21st Century Worship Resources for Pentecost 18B

Call to Worship

One: God, you know what we need.

Many: We think we need cable television or satellite dishes, when what we really need is to see your world through your eyes.

One: God, you know what we need.

Many: We think we need dozens of pairs of shoes -- a pair for each different outfit, when what we really need is to walk your path in the shoes of a sister or brother who is suffering.

One: God, you know what we need.

Many: We think we need the newest, most expensive vehicle we can afford, when what we really need is to simply go where you ask us to go, and do what you tell us to do.

One: God, you know what we need.

Many: We think we need other people to validate our worth, when what we really need is to find our true selves in relationship with you.

One: God, you know what we need.

Many: We trust you to open us to receive all that we need to become more like you.

(LaGretta Bjorn)

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Our Lord and our God, we thank you on this day for the many ways that you have spared our lives. We thank you for the days that some Esther interceded for us without our knowing it. Grandma Esther, Aunt Esther, or maybe even Uncle Esther who worked in secret for our good, often risking jobs, reputation, or substance, to give us a chance for life.

We thank you, O God, for making a way out of no way. We pray for anyone who feels like he or she is drowning in sin or in suffering today. Help that person to know that your promises are sure and that you are ever present. Lift all of our heads above the raging waters, and show us dry ground on the horizon ahead. Strengthen us, we pray, for this week's journey. Make us mindful of the weak and the weary and teach us how to bear one another's burdens along the way. Remind us that we are a family of faith. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

(Safiyah Fosua)

Offertory Prayer

In humble adoration and grateful praise for all that you are and all that you have been to us, we present our tithes and offerings to you, O God. Sometimes, the desire for the things of this world overshadows our responsibility to serve you and your people. For this, we are truly sorry. We ask that you receive these gifts, and us, as resources for your work. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

(LaGretta Bjorn)

The Rev. Dr. LaGretta Bjorn is the senior pastor of the Cadwalader Asbury United Methodist Church of Trenton, New Jersey and is a clergy member of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Safiyah Fosua is a former Discipleship Ministries staff member currently serving as Assistant Professor of Congregational Worship at Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana. Dr. Fosua is a clergy member of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.