Sunday,  August 18, 2024
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 in conversation with Psalm 111 | “For Wisdom”
Call to Worship (Inspired by Psalm 111)
One: Praise the Holy One! Give thanks to God in the congregation. 
Many: God’s works delight us, inspire us, challenge us, and uphold us. 
One: Praise the Holy One! Give thanks to God in the congregation. 
Many. Righteousness endures forever. The covenant is everlasting.
One: Praise the Holy One! Give thanks to God in the congregation. 
Many: Honoring God leads to wisdom. Let us praise the Holy One forever!

Invocation
Holy God, we come together in your presence to offer worship, thanksgiving, and praise. We remember your covenant and acknowledge your abiding presence. Envelop us in your glory, strengthen us to confront the weariness of the world, challenge us to spread the good news, and empower us to be the church you have created us to be. Amen.

Prayer for Transformation and New Life
Holy God, we find wisdom in your word, in your presence, and in your way. Help us to follow the path of love, community, and sharing. Open our awareness to the unmet needs in our community and the ways we may meet them. Open our compassion to notice those who too often go without being acknowledged. Open our schedules to be present to your Spirit, our neighbors, and ourselves. Fill us with wisdom, peace, and hope to move boldly toward new life and the fullness of joy. 

Words of Grace
Beloved, God honors our request for wisdom. Individually and, most importantly, collectively, we have the wisdom, discernment, and understanding necessary to meet the challenges of the day, to live a life pleasing to the Holy One, and to participate in the coming of God’s kindom.

Invitation to Generosity
Ephesians 5 encourages us to “Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise…giving thanks to God at all times and for everything in the name of Jesus Christ.” (vv. 15, 20)  We give thanks by trusting God with our resources. We give thanks by using the gifts of God for the kindom of God. We give thanks by sharing our abundance for the mutual benefit of our community. Give thanks with everything we have.

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication
Generous and Wise God, you give freely and we receive freely. Sow in us discernment, understanding, and wisdom to be good stewards of the bounty we receive and the resources we have earned. Let us treat them all as gifts to be shared so that none will be in want or need to live full and abundant lives. 

Benediction 
May you experience the fullness of life. May abundance be your regular portion. May grace, hope, and generosity be your guide. And may the joy of the Holy One sustain all your days. God in peace to love and serve. 

For Wisdom : Service Prayers for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Year B was written by the Rev. Dr. Cheryl A. Lindsay who serves as Minister for Worship and Theology for the United Church of Christ.