A Labor of Care for the Broken 
Service Prayers for 16th Sunday after Pentecost
September 4, 2016

Jeremiah 18:1-11       Psalm 139:1-6	Philemon 1-21    	Luke 14:25-33

Call To Worship

Leader:  	To take the clay of our lives, and shape disciples:
People:  	God calls us to the Potter’s House 

Leader:  	To receive and mend those who are broken from life experiences:
People:  	God calls us to the Potter’s House 

Leader:  	To love and heal those who are wounded from war:
People:  	God calls us to the Potter’s House 

Leader:  	To shelter all who are outcast and heavily burdened: 
People:  	God calls us to the Potter’s House 
Leader:  	Let us enter this place of transformation:
People:	And worship our God!

PRAYER OF INVOCATION

	Oh Great Potter, allow us to enter into your house to worship you.  
	We have come to lay the clay of our lives on your wheel 
	so that we might be shaped and fashioned into vessels for your Spirit who 
		will mend those who suffer, 
		heal the sick, 
		and offer the outcast loving shelter.	
	Create in us the spirit to serve those 
	who are broken from laboring in life and war.  
	Bless us with a new attitude to serve you and your people. Amen

Call to Confession

Leader:  	We have watched those broken from life and war suffer before us.
People:  	We confess that you are a God of love and peace

		Too often we have stood around returning veterans 
without extending a helping hand.
		We confess that you are a God of love and peace

		Sometimes we have looked down upon them because they labored in war.
		We confess that you are a God of love and peace

		Let us confess:

		O God, You call us to live in a Just Peace Church, 
		to work for justice for all and to seek pathways to peace
		so that we may end war’s destruction of human life and of creation.				Yet we are part of a war that has gone on for too long.
		We have not found the words or the wisdom 
		to guide our leaders into the ways of healing and peace.
		Forgive us. 	
		O God, you call us to minister to all your children, 
		including soldiers fighting this war, and their families.  
		We confess that we have not developed ministries 
		to touch those who return from combat broken in mind and soul.
		Forgive us.
			
		Mold us into the people you need 
		to heal returning warriors, military families, 
		and societies battered from the war in the Middle East.  
		We confess that we need to be put on your Potter’s wheel, 
		so that we might minister love and healing in your holy name.  Amen.

Assurance of God’s Love
	God’s word assures us that everything we need 
	to be disciples in the Potter’s House.  
	God is able to place us on the wheel and shape us into vessels 
	that will serve all people.  
	We can leave this place with the assurance 
	that we are being molded daily by the Potter 
	and when we come forth we shall love like God.   
	Let us give thanks to the Word of God!

Invitation to Sharing
 	It is time to share a portion of our earnings.  
	Let us get excited for God has blessed us 
	to make a deposit into the Kingdom.  
	Remember, we can’t beat God’s giving no matter how we try.   
	Let us cheerfully share our gifts, tithes, and free will offerings.

Prayer of Dedication
	Gracious God we thank you for the opportunity 
	to give our time, talent, and treasure 
	for the building of your Kingdom on earth.  
	Bless every gift, tithe, and offering that’s deposited into your Kingdom today; 	we offer this prayer in your mighty name.  Amen

Benediction
	Now leave this place knowing that all things are possible 
	in the Potter’s House! 
	Go into the world, 
	walk in love, 
	share the healing power of God with everyone, 
	and allow the peace of God that is beyond all understanding 
	keep your hearts and minds in perfect peace.  Amen. 

A Labor of Care for the Broken: Service Prayers for the  16th Sunday after Pentecost, 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.