We are Lifetime Learners from the Great Teacher

Paula Louder

 

Call to Worship

Leader: There is one body and one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

one God and Creator of all…

People: We give thanks for those who have nurtured us in the faith in this church.

Leader:  It was God who gave gifts to people.

God gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists,

some pastors and teachers.

People: We give thanks for all these gifts.

We give special thanks to all who guide us in growing and learning;

we give thanks to all who themselves are challenged to grow and learn.

Leader:  God in infinite wisdom and mercy did this.

People:  God did this to prepare all of us, for the work of Christian service,

in order to build up the body of Christ.

Leader:  And so we have all come together to that oneness of our faith

to worship and adore the God of all wisdom and love.

People:  We are ready. Let us worship God.

—Based on Ephesians 4: 5-15

Call to Confession

If we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that we all make mistakes. Sometimes we do things that we shouldn’t; other times the things we should do we neglect to do. These actions separate us from God and from one another. Let us now confess our sin trusting in the love and mercy of a forgiving God to restore these relationships.

Prayer of Confession (unison)

God of wisdom, God of love we stand before you today confessing that we have not lived the lives that you have called us to live. You have given us your word, your Holy Spirit and the earthly life of your son, Jesus to show and teach us the way that you would have us to live, but too often we ignore your teachings. Forgive us we pray. As your own son increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with you and all humankind, may we follow that perfect example giving attention to the life that is recorded in your holy word. Hear now the cries of our hearts….

(time for silent prayers) Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Hear the good news! In Jesus Christ, we are made new and offered restoration.
Believe the good news! We are forgiven. Amen.

 Prayer for Illumination

God of wisdom and all understanding, you are the Great Teacher of all. Open our minds, our hearts, and our spirits to the words that you have prepared for each one of us this day. May we be receptive to the challenge that is presented and may we be willing to not only hear but also carry through with its message. In your holy name. Amen.

Scripture Possibilities for the Sermon

• Ephesians 4: 1-16 “He gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelist, and some pastors and teachers. His purpose was to equip God’s people for the work of serving and building up the body of Christ.”
• 1 Kings 3: 3-14; Psalm 111:10, Ephesians 5: 15-20 Wisdom is the Key
• Acts 11: 19-30 The church at Antioch is an example of the importance of Christian education in the Church.
• Isaiah 66: 19-20 The Mission of Christian education and the Church—We proclaim God’s glory—the glory of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is what we do.

Prayers of the People

Holy God, we are your people, your church, your family. Today we pray especially for those whom you have called and gifted as teachers and examples of your truth. We recognize that we all have responsibilities. Help us learn together. Help us worship together. Help us pray together. Help us share together. Yes, even play together. Bless us as we come together to reach out to everyone with your love as one body.

We thank you for giving us teachers who reach out and help us to grow in so many different ways. Thank you for the freedom to learn and for placing the desire within us to both teach and learn. May we come to realize that we have all been called to take the light of your love into this world and it is your presence in our lives that takes the ordinary and makes it shine.

Fill us with your Spirit, empower us and give us the courage to continue our life-long faith journey as we grow in knowledge and grace. Amen.

Invitation to the Offering

All that we have is a gift from God. We give not only of our time and talents but of our substance as well. In thankfulness and praise for all that we have received, let us give generously in return.

 Offertory Prayer

Merciful God, giver of all gifts, we pray that you would accept our offerings. It is in gratitude for your abundant love and mercy that we desire to share your gifts with others that the message of your love would be proclaimed and those in need be attended to. We thank you for the privilege of sharing your grace with others in our church, in our community and in our world.  Amen.

Charge and Benediction

You are challenged to remember your role as a lifetime learner and seeker of faith.

However, you have also been commanded to share your story

with whatever gift the Lord has given you.

In our lives we proclaim God’s glory—it’s what we do.

Go in the power and the knowledge of the Almighty God who enables you to do all things.