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

Call to Worship
(Based on John 6:56-58)
(May also be used as a response to the Gospel)

One: Jesus said "Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them." (John 6:56)
Many: His words are spirit and they are life! (John 6:63)

One: Jesus is the Living Bread that came down from heaven.
Many: Whoever eats this bread will live forever.

One: We are what we eat. You feed us, O God.
All: We come hungry for the food that only God supplies.
Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven, feed us 'til we want no more.

Pastoral Prayer
(Based on Ephesians 6:10-20)

Hear our prayers, Lord.
How we long to cease
This struggle against each other -- futile, endless, prideful struggle.
Hear us over the noise of restlessness and worry.
Forgive us, Lord, and hear our prayers
Even when we have run everywhere else first -- before turning to you.
Remind us that the real struggle is not against blood and flesh.
Remind us that the real fight is spiritual.
Prepare us for the real battle. Clothe us in your armor.
Teach us to pray in your Spirit,
To pray for each other,
To pray for boldness to be what you have created us to be.
Hear our prayers, Lord. Amen.

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. Dr. Kena is a clergy member of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.