Laity Sunday

ENTRANCE

Suggested Congregational Songs and Hymns*:

ABBREVIATIONS

• AH = The Africana Hymnal
• BOW = United Methodist Book of Worship
• CCLI = Christian Copyright Licensing International, SongSelect
• TFWS = The Faith We Sing (2000)
• UMH = United Methodist Hymnal
• W&S = Worship & Song (2011)
• SOZ = Songs of Zion

“We Are the Church” - UMH 558

“God of Grace and God of Glory” - UMH 577

“This Little Light of Mine” - UMH 585

“Make Me a Servant” - TFWS 2176

“Rescue the Perishing” - UMH 591

“Shine, Jesus, Shine” - TFWS 2173

“If I Can Help Somebody” - ZSS 140

“Here I Am, Lord” - UMH 593

“We All Are One in Mission” - TFWS 2243

“Sois la Semilla (Your Are the Seed)" - UMH 583

“Go to the World” - W&S 3158

“I Will Serve Thee” - CCLI #14040

“We Are Called” - TFWS 2172

*Also see the “Hymn Suggestions” tab among the Laity Sunday worship resources.

Call to Worship

We are all called to go and share Christ’s love with the world.
We gather to grow deeper in faith.

We learn to recognize grace everywhere, in every life.
We wait for God’s saving love.

We remember our purpose through the means of grace.
God’s love is remaking the world!

WORD AND RESPONSE

Message Theme: Therefore, Go! With Hope Through Purpose – Luke 18:1-8

Prayers of the People (Skip if using “A New Great Thanksgiving for Laity Sunday”)

The four lay speakers/preachers may become the leaders of the intercessions, or other laity may be chosen to lead the prayers.

Pastor: We go with hope, O God, with an intentional faith:

By studying the scriptures, constantly praying, and joining holy conversations
that reflect your grace and Gospel.
Wherever we encounter those made in your image,
we bring the covenant hope that is written on our hearts.
As we grow deeper in faith and live well for others, we pray for your church and the world you so love.

Lay leader: For a new passion to search scripture for the words of life that mend our connection and our world.
People: God, hear our prayer.

Lay leader: With all who are called to follow you and lead others to faithful life in Jesus Christ.
People: God, hear our prayer.

Lay leader: For those whose shattered wholeness cries out for saving presence and help.
People: God, hear our prayer.

Lay leader: With your persistent friends who are called to serve and witness through deeds and words that heal and free.
People: God, hear our prayer.

Pastor: Hear our prayer, O God, and help us reflect your life, hope, and salvation – amplifying your call for love and justice in a distracted and all too indifferent world. Amen.

THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION

WHEN NOT CELEBRATING HOLY COMMUNION:

Invitation to Thanksgiving

Leader:
We will go, Lord, into the world,
telling and retelling the story with other believers,
taking the gospel and making disciples
among all the peoples with whom we come in contact.
We will go, knowing you will be with us.

You, O God, to whom we would
in these moments,
pour out our lives in service
and in thanksgiving.But we know the barriers that stand in our way.
We cannot pour ourselves out to you fully as individuals
with unconfessed sin in our lives.

We cannot pour ourselves out to you fully as your body
when we are in conflict with others.

So hear our confession,
forgive and deliver us,
and give us courage to offer your peace
to one another.

Confession of Sin

Leader:
We have sinned against you and each other, Lord.
We have not lived worshipfully.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our confession.

Silence

We have not loved you wholly.
We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We have not lived worshipfully.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our confession.

Silence

We have not denied ourselves and taken up our own cross daily.
We live not lived worshipfully.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our confession.

Silence

We have not loved kindness, pursued justice, or walked humbly with you.
We have not lived worshipfully.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our confession.

Silence

We have not shared the good news with our lips or in our lives.
We have not lived worshipfully.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our confession.

Silence

Pastor/Leader: The saying is sure: If we confess our sins, God is merciful and just and forgives us our sins, and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
In the name of Christ, you/we are forgiven.

People/Leader to Pastor and Each Other: In the name of Christ, you/we are forgiven.

All: Glory to God! Amen!

Pastor/Leader: As forgiven and reconciled people, share Christ’s peace with one another.
The peace of Christ be always with you.
And also with you.

The people share the peace of Christ with one another. After a suitable period of time, the pastor may continue:

Pastor/Leader: Forgiven and reconciled to God and one another,
let us offer our gifts and our thanks to God!

Offertory Prayer

God of grace and mercy, this day we offer ourselves, our tithes, and our offerings to you. Our giving is only the beginning of how we might honor you in gratitude, for you desire even more that our lives, lived in you, might be all love towards you and all your children on earth. We give joyfully, knowing instead that grace and love are ours to be claimed in Jesus Christ. Such a gift, to be freed from judgment, is far beyond our giving. May our gratitude be shown, not just in what we give but also in how we share our lives in love and compassion. In thankfulness, we pray. Amen. (Luke 18:1-8)

Thanksgiving Songs

During the Collection:
“Thank You, Lord” (UMH 84)

At the Presentation of Gifts:
“We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise” (TFWS 2031)

Pastor: Accept our sacrifices of thanksgiving and joy, O Lord,
as, by your Spirit, we remember and proclaim who we are!

Continue with Sending Forth

OR WHEN CELEBRATING HOLY COMMUNION:

Invitation to the Table (UMH 12)

Confession of Sin (UMH 12)

Act of Pardon (UMH 12)

Sharing of Peace (UMH 12)

Offering (UMH 13)

Great Thanksgiving: A New Great Thanksgiving for Laity Sunday

SENDING FORTH

Blessing and Benediction

Leader:
Go into the world, denying yourself,
and proclaim God’s love,
justice, and good news,
in word and deed
to all you see.

Pastor:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
is with you, now and always.
Amen.