The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost | Proper 13
July 31, 2022
“Cords of Love”

Call to Worship
One: Our Loving God gathers us from the east and the west, from the north and from the south.
Many: The Holy One is in our midst. Let us say so!
One: We cried out to our God in the time of trouble and eased our distress.
Many: The Holy One is in our midst. God leads us on right paths.
One: Our Provider satisfies our thirst and meets our needs.
Many: The Holy One is in our midst. Consider God’s steadfast love!

Invocation
Holy Love, we worship you as your people. You tether us to you in righteousness and covenant. Reveal your face to us. Let us see you in our midst, in our neighbors, and in ourselves. Clothe us in love and compassion, and continually fashion us as your people for you are our God. Amen.

Prayer for Transformation and New Life
Gracious One, you have knit us together wonderfully. You have promised your abiding presence in our lives and have guided us with love. We turn away from you and toward the path to destruction and discord. We judge our neighbor rather than love them and we fail to even honor ourselves as your beloved creation.  Amen.

Words of Grace
The God of mercy bends toward their children with love and hope. The Holy One leads us when we wander onto divergent paths and nourishes our hunger for the newness of life. In God, grace abounds freely, abundantly, and extravagantly. 

Invitation to Generosity
Jesus said, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15) The promise of life abundantly invites us to trust God’s provision and abundance of resources for all. We share our gifts from the abundance given to us. 

Prayer of Dedication and Thanksgiving
Loving God, may we demonstrate our love through these gifts. Bless them and magnify them so that all creation will benefit from your abundance and gift of life and love. 

Benediction
As we have been led by cords of human kindness, let us live connected to all creation. As we have been freed, may we pursue liberty for all. As we have known God’s gracious love, may we embody God’s abundant love.  Amen.

Cords of Love: Service Prayers for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost were written by Rev. Dr. Cheryl A. Lindsay, Minister for Worship and Theology, United Church of Christ.

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