13th Sunday after Pentecost (Year C)

Worship Ideas

• It may not be All Saints Sunday, but this would be a good day to celebrate the “saints” of your congregation – especially if you are reading Hebrews 11:29-12:2.  Create a “cloud of witnesses” by printing pictures of those who have been an inspiration in your congregation and arranging them in a cloud-like shape in your worship space.
• Don’t have pictures of those who are part of your congregation’s cloud of witnesses?  Cut cloud shapes out of white and cream-colored paper, and have the congregation write names on the clouds (or, children may want to draw pictures). Decorate the worship space with the clouds, so you may be surrounded by the witnesses as you worship.
• The imagery in the Isaiah 5:1-7 reading is all about planting and tending vines that have been planted.  Use it as inspiration to tend to the landscaping around your worship building.  Or, use it as the inspiration to volunteer at a community garden.

Liturgy Suggestions

Call to Worship (inspired by Hebrews 11:29-12:2)

We walk by faith

and we do not walk alone.

We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.

Inspired by those who have gone before us, we follow Christ with joy!

Prayer of Confession (Inspired by Luke 12:49-56)

Lord, forgive us for resisting your tough love. Burn away all that binds us to sin. Separate us from evil. Open our eyes to see the signs of your presence.