A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle B
Adoration
Pastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
In the name of the healing Christ, I invite us, first, to check out our physical health. Please feel your pulse; and be aware of your heart beat and breathing. (One minute of silence.) For the remainder of worship, I invite us to check out our spiritual health. Because Christ is the healer, he wants to make us well spiritually. In our spiritual life, do we, by any chance, resemble spiritually what they represented physically? On a scale of 1-10, identify where you see yourself. (One minute of silence.)
P: Open our ears to hear your message.
M: We need to hear it.
P: Open our eyes to see your truth.
M: We need to see it.
P: Open our mouths to proclaim your word.
M: We need your courage to speak it.
P: Open our hearts to love your world.
M: We need your love to do it.
All: In the name and for the sake of Jesus the Christ, the Healer. Amen.
Response
"O God, the Creator," Elizabeth Haile and Cecil Corbett, 1977; Joy F. Patterson, 1989.
Prayer of Adoration
Keep before the people God, the Healer, and the mystery that some are healed of their physical ills and some are not.
Confession And Forgiveness
Introduction to the Act of Confession
In what ways are you dissatisfied with your life? Identify them. Have you had the experience of having 95 percent of your life going well, and you concentrate on the five percent that is not? Those who choose, raise your hands. How much of that dissatisfaction has to do with your physical health, and how much with your spiritual health? On which do we spend most of our time, energy, money? (One minute of silence.)
Response
Unison prayer. Have your musicians play, as background music, "Satisfied Mind," by Rhodes and Hayes (Joan Baez). (Copyright 1955 by Starrite Music Co.; copyright assigned to Starday Music; sole selling agent Peer International Corporation, New York.)
Introduction to the Act of Forgiveness
In light of the confession, I invite us to pray this prayer: O God, our Healer, we thank you for your strong and sure hands grasping our lives, soothing us in sorrow, smiting us in rebellion, guiding us in uncertainty, shading us in the noonday glare. Sometimes we rebel against your pressure on our lives and shrug you off, and run into darkness and despair. Over and over, you bring us back, for you have the hands of the Healer; over and over you pick us up and heal us. Thank you.
Response
Soloist to sing, "Satisfied Mind." (One minute of silence.)
Proclamation
Message with the Children of All Ages
Tell the story of the dead girl, of the people's scoffing at Jesus, of Jesus giving them strict orders not to tell anyone. Ask them why he said such a thing. If the younger children have no answer, raise the question to the whole congregation.
Response
"Only Jesus," Avis B. Christiansen; Lance Latham, Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.)
Reading of the Scripture
With the children still present, dramatize the scripture about the sick woman. The congregation will serve as the crowd; invite those who want to crowd around "Jesus." You will need a reader, a woman, "Jesus."
Proclamation of the Good News
Consider speaking on the theme, "The Touch That Harms; the Touch That Heals." If you do, expect some pain, probably even tears. Many women and children, and some men, have experienced sexual abuse, and some by professional people, including the clergy. (For more information, write to the Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence, 936 North 34th, Suite 200, Seattle, Washington 98103; or talk with representatives of your local prevention chapter.)
Response
"O Christ, the Healer," Fred Pratt Green, 1969; harm. J. S. Bach, 1725; alt.
Thanksgiving And Intercession
Be extremely sensitive to those who have experienced the touch that harms; and express deep gratitude for Christ the healer, and for those who give the healing touch.
Dedication
Stewardship Challenge
Take two minutes to write down ways that your money, and your person, will bring the healing touch to the world this coming week.
Hymn of Commitment
"O Savior, in This Quiet Place," Fred Pratt Green, 1974; William Jones, 1789.
Charge to the Congregation
If we have experienced Christ's healing for whatever ill, we are called to share that healing with a world that is sick because its people make the wrong choices. Christ calls us to obedience; Christ calls us to take responsibility for our decisions.
Meditation
A woman, walking along a busy street, wore a signboard which read, "Touch me -- wrinkles are not contagious." Do we treat people as though they are contagious?
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "The Peaceful Forests," Isaak (1539).
Hymn of Adoration: "Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates," George Weissel, 1642; trans. Catherine Winkworth, 1855; Thomas Williams, 1789; harm. Lowell Mason (1792-1872).
Response to the Prayer of Praise: "Clap Your Hands," Ray Repp, from New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: (Adult choir) "Elevation," Zipoli (1688-1726).
Hymn of Dedication: "Immortal Love, Forever Full," John Greenleaf Whittier, 1866; arr. from William V. Wallace, 1856.
Music for Dismissal: "Rigaudon," Campra (1660-1774).
Pastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
In the name of the healing Christ, I invite us, first, to check out our physical health. Please feel your pulse; and be aware of your heart beat and breathing. (One minute of silence.) For the remainder of worship, I invite us to check out our spiritual health. Because Christ is the healer, he wants to make us well spiritually. In our spiritual life, do we, by any chance, resemble spiritually what they represented physically? On a scale of 1-10, identify where you see yourself. (One minute of silence.)
P: Open our ears to hear your message.
M: We need to hear it.
P: Open our eyes to see your truth.
M: We need to see it.
P: Open our mouths to proclaim your word.
M: We need your courage to speak it.
P: Open our hearts to love your world.
M: We need your love to do it.
All: In the name and for the sake of Jesus the Christ, the Healer. Amen.
Response
"O God, the Creator," Elizabeth Haile and Cecil Corbett, 1977; Joy F. Patterson, 1989.
Prayer of Adoration
Keep before the people God, the Healer, and the mystery that some are healed of their physical ills and some are not.
Confession And Forgiveness
Introduction to the Act of Confession
In what ways are you dissatisfied with your life? Identify them. Have you had the experience of having 95 percent of your life going well, and you concentrate on the five percent that is not? Those who choose, raise your hands. How much of that dissatisfaction has to do with your physical health, and how much with your spiritual health? On which do we spend most of our time, energy, money? (One minute of silence.)
Response
Unison prayer. Have your musicians play, as background music, "Satisfied Mind," by Rhodes and Hayes (Joan Baez). (Copyright 1955 by Starrite Music Co.; copyright assigned to Starday Music; sole selling agent Peer International Corporation, New York.)
Introduction to the Act of Forgiveness
In light of the confession, I invite us to pray this prayer: O God, our Healer, we thank you for your strong and sure hands grasping our lives, soothing us in sorrow, smiting us in rebellion, guiding us in uncertainty, shading us in the noonday glare. Sometimes we rebel against your pressure on our lives and shrug you off, and run into darkness and despair. Over and over, you bring us back, for you have the hands of the Healer; over and over you pick us up and heal us. Thank you.
Response
Soloist to sing, "Satisfied Mind." (One minute of silence.)
Proclamation
Message with the Children of All Ages
Tell the story of the dead girl, of the people's scoffing at Jesus, of Jesus giving them strict orders not to tell anyone. Ask them why he said such a thing. If the younger children have no answer, raise the question to the whole congregation.
Response
"Only Jesus," Avis B. Christiansen; Lance Latham, Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.)
Reading of the Scripture
With the children still present, dramatize the scripture about the sick woman. The congregation will serve as the crowd; invite those who want to crowd around "Jesus." You will need a reader, a woman, "Jesus."
Proclamation of the Good News
Consider speaking on the theme, "The Touch That Harms; the Touch That Heals." If you do, expect some pain, probably even tears. Many women and children, and some men, have experienced sexual abuse, and some by professional people, including the clergy. (For more information, write to the Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence, 936 North 34th, Suite 200, Seattle, Washington 98103; or talk with representatives of your local prevention chapter.)
Response
"O Christ, the Healer," Fred Pratt Green, 1969; harm. J. S. Bach, 1725; alt.
Thanksgiving And Intercession
Be extremely sensitive to those who have experienced the touch that harms; and express deep gratitude for Christ the healer, and for those who give the healing touch.
Dedication
Stewardship Challenge
Take two minutes to write down ways that your money, and your person, will bring the healing touch to the world this coming week.
Hymn of Commitment
"O Savior, in This Quiet Place," Fred Pratt Green, 1974; William Jones, 1789.
Charge to the Congregation
If we have experienced Christ's healing for whatever ill, we are called to share that healing with a world that is sick because its people make the wrong choices. Christ calls us to obedience; Christ calls us to take responsibility for our decisions.
Meditation
A woman, walking along a busy street, wore a signboard which read, "Touch me -- wrinkles are not contagious." Do we treat people as though they are contagious?
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "The Peaceful Forests," Isaak (1539).
Hymn of Adoration: "Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates," George Weissel, 1642; trans. Catherine Winkworth, 1855; Thomas Williams, 1789; harm. Lowell Mason (1792-1872).
Response to the Prayer of Praise: "Clap Your Hands," Ray Repp, from New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: (Adult choir) "Elevation," Zipoli (1688-1726).
Hymn of Dedication: "Immortal Love, Forever Full," John Greenleaf Whittier, 1866; arr. from William V. Wallace, 1856.
Music for Dismissal: "Rigaudon," Campra (1660-1774).
