The Authority of Jesus Questioned
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle A Gospel Texts
Remembering Whose We Are
Invitation to the Celebration
Who are you? Who am I? A girl, a boy; a man, a woman? A husband, wife, child, parent, single, married? Employee, student, dropout? An entity, a nonentity? A child of God, a self-made person? A saint, a sinner? Who are we, according to our understanding? Who are we according to Christ's understanding? (Review this list slowly; give people a chance to respond internally.)
P: In and through the events of our lives, Christ, the Sovereign, invites, calls us to follow him, preferably closely behind.
M: His is a call to freedom. His is a call to responsibility. His is a call to new life, a new life of faith, hope, love, justice, peace.
P: I invite us to renew our lives together under his Lordship.
M: We celebrate life together under his Lordship -- in the Name of the Living God. Indeed we do!
Response
"Eightfold Alleluia" (Folk Encounter, Hope Publishing Company).
Prayer of Praise
Consider using these ideas: Holy and Loving God, Maker of all that is good; Sustainer of that which You have created; Liberator of those who call upon You in truth, we ask You not to enter our presence, but to continue in our presence. By Your Spirit, cause us to walk in the light, to flavor the earth with the salt of Christ, to produce fruit in Your vineyard, and to quit making excuses. As You already have found us, even as we seek You, draw us even nearer to vital, vibrant, vigorous, and victorious living. And all the people said, (your favorite affirmation).
Hymn of Praise
"Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" (Henry van Dyke, 1907; alt.; Ludwig von Beethoven, 1824; adapt. Edward Hodges, 1796-1867; alt.). (If the congregation sings halfheartedly, point it out, and repeat it.)
Facing Up To Ourselves
Introduction to Our Fractured Lives
Heard over a call-in counseling program: "We can always find ways to justify breaking our word. If our word is only as good as our comfort-level, we can rationalize our way out of it." How good is our word, in the light of the sons in today's parable? Review their statements; and give the people two minutes of silence. Invite them to write down their insights.
Response
Unison Prayer: God, we share a common humanity, but it is so hard to get down to it. We have so many games to play. We have difficulty understanding our own motivations. No wonder we are often so cut off from each other, and therefore, cut off from you. Lord, we pray for the grace and the courage to get in touch with ourselves, our justification and rationalizations, and at the same time, to reach out to each other. Grant that we shall discover the sense of community and personhood to renew your world. (Silence.)
The Act of God's Putting Our Lives Back Together
Someone has said that "only God knows the extent of our dishonesty; for God alone has paid the price for such knowledge." Ask the people to write down what that means to them today. Ask if anyone would share his/her insight. Share yours.
P: Christ declares a new humanity for each of us.
M: He accepts our lives, forgiving the past if we want it forgiven, and opening up the future, if we want it opened.
P: He calls us to face life, instead of playing games, and to see it through, instead of justifying our behavior.
M: He even calls us to celebrate our life in him and in each other.
Response
"Create in Me a Clean Heart" (Psalm 51:10-12, from The Hymnbook. See Appendix I for address).
Looking Out To Others
Message with the Children of All Ages
(Caution again: Wait until all of the children arrive before beginning the message.) Ask if they have had any experience being either or both of the two sons, and how. Offer your own experiences. Point out that the "ideal" son would have been the one who accepted his father's orders with obedience and respect, and who would carry them out without playing games.
Reading from the Newer Covenant
(Two parts) While the children are present, act out the parable of the two sons. After dismissing the children, dramatize the first half of the text.
Proclamation of the Good News
The parable tells us that the world has two classes of people: People whose profession of faith is much better than their practice; their words are better than their actions. (Does that fit anyone here?) People whose practice of faith is better than their profession; their actions outperform their words. (Does that fit anyone here?) Give illustrations of each. Conclusion: While the second class is infinitely preferred to the first class, neither class approaches perfection. Our goal is to let the Holy Spirit put our profession and practice together.
Response
Invite the people to pray in silence; then invite them to offer sentence prayers of commitment.
Remembering Our Reason For Being The Church
Stewardship Challenge
Is Christ our primary authority? If so, then we need to know that the more we have, the more is required of us in ministry to the neediest and oppressed in our world, and to causes such as justice and peace. No more wishy-washy behavior, as experienced by the two sons.
Dedication Prayer
Give us such commitment, God, that we shall willingly, gladly, and yes, even hilariously, turn our pocketbooks over to you to let you do with them what you want.
Acting On Our Faith
Charge to the Congregation
Too often we determine the effectiveness of worship by asking the wrong questions, instead of the right ones. The wrong ones are these: "Did I like it? What did I get out of it?" These put the emphasis on our emotions, and our response to the aesthetic. The right ones are these: "Is it true? How will I glorify God in my life, and reach out to my neighbor from this day forward?" How did we worship today? How will we minister this week?
Meditation
Here is a summary of today's message: The religious leaders and people said that they would obey God and didn't; the tax collectors and prostitutes said that they would not obey and did. Into which group do you fit? (Perhaps some of you wish that I had quit after that statement.)
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "Be Thou My Vision," ancient Irish song; Mary Byrne, trans. 1905; versified by Eleanor Hull, 1912; alt.
Hymn of Praise: "God Our Father, You Our Maker," Robert W. McClelland, 1950, 1969.
Response to the Proclamation: "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name!" Stanzas 1, 2, Edward Perronet, 1779, 1780; alt. Stanzas 3, 4, John Rippon, 1787.
Hymn of Commitment: "All Praise Be Yours; for You, O King Divine," F. Bland Tucker, 1938, 1972.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Holy Spirit hymns used this year. Make the congregation aware of what you are doing; list the pages; and invite the people to remain for five extra minutes to review what they have learned.
Invitation to the Celebration
Who are you? Who am I? A girl, a boy; a man, a woman? A husband, wife, child, parent, single, married? Employee, student, dropout? An entity, a nonentity? A child of God, a self-made person? A saint, a sinner? Who are we, according to our understanding? Who are we according to Christ's understanding? (Review this list slowly; give people a chance to respond internally.)
P: In and through the events of our lives, Christ, the Sovereign, invites, calls us to follow him, preferably closely behind.
M: His is a call to freedom. His is a call to responsibility. His is a call to new life, a new life of faith, hope, love, justice, peace.
P: I invite us to renew our lives together under his Lordship.
M: We celebrate life together under his Lordship -- in the Name of the Living God. Indeed we do!
Response
"Eightfold Alleluia" (Folk Encounter, Hope Publishing Company).
Prayer of Praise
Consider using these ideas: Holy and Loving God, Maker of all that is good; Sustainer of that which You have created; Liberator of those who call upon You in truth, we ask You not to enter our presence, but to continue in our presence. By Your Spirit, cause us to walk in the light, to flavor the earth with the salt of Christ, to produce fruit in Your vineyard, and to quit making excuses. As You already have found us, even as we seek You, draw us even nearer to vital, vibrant, vigorous, and victorious living. And all the people said, (your favorite affirmation).
Hymn of Praise
"Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" (Henry van Dyke, 1907; alt.; Ludwig von Beethoven, 1824; adapt. Edward Hodges, 1796-1867; alt.). (If the congregation sings halfheartedly, point it out, and repeat it.)
Facing Up To Ourselves
Introduction to Our Fractured Lives
Heard over a call-in counseling program: "We can always find ways to justify breaking our word. If our word is only as good as our comfort-level, we can rationalize our way out of it." How good is our word, in the light of the sons in today's parable? Review their statements; and give the people two minutes of silence. Invite them to write down their insights.
Response
Unison Prayer: God, we share a common humanity, but it is so hard to get down to it. We have so many games to play. We have difficulty understanding our own motivations. No wonder we are often so cut off from each other, and therefore, cut off from you. Lord, we pray for the grace and the courage to get in touch with ourselves, our justification and rationalizations, and at the same time, to reach out to each other. Grant that we shall discover the sense of community and personhood to renew your world. (Silence.)
The Act of God's Putting Our Lives Back Together
Someone has said that "only God knows the extent of our dishonesty; for God alone has paid the price for such knowledge." Ask the people to write down what that means to them today. Ask if anyone would share his/her insight. Share yours.
P: Christ declares a new humanity for each of us.
M: He accepts our lives, forgiving the past if we want it forgiven, and opening up the future, if we want it opened.
P: He calls us to face life, instead of playing games, and to see it through, instead of justifying our behavior.
M: He even calls us to celebrate our life in him and in each other.
Response
"Create in Me a Clean Heart" (Psalm 51:10-12, from The Hymnbook. See Appendix I for address).
Looking Out To Others
Message with the Children of All Ages
(Caution again: Wait until all of the children arrive before beginning the message.) Ask if they have had any experience being either or both of the two sons, and how. Offer your own experiences. Point out that the "ideal" son would have been the one who accepted his father's orders with obedience and respect, and who would carry them out without playing games.
Reading from the Newer Covenant
(Two parts) While the children are present, act out the parable of the two sons. After dismissing the children, dramatize the first half of the text.
Proclamation of the Good News
The parable tells us that the world has two classes of people: People whose profession of faith is much better than their practice; their words are better than their actions. (Does that fit anyone here?) People whose practice of faith is better than their profession; their actions outperform their words. (Does that fit anyone here?) Give illustrations of each. Conclusion: While the second class is infinitely preferred to the first class, neither class approaches perfection. Our goal is to let the Holy Spirit put our profession and practice together.
Response
Invite the people to pray in silence; then invite them to offer sentence prayers of commitment.
Remembering Our Reason For Being The Church
Stewardship Challenge
Is Christ our primary authority? If so, then we need to know that the more we have, the more is required of us in ministry to the neediest and oppressed in our world, and to causes such as justice and peace. No more wishy-washy behavior, as experienced by the two sons.
Dedication Prayer
Give us such commitment, God, that we shall willingly, gladly, and yes, even hilariously, turn our pocketbooks over to you to let you do with them what you want.
Acting On Our Faith
Charge to the Congregation
Too often we determine the effectiveness of worship by asking the wrong questions, instead of the right ones. The wrong ones are these: "Did I like it? What did I get out of it?" These put the emphasis on our emotions, and our response to the aesthetic. The right ones are these: "Is it true? How will I glorify God in my life, and reach out to my neighbor from this day forward?" How did we worship today? How will we minister this week?
Meditation
Here is a summary of today's message: The religious leaders and people said that they would obey God and didn't; the tax collectors and prostitutes said that they would not obey and did. Into which group do you fit? (Perhaps some of you wish that I had quit after that statement.)
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "Be Thou My Vision," ancient Irish song; Mary Byrne, trans. 1905; versified by Eleanor Hull, 1912; alt.
Hymn of Praise: "God Our Father, You Our Maker," Robert W. McClelland, 1950, 1969.
Response to the Proclamation: "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name!" Stanzas 1, 2, Edward Perronet, 1779, 1780; alt. Stanzas 3, 4, John Rippon, 1787.
Hymn of Commitment: "All Praise Be Yours; for You, O King Divine," F. Bland Tucker, 1938, 1972.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Holy Spirit hymns used this year. Make the congregation aware of what you are doing; list the pages; and invite the people to remain for five extra minutes to review what they have learned.
