God's mercy for the disobedient
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Call to Worship
Pastor:
God has made his love available to all people in hopes they will accept salvation.
People:
We are all guilty of disobedience, and deserve to be rejected by God; yet he shows mercy instead.
Pastor:
When God offers his love, he does not change his mind and retract it.
People:
We have seen God's mercy in his love for us. We bless him for our salvation!
Collect
Merciful Father, who is unwilling to call back your love you have given: Forgive our disobedience, and be merciful to us; that we may be redeemed to new life through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Dear Father, we come to you as disobedient children who have betrayed your love. Our sins make us unworthy to call you Father. But you have promised mercy, and so we ask for your forgiveness, believing you will reclaim us as your children. Strengthen us in our discipleship, that our witness may convince others your mercy is sufficient to restore them. We pray through Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
Hymns
"Amazing Grace"
"Depth of Mercy"
"Heavenly Father, Bless Me Now"
"There's a Wideness in God's Mercy"
PROPER 15
Sunday between August 14 and 20 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 15:21-28
Theme:
The Canaanite woman's faith
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Many barriers come between God and his people, limiting his ability to give wholeness.
People:
It seemed the Canaanite woman would be rejected; but her faith overcame her barriers, and brought healing to her daughter.
Pastor:
The gift of faith is available to everyone, and breaks through any barrier to God's grace.
People:
May God give us faith to overcome any obstacle which seems to withhold his love from us.
Collect
Father of love and mercy, whose blessings come in proportion to our faith: Make firm our faith in your redemptive grace for all people; and break down every barrier which would keep us from your love; that we may find healing for our souls. We pray in our Savior's name. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Sometimes, Father, it seems we just cannot get through to you. It may be guilt, or fear, or sometimes a feeling of unworthiness. But our separation is more than we can stand; and we need to know you accept us. Forgive us for the barriers we create; and forgive us for too little faith to overcome these barriers. Restore our faith in your Son, our Savior, that he may come into our lives with the assurance of our being made whole. In his name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Come, Every Soul by Sin Oppressed"
"Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee"
"My Faith Looks Up to Thee"
"Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior"
Pastor:
God has made his love available to all people in hopes they will accept salvation.
People:
We are all guilty of disobedience, and deserve to be rejected by God; yet he shows mercy instead.
Pastor:
When God offers his love, he does not change his mind and retract it.
People:
We have seen God's mercy in his love for us. We bless him for our salvation!
Collect
Merciful Father, who is unwilling to call back your love you have given: Forgive our disobedience, and be merciful to us; that we may be redeemed to new life through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Dear Father, we come to you as disobedient children who have betrayed your love. Our sins make us unworthy to call you Father. But you have promised mercy, and so we ask for your forgiveness, believing you will reclaim us as your children. Strengthen us in our discipleship, that our witness may convince others your mercy is sufficient to restore them. We pray through Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
Hymns
"Amazing Grace"
"Depth of Mercy"
"Heavenly Father, Bless Me Now"
"There's a Wideness in God's Mercy"
PROPER 15
Sunday between August 14 and 20 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 15:21-28
Theme:
The Canaanite woman's faith
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Many barriers come between God and his people, limiting his ability to give wholeness.
People:
It seemed the Canaanite woman would be rejected; but her faith overcame her barriers, and brought healing to her daughter.
Pastor:
The gift of faith is available to everyone, and breaks through any barrier to God's grace.
People:
May God give us faith to overcome any obstacle which seems to withhold his love from us.
Collect
Father of love and mercy, whose blessings come in proportion to our faith: Make firm our faith in your redemptive grace for all people; and break down every barrier which would keep us from your love; that we may find healing for our souls. We pray in our Savior's name. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Sometimes, Father, it seems we just cannot get through to you. It may be guilt, or fear, or sometimes a feeling of unworthiness. But our separation is more than we can stand; and we need to know you accept us. Forgive us for the barriers we create; and forgive us for too little faith to overcome these barriers. Restore our faith in your Son, our Savior, that he may come into our lives with the assurance of our being made whole. In his name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Come, Every Soul by Sin Oppressed"
"Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee"
"My Faith Looks Up to Thee"
"Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior"
