Advent 3
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle C Gospel Texts
Liturgical Color: Purple/Blue
Gospel: Luke 3:7-18
Theme: Look. The good news, at least in the beginning, sounds like bad news because it means that we need to change. Are we wheat or weeds, or a combination of both?
Praise To God
Choral Invitation
"Advent Proclamation," Avery and Marsh. Continue with "Two more weeks...." Keep on using the variations suggested by Dick and Don.
Pastoral Invitation
Pastor and Ministers
Begin, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" How would we like to have the pastor call us to worship with those words, as Jesus did with the multitudes who came for baptism? That's no church growth approach. Yet, that's how Jesus began. (Pause.) Now that Jesus and I have your attention, are you willing to hear the rest of the story? If so, respond with your favorite affirmation. (If they offer a halfhearted response, ask them again and again, until they sound as though they mean it. Then, provide this, or a similar, call to worship):
P: The call of Christ is not an easy one.
M: It is an invitation to self-giving.
P:
It requires hard work in the face of disappointment.
M: It means going on when it seems as though everyone else has given up.
P:
We will need to support each other if we are to obey Christ.
M: We offer this support as we celebrate Christ's life together.
All: Yes, indeed! You got it! Right on!
Response
"Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence," from The Liturgy of St. James, fourth century; trans. Gerard Moultrie, 1864; French carol; harm. The English Hymnal, 1906.
Lord, Have Mercy
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Pastor
Once you heard the accusation, "You brood of vipers," would you be able to hear the good news, or just get angry at the accuser? We clergy become extremely defensive when fellow pastors criticize our ministry. And, as church members, if we do not like what we hear in one congregation, do we, sooner or later, look for another? Or, when we hear accusations, do we always insist that they fit someone else? (Two minutes to consider, silently, these questions.)
Recognizing Our Humanity
Pastor
Forgive us, Lord, when we spend most of our energy applying the hard teachings of Jesus to everyone but ourselves.
Response
"Look All Around You," words and music by John Fischer, New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Thank You, Jesus
Introduction to the Act Of Receiving New Life
Pastor and Ministers
The people in this scene (multitudes/tax collectors/soldiers) asked Jesus what they must do to bear fruit. He responded to each group. What does Jesus ask of you? Repentance includes visible changes in one's life which positively affect the lives of those whom we have offended. How will repentance affect your life today, tomorrow, this week? (Two minutes of silence.)
P: I invite us to pray the following prayer, encouraging each one to practice it:
M: Thank you, Jesus, for another opportunity to be whole, healed, integrated in and through your Spirit, in and within your world.
Response
"I'll Never Be The Same," words and music by Ruth Sandberg, New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Learn The Truth
Message with the Children of All Ages
Do not raise your hands; but how many of you would rather get than give? Think for a few moments of silence, the kinds of things that you like to give. (Invite them to share; and share, also, what you like to give.) This may be hard for you to understand, but Jesus told us that when we give, we enjoy life the most.
Response
"Pass My Love Around," words and music by David Yantis and Gio Sgarlata. Chorus only. Sing it as a round. Add "sisters." Sing it as the children return to the pews; and encourage them to shake the adults' hands along the way.
Dramatizing the Scripture
Have someone memorize the part of Jesus. Prepare ahead of worship three placards with the words "multitudes," "tax collectors," "soldiers." At the appropriate time, have each group shout their question at Jesus.
Proclamation of the Good News
Begin the sermon with, once again, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" Deal with the theme, the fruits of repentance, the difference between wheat people and weed people. And begin with oneself.
Response
"Breathe on Me, Breath of God," Edwin Hatch, 1886; Robert Jackson, 1894.
Here Am I
Stewardship Challenge
Include in the offering plate, unsigned, a response to this: "What I want for Christmas is ..." and, "What I will give for Christmas is ..." We shall share these at the Christmas Eve worship.
Hymn of Advent
"Advent Carol," Richard Avery and Don Marsh, The Avery and Marsh Songbook. (See Appendix I for address.)
Charge to the Congregation
We give, not to earn our salvation; we give to express appreciation for our salvation.
Meditation
"Advent pilgrims on the way to the manger must pass through the desert where John is preaching" (Fred Craddock).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "Sheep May Safely Graze," J. S. Bach.
Hymn of Praise: "Watchman, Tell Us of the Night," John Bowring, 1825; alt., 1972; Joseph Parry, 1879. Men sing lines 1 and 3; women, lines 2 and 4.
Offertory: "Come Now, Savior of the Nations," J. S. Bach.
Music for Dismissal: "Prelude and Fugue," J. S. Bach.
Gospel: Luke 3:7-18
Theme: Look. The good news, at least in the beginning, sounds like bad news because it means that we need to change. Are we wheat or weeds, or a combination of both?
Praise To God
Choral Invitation
"Advent Proclamation," Avery and Marsh. Continue with "Two more weeks...." Keep on using the variations suggested by Dick and Don.
Pastoral Invitation
Pastor and Ministers
Begin, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" How would we like to have the pastor call us to worship with those words, as Jesus did with the multitudes who came for baptism? That's no church growth approach. Yet, that's how Jesus began. (Pause.) Now that Jesus and I have your attention, are you willing to hear the rest of the story? If so, respond with your favorite affirmation. (If they offer a halfhearted response, ask them again and again, until they sound as though they mean it. Then, provide this, or a similar, call to worship):
P: The call of Christ is not an easy one.
M: It is an invitation to self-giving.
P:
It requires hard work in the face of disappointment.
M: It means going on when it seems as though everyone else has given up.
P:
We will need to support each other if we are to obey Christ.
M: We offer this support as we celebrate Christ's life together.
All: Yes, indeed! You got it! Right on!
Response
"Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence," from The Liturgy of St. James, fourth century; trans. Gerard Moultrie, 1864; French carol; harm. The English Hymnal, 1906.
Lord, Have Mercy
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Pastor
Once you heard the accusation, "You brood of vipers," would you be able to hear the good news, or just get angry at the accuser? We clergy become extremely defensive when fellow pastors criticize our ministry. And, as church members, if we do not like what we hear in one congregation, do we, sooner or later, look for another? Or, when we hear accusations, do we always insist that they fit someone else? (Two minutes to consider, silently, these questions.)
Recognizing Our Humanity
Pastor
Forgive us, Lord, when we spend most of our energy applying the hard teachings of Jesus to everyone but ourselves.
Response
"Look All Around You," words and music by John Fischer, New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Thank You, Jesus
Introduction to the Act Of Receiving New Life
Pastor and Ministers
The people in this scene (multitudes/tax collectors/soldiers) asked Jesus what they must do to bear fruit. He responded to each group. What does Jesus ask of you? Repentance includes visible changes in one's life which positively affect the lives of those whom we have offended. How will repentance affect your life today, tomorrow, this week? (Two minutes of silence.)
P: I invite us to pray the following prayer, encouraging each one to practice it:
M: Thank you, Jesus, for another opportunity to be whole, healed, integrated in and through your Spirit, in and within your world.
Response
"I'll Never Be The Same," words and music by Ruth Sandberg, New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Learn The Truth
Message with the Children of All Ages
Do not raise your hands; but how many of you would rather get than give? Think for a few moments of silence, the kinds of things that you like to give. (Invite them to share; and share, also, what you like to give.) This may be hard for you to understand, but Jesus told us that when we give, we enjoy life the most.
Response
"Pass My Love Around," words and music by David Yantis and Gio Sgarlata. Chorus only. Sing it as a round. Add "sisters." Sing it as the children return to the pews; and encourage them to shake the adults' hands along the way.
Dramatizing the Scripture
Have someone memorize the part of Jesus. Prepare ahead of worship three placards with the words "multitudes," "tax collectors," "soldiers." At the appropriate time, have each group shout their question at Jesus.
Proclamation of the Good News
Begin the sermon with, once again, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" Deal with the theme, the fruits of repentance, the difference between wheat people and weed people. And begin with oneself.
Response
"Breathe on Me, Breath of God," Edwin Hatch, 1886; Robert Jackson, 1894.
Here Am I
Stewardship Challenge
Include in the offering plate, unsigned, a response to this: "What I want for Christmas is ..." and, "What I will give for Christmas is ..." We shall share these at the Christmas Eve worship.
Hymn of Advent
"Advent Carol," Richard Avery and Don Marsh, The Avery and Marsh Songbook. (See Appendix I for address.)
Charge to the Congregation
We give, not to earn our salvation; we give to express appreciation for our salvation.
Meditation
"Advent pilgrims on the way to the manger must pass through the desert where John is preaching" (Fred Craddock).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "Sheep May Safely Graze," J. S. Bach.
Hymn of Praise: "Watchman, Tell Us of the Night," John Bowring, 1825; alt., 1972; Joseph Parry, 1879. Men sing lines 1 and 3; women, lines 2 and 4.
Offertory: "Come Now, Savior of the Nations," J. S. Bach.
Music for Dismissal: "Prelude and Fugue," J. S. Bach.
