21st Century Africana Worship Resources for the Third Sunday After Pentecost, Year A

"Father Abraham, Mother Sarah": A Call to Worship for Genesis 12:1-9

Call to Prayer: Mathew 9:9-13

Words of Assurance:
Psalm 33:1-12 (UMH 767)
Mathew 9: 18-26

Invitation to Giving
Dear friends,
Let us be like Abraham who stepped out in faith and gave God his all. Hoping against hope, this old, childless man continued on the path to the Promised Land, believing that God would make good on the promise of causing him to be "the father of many nations." We can look through history to see so many who gave against all hope: Harriet Tubman, who gave over and over again to provide freedom for the enslaved; Mary McLeod Bethune, who started a school with just $1.50; Martin Luther King, Jr., who gave the money from his Nobel Peace Prize and even his life to a Civil Rights Movement, trusting that God would give the increase. Indeed, God does give the increase to whatever we give. And so now at this time, let us give of our substance, even as we give our whole selves into the ministry of our Lord.

Offertory Prayer Dear God,
We thank you for the privilege of giving to you, who have given us everything. Bless these gifts of love. Increase them and increase your spirit in us that we may be as willing servants as Abraham, Harriet, Mary, and Martin, so that our community will grow in the knowledge and love of your kingdom. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

About the Author: Marilyn E. Thornton is the Development Editor of African American Resources at The United Methodist Publishing House and the Director of Christian Education at South End UMC in Nashville, TN.