The apparent absence of God
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series II
Exegetical note: At first it appears that the thirsty (and by now weary) Israelites are expressing merely a pressing physical need and resulting discontent with their leader, but that Moses inflates their complaint to include God. Verse 7, however, suggests that the people's complaint had indeed included God. Their question stemmed from the apparent absence of God in a time of crisis.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 95)
Leader:
Come, let us sing unto God!
People:
LET US MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION!
Leader:
Let us come into God's presence with thanksgiving!
People:
LET US RAISE TO GOD SONGS OF PRAISE!
Collect
Eternal God, you were with the Israelites in the wilderness, even when they could not feel your presence. Be with us as well: that, knowing that you are near. we may endure every crisis and desert place that we experience in our own life-journeys. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Ever-present God, we confess how similar we are to the wandering Israelites of old in our tendency to conclude and complain, in the face of the least little crisis or physical need, that you are absent. Forgive us, we pray, and sensitize us to the subtleties of your abiding presence and ongoing providence. Reassure us always that you are near, helping us, blessing us, healing us, and benefiting us, even when we are too self-centered and insensitive to realize it. In the name of Jesus we trust and pray. Amen
Proper 16
Sunday between August 21 and August 27 inclusive
Second Lesson: Romans 11:33-36
Theme:
Wonder before the wisdom of God
Exegetical note: Having finished his discourse on Israel's role of disobedience in the history of salvation, Paul issues this doxology, which focuses on the inscrutable wisdom of God, which makes God the source of all things and thus can only inspire wonder and awe, humility and respect among mere mortals.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 95)
Leader:
Let us worship the God who is above all gods!
People:
FOR IN GOD'S HANDS ARE THE DEPTHS OF THE EARTH!
Leader:
The heights of the mountains are God's also!
People:
LET US WORSHIP THE CREATOR OF THE SEAS AND THE LANDS!
Collect
God of all wisdom, you are the source of all that is. Help us better to comprehend you: that, our limitations of human intellect overcome, we may stand in proper awe and wonder, humility and respect before you and the magnificent works of your divine mind. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Eternal God, we confess our tendency to reduce you to our size and to lower you to our level by conceiving you in human terms and categories that cannot begin to comprehend your majesty and might, wisdom and wonder. Forgive us, we pray, and overcome both our natural limitations and our artificial restrictions, because of which we conceive you after our own image and likeness. Expand our minds at least enough for us to sense the utter mystery of your holiness, and for us to be moved to worship in wonder. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Proper 16
Sunday between August 21 and August 27 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 16:13-20
Theme:
The testimony of the Church
Exegetical note: It should be surprising, if not sobering, to most congregations to find that in all of the Gospels, Jesus is quoted as using the word "church" only in Matthew, once here and twice in chapter 18. What we have, then, in Matthew's inflation of Mark's version of this incident is a retrospective testimony of the Church's recognition of Peter as its Rock, and of Jesus as God's "Son" as well as the Christ.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 95)
Leader:
Come, let us worship and bow down!
People:
LET US KNEEL BEFORE GOD, OUR MAKER!
Leader:
For we are the people of God's pasture!
People:
WE ARE THE SHEEP OF GOD'S HAND!
Collect
God of glory, you have placed upon your Church the responsibility of bearing witness to your will, word, and work. Make us worthy of this calling: that, assisted by your Spirit, our testimony may do justice to the good news you have given us in Christ Jesus. In his name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of grace, we confess that as both individuals and your Church, we have failed miserably to bear the kind of witness that would do justice to your message of love, mercy, and forgiveness for the world. We have compounded the natural limitations of our human minds and tongues with our failure to take seriously our calling and task, and we have not served our gospel well. Forgive us, we pray, and help us to overcome every obstacle of heart, spirit, mind and body that keeps us from proclaiming your Christ and coming Reign. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 95)
Leader:
Come, let us sing unto God!
People:
LET US MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION!
Leader:
Let us come into God's presence with thanksgiving!
People:
LET US RAISE TO GOD SONGS OF PRAISE!
Collect
Eternal God, you were with the Israelites in the wilderness, even when they could not feel your presence. Be with us as well: that, knowing that you are near. we may endure every crisis and desert place that we experience in our own life-journeys. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Ever-present God, we confess how similar we are to the wandering Israelites of old in our tendency to conclude and complain, in the face of the least little crisis or physical need, that you are absent. Forgive us, we pray, and sensitize us to the subtleties of your abiding presence and ongoing providence. Reassure us always that you are near, helping us, blessing us, healing us, and benefiting us, even when we are too self-centered and insensitive to realize it. In the name of Jesus we trust and pray. Amen
Proper 16
Sunday between August 21 and August 27 inclusive
Second Lesson: Romans 11:33-36
Theme:
Wonder before the wisdom of God
Exegetical note: Having finished his discourse on Israel's role of disobedience in the history of salvation, Paul issues this doxology, which focuses on the inscrutable wisdom of God, which makes God the source of all things and thus can only inspire wonder and awe, humility and respect among mere mortals.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 95)
Leader:
Let us worship the God who is above all gods!
People:
FOR IN GOD'S HANDS ARE THE DEPTHS OF THE EARTH!
Leader:
The heights of the mountains are God's also!
People:
LET US WORSHIP THE CREATOR OF THE SEAS AND THE LANDS!
Collect
God of all wisdom, you are the source of all that is. Help us better to comprehend you: that, our limitations of human intellect overcome, we may stand in proper awe and wonder, humility and respect before you and the magnificent works of your divine mind. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Eternal God, we confess our tendency to reduce you to our size and to lower you to our level by conceiving you in human terms and categories that cannot begin to comprehend your majesty and might, wisdom and wonder. Forgive us, we pray, and overcome both our natural limitations and our artificial restrictions, because of which we conceive you after our own image and likeness. Expand our minds at least enough for us to sense the utter mystery of your holiness, and for us to be moved to worship in wonder. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Proper 16
Sunday between August 21 and August 27 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 16:13-20
Theme:
The testimony of the Church
Exegetical note: It should be surprising, if not sobering, to most congregations to find that in all of the Gospels, Jesus is quoted as using the word "church" only in Matthew, once here and twice in chapter 18. What we have, then, in Matthew's inflation of Mark's version of this incident is a retrospective testimony of the Church's recognition of Peter as its Rock, and of Jesus as God's "Son" as well as the Christ.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 95)
Leader:
Come, let us worship and bow down!
People:
LET US KNEEL BEFORE GOD, OUR MAKER!
Leader:
For we are the people of God's pasture!
People:
WE ARE THE SHEEP OF GOD'S HAND!
Collect
God of glory, you have placed upon your Church the responsibility of bearing witness to your will, word, and work. Make us worthy of this calling: that, assisted by your Spirit, our testimony may do justice to the good news you have given us in Christ Jesus. In his name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of grace, we confess that as both individuals and your Church, we have failed miserably to bear the kind of witness that would do justice to your message of love, mercy, and forgiveness for the world. We have compounded the natural limitations of our human minds and tongues with our failure to take seriously our calling and task, and we have not served our gospel well. Forgive us, we pray, and help us to overcome every obstacle of heart, spirit, mind and body that keeps us from proclaiming your Christ and coming Reign. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
