In the Name of Jesus…
Service Prayers for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost
World Communion Sunday
October 1, 2017

Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 

On a table that people can see as they enter the worship space, place as many different kinds of bread as you can find. Look especially for whole loaves from the traditions represented in the congregation and in the neighborhood surrounding the church. These breads will not be brought forward with the other offering gifts.  They will not all be distributed at Communion, but may be shared among the community following worship.

Call 

One:	Watch and listen for the wonders of our God.
All:		Our God is among us.

One:	Watch and listen for the goodness of our God.
All:		Our God moves among us.  

One:	Watch and listen, for God is here.
All:		Our God dwells among us.  

Gathering Prayer

	God, the encourager, God, the compassionate, 
God, the merciful, holy, blessed:  

Disturb us.  Rouse us from our sleep.  
Lift us into consciousness of your presence.  
Change us, move us, mold us for the better;
So that, at the sound of your voice
At the call of our name
We will never be the same.

May this worship do this and so much more, in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Confession

Called to follow Christ, we are called to a life of humility.  

But what does that even mean?  

Do we seek to exalt ourselves – to be lifted above others?
Does our sense of success depend on someone else’s failure?
Does our love of God entirely guide our relationships?
Do we twist service into convenience and leisure, 
ignoring the idea that to serve is to be a servant?

Silence

Let us pray:
Disturb the habits of our sin, O God.  
Rouse us from the sleep that cradles sin’s embrace.  

In the name of Jesus, we pray – 
Show us your ways
Highlight what we can change
And change what we cannot. 

Silence

Assurance of Pardon

One:	Good friends:
	God is at work in you!  
	God is alive in us!
	
	God lives – but sin is dead.  
	And our sins are forgiven, 
through Christ, our Savior.  
 
All:		Alleluia!  Amen.

Invitation to Offering

God promises to hear the prayers asked in the name of Jesus.  
And God’s people have asked.  
God’s people have asked for support and resources, for direct aid, for money and food.  They have asked in the name of Jesus.  
And in the name of Jesus, we respond.   

Through this offering, we pool together the resources of every person gathered here, 
in the name of Jesus, who gives and saves and shows us the way.  
Let us give and save and show others Christ’s way.  Amen.  

Dedication

	These gifts represent the best of ourselves, O God – 
we attest, with joy, that we can do no better.  
Receive them with our prayers.  
Take and use them for your goodness.  
In the name of Jesus we pray.  Amen.

HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation
As part of the world-wide community of Christians, 
we remember Jesus’ meal with his disciples. 
Our variety of bread today is a physical reminder 
of the range of Christian experience, 
both close to us and around the world. 

Jesus sets the table where we dine today. 
Jesus’ welcome extends to all of humanity.  
People of all ages, of all genders, of all cultures and cultures, 
of all economic conditions are welcome here.

No one can earn a place at this meal. 
Come of your own choice. 
You need only desire a deeper relationship with the risen Christ. 
Bring your hopes and your history. 
Bring your deliberations and your doubts. 
Come as your whole self.

Great Thanksgiving
	May God be with you
	And also with you!
Lift your hearts
We lift them up to God!
Let us give thanks to God most high.
It is right to give God thanks and praise!

Creating God, we give thanks that you brought this world 
and all of humanity into being, 
breathing life into us. 
You show yourself in each face we encounter, 
each and all created in your image.

We thank you for your covenants.  
You taught us how to serve you, 
and how to honor each other. 
To bring us into relationship with you, 
you sent us prophets and teachers. 
We offer thanks that when we ignored your embrace, 
you persisted in reaching out to us. 
We thank you most for the life and ministry of Jesus. 
The death and resurrection of Christ taught us 
that nothing, not even death, can separate us from you.

Through your Holy Spirit, you breathe through us, gathering us as church.  
Thank you for continuing to bring us together that we may celebrate you. 

Words of Institution
Tell the story of the last supper of Jesus and his disciples in your own words, from memory.

Prayer of Thanksgiving after Communion
Gracious God, we thank you for this meal 
and for all of the ways you nourish us. 
Grow in us that we may nourish others. 
Sustain us as we press toward the goal of your call in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Benediction

The sweet Spirit of God has blessed us!  Let us give thanks.  Thank you!
The great Spirit of God will guide us!  Let us give thanks.  Thank you!
The humble Spirit of God is with us.  Let us give thanks.  Thank you!
And may the blessed, eternal Trinity + 
grant you the peace the world cannot give, now and forever.  Amen.

Liturgy written by the Rev. Kaji S. Douša, Senior Minister of Park Avenue Christian Church (DOC), New York City.  Communion Prayer written by the Rev. Ruth Garwood, of Cleveland, OH.

Copyright 2017 Local Church Ministries, Faith Formation Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.