Worship resources for:
Sunday after Pentecost — Ordinary Time 20 (August 15, 2021)
Lectionary Texts
In 1 Kings 3. 3-14 Solomon has become king, and has built the temple in Jerusalem. In a dream God asks him what he wants from God. Solomon asks for wisdom, to be able to govern well and discern right from wrong. God agrees and, pleased that Solomon has not asked for riches or long life or power, promises to give Solomon riches and honor anyway.
In Psalm 111 we praise God; ask to be kept always mindful of God’s wonders, presence and faithfulness; and acknowledge that wisdom is born of wonder and awe at God’s grace.
Ephesians 5. 15-20 exhorts us to be sober, to be filled with the Spirit, to give thanks to God for everything, and to make our whole lives a spiritual song, “making melody in our hearts to God.”
John 6. 51-58 continuesthe sermon about Jesus as the Bread of Life. John invites us not simply to have opinions about Jesus, but to “eat his flesh,” to let him get into our insides and become a vital part of who we are. In this way we know real life, life that is connected to God, which Jesus calls eternal life.
Call to Worship
1.
Leader: Gracious God, we are hungry for life.
All: You are the Bread of Life.
We are thirsty for love.
You are the fountain of grace.
We come to feast upon your abundance.
We come to drink of your wisdom.
Alleluia! We thank you. We praise you. We worship you. Alleluia
Collect / Prayer of the Day
1.
God of abundance and grace, we are hungry for life and love, but we divert our desires to other things. Redirect our hunger, O God, and transform our desires. Stir up our deep hunger for you, our thirst for truth, our deep desire for wisdom and compassion. Our mouths water for your Word. Speak to us, God of Love, and give us the bread of life. Amen.
2.
O God, like the aroma of baking bread, the love of Christ draws us to you. Like the nourishment of a hearty loaf, the love of Christ strengthens us. Like the sharing of delicious bread, your Word brings us together. God, your grace feeds the deepest hunger of our souls. We come to the table of your wisdom, the feast of your love. Feed us your grace, O God. Amen.
3.
God of love, we do not ask you for riches or honor; we seek your wisdom, the wisdom of compassion and grace. Feed us with the wisdom of Christ, the Bread of life, that we may feast on your grace and serve you in faith, for the sake of all who are hungry for life. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Leader: Creator God, we confess that we have turned from you.
All: You offer us life; but we have sought life elsewhere.In our hunger we have been fearful and greedy,
selfish and and hurtful; and we have turned away from you.
God of love, have mercy.
Our hunger has only fed us death.
God of grace, forgive us.
Teach us that our hunger and thirst is for you alone.
Teach us to turn to you and receive life in each moment.
God of life, have mercy.
Christ, you are the Bread of Life. Come and feed our hearts and souls.
Alleluia! Come, Holy Spirit, and transform us by your grace. Alleluia!
Response / Creed / Affirmation
We trust in God, the Creator of all things, our Heavenly Parent.
We follow Jesus, who loved and healed, who offered himself for the sake of others. He was crucified, but God raised him from the dead. Risen, he is the food of our souls. We feast on him as the Bread of Life.
We live by the Holy Spirit, the energy of Christ in our bodies and souls. Each moment, each breath, we commune with God in Christ. We desire always to draw closer to Christ, and to be more loving in the Spirit of God, trusting in the power of forgiveness and the mystery of resurrection, so that we ourselves are the Body of Christ, his flesh and blood. God help us to more freely, deeply and boldly be your people. Amen.
Listening Prayer
(suitable as a Collect, preparation for hearing scriptures, or invitation to intercessions)
God of life, we are hungry for life.
Feed us the bread of life.
Spirit of breath, we live by each breath.
Help us to breathe deeply of you.
Love of God, we release our desires for comfort and ease;
we pray for your wisdom alone.
Christ, presence of God among us, we give our hearts to you.
Help us to listen, to feast upon your presence, and to enter into eternal life.
Amen.
Prayer of Dedication / Sending / Prayer after Communion
God of love, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us. You feed us with your Word and strengthen us with your grace. Deepen our hunger for you, and grant us faith to feast richly on the grace of Christ. Offer us now as bread for the world, in the name and the spirit of Christ. Amen.
Suggested Songs
Wisdom (see music store)