In the Name of Jesus…
Service Prayers for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost
September 28, 2014

Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 

Call 

One:	Watch and listen for the wonders of our God.
All:		Our God is among us.

One:	Watch and listen for the goodness of our God.
All:		Our God moves among us.  

One:	Watch and listen, for God is here.
All:		Our God dwells among us.  

Gathering Prayer

	God, the encourager, God, the compassionate, 
God, the merciful, holy, blessed:  

Disturb us.  Rouse us from our sleep.  
Lift us into consciousness of your presence.  
Change us, move us, mold us for the better;
So that, at the sound of your voice
At the call of our name
We will never be the same.

May this worship do this and so much more, in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Confession

Called to follow Christ, we are called to a life of humility.  

But what does that even mean?  

Do we seek to exalt ourselves – to be lifted above others?
Does our sense of success depend on someone else’s failure?
Does our love of God entirely guide our relationships?
Do we twist service into convenience and leisure, 
ignoring the idea that to serve is to be a servant?

Silence

Let us pray:
Disturb the habits of our sin, O God.  
Rouse us from the sleep that cradles sin’s embrace.  

In the name of Jesus, we pray – 
Show us your ways
Highlight what we can change
And change what we cannot. 

Silence

Assurance of Pardon

One:	Good friends:
	God is at work in you!  
	God is alive in us!
	
	God lives – but sin is dead.  
	And our sins are forgiven, 
through Christ, our Savior.  
 
All:		Alleluia!  Amen.

Invitation to Offering

God promises to hear the prayers asked in the name of Jesus.  
And God’s people have asked.  
God’s people have asked for support and resources, for direct aid, for money and food.  They have asked in the name of Jesus.  
And in the name of Jesus, we respond.   

Through this offering, we pool together the resources of every person gathered here, 
in the name of Jesus, who gives and saves and shows us the way.  
Let us give and save and show others Christ’s way.  Amen.  

Dedication

	These gifts represent the best of ourselves, O God – 
we attest, with joy, that we can do no better.  
Receive them with our prayers.  
Take and use them for your goodness.  
In the name of Jesus we pray.  Amen.

Benediction

The sweet Spirit of God has blessed us!  Let us give thanks.  Thank you!
The great Spirit of God will guide us!  Let us give thanks.  Thank you!
The humble Spirit of God is with us.  Let us give thanks.  Thank you!
And may the blessed, eternal Trinity + 
grant you the peace the world cannot give, now and forever.  Amen.

Written by the Rev. Kaji S. Douša, Senior Minister of The Table: La Mesa, United Church of Christ in San Diego County. 

Copyright 2014 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.