Now we get specific. We talk about what our lives ought to reflect. What is “a life worthy”? That’s what is being described here in our text this week. And worship is both confession that we aren’t that yet and confirmation that we will allow the Spirit to work within us to shape us into the disciples that we are called to be, even as we invite others to join us in the path toward wholeness in Christ.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6)

Lead a life worthy of the calling
to which you are called:
We cannot do this alone,
we dare not try this alone,
so we gather as God's people.
Lead a life worthy of your calling,
a life filled with service and meekness.
We come to build up Christ's Body,
in humility and gentleness,
with patience and love.
Lead a life which reflects your calling,
that life of peace grounded in the Spirit.
We rejoice in our oneness in Christ;
we would share the grace offered to us.
Live a life worthy of the calling
to which you have been called.
We gather as God's family
at the Table prepared for us,
waiting to be fed by the Bread of life.

Written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies, https://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com/search?q=Ephesians+4%3A1-16.

Call to Worship

(based on Ephesians 4:4-6)

We have come together as one.
One people, gathered in the name of the one God.
We will worship together as one.
One community, giving praise and honor to the Righteous One.
We are being empowered as one by One.
One body and one Spirit, called to the hope of one calling,
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in all.
Now, in the name of the Three-in-One, we act as one.
One people, giving witness to the power of One.

Based on Ephesians 4:4-6. Included in Worship Services for Election Day Communion Services, https://electiondaycommunion2016.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/edc-worship-resources1-003.pdf, page 3

One Body, God’s Body

Share this Call to Worship as a prayer or adapt as a call/response reading

My body. One body. Our body. God’s body.
This is my home.
These are my people.
We fully give our gifts to help strengthen the body.
My body. One body. Our body. God’s body.
Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.
Only as one being strengthened and motivating those around us can we reign victorious.

Holy Spirit, we implore your wisdom, guidance, and discipline.
Make us whole. Strengthen our weakness.
Keep deception and division far from us.
Fill us forever with the true Bread of Life, Jesus Christ.
May we not forget where our Eternal Life flows from.
Unify us in you, Lord. Beyond race, culture, education, social, and economic status.
Bind us to one another.
Show us you in every face that looks back at us.

My body. One body. Our body. God’s Body

Kachael J, Africana Liturgical Resources, Pentecost Package 1, ed. Safiyah Fosua.

Prayer of Commitment

Let us pray.

Take us from where we are, to where you want us to be;
make us not merely guardians of a heritage,
but living signs of your coming Kingdom;
fire us with passion for justice and peace between all people;
fill us with that faith, hope and love which embody the Gospel;
and through the power of the Holy Spirit make us one.

That the world may believe, that your name may be enthroned in our nation,
that your church may more effectively be your body,
we commit ourselves to love you, serve you,
and follow you as pilgrims not strangers.

From the Inaugural Service of Action of Churches Together in Scotland. Included in Resources for The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and throughout the year (2010) and posted on the World Council of Churches website. Also posted at re: Worship, https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/01/prayer-of-commitment-unity-in-christ.html.

Prayer for Unity

Jesus Christ, our Lord and our brother,
you have called us to be your one Church.
Make us one in our faith and hope,
and one in our loving service.
Make us one in worship and in daily living.

Lord Jesus,
send your Spirit to make us one
as you want us to be.

We ask this, Jesus,
for you are our Lord and our Saviour for ever. Amen.

From the Catholic Doors Ministry website. Reposted at re: Worship, https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/01/prayer-for-unity-make-us-one.html.

Ancient Prayer for Christian Unity

We give you thanks, O Father,
for the life and knowledge which you have made known to us
through your Son Jesus;
yours is the glory for ever and ever.
As the grain once scattered in the fields
and the grapes once dispersed on the hillside
are now united on this table in bread and wine,
so, Lord, may your whole church soon be gathered together
from the ends of the earth into your kingdom;
for yours is the glory and power,
through Jesus Christ,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

From the Didache (2nd century). Posted on David Beswick’s Worship and Preaching website. http://www.beswick.info/rclresources/20B9700OS.htm.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by John 17, Ephesians 4)

O God,
whose will it is that all your children should be one in Christ;
we pray for the unity of your Church.

Pardon all our pride and our lack of faith,
of understanding and of charity,
which are the causes of our divisions.

Deliver us from narrow-mindedness,
from our bitterness,
from our prejudices.

Save us from considering as normal
that which is a scandal to the world
and an offence to your love.

Teach us to recognize the gifts of grace
among all those who call upon you
and confess the faith of Jesus Christ our Lord.

From the Liturgy of the French Reformed Church. https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/04/prayer-of-confession-for-christian.html.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Ephesians 4:1-16)

God of unity and love,
place within each of us
a spirit of hope and community.
Have mercy upon us
when we speak without love
or act without humility.
Cleanse us with the living water of your grace.
Create in us willing hearts
to live in patience and gentleness.
Raise us up to be your children,
growing toward maturity
in faith and love.
Strengthen this church,
that we may be a model
of ministry and unity
for all the world to see.
In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.