September 18, 2016
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost / Proper 20
Color: Green
Lectionary Readings
Semicontinuous
Jeremiah 8:18—9:1 My joy is gone; my heart is sick; is there no balm in Gilead?
Psalm 79:1–9The nations have defiled your holy temple; deliver us, O God!
Complementary
Amos 8:4–7The wealthy pursue their own interests and trample upon the poor.
Psalm 113Blessed be the name of the Lord, who raises the poor from the dust.
1 Timothy 2:1–7 Instructions on prayer; there is one God, and Jesus is our mediator.
Luke 16:1–13 The story of a dishonest manager; you cannot serve God and wealth.
— Gathering —
Call to Worship
O people of God, praise the Lord!
Blessed is God’s name forever.
From break of day to setting sun,
let us praise the name of the Lord.
Let us worship God.
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer of the Day
Faithful God, through Jesus Christ
we have come to trust in you
and rejoice that you call us your own.
Help us to be more faithful
with the gifts you entrust to us,
turning away from worldly wealth
to worship and serve you alone.
This we pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Call to Confession
At the baptismal font:
We are broken vessels that hold no water,
yet God is gracious to us.
Jeremiah 2:13
Trusting in God’s grace,
let us confess our sin.
Prayer of Confession
Sovereign God, we confess
that we have not turned away from sin.
We seek our own self-interest
instead of serving others.
We glorify power and wealth
instead of worshiping you.
Forgive us, God of grace.
Teach us to treasure your gifts
and to seek the good of all,
so that we may be a blessing;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Declaration of Forgiveness
Lifting water from the baptismal font:
As a potter holds a piece of clay,
God holds and shapes our lives.
Jeremiah 18:6
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Eternal Wisdom,
from generation to generation
you teach your people the way to live.
Through words that are ancient
you speak your living Word.
Speak to us now with all that we need
to honor you and walk in your way
with honesty and humbleness of heart.
Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
Sacred writings, our instruction in salvation
through faith in Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 3:15
After the readings:
The words of Scripture, inspired by God.
Thanks be to God.
2 Timothy 3:16
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
Blessed be the Lord our God. Amen.
Luke 1:68
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
General Use / Time after Pentecost
We believe that the church
must witness against and strive against
any form of injustice,
so that justice may roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an
ever-flowing stream.
We believe that the church
as the possession of God
must stand where the Lord stands,
namely against injustice
and with the wronged.
We believe that in following Christ
the church must witness against
all the powerful and privileged
who selfishly seek their own interest
and thus control and harm others.
Adapted from the Confession of Belhar
Prayers of the People
Trusting in the power of God to deliver us,
let us make our prayers of intercession for all,
saying: God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for the church . . .
Help us to proclaim the gospel message,
so that all will desire your saving love
and come to the knowledge of your truth.
God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world . . .
Heal the destruction of the land.
Put an end to war and violence.
Pour out your mercy and peace.
God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for this community . . .
Deliver us from our evil ways—
cheating the poor, ignoring injustice,
exploiting those who are most vulnerable.
God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for loved ones . . .
Look with kindness and compassion
on all who look to you for help.
Raise them up from the dust of despair.
God our Savior, hear our prayer.
Merciful and mighty God, as you are one,
make us one with you through Jesus Christ,
whom you have sent to redeem us,
and in whose holy name we pray. Amen.
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
God has called us to do good,
to be rich in good works,
generous and ready to share.
With gratitude to the giver of life,
let us offer our lives to the Lord.
1 Timothy 6:13, 18
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
God of all good gifts,
you bless us with so much to share.
Use the gift of our money
and the gifts of our lives
to bring your healing and hope,
your justice and peace
to our neighbors, near and far. Amen.
Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
Your mercy and compassion are great.
You seek justice for the poor and oppressed
and weep with those who are desolate.
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior:
Jesus has taught us to be faithful
with the things that matter most—
the treasures of your goodness and grace.
The words of institution are included here.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast.
A Memorial Acclamation (e.g., “Christ has died”) is sung.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body and blood
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Keep us faithful in prayer and action,
seeking righteousness and peace on earth,
so that all may know your saving love.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever.
An Amen is sung.
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer after Communion
At the communion table:
God of grace, you invite us to your table
and welcome us as part of your family.
You feed us with your body
and satisfy our deepest hunger.
We thank you for these gifts.
Now send us out into the world
by the power of your Spirit
that we may be your witnesses,
sharing the life-giving news of the gospel. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
The Lord bless and keep
your going out
and your coming in
from this time on
and forevermore. Alleluia!
Psalm 121:8
Proclaim the message,
be persistent in prayer,
do the work of the gospel,
and carry out the ministry
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:2, 5; Luke 18:1