm here on earth. Energize us to utilize our gifts for the strength of all humanity.  Empower us to share our time, talents, and treasures as we seek to never lose hope and heart.  Amen.

Benediction
May the God of Hope stir us to awaken to Divine dreams.
May the Christ of Light embolden us to use our voices
May the Spirit of Peace fill us with the resolve to transform our world.
With help from the Holy One, we will never lose heart!

Not to Lose Heart: Service Prayers for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost was written by Rev. Michelle L. Torigian , an ordained UCC minister in Belleville, Illinois.