Pentecost — Ordinary Time — Service Prayers

RISK AND
RESTORATION

SERVICE
PRAYERS FOR THE 23RD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY

SCRIPTURE
READINGS

          Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17

          Psalm 127

          Hebrews 9:24-28

          Mark: 12:38-44

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

Leader:            Unless the Lord builds the house,
its builders labor in vain. (Psalm 127)

People:           We
have come into this house, built by the Lord, to worship the God of Creation.

Leader:            Unless
the Lord watches over the city, those who watch stand guard in vain.

People:           We
have come to listen to the stories of people who throughout the

                       generations have shown us
the way by their trust in the promises of God, who is  always watching over us.

Leader:            The
widow who gives her last coin and Naomi and Ruth who are lifelong companions
for each other  remind us of the risks we
are free to take with confidence that God will take care of us through
times of plenty and times of want, all along our journey through life.

ALL:               So
let us celebrate this gathering which can bind us together.  Give thanks that we are no longer strangers
with God’s people here or throughout the nations.  Let us worship God!

 

PRAYER OF INVOCATION

All:      Ever
living God, instill in us, we pray, the trust and self-giving that your Word
imparts to us.  Teach us again during
this time together that you are always with us. 
Remind us that all that we have is a gift from you and is meant to be
shared.  The Holy Spirit calls and
empowers us to live beyond our own desires. 
So, send your Holy Spirit, we pray, that we might be overcome with its
liberating courage and sustenance.

 

CALL TO CONFESSION

Christ
has gone ahead to intercede for us.. Christ has entered heaven itself, now to
appear for us in God’s presence. (Hebrews 9). 
Let us confess our sin knowing that Christ is there on our behalf.  Let us reconcile ourselves to each other and
to Christ.

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

All:      O God, hear our confession of our
sins.  We know that we are already rich,
but refuse to see those in our midst who live on meager resources.  In fact, we find it comes natural to ignore
those who have the most to teach us. We don’t want to acknowledge that it is
often those with the least who give the most. 
It embarrasses us each time we are reminded of the examples of Ruth and
the poor widow.  We are experts with
prayers that make us feel important and we assume that special recognition is
due to us. We expect special privileges. We speak of our belief that you will
provide for all that we need-resources and partners on life’s journey. Yet, we
still don’t give ourselves over to your promises.  Even with our wealth, perhaps because of our
wealth, we need help to live faithfully. 
Forgive us, we pray.  Lead us to
live boldly as witnesses to the strength we have in Christ Jesus.

 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Take
heart.  God gives new life, even to those
who hold back from giving fully of themselves or who think God had abandoned
them.  Let yourselves be restored to God
and each other, knowing that God will provide without limit.

 

CALL TO OFFERING

God
has made us stewards of the rich resources that were given in Creation and are
given anew each day. On this day, we give our offerings and our pledges for the
church’s mission and ministries throughout the year to come.  Give, knowing that all that we have has come
from God who will continue to provide. 
Pledge, knowing that there is much still to be done as witnesses to
God’s goodness.  Let us put our hearts
into our offerings as signs of our trust and faithfulness.

 

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

We
lift up these offerings as a sign of our gratitude for your love and care, O
God.  We pledge ourselves, time, talent,
and treasure.  We pray that we may follow
in the spirit of the poor woman who gave her all without hesitation.  We dedicate our lives to you and seek to grow
in our faithfulness to your Word.

 

BENEDICTION

            Go forth into the world. 
Be for one another as Ruth and Naomi were for each other.  Go on the journey together, wherever it may
lead you. Share the gifts of God with the people of God. Be gentle and bold,
courageous and trusting.  God will be
with you, this day and always.