September 11, 2016
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost / Proper 19
Color: Green
Lectionary Readings
Semicontinuous
Jeremiah 4:11–12, 22–28 God warns that a fierce wind of judgment will lay waste to the land.
Psalm 14Fools say there is no God; there is no one who does what is right.
Complementary
Exodus 32:7–14Seeing the golden calf, God’s wrath burns hot; but Moses intercedes.
Psalm 51:1–10Have mercy, O God; I have sinned against you; wash me clean.
1 Timothy 1:12–17 Christ came to save sinners; God’s grace has overflowed for me.
Luke 15:1–10 Jesus tells the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin.
— Gathering —
Call to Worship
Like a woman who finds a missing coin,
God rejoices in our salvation.
Like a shepherd who finds a lost sheep,
God rejoices in bringing us home.
Let us worship God.
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer of the Day
Merciful Savior, you sent Jesus
to seek out those who are lost.
Receive us as we return to you this day,
then send us out to join your search,
so that we may rejoice with you
and with all the company of heaven
in the glory of your holy realm;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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.
You search for us, like lost sheep,
but we pretend not to hear your voice.
You treasure us, like lost coins,
but we spend our lives in foolish ways.
Forgive us, God of grace.
Help us to repent and return to you,
so that we may join the joyful feast
of redemption and restoration;
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 . . .
Make us good shepherds for your sheep
and good stewards of your gifts,
so that the lost may be found in you.
God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world . . .
Look with mercy upon ruined lands,
fields of desolation, cities of rubble.
Restore the glory of your good creation.
God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for this community . . .
Strengthen us to serve you in this place,
sharing the good news of your saving love
with our friends, neighbors, and strangers.
God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for loved ones . . .
According to your steadfast love
have mercy on those who are suffering.
Let them know joy and gladness again.
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:
You are gracious and merciful,
washing us clean from our sin
and delivering us from evil.
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 came to seek out the lost—
eating with tax collectors and sinners,
even dining with us at this table.
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.
Through the love of Christ Jesus,
let your grace overflow in our lives
and strengthen us to serve you.
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