Liturgy for the Tenth 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 Isaiah 5:1–7, the prophet sings a love song turned lament: God has lovingly planted Israel like a vineyard, but instead of justice and righteousness, there is bloodshed and a cry of distress.
Psalm 80:1–2, 8–19 echoes the same grief, pleading with God to restore and tend what once flourished.
Jeremiah 23:23–29 contrasts false prophets who speak wishful dreams with God’s true Word, which is like fire and a hammer that breaks rock.
Psalm 82 calls out corrupt leaders and reminds them of God’s justice.
Hebrews 11:29–12:2 recounts the faithful of old who endured hardship, encouraging us to run the race with perseverance, looking to Jesus. In
Luke 12:49–56, Jesus speaks unsettling words—he has not come to bring peace, but division, calling people to discern the times and commit fully to God’s kingdom.
**Luke 12:49-56 is a difficult passage to preach. I spent time diving deep and found the study of it and the teaching of it yield great conversation.
Liturgy for Worship
Call to Worship
One: God has spoken—through prophets, through storms, through the Word made flesh.
All: We gather to listen, to turn, and to follow.
One: The Holy One plants righteousness and seeks justice.
All: Let us worship with reverence and with readiness.
One: For we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, and the race is still before us.
Opening Prayer
Holy and faithful God, you are the one who plants and the one who prunes. You are not far away or indifferent—you are near, speaking through thunder and silence, flame and whisper. You call your people to live with courage and clarity, to run the race with endurance, and to fix our eyes not on ourselves, but on Jesus, who goes ahead of us. As we gather in your name, shake us free from complacency. Burn away what is false and stir within us what is true. Let our worship be honest, humble, and holy, shaped by your justice and grounded in your mercy. In the name of Christ we pray, Amen.
Call to Confession
God doesn’t require us to have it all together. God calls us not to perfection, but to honesty and openness. Let us confess our shortcomings and bring our true selves before the One who offers grace and new life.
Prayer of Confession
Righteous God, you have poured out your care like rain, planted us like vines, and surrounded us with grace. But we confess that we have not borne the fruit you seek. We chase comfort instead of justice. We speak easy words instead of your Word. We close our eyes to the brokenness around us and hope someone else will fix it. Forgive us. Uproot our excuses. Set your fire to what is false. Plant your Spirit deep within us so that we may grow in mercy, truth, and faith. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and our strength. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the promise from Jeremiah 23:24: “Do I not fill heaven and earth? says the Lord.”
No sin is hidden, and no heart is beyond God’s reach.
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. We are restored.
Thanks be to God!
Prayer for Illumination
God of living truth, your Word is not soft or sentimental—it is fire and light and life. By your Spirit, open our hearts to receive it. Cut through our distractions. Burn away what is false. Plant in us a hunger for righteousness, and help us to see Christ clearly in these Scriptures. Amen.
