Develop a Discipleship System
Call to Worship
Children of God, when the journey ahead seems long and hard, full of unknown dangers and all-too-real risks, remember:
Keep the faith. God, who made us alive, is our Guardian and Guide.
When the voices on the side of the road tempt us with their misinformation full of unearned certainty, simple solutions, and quickness to blame and shame those who disagree with them, remember:
Stay the course. God, who made us alive, is our Wisdom and Judge.
When those in power place barriers in our way, making it harder to share the love of God in our communities, trying to convince us it is easier to do nothing than remain firm in God’s call to act for the flourishing of all our neighbors, remember:
Do not be afraid. God, who made us alive, is our Strength and our Advocate.
Children of God, come! Let us worship God, whose persistent love empowers us to persevere, to stay the course, to live by faith and not fear.
Come, let us worship God, who makes us alive, through grace to love and serve God and one another.
Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, February 2025.
Prayer of Intercession
Just God, we sense your anger at the injustice that thrives in the world. We share your grief at the discord that rages among your children, the rejection of those who bear your image, and the oppression of those you know by name. We turn toward you for strength and guidance to turn away from the norms of this world, the lure of self-righteousness, and the appeal of comfort over justice. Embolden us to believe that another world is possible and empower us to participate in its creation. Amen.
Written by Rev. Dr. Cheryl Lindsay, Copyright 2022 Faith INFO Ministry Team. https://www.ucc.org/worship-way/after-pentecost-c-july-24-2022/.
Prayer of Confession
We do not find it easy to speak of how we do not live as your people, but you call us to share our weaknesses and failures with you, Inviting God. Tempted to think your salvation is for a select few, we put up barriers for others. Clinging to all you give to us, we are reluctant to share with those in need. Surrounded by evil and violence, we find it easier to close ranks with those just like us, rather than seeking peace and reconciliation for our world. Forgive us, God of our salvation. Open our hearts to our siblings all around us. Open our minds to the word of hope you speak to us. Open our spirits to the presence of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who flings wide the open doors of your kingdom, that all might find life with you.
Silent prayers of confession.
Assurance of Pardon
Receive the good news, my friends:
Christ came searching for us,
calling us by name,
leading us into God’s kingdom.
In Christ, we become new people:
empty, we are made full;
lost, we are found;
dead in sin, we are made alive.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
Adapted from Thom Shuman, posted on the Pilgrim WR Uniting Church website, https://pilgrimwr.unitingchurch.org.au/?p=2621.
Benediction
Go now in the blessing and power of God who gives us life, that you may grow in faith and live as bearers of love and life everywhere you go. Amen.
Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, February 2025.
