21st Century Worship Resources for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Year B

Litany
(Based on John 6:1-21)

One: Praise the Lord Jesus Christ.
Many: Praise the Lord our Provider.
One: Praise the Lord who hears the roar of hungry stomachs.
Many: Praise the Lord who expects his disciples to help others.
One: Who are the disciples of the Lord?
Many: We who follow the Risen Savior.
One: Who are the disciples of God?
Many: We who declare we are Christian.
One: Who are the disciples of Jesus Christ?
Many: We who are commanded to share with those who cannot repay us.
One: Who are the disciples of the Lord?
Many: We who sometimes balk when needy hands overwhelm us.
One: Who are the disciples of God?
Many: We who are imperfect, but learning to trust God.
One: Who are the disciples of God?
Many: We are the disciples of God!
All: We are the disciples of the Lord.

Prayer of Confession
(Based on 2 Samuel 11:1-15)

Irresistible lure, why do you entice me so? Who gave you such power over me? Even when I know it's wrong I say, "But just this once" -- knowing that this might be the fiftieth time.

God, this moment we confess our weakness for making unwise, unhealthy and unsafe choices. There have been times when selfishness has placed those we love in harm's way, when temptation has undone us. This yielding to certain temptations without a fight is like an addiction.

When clear thinking fogs,
Deliver us, O God,
When inner restraints cannot be found,
Deliver us, O God,
When our knees are weak,
Deliver us, O God.

Deliver us O God, and fortify us from within so that we will not keep yielding to the same temptations over and over again. Deliver us O God, so that we might show ourselves as a people who have overcome the Tempter. Deliver us, O God, so that we might offer you a more perfect alleluia. Amen.

(Silence)

Words of Assurance

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and God's ears are open to their cry.
(Psalm 34:15)
Turn to God, knowing that God forgives.
God delivers. God loves.
Receive God's help today and trust the Lord to walk with you into health and
wholeness.
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

All: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
(People to one another.)

Pastoral Prayer
(Based on Ephesians 3:14-21)

Lord, today, we turn to you like the saints who intimately knew and trusted you. We pray that your Spirit will strengthen our resolve to be a righteous and holy people. We pray that our minds will grasp how great your love is toward us. We pray that you will fill us with your Spirit beyond what we think we can contain.

Now, we pause to bless you, the One who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine. To you be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

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The Rev. Dr. Kwasi I. Kena is a former staff member of Discipleship Ministries currently serving as Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry at Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University. Kena is a clergy member of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.