Liturgical Resources

Call to Worship

Family of God, whom do you serve?
We serve God, who calls us to love our neighbors, tend creation, and care for the least of these.

Family of God, in a world that values productivity and profit, whom do you serve?
We serve God, who calls us to value equity, justice, and sabbath for all.

Family of God, in a world that privileges power over others instead of power shared with our neighbors, whom do you serve?
We serve God, who calls us to privilege the agency and flourishing of ourselves, our neighbors, and all creation.

Family of God, we gather here to grow in love of God, neighbor, self, and all creation. Let us now enter the joy of serving God, who is Love.
We gather to worship God and work for God’s purposes until God’s kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven. Thanks be to God! Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, August 2026.

Opening Prayer

God, our kind and loving Parent,
you no longer call us servants but friends.
There is so much you have entrusted to us,
even the future of your kingdom of justice and love.
Give us the grace to work out with you
the growth of mercy and goodness in this world,
to be united with all Christians
and with all who seek you with a sincere heart
in bringing reconciliation and joy to everyone.
Let us go together the way to you,
our living and loving God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Adapted from Liturgies Alive, Models of Celebration; reposted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/10/opening-prayer-matthew-25-14-30.html.

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God,
We have failed to love you with all our heart
and to be good stewards of your creation:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

We have failed to take up the cross of discipleship
and to be good stewards of your gospel:
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

We have failed to be faithful members of your church
and to be good stewards of your spiritual gifts:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Words of Assurance

God proves God’s love for us
in that while we still were sinners,
Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Confident in God’s free gift of forgiveness,
I declare to you:
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
Glory to God! Amen.

Adapted from David Beswick, http://www.beswick.info/rclresources/15C95OS.htm. Reposted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2013/06/confession-lord-have-mercy.html.

Benediction

Family of God, go from this place in the blessing of God who calls us into relationship with God and one another, who equips us to use what we have to bless others, and inspires us to value relationship over production and the flourishing of all over the wealth of a few. Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, August 2026.