Sunday, August 9, 2026
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost | Year A
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 | “Lived as an Alien”

Call to Worship (inspired by Psalm 105)
One: O give thanks to the Holy One; call on God's name 
Many: Make known God's deeds among the peoples. 
One: Sing of the Holy One's abiding love, grace, compassion, and justice
Many: Rejoice in the God's redemptive power
One: Seek the Holy One's presence, strength, and wisdom
Many: Remember God's wondrous works. Praise the Holy One!

Invocation
Loving and Wonderful God, you make a home for us. You provide us shelter and sanctuary. You embrace us and uphold us. You come to us and go before us. We come to you now. We search for your presence in this world, in this community, and in this gathering. Let us connect with you and be reminded of the path of full and flourishing life you offer. Let us connect with one another and be reminded that your kindom comes in us and through us for your glory. Amen.

Prayer for Transformation and New Life
Gracious and eternal God, we, like Jacob, struggle when confronted with hard things. We use avoidance to shield us from acknowledging and correcting the wrongs we have done and continue to perpetuate. We, like Joseph, fail to consider the impact we have on others and how we contribute to making life better or worse for those around us. We, like those jealous siblings, attempt to find our own way and create our own schemes rather than trusting in your love that knows no favorites and embraces us all. Help us to shift our attitude and behaviors toward accountability, reconciliation, and love. Amen.

Words of Grace
Inheritors of the kindom, rest assured that the Holy One's love knows no bounds. Rest assured that God will companion with you when the struggles life presents overwhelm you. We are all capable of confronting hard things and doing the hard work of restoration through recognition, repair,and reconciliation. God is with us on the journey…helping us to carry the burdens and reducing the load. Be made new in Christ Jesus. 

Invitation to Generosity
The Holy One gives gifts freely and abundantly so that all will be well and whole. God provides and empowers us to participate in providing for one another. There is enough for all. Let us join in the Creator's holy, wondrous, and abundant generosity in sharing the gifts we have claimed. 

Prayer of Dedication and Thanksgiving
Giver of perfect gifts, refine these offerings and our hearts so that they may bear fruit. Bless each of us with the joy of gift giving and help us to know the good that our generosity lends to the world in your Holy and Precious Name. Amen. 

Benediction 
May the God who loves you 
Give you the strength and compassion 
To love our neighbors tangibly
To protect the vulnerable, marginalized, and threatened
To make space for the stranger
To embrace our siblings
Go, in peace, to redeem the pain of the world
Through ordinary and extraordinary acts of love and hope

Lived as an Alien: Service Prayers for the Eleventh 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.