Trick or Treat

Good Morning and Welcome to Worship! Worship is often the first place that new people come into contact with this growing community of faith. And so, if you are joining us for the first time, I say to you what is said every Sunday: You are welcome here. Here is a place where all are welcome. For such is the love of God for God’s Very Good Creation.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye Heav'nly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Good and gracious God, you promise to pour out your Spirit upon us; you are the hope of the world. Give us the courage that we might serve as your hands and voice; make us humble, that we might live in your shared glory. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Let us attune ourselves to the needs of the church and the world as we pray together saying: God of Mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the church in every place, that wherever people gather in your name, you enable us to listen to each other with open hearts. Give your people unity, O God; replace pride with reconciliation. God of mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for Muslims and Jews, Hindus and Buddhists, and people of indigenous religions everywhere, that their paths may lead—with ours— to greater understanding of the goodness of faith in its many languages and forms. God of mercy, hear our prayer.

We thank you for this amazing Earth, for rich soils, abundant sunshine, and all the foods that you have made for our health and enjoyment. We thank you for clean waters, especially for the LA river, the Pacific Ocean, and the wetlands that harbor so many species. Make us grateful for your gifts so that we protect what we have. God of mercy, hear our prayer.

Reassure us, O God, that you desire good for your world and all the people in it, and that your provisions are sufficient. Infuse us with a commitment to share with others, especially with those who do not have such riches and who today are hungry. God of mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the leaders of our nation: for our president and Congress; for the leaders who struggle with drought and famine, destructive storms and lack of food or shelter; for leaders of peace movements and for those who do not know how to create just societies; for all who are suffering from the horrors of war, especially for children who do not know the reason for their pain and have no power to change their situations; for soldiers, for dictators, for diplomats and for those who pray each day for the welfare of others. God of mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those suffering from all forms of injustice, brokenness, or illness, especially all who have asked for the prayers of this congregation and for those whose well-being we hold in our hearts. God of mercy, hear our prayer. We pray for those concerns we name now aloud or silently … [time is offered] God of mercy, hear our prayer.

God of eternity, we know that all days are redeemed and held in your grace. We remember with honor and gratitude all those whose lives have enriched ours, and especially those whose faith has given shape to our own. Keep alive within us the hope of kin-dom. God of mercy, hear our prayer. Amen.

Loving God, by your Spirit make yourself known to us through the reading and preaching of your Word, that we might be faithful witnesses in this life and joyful companions in the next, even with Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector ⁹ He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: ¹⁰ “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ ¹³ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

As Halloween approaches, What costumes do we wear? What stories do we tell about ourselves that are meant to trick ourselves and those around us? What does it look like for us to be costume free and authentic with ourselves and one another as we come together to be the body of Christ? Who could you be a little more real with today?

With humility for all that God has given us, let us gratefully give for the work of the church and the healing of the world.

Holy and loving God, you are the source of joy that is in us when we offer ourselves, our time, our possessions for the work you set before us. Use these gifts to help and teach, comfort and challenge, that all the world might reflect your love. Amen.

My siblings, have courage for your strength comes from God. As we go forth this day; May the Creator nurture you, the Teacher walk with you, and the Spirit strengthen you, this day and forevermore. Amen.