Liturgy for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C (Luke)

October 26, 2025 (Year C, Proper 25/30)

Texts: Joel 2:23–32; Psalm 65; Sirach 35:12–17 or Jeremiah 14:7–10, 19–22; Psalm 84:1–7; 2 Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18; Luke 18:9–14

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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

Joel 2:23–32 promises restoration and renewal after devastation: the Spirit will be poured out on all flesh, and sons and daughters will prophesy.

Psalm 65 overflows with thanksgiving for God’s goodness and provision—God crowns the year with bounty, forgiving sins and watering the earth.

Jeremiah 14:7–10, 19–22 voices a communal confession, pleading for mercy despite the people’s unfaithfulness, while Psalm 84:1–7 celebrates the joy of dwelling in God’s presence.

2 Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18 reflects Paul’s confidence at the end of his life—he has fought the good fight and trusts in the Lord who rescues and sustains.

Luke 18:9–14 tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The self-righteous man boasts of his goodness; the sinner simply cries, “God, be merciful to me.” Jesus declares that the humble will be exalted.

Together, these passages remind us that God restores the humble, forgives the contrite, and satisfies the earth with goodness. Gratitude, humility, and mercy form the soil in which faith grows.

Call to Worship

One: Rejoice in the Lord, for God has done marvelous things!

All: The valleys are clothed with grain, and the hills deck themselves with joy.

One: The Lord forgives our sins and crowns the year with bounty.

All: The river of God is full of water; all creation sings for joy.

One: Come, enter the courts of the Lord with thanksgiving.

All: We will bow down in humility and rise in praise to the God of grace.

See also: 22 Biblical Calls to Worship and 28 Modern (and Biblical) Calls to Worship and The Tree of Life in the Bible

Opening Prayer

Gracious and generous God, you fill the earth with goodness and the hearts of your people with joy. Yet you also teach us that your grace belongs to the humble, and your mercy rests on those who call out for compassion. As we worship, turn our hearts away from pride and toward your presence. Pour out your Spirit upon us, renew our strength, and remind us that every good thing comes from your hand. Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray, Amen.

Call to Confession

God’s mercy is deeper than our pride and wider than our sin. Let us come before the Lord with humble hearts, seeking grace and renewal.

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, we confess that we have trusted too much in our own righteousness. We compare ourselves to others instead of examining our hearts before you. We forget that every gift we have comes from your grace alone. Forgive us for our pride and for the times we look down on others. Teach us to pray like the tax collector, saying simply and sincerely, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Renew in us the joy of your salvation and make us humble in love, steadfast in faith, and generous in mercy. Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray, Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Hear the good news: “He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, renewed, and made whole. Thanks be to God! (Titus 3:5)

See also: Assurance of Pardon: Meaning, Scripture.

Prayer for Illumination

Faithful God, your Word is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. By your Spirit, open our minds to understanding, our hearts to humility, and our lives to obedience. May your truth take root within us and bear the fruit of grace and mercy. Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray, Amen.

See also: 24 Prayers of Illumination.

Benediction Prayer

Go forth in humility and hope, knowing that the God who exalts the lowly goes with you.

Live with gratitude, speak with mercy, and walk in the joy of the Spirit.

And may the blessing of God—

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—

be with you now and always. Amen.

See also: 22 Benedictions and Blessings in the Bible, Biblical Blessings: Meaning, Examples, and Relevance Today, and Final Greeting and Benediction (Philippians 4:21–23).