TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 2021

We thank God for this time together! We pray that the grace of God will heal your hurt; that the strength of God
will give you courage to face the work before you; that the power of God will prepare your wayand that the peace of God will keep you secure and steady in Christ Jesus.

Jesus Christ our Savior, because you were willing to come to earth in the likeness of humanity,
to take the form of a servant; Because you became obedient unto death, even death on a cross,
Because God has highly exalted you and bestowed on you the name which is above every name,
that at your name ever knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every
tongue shall confess that you are Lord, to the glory of God the Father;

We humbly bow before you in praise and adoration.

Holy Spirit, for dwelling within us and calling us to God by the gospel,
For preserving us in the true faith,For leading the church on earth in its mission,
For pointing the way of discipleship to each of us.

We acknowledge your presence and power among us.

Jesus said: Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there shall my servant be also;
whoever serves me, the Father will honor. If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.

We hear your call to discipleship. Master, teach us the way we should go.

Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your minds, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Jesus said

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear much fruit, and that your fruit should abide. Now the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

We confess, Lord, that as your disciples we have often dishonored the holy name we bear. We ask your forgiveness for the times when we have failed to labor for your kingdom; when we have not followed your admonition to seek first the kingdom of God, when we have hidden our light from the world, when we, as the salt of the earth, have lost our
strength.

Have mercy on us and restore unto us the joy of faithful discipleship. Amen

Watchword for the Week:

Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus Son of God, let us
hold fast to our confession. Hebrews 4:14

Watchword for Today:

Naaman said, “Your servant will no longer offer sacrifice to any god except the Lord.” 2 Kings
5:17

Doctrinal Text:

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a
living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1

Prayer for Today:

Merciful God, as we present to you our bodies, help us to present our minds and hearts, too.
Teach us what it means to be a “living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you. AMEN

Asithi: Amen, si-ya-ku-du-mi-sa.

Asithi: Amen, si-ya-ku-du-mi-sa.

Asithi: Amen, Ba-ba, Amen, Ba-ba,

Amen, si-ya-ku-du-mi-sa

Sing amen: Amen, we praise your name, O Lord.

Sing amen: Amen, we praise your name, O Lord.

Sing amen: Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen,

Amen, we praise your name, O Lord.

840 MBW