Older Adult Sunday Worship Resources - Journey to Life

Sep 25, 2026

Older Adult Sunday worship resources built around the theme “Journey to Life,” designed for congregational services in early May. Includes a call to worship using Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NRSV), an opening prayer, call to confession and prayer of confession, and assurance of pardon grounded in Psalm 71:17-19. Provides responsive faith wording, offering and prayers of thanksgiving, plus additional ideas for intergenerational sharing, mission and outreach, and a resource fair with suggested scripture options and references to worship sources.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Call to Worship

Opening Prayer

Call to Confession and Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Pardon

Responsive of Faith

Offering and Prayer of Thanksgiving

Additional Ideas to Celebrate

Sharing Social

Mission and Outreach

Resource Fair

Worship Resources and Scripture Options

Older Adult Sunday Worship Resources Theme: Journey to Life The Presbyterian Church (USA) designates the first Sunday of May as the beginning of Older Adult Week, a time to honor older adults for their commitment to the life, witness, and ministry of the church. The timing may not work for your context…you may choose any Sunday for this celebration of Older Adults. The liturgy ideas, prayers and resources below can be used in a congregational worship or may be adapted for a retirement community or some other setting. Note: These particular worship resources are written around the theme of the journey of life and are one suggestion for using for Older Adult Sunday in early May. Call to Worship Ecclesiastes 3: 1—8 (NRSV) For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. Let us worship our God who is Lord over all the seasons of our lives. Opening Prayer God of our life, you are present in all the seasons of our lives and this time we have on this earth. Our lives are a journey from you to you. As we journey, remind us of your presence, surround us with your loving care, and help us to live our lives that they may always give glory and honor to you. Amen. Call to Confession from The Worship Sourcebook (p.84) God's word assures us: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In humility and faith, let us confess our sin to God. Prayer of Confession Holy God, we confess that sometimes we think we know it all. That there is nothing more for us to learn in this journey of life. We are blind to the newness around us. We are deaf to the new word you long to speak to us. Our hearts are closed to the change you long to bring in us. Forgive us for thinking we have it all figured out. By the power of your Holy Spirit, open us to growth in you that our days may be filled with the joy and peace of knowing you more fully. Assurance of Pardon Based on Psalm 71:17-19 The Psalmist writes: “O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to all the generations to come. Your power and your righteousness, O God, reach the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?” From youth to old age and gray hairs, you have loved us. Let our words proclaim the joy of your forgiveness and the blessing of your mercy. Know that you have been forgiven and be at peace. Possible scriptures: Psalm 71 Psalm 139 Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 Ecclesiastes 11: 7-10; 12:1-8 Romans 8:18-30 Romans 8:31-39 Response of Faith from Iona Abbey Worship Book (p. 65) Leader: With the whole church All: we affirm that we are made in God’s image, befriended by Christ, empowered by the Spirit. Leader: With people everywhere All: we affirm God’s goodness at the heart of humanity planted more deeply than all that is wrong. Leader: With all creation All: we celebrate the miracle and wonder of life, the unfolding purposes of God forever at work in ourselves and the world. Offering Everything we have and everything we are belongs to God and God alone. Let us give t

FAQs

What is the theme and intended timing for Older Adult Sunday?

The theme is “Journey to Life.” The Presbyterian Church (USA) designates the first Sunday of May as the start of Older Adult Week, but the resources note you may choose any Sunday that fits your context.

Which Bible passages are used in the call to worship and assurance of pardon?

The call to worship is Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NRSV). The assurance of pardon is based on Psalm 71:17-19.

What additional activities are suggested beyond the worship liturgy?

Ideas include intergenerational lunches or “tea” parties after worship, mission and outreach highlighting organizations or volunteer hours, and planning a “senior expo” or resource fair for Older Adult Week.

Sep 25, 2026

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