Sunday,  June 14, 2026
Third Sunday after Pentecost | Year A
Genesis 18:1-15 | "Shall I Be Fruitful?"

Call to Worship (inspired by Psalm 116)
One: We call on the Holy One as long as we live! What shall we return to the Holy One for God's bounty to us?
Many: With love and laughter, we praise the Holy One!
One: What shall we return to the Holy One for God's bounty to us?
Many: Lifting the cup of salvation and offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving, we praise the Holy One!
One: What shall we return to the Holy One for God's bounty to us?
Many: With the fruit of our worship and the fruit of our lives, we praise the Holy One! 

Invocation
God who calls us, we are here, here to serve, and here to worship. We are here to sing and to pray, to let the word resound in us and the community to envelop us. We are here, O God, to know you and be known by you. We enter with thanksgiving and praise. We enter in safety of love and hope of peace. Holy One, we respond to your call. We are here. Amen.

Prayer for Transformation and New Life
God of Grace, we give you thanks for love that transcends our shortcomings, that greets us with mercy, and that offers the possibility of transformed life. Plant seeds in us that will stretch our faith in you and in us. Nurture us to live miraculous lives. Let our faith and our work join with your power to make us fruitful despite our limitations, doubts, and fears. May the fruit we produce add sustenance and hope in your kindom. Amen.

Words of Grace
Gracious ones, you may receive the nourishment and encouragement of God to be fruitful even when the Holy One amazes us beyond expectation and dream. God is with us in season and out of season. Expect an abundant and bountiful harvest to witness to God's grace at work in and through us.

Invitation to Generosity
What shall we return to the Holy One for God's bounty to us? God calls us to live fruitful and faithful lives that witness to and spread the good news of the kindom in the world. God provides for our needs abundantly so that all may flourish. May we use the bounty that we receive as gifts to share rather than as resources to hoard. Let generosity, trust, and hope guide us to support the ministry of this faith community and the wider church.

Prayer of Dedication and Thanksgiving
Faithful God, thank you for the gifts we receive and that we give. Bless them so that needs will be met, your beloved will experience communal embrace, and you will be honored and glorified. Amen.

Benediction 
May laughter and love fill your heart 
And joy and peace flow like a mighty river from you
As you share the glory of God in hope and peace
Boasting in the goodness of God 
And delighting in the wonders of God
As you work the harvest of the kindom
Go, and be fruitful in the power of God

Shall I Be Fruitful?: Service Prayers for the Third Sunday after Pentecost Year A was written by the Rev. Dr. Cheryl A. Lindsay, Minister for Worship and Theology for the United Church of Christ.