Liturgy for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, Year C (Luke)
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What Is Liturgy? A Quick Guide for Worshippers
Liturgy simply means “the work of the people.” It refers to the shared rhythms, prayers, Scriptures, and actions we use in worship to glorify God and shape our hearts.
Whether ancient or modern, liturgy invites us to participate—not just observe. Through liturgy, we rehearse the gospel and remember who we are in Christ. If you’re new to liturgy, this weekly resource will help you follow along and enter more deeply into worship.
Summary for Liturgy and Worship
In Jeremiah 1:4–10, God calls the prophet even before his birth, setting him apart to speak words of truth in a time of crisis. Jeremiah protests his youth and inexperience, but God promises to be with him and gives him the words to speak.
Psalm 71:1–6 is a prayer of lifelong trust and protection—offering praise to the God who has been our refuge since birth.
In Isaiah 58:9b–14, God urges the people to practice true worship—not empty ritual, but compassion, justice, and care for the vulnerable. This is the fast God chooses.
Psalm 103:1–8 bursts with praise for God’s mercy and faithfulness. The Lord is gracious, slow to anger, and full of steadfast love.
Hebrews 12:18–29 contrasts the terrifying majesty of Mount Sinai with the welcoming glory of Mount Zion. In Christ, we are part of an unshakable kingdom—and our worship should be filled with awe, gratitude, and reverence. Read more about where the exodus took place.
In Luke 13:10–17, Jesus heals a woman who had been bent over for eighteen years. Though criticized for doing so on the Sabbath, he reveals God’s heart for freedom and restoration, even when it disrupts religious expectations.
Liturgy for Worship
Call to Worship
One: Before you were born, God knew you. Before you spoke, God appointed you.
All: We come, not by our strength, but by God’s calling and grace.
One: The Lord is our refuge, our rock, our confidence since birth.
All: We worship the One who lifts the lowly and heals the broken.
One: Let us worship with reverence and awe, for our God is merciful and mighty.
*A repetitive phrase I’ve found helpful and “sticky” is “You were created on purpose for a purpose.” That is very resonant on this Sunday.
Opening Prayer
Holy and compassionate God, you call to us before we are ready, you speak truth before we feel equipped, and you work healing even when others would rather wait. We gather today because you are faithful. Your mercy is older than our doubts, and your love is wider than our fears. As we enter this time of worship, lift what is bent within us. Free us from shame and silence. Let your Spirit move freely among us—shaping us into people of praise, compassion, and courage. In the name of Christ, our healer and Lord, Amen.
Call to Confession
We don’t need to pretend before God. The One who formed us already knows us. Let us bring our brokenness and our hope to the One who heals and restores.
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, you know how we hide behind habit and tradition. You know the ways we avoid your call—pointing to our limitations, resisting disruption, clinging to comfort. We confess that our worship has sometimes lacked heart, and our faith has sometimes lacked mercy. Forgive us. Unbind what is twisted within us. Stretch our spirits with your grace. May we reflect your justice and healing in the world, trusting not in ourselves, but in you alone. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Friend. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear this promise from Hebrews 12:28: “Let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.”
In Jesus Christ, we are not condemned—we are welcomed, healed, and made whole.
Friends, believe the good news: In Christ, we are forgiven.
Thanks be to God!
Prayer for Illumination
Living God, your voice shakes the earth and stirs our hearts. As we open your Word, help us listen with joy and with reverence. Let your truth burn away what is false and awaken in us what is good. Teach us, heal us, and send us out to live what we hear. Amen.
