16 Pentecost Sept 25

CALL TO WORSHIP

God hears the cry of the needy,

and does not wait for us to call

before coming to our aid;

While we were still lost in sin,

God came to us

lived among us

died our death

and rose to lead us into life.

And so we come to worship,

to offer God our devotion and love

our thanksgiving and praise.

For God is worthy.

Praise God. Hallelujah!

OPENING PRAYER (1 Timothy 6, Luke 16)

O God, you are righteous and just, and call us to share our riches with the poor.

Like the rich man who feasted sumptuously every day, while Lazarus lay hungry and dying outside his gate, we are easily trapped by desires that lead to our ruin and destruction.

Help us be rich in good works, rather than in earthly treasures. Teach us to be generous and ready to share all we have with those in need. Help us take hold of the life that really is life. Amen.

GATHERING SONG “Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness” #843

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

God of overflowing grace, we come to you with repentant hearts. Forgive us for passing by the ones in need. Forgive us for setting our hopes on fleeting treasures. Forgive us our neglect and thoughtlessness. Bring us home from the wilderness of sin, and strengthen us to serve you in all that we do and say; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

There is joy in heaven over every sinner who repents. By the grace of God in + Christ Jesus,

who gave himself up for us all, your sins are forgiven and you are made free. Rejoice with the angels and with one another! We are home in God's mercy, now and forever. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray. O God, rich in mercy, you look with compassion on this troubled world. Feed us with your grace, and grant us the treasure that comes only from you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

FIRST LESSON: Amos 6:1a, 4–7

Alas for those who are at ease in Zion,

and for those who feel secure on Mount Samaria,

Alas for those who lie on beds of ivory, and lounge on their couches,

and eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the stall;

who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp,

and like David improvise on instruments of music;

who drink wine from bowls, and anoint themselves with the finest oils,

but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!

Therefore they shall now be the first to go into exile,

and the revelry of the loungers shall pass away.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

THE SECOND LESSON: 1 Timothy 6:6–19

Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.

But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will bring about at the right time — he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

THE GOSPEL FOR THE DAY: Luke 16:19–31

There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.' But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.' He said, 'Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house - for I have five brothers - that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.' Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.' He said, 'No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"

The holy gospel according to Saint Luke. Glory to you, O Lord.

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY “Shine, Jesus Shine”

APOSTLES’ CREED

THE OFFERING AND OFFERTORY

OFFERING PRAYER

Let us pray. Holy God, you open the doors of heaven, giving us every generous and perfect gift from above. Lift our eyes from the food that perishes, and nourish us now with the food that endures for eternal life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

HEALING SERVICE HYMN “Will You Let Me Be Your Servant” #659

THE SERVICE OF PRAYERS FOR HEALING

The leader offers a “bid” inviting the congregation to pray silently, then a prayer is offered.

The congregation responds “Amen.”

The prayers conclude:

Praise to you, almighty God and Father. You sent your Son to live among us and to bring us your salvation. Blessed be God.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, incomparable Son of the Father. You humbled yourself to share in our humanity, and you came to heal all our illnesses. Blessed be God.

Praise to you, Holy Spirit, our defender and consoler. You heal our sickness with your mighty and life-giving power. Blessed be God.

Gracious God, in baptism you anointed us with the oil of salvation, and joined us to the death and resurrection of your Son. Bless all who seek your healing presence in their lives. In their suffering draw them more deeply into the mystery of your love, that following Christ in the way of the cross, they may know the power of his resurrection; who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen

THE SIGN OF PEACE IS SHARED

The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

NOISY OFFERING

THE LORD'S PRAYER

BLESSING

SENDING SONG “God of Tempest, God of Whirlwind”

SENDING

Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.