Pentecost 14–August 29

Hear the Voice of the Beloved!

Service Prayers for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost

August 29, 2021

Song of Solomon 2:8-13  Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9  James 1:17-27   Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Call to Worship

Although the season of the year may be turning toward Autumn, still the poetry of this love song creates a timeless invitation:

Leader:            Hear the voice of the Beloved,

                        who comes leaping upon the mountains,

                        bounding over the hills;

Right side of congregation:  

                        Our Beloved, like a gazelle or a young deer,

                        stands behind our wall, gazing in at the windows,                                                    

                        Beloved speaks and calls to us:

Left side of congregation:

                   “Arise, my love, my dear one, and come away;

                   for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.

Children:

                        The flowers appear on the earth;

Right side:

                        The time of singing has come,

                        and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

Left side:

                   The fig tree puts forth its figs,

                   and the vines are in blossom;

                   they give forth fragrance.

All:               Arise, O love, O dear one, and join me.”                           (Song of Solomon 2: 8-13)

Invocation

                        Creator God,

                        You have loved us passionately into being.

                        We come today seeking your presence

                        and to know we are your beloved!.

                        Enter our sanctuary and enter our hearts

                        that we may look into your loving gaze

                        and see ourselves reflected there, as you see us.

                        Let our love for you reflect and mirror your perfect love

                        as we gather as your Beloved Community.

Call to Confession

                   Dear God, you call us to be doers of the Word, not hearers only. 

                        You call us to love the world with your passion,

                        and to let that love be expressed in justice, forgiveness, peace.

                        Forgive us when our hearts are constricted with fear

                        and do not let your transforming grace

                        open us to the world you cherish.               

                        Forgive us when we honor you only with our lips

                        and not with our actions.

Silence

Assurance of Grace

                        Holy One, in Christ you have shown us the way                                                                              into your Beloved Community of mercy, love and peace,

                        in which you are making all things new.

                        We come to affirm our covenant and sacred promise

                        to be in loving relationship with you. 

                        Thank you for giving us life.

                        Open us, body, mind and spirit to your truth.  

                        Fill us with your grace so we can fall in love with your world

                        and offer–and experience–forgiveness, reconciliation and hope.

Call to Offering

                        “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift is from above.” (James 1:17)

                        Thank you for the generosity within us that comes from you.                               

                        Fill us with the hope of young love.

                        May we give generously to your church. 

Sending Forth

                        Go back into the world assured of God’s love for you and for us all.

Go back into the world with joy and energy to create

God’s Beloved Community wherever you are.

Hear the voice of the Beloved! Service Prayers for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost, written by the Rev. Bonnie Tarwater,  of San Diego, CA

©Copyright 2021 Faith INFO  Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.