Liturgy for the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Proper 23, Year A, Matthew)
Introduction
This page offers a complete liturgy for Proper 23 in Year A of the Revised Common Lectionary, ready to adapt for your congregation. It includes a call to worship, opening prayer, prayer of confession, assurance of pardon, prayer for Illumination, and benediction. This week the readings hold two things side by side: our restless habit of reaching for something we can hold in our hands when God seems slow, and the patient, persistent invitation of a God who keeps setting the table anyway. For new liturgies and preaching resources a few times a month, join my newsletter.
Lectionary readings for this Sunday
Exodus 32:1-14: Weary of waiting for Moses, the people ask Aaron to make them a god they can see, and Moses pleads with God on their behalf. Read more about the golden calf: what it was and why it happened.
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23: A song of thanksgiving that turns into honest confession, remembering Horeb and the one who stood in the breach. The psalm opens by praising God's steadfast love, the Hebrew word hesed.
Philippians 4:1-9: Paul urges the church to stand firm, to rejoice, and to let go of worry, setting their minds on whatever is true and honorable. See when Philippians was written and what the Bible says about anxiety.
Matthew 22:1-14: Jesus tells the parable of the wedding banquet, where the invited guests refuse and the hall is filled from the streets. Explore the parables in Matthew and biblical wedding customs.
Liturgy for this Sunday
Call to Worship
One: Come, all who have grown weary of waiting.
All: We come, for God has not grown weary of us.
One: The time is now, and the invitation is open.
All: We gather with glad and grateful hearts.
One: Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good.
All: God's steadfast love endures forever.
Opening Prayer
Patient God, when we grow tired of waiting and reach for gods we can hold in our hands, you do not let us go. Turn our minds toward whatever is true and honorable, just and pure, lovely and gracious. Make us ready for the feast you have prepared, and clothe us in your grace when we come. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
God of mercy, we confess that we grow restless in the waiting. We trade your presence for idols of our own making: control, comfort, and the security we can see. We hear your invitation and find reasons to stay away. Forgive our wandering hearts, mend what is divided among us, and welcome us back to your table. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
"It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us." (Romans 8:34)
Friends, believe the good news: in Christ you are forgiven, restored, and deeply loved. Amen.
More on the Assurance of Pardon
Prayer for Illumination
Quiet our restless hearts, O God, and open our ears to your Word, that we may hear your invitation and answer it with our lives. Amen.
Benediction
Go now, and may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Stand firm in grace, keep your thoughts on whatever is lovely, and the God of peace will go with you. Amen.
More Benedictions and Blessings
Planning next Sunday?
This liturgy is one of many. Find more for your worship planning in two places:
Worship and Sermon Resources Hub: Weekly liturgies, sermons, and planning tools for the whole church year.
Worship Resources: Calls to worship, prayers, assurances of pardon, and benedictions by element.
See also
Worship Resources
Calls to Worship
Opening Prayers
Assurance of Pardon
Prayer for Illumination
Benedictions and Blessings
Planning next Sunday?
This liturgy is one of many. Find more for your worship planning in two places.
