Liturgy for the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Proper 27, Year A, Matthew)
Introduction
As the church year draws toward its close, the readings turn our attention to choosing and waiting: deciding whom we will serve, and staying awake for the One who is coming.
This is a complete liturgy for the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Proper 27), Year A, from the Revised Common Lectionary. It offers a call to worship, opening prayer, prayer of confession, assurance of pardon, prayer for Illumination, and benediction, with a note of hope that carries well in the weeks after All Saints' Day. For new liturgies every week, join my newsletter.
Lectionary readings for this Sunday
Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25: At Shechem, Joshua gathers the tribes, retells God's faithfulness, and calls the people to choose whom they will serve. Learn where Shechem is and what a covenant is in the Bible.
Psalm 78:1-7: A psalm of Asaph urging each generation to tell the next about the wonders of God. See how many psalms Asaph wrote.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: Paul comforts a grieving church with the hope that those who have died in Christ will rise. Read about death and hope in the Bible and what Christians mean by the rapture.
Matthew 25:1-13: Jesus tells the parable of ten bridesmaids, five ready with oil for their lamps and five caught unprepared. See what oil means in the Bible and biblical wedding customs.
Liturgy for this Sunday
Call to Worship
One: Give ear, O people, to the teaching of the Lord.
All: We are listening, and we have come to worship.
One: We will not hide God's wonders from our children.
All: We will tell the coming generation of all the Lord has done.
One: Come, let us worship the God who has been faithful to us.
All: Let us worship the Lord, now and always.
Opening Prayer
Faithful God, at Shechem your people heard the long story of your goodness and chose to serve you. Give us that same clear resolve. Keep our lamps trimmed and our hearts awake, for we do not know the day or the hour, and we long to be ready when you come. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
God of grace, we confess that we drift. We promise to serve you, and then we serve other gods: our schedules, our fears, our comforts. We let our lamps run low and tell ourselves there will be time later. Forgive us, and fill us again with your Spirit. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
"If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
Friends, believe the good news: in Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen.
More on the Assurance of Pardon
Prayer for Illumination
Holy God, as your people once gathered to hear your story, gather us now around your Word. Wake us from our sleep and give us ears to hear. Amen.
Benediction
Go now, and keep your lamps burning and your hearts awake. Encourage one another with the hope we share, for we will be with the Lord forever. And may the God who is faithful to every generation go with you. Amen.
More Benedictions and Blessings
See also
Worship Resources
Calls to Worship
Opening Prayers
Assurance of Pardon
Prayer for Illumination
Benedictions and Blessings
Planning next Sunday?
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