Epiphany 2
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle C Gospel Texts
Liturgical Color: Green
Gospel: John 2:1-11
Theme: Jesus Turns Water into Wine at the Wedding Celebration: The First Miraculous Sign of His Ministry and Kingdom. What signs do you read and heed?
The Gathering
Choral Invitation
"Let's Go!" Avery and Marsh. (See Epiphany 1.)
Pastoral Invitation
In the name of the one who turned water into wine, welcome to this second Sunday of Epiphany. Why have you come? To get something? Only partly, I hope; because if we fail to get what we want, we may decide that we are spectators in worship, rather than participants. We come, not primarily to get something for ourselves. We come to declare whose side we're on, to let the world know that we have heeded Christ's sign, which puts us on Christ's road. So, I invite us to worship as if we are active participants on Christ's pathway -- because we are, in the name of the living one. If you believe that, shout (reverently, of course) "So be it! Amen! Tah dah!"
Hymn of Praise
"We Three Kings of Orient Are," John Henry Hopkins, Jr., 1857; alt.; intro. Robert Stigall, 1988. Have three different men sing solos to stanzas 2, 3, and 4.
Prayer of Praise
Continue to focus on the Epiphany theme.
The Introspection
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Have a soloist sing the old country-western song, "Detour." The chorus goes this way: "Detour, there's a muddy road ahead. Detour, paid no mind to what it said. Detour, all these bitter things I find. Should have read that detour sign." Before the singing, ask the people to consider the detours they have taken throughout their lives and to write down some of them. After the song, identify those detours as "decisions," not "addictions." Maybe they become addictions; they all begin with a decision, a decision to do the opposite of what we know is the right way, Christ's way. (Provide three minutes of silence to think and to write.)
Response
"Let the Spirit In," words and music by Richard Blank, from Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.)
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life
Repentance means that we change our thinking and behavior, that we take responsibility for our actions, that we stop looking for excuses, rationalizations, scapegoats. Are we willing to do this? (One minute of silence.)
Response
"Just a Closer Walk with Thee," author unknown, from Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.)
The Teaching
Message with the Children of All Ages
Have any of you ever gone to a wedding? Did you enjoy it, and if so, why? (Give time for a response. Express your own joy about weddings. Tell about the wedding Jesus attended, and what happened. Offer this possibility about Jesus turning the water into wine: It displayed his power, and it also revealed his graciousness, God's graciousness. He worked this miracle, not to satisfy his hunger, but rather, to save those poor Galilean peasants, his friends, and his mother from embarrassment.) Jesus enjoyed the wedding and wanted everyone else to do so, also. (Hand out pictures of the laughing Jesus to each person who came forward. You can choose from a variety of pictures from The Fellowship of Merry Christians, P.O. Box 895, Portage, Michigan 49081-0895.)
Reading from the Scripture
Use the children's message as the reading, except for the last verse, John 2:11. Read it from several translations.
Proclamation of the Good News
Incorporate these ideas: (1) According to Eastern ideas of hospitality, the failure of the wine would be both a calamity and a disgrace. (2) William Barclay translates Jesus' words to his mother, "Lady, let me handle this in my own way. My hour has not yet come." (Check on other translations.) (3) To the disciples, Jesus gives a sign by which his glory is revealed to them, with the result that they begin to believe. (4) From the beginning, Jesus carried God's claim into all the world, yes, even the world that we often claim is our private affair. In the midst of our godforsaken suffering and sorrow, in the midst of our godless joy and labor, Jesus stands there as messenger of the living God. Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice!
Response
"Thank You, Lord," Richard Avery and Don Marsh, from The Avery and Marsh Songbook. (See Appendix I for address.) On this occasion, use stanza 4 only; use Dick and Don's suggestions in regard to singing and pantomiming the words.
The Dedication
Stewardship Challenge
Review, once again, the difference between addiction and decision. In reality, we do know that when we make a decision, we do know right from wrong. So, how will our stewardship of "travel" look this coming week?
Response to the Offering
Lord, we have heard your voice; we have seen your sign. Thanks for your presence and power on your road.
Charge to the Congregation
William Barclay, in his interpretation of The Gospel of John, tells this story: When Sir William Grenfell was appealing for volunteers for his work in Labrador, he said that he couldn't promise them much money. He could and did promise them that if they came out to do the work that he could offer them, they would have the time of their lives. Are we Christians having the time of our lives, or do we wish that we could live the way that most of the world is living?
Hymn of Obedience
"O Jesus, I Have Promised," two tunes: John Ernest Bode, 1868; Arthur Henry Mann, 1881; Finnish folk melody; adapt. and harm. David Evans, 1927.
Meditation
Wherever Jesus went, whenever he came into life, whenever he comes into life, your life and mine, it is similar to water turning into wine. William Barclay says that "if you want the new exhilaration, become a follower of Jesus the Christ; and then there will come a change in your life which will be like water turning into wine." I add, it probably will happen slowly, not in some volcanic eruption.
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Epiphany hymns (keep using these; people continue to confuse them with Christmas carols).
Hymn of Praise : One of the Epiphany hymns.
Offertory: Appropriate sections of Handel's Messiah.
Response to the Proclamation: "The Wedding Song" (There Is Love), words and music by Noel Paul Stookey, from Let the People Sing. (See Appendix I for address.)
Hymn of Obedience: Epiphany hymn.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Epiphany hymns.
Gospel: John 2:1-11
Theme: Jesus Turns Water into Wine at the Wedding Celebration: The First Miraculous Sign of His Ministry and Kingdom. What signs do you read and heed?
The Gathering
Choral Invitation
"Let's Go!" Avery and Marsh. (See Epiphany 1.)
Pastoral Invitation
In the name of the one who turned water into wine, welcome to this second Sunday of Epiphany. Why have you come? To get something? Only partly, I hope; because if we fail to get what we want, we may decide that we are spectators in worship, rather than participants. We come, not primarily to get something for ourselves. We come to declare whose side we're on, to let the world know that we have heeded Christ's sign, which puts us on Christ's road. So, I invite us to worship as if we are active participants on Christ's pathway -- because we are, in the name of the living one. If you believe that, shout (reverently, of course) "So be it! Amen! Tah dah!"
Hymn of Praise
"We Three Kings of Orient Are," John Henry Hopkins, Jr., 1857; alt.; intro. Robert Stigall, 1988. Have three different men sing solos to stanzas 2, 3, and 4.
Prayer of Praise
Continue to focus on the Epiphany theme.
The Introspection
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Have a soloist sing the old country-western song, "Detour." The chorus goes this way: "Detour, there's a muddy road ahead. Detour, paid no mind to what it said. Detour, all these bitter things I find. Should have read that detour sign." Before the singing, ask the people to consider the detours they have taken throughout their lives and to write down some of them. After the song, identify those detours as "decisions," not "addictions." Maybe they become addictions; they all begin with a decision, a decision to do the opposite of what we know is the right way, Christ's way. (Provide three minutes of silence to think and to write.)
Response
"Let the Spirit In," words and music by Richard Blank, from Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.)
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life
Repentance means that we change our thinking and behavior, that we take responsibility for our actions, that we stop looking for excuses, rationalizations, scapegoats. Are we willing to do this? (One minute of silence.)
Response
"Just a Closer Walk with Thee," author unknown, from Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.)
The Teaching
Message with the Children of All Ages
Have any of you ever gone to a wedding? Did you enjoy it, and if so, why? (Give time for a response. Express your own joy about weddings. Tell about the wedding Jesus attended, and what happened. Offer this possibility about Jesus turning the water into wine: It displayed his power, and it also revealed his graciousness, God's graciousness. He worked this miracle, not to satisfy his hunger, but rather, to save those poor Galilean peasants, his friends, and his mother from embarrassment.) Jesus enjoyed the wedding and wanted everyone else to do so, also. (Hand out pictures of the laughing Jesus to each person who came forward. You can choose from a variety of pictures from The Fellowship of Merry Christians, P.O. Box 895, Portage, Michigan 49081-0895.)
Reading from the Scripture
Use the children's message as the reading, except for the last verse, John 2:11. Read it from several translations.
Proclamation of the Good News
Incorporate these ideas: (1) According to Eastern ideas of hospitality, the failure of the wine would be both a calamity and a disgrace. (2) William Barclay translates Jesus' words to his mother, "Lady, let me handle this in my own way. My hour has not yet come." (Check on other translations.) (3) To the disciples, Jesus gives a sign by which his glory is revealed to them, with the result that they begin to believe. (4) From the beginning, Jesus carried God's claim into all the world, yes, even the world that we often claim is our private affair. In the midst of our godforsaken suffering and sorrow, in the midst of our godless joy and labor, Jesus stands there as messenger of the living God. Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice!
Response
"Thank You, Lord," Richard Avery and Don Marsh, from The Avery and Marsh Songbook. (See Appendix I for address.) On this occasion, use stanza 4 only; use Dick and Don's suggestions in regard to singing and pantomiming the words.
The Dedication
Stewardship Challenge
Review, once again, the difference between addiction and decision. In reality, we do know that when we make a decision, we do know right from wrong. So, how will our stewardship of "travel" look this coming week?
Response to the Offering
Lord, we have heard your voice; we have seen your sign. Thanks for your presence and power on your road.
Charge to the Congregation
William Barclay, in his interpretation of The Gospel of John, tells this story: When Sir William Grenfell was appealing for volunteers for his work in Labrador, he said that he couldn't promise them much money. He could and did promise them that if they came out to do the work that he could offer them, they would have the time of their lives. Are we Christians having the time of our lives, or do we wish that we could live the way that most of the world is living?
Hymn of Obedience
"O Jesus, I Have Promised," two tunes: John Ernest Bode, 1868; Arthur Henry Mann, 1881; Finnish folk melody; adapt. and harm. David Evans, 1927.
Meditation
Wherever Jesus went, whenever he came into life, whenever he comes into life, your life and mine, it is similar to water turning into wine. William Barclay says that "if you want the new exhilaration, become a follower of Jesus the Christ; and then there will come a change in your life which will be like water turning into wine." I add, it probably will happen slowly, not in some volcanic eruption.
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Epiphany hymns (keep using these; people continue to confuse them with Christmas carols).
Hymn of Praise : One of the Epiphany hymns.
Offertory: Appropriate sections of Handel's Messiah.
Response to the Proclamation: "The Wedding Song" (There Is Love), words and music by Noel Paul Stookey, from Let the People Sing. (See Appendix I for address.)
Hymn of Obedience: Epiphany hymn.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Epiphany hymns.
