Develop a Discipleship System
Call to Worship
Children of God, take a deep breath. Breathe in the goodness of God’s abundance all around you.
God’s abundance is enough for all that we need.
Think of all the things our society calls abundance. Ever-growing bank accounts, possessions galore, status and notoriety—what are these things compared to God’s abundance?
God’s abundance is enough for all that we need.
God’s abundance notices the poor, the downtrodden, those whose labor and unmet needs fill the coffers of corporations and those who are wealthy beyond measure.
God’s abundance is enough for all that we need.
How, then, will you offer yourself up to God? Like the Pharisees or the widow?
We will give as people who trust in God’s provision, because God’s abundance is enough for all that we need.
Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, August 2024.
Prayer for the Day
God, Protector of the widow,
the orphan, and the stranger –
in a world where many know despair,
you raised your Son Jesus
to give hope for humanity and renewal to the earth.
Continue to strengthen and unify your Church
in its struggles against the forces of death in the world,
where violence against creation and humanity
obscures the hope of the new life you offer.
This we pray in the name of the Risen Lord,
in the power of His Spirit. Amen.
From Resources for The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and Throughout the Year (2011), jointly prepared and published by The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and The Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches. Posted on the World Council of Churches website, http://www.oikoumene.org/. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2020/01/prayer-for-church.html.
Prayer of Confession
Lord God,
We ask that by your holy light
you illuminate the instances in our lives
where we have not lived up to your name.
We denounce “obvious” evils in our society
such as murder, rape, domestic violence,
thievery, and sexual exploitation.
However, we often fail to remember
that your gospel calls us to see the world as you see it –
from the vantage point of the “least of these.”
In looking around us in this manner,
we see the daily evils that boldly counter your gospel.
We see societal ills that habitually oppress the poor.
We see societal ills that blatantly disobey your Word.
We confess that we have not been extravagantly generous
with our time, resources, or prayers.
Lord, forgive us.
Forgive us for not speaking against
an immoral budget that exploits our brothers and sisters.
Forgive us for ignoring the plight of those
unable to afford health care because of rising costs.
Forgive us for denying the tremendous damage
that racism does to our society.
Forgive us for remaining silent over issues of immigration,
the death penalty, and the need for a living wage.
Convict us to act in the name of Jesus Christ for justice and mercy,
just as you have shown toward all.
Remind us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
Forgive us, dear Lord, for our daily hypocrisy.
Cleanse our souls and our bodies
with your saving grace. Amen.
Written by Jason R. Jenkins and posted on the website of the North Carolina Council of Churches, https://ncchurches.org/lectionary-archive/. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2018/11/prayer-of-confession-widows-mite.html.
Benediction
Beloved, go from this place blessed by God who provides everything we need, who teaches us to notice the needs of our neighbors, and who inspires us to live in God’s abundance as we share with one another. Amen.
Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, August 2024.
