Lectionary Texts
In Jeremiah 4.11-12, 22-28 God will send a hot, destroying wind because of Israel’s evil. There will be earthquakes and barrenness. Psalm 14 celebrates God’s presence, even though sometimes it seems like God is not really there—especially amidst injustice.
In 1 Timothy 1.12-17 Paul thanks God that God has patiently sought him out even though he is “the foremost” of sinners, affirming that “Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.” In Luke 15.1-10 some Pharisees criticize Jesus for welcoming sinners. He responds with images of God as a woman and a shepherd devotedly seeking something that’s lost, and rejoicing when it is found. God does not exclude us or forget us, but deeply desires us.
Preaching Thoughts
Call to Worship
1. All: Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Loving Christ, we give thanks that you search us out and bring us home.
Rejoice, for the lost is found!
Holy Spirit, keep working in us to reach out for you and for all who are lost.
for in your love we discover one another; we enter our own lives; we meet you at last.
It is your will to seek and to save.
So we worship you. Alleluia
Collect / Prayer of the Day
Prayer of Confession
Readings
Poetry by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Response / Creed / Affirmation
Listening Prayer
(suitable as a Collect, preparation for hearing scriptures, or invitation to prayer)
Eucharistic Prayer
[The body of the prayer may be read responsively or by the presiding leader(s) alone.]
God is with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your heart.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the Holy One, our God.
It is good and beautiful to give God our praise.
(Sanctus)
Blessed are all who come in your name,
and blessed is Jesus, your Christ,
(The Blessing and Covenant)
As long as we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection, until he comes again.
Therefore, remembering these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves as a living and holy sacrifice,
in union with Christ’s offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
(Memorial Acclamation)
Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and cup,
that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Pour out your Spirit on us, that we may be for the world the Body of Christ,
(Amen.)
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* The Blessing and Covenant
[I usually don’t print the words. I want people to be looking at the bread, not their bulletins.]
On the night in which he gave himself for us
Jesus took bread, blessed it,. broke it, and gave it to his disciples,saying,
“Take and eat; this is my body.”
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup,
blessed it with thanks and gave it to them, saying,
“Drink of this, all of you. This is my blood,
poured out for you and for many, in a new Covenant,
which is the forgiveness of sin.”
As long as we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection, until he comes again.
Prayer of Dedication / Sending
Gracious God, we give you these gifts as symbols of our lives. Receive them with love, bless them with grace and use them according to your will. You bless us that in our giving is our receiving; in our searching is our finding; in our living for you we find your purpose for us. God of love, send us out in ministry for the sake of the healing of the world, in the name of Christ. Amen.
Prayer after Communion
God, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us.
Suggested Songs
(Click on titles to view, and hear an audio clip, on the Music page)