Liturgy for the Eight Sunday after Pentecost, Year C (Luke)

Theme: Grounded in God, Not in Greed

Introduction

This week’s scriptures warn against misplaced trust and self-centered striving, and instead point us toward the steadfast love of God. Hosea offers a vision of divine compassion—even when God’s people stray, God’s heart turns toward mercy.

Psalm 107 gives thanks for God’s deliverance of those in need.

Ecclesiastes and Psalm 49 confront the futility of toil and wealth without God, reminding us that no one can secure life through possessions.

Paul urges the Colossians to set their minds on things above and to put to death what is earthly—especially greed, which is idolatry.

And in Luke’s parable of the rich fool, Jesus challenges the illusion that abundance equals security. These texts collectively invite us to re-center our lives on God’s generosity, not our own accumulation.

Summary of the Day’s Passages

Hosea 11:1–11

God recalls the tender love shown to Israel in its youth, even as the people turned away. Despite their unfaithfulness, God refuses to destroy them. “How can I give you up, O Ephraim?” God’s compassion overrules wrath, and the divine heart turns toward mercy.

Psalm 107:1–9, 43

A psalm of thanksgiving for God’s steadfast love. The verses highlight how God delivers people from hunger, thirst, and despair. The final verse calls the wise to pay attention to God’s acts of faithful love.

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12–14; 2:18–23

The teacher reflects on the vanity of human toil. All efforts under the sun seem fleeting and meaningless, as even hard-earned gains are left to others. This passage offers a sobering critique of labor apart from eternal perspective.

Psalm 49:1–12

A wisdom psalm addressing all people, rich and poor alike. It reminds us that wealth cannot redeem us from death; we all return to the dust. True understanding lies in recognizing the limits of earthly riches.

Colossians 3:1–11

Believers are urged to seek the things that are above, where Christ is. They are to put to death earthly ways, including greed, impurity, and anger. In Christ, there is a new self being renewed, and old divisions fall away.

Luke 12:13–21

Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool, who stores up goods for himself but is not rich toward God. The story is a warning against placing trust in possessions. Life does not consist in an abundance of things.

Here’s a sermon on Luke 12:13-21, “Full Barn, Empty Heart,” and a verse-by-verse breakdown of the passage.

Call to Worship

One: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.

All: God’s steadfast love endures forever.

One: Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

All: For we have died, and our lives are hidden with Christ in God.

One: Come, all who long for mercy, wisdom, and truth.

All: Let us worship the One who is rich in grace and full of compassion.

For more options, visit the 22 Biblical Calls to Worship resource page.

Opening Prayer

God of mercy and abundance, You offer grace that no wealth can buy and love that no striving can earn. Quiet our anxious hearts and reorient our lives toward what matters most. In this hour of worship, teach us to be rich toward you—to live with gratitude, to seek what is eternal, and to trust in your faithful care. Through Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.

Call to Confession

One: We come before God not in fear but in honesty, trusting in divine compassion. Let us confess our sin together.

Prayer of Confession

Gracious God, we confess that we are drawn to things that do not last. We chase comfort, success, and control while neglecting love, justice, and faith. We build bigger barns for our treasures but forget to be rich toward you. Forgive our foolish striving. Free us from the grip of greed. Renew our minds in Christ, and teach us to live with open hands and hearts. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

One: Hear the good news from Colossians: “You have been raised with Christ. Your life is now hidden with him in God. Put on the new self, which is being renewed in the image of its Creator.”

All: In Christ, we are forgiven and made new. Thanks be to God!

For more assurances of pardon, visit the 30+ Assurances of Pardon from Scripture resource page.

Prayer of Illumination

Looking for more? Explore this growing collection of Prayers of Illumination for Every Season organized by day and season.