Empowered to Love and Speak Truth
Service Prayers for 8th Sunday after Pentecost
July 10, 2016

Amos 7:7-17     Psalm 82    Colossians 1:1-14    Luke 10:25-37

Call to Worship 

Leader:  	Come, let us celebrate the One 
		who calls us to love and speak truth to power:
People: 	No one can stop us from speaking the truth.

Leader:  	We are called to love and defend our brothers and sisters 
		who suffer in silence:
People: 	No one can stop us from speaking the truth.

Leader:  	We must rise up, stand up, and speak up for righteousness:
People: 	No one can stop us from speaking the truth.

Leader:  	Come, let us celebrate together the power to love 
		and to speak truth:
People:  	We are ready to worship our God who is still speaking!  
		No one can stop us now!

Prayer of Invocation

	Spirit of the living God, fall fresh upon us; 
	allow your presence to fill us with power from on high.  
	Come, Holy One, and dwell among us.  
	We need your authority to love our neighbor 
	and speak to the powers of this world.  
	Give us a special anointing to stand and be witnesses 
	in our homes, our schools, and on our jobs.  
	Come into this place and make us one with each other.  
	It is in your name we pray.  Amen.

Call to Confession

Leader:  	In the lives of neighbors who suffer brokenness and pain:
People: 	We confess you are still speaking!

Leader:  	In the struggle of the poor whose rights are not honored:
People: 	We confess you are still speaking!

Leader:  	In a world crying out for wisdom, love and mercy: 
People: 	We confess you are still speaking!

Leader:  	In a world calling for the blessing of truth:
People: 	We confess you are still speaking!  Bless us to hear!

Leader: 	Let us confess together:
		We confess that in our lives we often hide behind 
		our work and play, schools and jobs, fun and fashion.  
		We let ourselves get so busy 
		that we forget the cause of the poor and the suffering. 
		We confess we allow the powers of this world 
		to seduce us into selfishness 
		and silence our witness.			
		Teach us to champion the cause for justice for all, 
		strengthen us to love our neighbor 
		and speak truth no matter the penalty.  Amen.

Assurance of God’s Love

		The Word of God assures us 
		that we are able to love through the Spirit of Christ.  
		Let us go from this place with authority, 
		knowing that God’s Word gives us strength 
		to love our neighbors near and far 
		and power to speak up for those who are broken.   
		Thanks to the Word of God!

Invitation to Sharing

		We are called to love and obey God’s still-speaking voice.  
		Let us give freely to the building of God’s kingdom on earth.  
		Come now and share your gifts, tithes and offerings.  
		Let us give as God has blessed us to give.

Prayer of Dedication

		O God, we offer these gifts, tithes, and offerings 
		for the building of your kingdom on earth. 
		Bless the gift and the givers.  
		Bless all who offer time, talent and treasure in your service. 
		We offer this prayer in your holy name.    Amen.

Benediction

		Now as we leave from this place, 
		but not from your presence, 
		let us remember your still-speaking voice.  
		Send your grace to go with us, 
		your peace to keep us, 
		and your love to surround us as we travel.  
		May we leave empowered to love and 
		speak your truth each day.  Amen.

Empowered to Love and Speak Truth was written by LT Leticia Rouser, a chaplain in the United States Navy.

Copyright 2016 Local Church Ministries, Faith Formation Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.  
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