After Pentecost 3A – June 21
Sunday, June 21, 2026
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost | Year A
Genesis 21:8-21 | “And God Heard”
Call to Worship (inspired by Psalm 86)
One: The Holy One is great and does marvelous things. Delight in God!
Many: The Holy One gladdens the soul. We lift them up!
One: In the day of trouble, we call on Comforter and Protector, Counselor and Provider, Companion and Peace.
Many: The Holy One soothes the soul. We call upon their name!
One: The Gracious and Eternal God gives ear to our prayers and listens to our cries.
Many: The Holy One hears the soul. We turn to our God in hope and faith!
Invocation
Merciful and Compassionate God, we come into your presence. Be near to us as we draw closer to you. Be near to us even when we have doubts, have given up hope, and have been overwhelmed by our fears. Be near to us as we sing, pray, give, and receive. We praise you for your goodness and worship you for who you are.
Prayer for Transformation and New Life
Listening God, we acknowledge that you know us. You are familiar with our attitudes, behavior, and character. You ground us in the fertile soil of your love. Yet, we confess that at times, we feel rooted in sand. We observe our life circumstances, and hope may collapse under despair, fear may overcome courage, and uncertainty drives out faith. Help us, O God, when we cry out and when we don’t. Speak to us so that your message drowns out any other voice, including our own, that believes less for us than your promises offer. Do a new thing in us, for us, and through us. Amen.
Words of Grace
Beloved, the Holy One has observed, received, and acknowledged your need and your hope. In Christ, new life has been revealed, opened, and modeled for you. By Spirit, the Holy One leads us into renewing and transformative life. This is God’s will for each and all of us. The love and strength of God will sustain us through every trial and propel us through our journey of hope, healing, and wholeness.
Invitation to Generosity
The Holy One invites us into our generous life. Let us bring our resources together in order to support the ministry of this and the wider church and meet the needs of our community and world. Our giving testifies to the goodness, graciousness, and abundance of God. Let us recognize and respond to the cries of our neighbors and siblings with our resources offered in love.
Prayer of Dedication and Thanksgiving
Holy One, thank you for the privilege of giving. Bless these gifts and those who give. Enable us to trust and participate in your abundance. Extend wisdom and discernment as we allocate these offerings. Expand our reach and impact for your kindom and glory. Amen.
Benediction
As you go,
Speak up for the marginalized
Give voice to injustice
Express cares and concerns of your own household
Make a joyful, hopeful, and grateful noise
And remember that the Still Speaking God is also Still Listening
And God Heard: Service Prayers for the Fourth 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.
