While We Wait: 21st Century Worship Resources for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A

Call to Worship: While We Wait
(Matthew 20:1-16)

Leader:
Able-bodied people,
Standing in the hot sun
Why are you not working
On this fine day?

People:
No one has hired us
No one thinks us worthy
We are more than willing
But still we wait!

Will you invite us
To serve God with you?
Will you ask us
To work in this place?
We are more than willing
But still we wait.

All: Teach us, O God,
How you recognize the work
How you recognize the workers
Teach us, O God
How you calculate the wages.
Teach us, O God, while we wait on this fine day.

Prayer of Confession
(Matthew 20:1-16)

Merciful God, forgive us for the times we have failed to appreciate the capacity for greatness of the people you have placed among us. Open our hearts to receive new members as full members of the faith community and to make room for the gifts they bring.

Forgive us, O God, for the ways that we have overworked many of our volunteers. Show us how to lighten their load and how to honor both active members and shut-ins for the untiring service they have given over the years.

Free us, O God, from the jealous thoughts that sometimes come from old guard/new guard thinking. Help us to resist attitudes toward ministry that are competitive or comparative. Let it sink in that you are the Owner of the Vineyard and we all look forward to the same reward -- life everlasting in your presence forever.

Open our eyes, O God, to new ministry opportunities that will bring you glory. Give us the ability to see willing souls among us who continue to stand in the hot sun waiting to work for God and open our eyes to ways to share leadership as we serve you through the ministries of this church. Amen.