SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 2021

We are called to love each other,

mothers, fathers, daughters, sons,

as one family in Jesus,

who for all the battle won.

Shining light in every corner;

hand in hand as we go on

marching brave in song victorious

to our destination.

I love God because God has heard my voice and has heard my supplications
Because God inclined an ear to me, therefore I will call on God as long as I live.

The snares of death encompassed me. The pangs of Sheol laid hold on me, I suffered distress and anguish.Then I called on the name of God. “O God, I pray, save my life!” Gracious is God, and righteous; our God is merciful.

God protects the simple; when I was brought low, God saved me.
Return, O my soul, to your rest, For God has dealt bountifully with you.
For you have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. I walk before God,In the land of the living.

Prayer of Thanksgiving:

Loving God, we thank You for Your constant guidance in our lives and for all the ways You encourage, challenge, strengthen and renew us.

We thank You that we still hear Your quiet words whispering to us in the silence of our own hearts. We thank You that through song, prayer,
preaching, worship mission and service, we are still able to hear Your voice.

Through fellowship and community, we can feel Your presence in what we do and say. We thank You that when we see the fields of corn and hear the birds singing, we are hearing You and when the wind blows, we feel You.
We thank You that through Christ’s life, work, teaching, death and resurrection You speak to us and that Your Holy Spirit inspires, comforts and empowers us each day.

We thank You for the times we have felt lost and have felt Your hand take hold of us and lead us forward through difficulties, life problems and illnesses. We thank You for Your healing touch.
Be with us now, directing our ways so that we may glorify You in all that we do and say.
Amen.

Let us humbly confess our sins.

Gracious Savior, we bow our heads before you and confess that too often, we have forgotten who you are. Sometimes we so closely conform ourselves to the world around us that we begin to think that you are not aware of the choices we make with our lives. We confess that too often, our first thought is financial security rather than sacrifice for your kingdom. We confess that we often hold being right as a higher virtue than being compassionate. We confess that too often; we accept the notion that immediate gratification
of our needs and wants is more satisfying than seeing your will be known and done. For these things, we ask your forgiveness. Give us clear minds and open hearts so we may choose what is good and acceptable and perfect. Remind us to be who you would have us to be regardless of what we are doing or who we are with. Enfold us in your arms so that we might feel your love for us and the world.

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Watchword for the Week:

Jesus asked, “But who do you say that I am?” Mark 8:29

Watchword for Today:

Lord, do you see! Indeed, you note trouble and grief, that you may take it into your hands. Psalm 10:14

Doctrinal Text:

The father of the sick child said to Jesus: “But if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.” Mark 9:22

Prayer for Today

As a father pities his children, so you, loving Father, pity us who fear you. Many are sick in mind, body, and soul. In faith, they turn to you. Have mercy and grant their request. Help us to continue to make you known. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

O Lord, hear us now as we, sisters and brothers in Christ, pray together.
Our Father in heaven, praise be your name; your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

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