Liturgy for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A (Matthew)

Introduction

This is a complete liturgy for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Year A), following the Revised Common Lectionary. It includes a call to worship, opening prayer, prayer of confession, assurance of pardon, prayer for illumination, and benediction, each shaped by this week's readings and their themes of grace, provision, and a generosity that unsettles our sense of fairness.

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Lectionary Readings for this Sunday

Exodus 16:2-15: The Israelites grumble against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, longing for the food of Egypt. God provides quail in the evening and manna each morning, enough for that day alone.

Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45: A hymn of praise recalling God's mighty deeds, including the exodus from Egypt and the provision of bread from heaven and water from the rock.

Philippians 1:21-30: Paul reflects that for him, living is Christ and dying is gain, and urges the church to live lives worthy of the gospel, standing firm together.

Matthew 20:1-16: Jesus tells the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, where those hired at the end of the day receive the same wage as those hired first, and the landowner asks whether the grumbling workers are envious of his generosity.

Liturgy for this Sunday

Call to Worship

One: The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

All: Even when that mercy unsettles us, we come to worship.

One: God's generosity does not match our accounting.

All: Thanks be to God, whose grace is wider than we expect.

One: Come, let us worship the God who gives freely.

All: Come, let us lay down our worries, guilt, and fear, and worship God together.

Call to Worship

One: Give us this day our daily bread.

All: For you have never failed to provide.

One: In the wilderness, in the ordinary days, God provides.

All: Enough for today, and grace for tomorrow.

One: Come, let us worship the God who feeds us still.

All: Come, let us worship the God whose gifts are new each morning.

Opening Prayer

Generous God, your grace unsettles our sense of fairness, and your provision meets us even in the wilderness. Quiet our grumbling, and teach us to receive what you give freely. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, we have measured your grace by our own accounting. We have resented the mercy shown to others and grumbled when your provision seemed too plain. Forgive our envy, and teach us to rejoice in your generosity. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

"The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." Psalm 145:8

More assurance of pardon scripture

Prayer for Illumination

Open our hearts, God, to receive your word as freely as you give it. Let us not grumble at your generosity, but be shaped by it. Amen.

Benediction

Go, and receive the grace that is given freely. Go, and let go of the accounting that keeps you from joy. And may the God who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, go with you now. Amen.

More benedictions and blessings

See also

Worship Resources
Calls to Worship
Opening Prayers
Prayers of Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Prayer of Illumination
Benedictions and Blessings