Sunday,  May 17, 2026
Seventh Sunday of Easter Year A
John 17:1-11 | "In the World"

Call to Worship (inspired by Psalm 68)
One: Let God rise up! Sing to God; lift up a song to the One who rides upon the clouds--the Holy One-- be exultant before God.
Many: Let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy!
One: Let God rise up! Ascribe power to God, full of majesty and power.
Many: Let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy!
One: Let God rise up! Awesome is God in the sanctuary, who gives power and strength to the people. 
Many: Let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy! Blessed be God!

Invocation
Holy Love, our Companion and Source, shower us with your presence, shelter us in your sanctuary, shield us with your peace. Open our receptivity to your word, wisdom, and way. May our worship honor your name and draw us nearer to you and to our neighbors. Be glorified in our midst as we exalt your Many Names. Amen.

Prayer for Transformation and New Life
Righteous God, you offer the newness of life and we cling to dry and desolate places. We withhold our trust and cling to the ways of the world while retreating from witnessing to your goodness in the world. We allow hopelessness to reign in our lives and direct our attitudes and actions. Help us, O God, to believe that resurrection is not a one time event but a way of being we commit to living. Let the resurrected live in us transform our being, thinking, and doing in the world. Amen.

Words of Grace
New Creation in Christ, the resurrected life is yours. We place our hope in the assurance that, in Christ, all things are made new. Change is possible. The world we seek is ours to build, nurture, and sustain. God has given us grace and authority as well as a Companion to make a difference in the world. Receive these gifts freely as they are given.

Invitation to Generosity
Our commitments in the world are tangible and spiritual. Let us bring our whole selves to contribute to the kindom of God, including material resources, as a faithful act of hope, trust, and companionship in this community and in the world.

Prayer of Dedication and Thanksgiving
Generous God, may these gifts we bring be used to bless, to build, and to beautify through generous and faithful care. Amen.

Benediction [use the text in brackets or insert named places that apply to your faith community]
Receive the power of the Holy Spirit and witness to Holy Love in [this community], [this state/territory/province/etc], [this country] and to the ends of the earth.
The gospel calls your light forward, as you go, in the world.

In the World:  Service Prayers for the Seventh Sunday in Easter Year A was written by the Rev. Dr. Cheryl A. Lindsay, Minister for Worship and Theology for the United Church of Christ.