Sunday, July 13, 2025
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Luke 10:25-37 | "The One Who Showed Mercy"
Go Deeper: General Synod 35 Companion Liturgy

Call to Worship 
One: We come to worship this day, knowing deeply what it means to struggle.
Many: We remember times in our lives when we’ve felt hopeless, yearning for someone to care for us.
One: In this divided climate that might tempt us to ignore the neighbors in our midst, we need only tap into our own humanity.
Many: Because we know what it means to struggle, we are challenged each day to show radical love to our neighbors.
One: Even those who aren’t like us.
Many: Especially those who aren’t like us.
One: May our worship today help us remember times we have been helped…
Many: …and how we can become the helpers, and the hope-bearers, in this world.

Invocation (unison)
Christ, who shows us how to be in community together, thank you for gathering us into community together, onsite and online. We give you thanks for the ways we have been held in love in this community of faith. We are comforted by memories of mercy shown to us in difficult times, both by our friends in this space, and by your gracious presence in our lives. Empower us to be Good Samaritans in our own ways. Embolden us to seek out those who are hopeless and in need, not out of pity, but out of a deep understanding of difficulty in our own lives. Guided by your example. may we lead with radical love and brave compassion. Amen.

Prayer for Transformation and New Life (unison)
God of the oppressed, we confess that it’s sometimes easier to ignore those in need than it is to help them. We confess that we sometimes ask ourselves, “what will it cost us?” “what will others think?”—rather than remembering your call to care for our neighbors, whether we think they “deserve it” or not. Forgive us. Help us repent of our embarrassment at those in need, and turn instead toward empathy and compassion. We pray this in the name of your son, who teaches us how to love all of our neighbors. Amen.

Words of Grace
One: Friends, take comfort. None of us get this right all the time. We are utterly human—fallible people in need of redirection and second chances. This is the good news: we believe in a God who gives us a chance to start again. We are forgiven. May we respond to this grace with grateful hearts attuned to the pursuit of justice, mercy, and hope for all. 
All: Thanks be to God! Amen.
 
Invitation to Generosity
The Good Samaritan helped a needy stranger at great cost. This revolutionary act of love was life-saving. How will your gifts of time, talent, treasure, or prayer provide hope to this community, and this world?

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication
God of love, we give these gifts back to you with humility, remembering time we’ve needed help in our own lives. Help us use the gifts we give to love others as we have been loved. Amen.

Benediction 
Christ reminds us that being a neighbor to others calls us to show mercy to those in need. So may you go from this place and do likewise. Comfort others because you know what it means to cry. Love others because you know what it means to be left behind. Even when it isn’t easy. Especially when it isn’t easy. As you go, may you go with courage, knowing that the God who created you, the Christ who guides you, and the Spirit who moves in and through you, goes forth with you. Amen.

The One Who Showed Mercy: Service Prayers for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost was written by the Rev. Jacob Nault, Pastor of Union-Congregational Church (UCC), of Waupun, WI. and member of on the United Church of Christ’s Disabilities Ministries Board. As a musician and disability justice advocate, he shares original music, liturgy, and devotionals which help congregations and communities grow in their justice work. For more information on Jacob’s music and ministry, you can visit www.jacobnault.com.