Reformation and Reconciliation
Service Prayers for the 24th Sunday after Pentecost
November 3, 2013

Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4	Psalm 119: 137-144  	2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12		Luke 19:1-10

Call to Worship

Leader:  	O God, how righteous is your Word
People:   	Transform us by your Word!
Leader:   	Your judgments are upright
People:   	Transform us by your Word!
Leader:  	Your precepts are unforgettable
People:  	Transform us by your Word!
Leader:  	Give us understanding and we will live
People:  	Re-form us, reconcile us, 
		Transform us by your Word!

Prayer of Invocation	

	O Still Speaking God, 
	throughout history and the wide world
	you have gathered people around your Word 
	to instruct and inspire.  
	We give thanks for all
	who have received your vision 
	and shaped diverse and faithful communities 
	to follow in your Way.	
	Continue to open that vision to us, 
	that we may become transformed 
	by the renewing of your Word in our hearts 
	and grow in love for each other and understanding of the many ways we may  
	Create in us O God clean hearts and minds; 
	enable us to rejoin you in your suffering and baptism.  
	We desire to be your children
	and.  
	We claim these blessing in your name.  Amen

Call to Confession

Leader:   	We confess we have strayed away from your Word
People:   	We cry out to you,   O God
Leader:  	We confess that we have allowed the worries of this world 
		to drive us away from your vision for our lives
People:  	We cry out to you,   O God
Leader:   	We confess that there is strife and contention all around us
People:  	We cry out to you,   O God
Leader    	Let us confess together:
	  	that we are powerless 
		and have taken our focus off your Word….                
		that we have not allowed your Word to work in our lives, 					yet we continue to cry out to you in times of trouble and need.  
		Grant understanding and wisdom 
		that we may see your vision and apply it in our lives.  
		Hear our prayer O God and       
                 	Call us back to you.

Assurance of God’s Love

	The scripture tell us that God’s love will find us 
	no matter how far away we are from the word.  
	Just like Jesus found Zacchaeus hiding in a tree, 
	God will find us and bring us home.  
	God has no respect of persons, 
	it does not matter what we have done wrong, we still belong to God.  
	We have the assurance, God will recue us.  
	This is the good news of the Gospel!

Invitation to Sharing

	Let us prepare to give to the kingdom of God 
	so that others may hear the word and be reconciling to God.   
	Give as God has blessed you to give, 
	now is the time to share your gifts, tithes and offering. 

Prayer of Dedication

	Bless every person that present in the building today.  
	Bless the tithes and offering for glory of your kingdom.   
	Bless everyone who has offered time, talent, and treasure to your work.  
	We ask everything in your mighty name.  Amen.

Benediction

  	Give us faith to walk in your path and power to stand the test of life.   
	Allow your voice to call us back whenever we go astray.  
	We leave in peace, knowing that you will never leave nor forsake us.   Amen 

Reformation and Reconciliation: Service Prayers for the 24th Sunday after Pentecost  was written by LT Leticia Rouser, a chaplain in the United States Navy.  

Copyright 2010 Local Church Ministries, Congregational Vitality and Discipleship 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.