Opening Words For Worship Service
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost COLOR:Green SCRIPTURE READINGS: Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28; Psalm 14:1-7; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10 INVITATION AND GATHERING Call to Worship (Psalm 14, 1 Timothy 1) Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” We proclaim that God’s presence is real and alive and thriving! Evildoers declare through their actions, “We go through life alone.” But we see God’s grace, faithfulness, and steadfast love in our lives and in the world around us. Praise be to God!
Opening Words For Worship Service
Opening Prayer (Jeremiah 4, Luke 15) God of abundant grace, may your Holy Spirit be with us now as we worship you this day. Open our eyes to truly see one another, that we might discover your presence in the smile of a neighbor.
Open our ears to the needs of the world, that we might hear your wisdom in the words spoken around us. And open our hearts to your grace and love, that we might find guidance and strength for the journey, for ourselves and for one another. PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE Prayer of Confession (Jeremiah 4, 1 Timothy 1) Gracious and loving God, we find it difficult at times to place our trust in you.