Liturgy for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (Year A, Matthew)
Introduction
This Sunday the readings press hard on trust and obedience. Abraham is asked to give up the very promise he has been given. The psalmist cries out from a place of long waiting. And Jesus closes his sending discourse with the simplest of commands: welcome those I send, and you welcome me. The readings move from anguish to provision, from slavery to righteousness, from grand heroics to a cup of cold water.
This liturgy follows the Revised Common Lectionary for Proper 8 (Year A) and is shaped by themes of trust, obedience, provision, and the welcome that marks the people of God.
The lectionary readings at a glance
Genesis 22:1-14: God tests Abraham by asking him to offer Isaac. Abraham obeys. At the last moment, God provides a ram and the sacrifice is spared. The Lord will provide. This text haunts and humbles in equal measure.
Psalm 13: How long, O Lord? The psalmist cries out from a place of darkness and delay. Yet the prayer turns: I trust in your steadfast love. My heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
Jeremiah 28:5-9: An alternate track. Jeremiah responds to a false prophet. The test of a true prophet is whether the word comes true. Peace is easy to promise. Faithfulness is harder to sustain.
Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18: An alternate track. I will sing of your steadfast love forever. God's covenant with David is sure. Blessed are those who know the festal shout and walk in the light of God's face.
Romans 6:12-23: Do not let sin reign in your body. You have been freed from sin and have become servants of righteousness. The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matthew 10:40-42: Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Even a cup of cold water given in the name of a disciple will not go unrewarded. Welcome is the shape of faithfulness.
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Call to Worship - Option 1
One: How long, O Lord? Yet we trust in your steadfast love.
All: Our hearts shall rejoice in your salvation.
One: The Lord will provide. He has not abandoned those who trust him.
All: We come with our questions and our confidence both.
One: Come, let us worship the God who meets us on the mountain.
All: We gather in trust, for he is faithful.
Call to Worship - Option 2
One: Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, says the Lord.
All: We come to worship the one who welcomes us.
One: We have been freed from sin and called to walk in righteousness.
All: The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.
One: Come, let us worship the God whose steadfast love endures forever.
All: We sing of his faithfulness and rejoice in his name.
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Opening prayer
God who provides, you met Abraham on the mountain, you heard the psalmist's long cry, and you have welcomed us through Christ. As we gather, teach us to trust you in the hard places, to welcome those you send, and to find you in the smallest acts of faithfulness. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Prayer of confession
Merciful God, we confess that our trust runs shallow when the way is hard. We have withheld welcome, offered half-hearted obedience, and doubted your provision. Forgive us. Free us from what holds us back and make us servants of righteousness. Amen.
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Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news: "The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and set free.
Thanks be to God!
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Prayer of Illumination
Lord, your word tests and provides, questions and answers. As Scripture is read and proclaimed, give us faith to hear and courage to obey. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
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Benediction
Go in the provision of the God who meets you on the mountain. Welcome those he sends. Offer what you have, even a cup of cold water. The Lord will provide.
For a full collection of benedictions and blessings, visit Benedictions and Blessings.
