God will provide
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series II
Exegetical note: Behind this well-known story of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his own son at God's bidding lies a view of God that, for most modern readers, would suggest a measure of insecurity and unreasonableness, if not sadism on the part of the Deity. Be that as it may, in the final analysis, God does provide what is needed in the situation, which (on the basis of vv. 8 and 14) seems to be the real point of the story.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 13)
Leader:
Let us praise God, who forgets us not!
People:
LET US BLESS GOD, WHO HIDES NOT!
Leader:
For God in mercy eases our pain!
People:
GOD IN GRACE LIFTS OUR SORROW!
Collect
Most holy God, you have provided well for all of your children what was required in all situations. Assist us in accepting your gifts: that, our lives enhanced by your divine blessings, we may lead lives that are more wholesome and holy, and more purposeful and productive. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most loving God, we confess that we do not always trust you to provide for us in all situations, but particularly in times of trouble; and we admit that when you do, we seldom put your wonderful gifts to good use. Forgive us, we pray, and grant us the wisdom to seize and to use all of your blessings, not only to our benefit, but also for the good of others and to the glory of you, your Christ, and your coming Reign. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
Proper 5
Sunday between June 5 and June 11 inclusive
(If after Trinity Sunday)
Second Lesson: Romans 4:13-18
Theme:
The righteousness of faith
Exegetical note: As Paul continues to expound upon the heart of his own theology, he makes here the point that Abraham is the father (not to mention model) of all true believers. For he was justified by God, not because he earned or merited it through obedience to the Law, but purely and simply because God graciously granted him righteousness, which he in turn trusted. Precisely such trust is Paul's basic definition of "faith."
Call to Worship
Leader:
Let us turn our hearts to the worship of God!
People:
LET US LIFT OUR VOICES IN THANKS AND PRAISE!
Leader:
For God is both righteous and faithful!
People:
GOD IS BOTH GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL!
Collect
Eternal God, you called being out of nothingness and hope out of despair. Teach us to place our faith in you: that, like our forerunners Abraham and Paul, we may trust, not in our own righteousness, but in the bounty of your grace and mercy, by which alone we are justified. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most patient God, we admit that we place our faith in ourselves and our own abilities and efforts at righteousness far more than we do in you and your grace, and we know that we wind up leading aimless, miserable, and hypocritical lives as a result. Forgive us, we pray, and plant deeply within us a confidence in you and your willingness and ability to transform us out of the abundance of your own righteousness. Make us trustful of your grace and trustworthy of your gospel. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
Proper 5
Sunday between June 5 and June 11 inclusive
(If after Trinity Sunday)
Gospel:
Matthew 9:9-13
Theme:
God's medicine of mercy
Exegetical note: Jesus' association with the despised (here, tax collectors and sinners) and his pronouncements about the need of the sick for a physician and God's desire for mercy all direct the reader's attention to the point that God's interest is not in the self-righteous (who may also be termed "the supposedly-righteous"), but to those who need God's "medicine" of mercy to make them "well."
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 13)
Leader:
Let us trust in God's steadfast love
People:
LET OUR HEARTS REJOICE IN GOD'S SALVATION!
Leader:
Let us sing to God!
People:
FOR GOD HAS DEALT BOUNTIFULLY WITH US!
Collect
Eternal God, you sent us in Christ Jesus a healer with a gospel that was medicine for sin-sick souls. Convince us of our malady: that, recognizing our need for spiritual healing, we may place our trust in that great physician and the wholeness and holiness that only he can bring. In his name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most merciful God, we confess that, though we make every effort to give the appearance of spiritual health, our souls in fact are sin-sick; and that, though we take great pains to treat our inner maladies and to cure ourselves, we wind up, at best, self-righteous, which means supposedly-righteous. Forgive us, O God, and grant us a new lease on health and life through the healing powers of your holy gospel of grace, as delivered by him who restored the sick to health and the dead to life. In his holy name we pray. Amen
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 13)
Leader:
Let us praise God, who forgets us not!
People:
LET US BLESS GOD, WHO HIDES NOT!
Leader:
For God in mercy eases our pain!
People:
GOD IN GRACE LIFTS OUR SORROW!
Collect
Most holy God, you have provided well for all of your children what was required in all situations. Assist us in accepting your gifts: that, our lives enhanced by your divine blessings, we may lead lives that are more wholesome and holy, and more purposeful and productive. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most loving God, we confess that we do not always trust you to provide for us in all situations, but particularly in times of trouble; and we admit that when you do, we seldom put your wonderful gifts to good use. Forgive us, we pray, and grant us the wisdom to seize and to use all of your blessings, not only to our benefit, but also for the good of others and to the glory of you, your Christ, and your coming Reign. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
Proper 5
Sunday between June 5 and June 11 inclusive
(If after Trinity Sunday)
Second Lesson: Romans 4:13-18
Theme:
The righteousness of faith
Exegetical note: As Paul continues to expound upon the heart of his own theology, he makes here the point that Abraham is the father (not to mention model) of all true believers. For he was justified by God, not because he earned or merited it through obedience to the Law, but purely and simply because God graciously granted him righteousness, which he in turn trusted. Precisely such trust is Paul's basic definition of "faith."
Call to Worship
Leader:
Let us turn our hearts to the worship of God!
People:
LET US LIFT OUR VOICES IN THANKS AND PRAISE!
Leader:
For God is both righteous and faithful!
People:
GOD IS BOTH GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL!
Collect
Eternal God, you called being out of nothingness and hope out of despair. Teach us to place our faith in you: that, like our forerunners Abraham and Paul, we may trust, not in our own righteousness, but in the bounty of your grace and mercy, by which alone we are justified. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most patient God, we admit that we place our faith in ourselves and our own abilities and efforts at righteousness far more than we do in you and your grace, and we know that we wind up leading aimless, miserable, and hypocritical lives as a result. Forgive us, we pray, and plant deeply within us a confidence in you and your willingness and ability to transform us out of the abundance of your own righteousness. Make us trustful of your grace and trustworthy of your gospel. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
Proper 5
Sunday between June 5 and June 11 inclusive
(If after Trinity Sunday)
Gospel:
Matthew 9:9-13
Theme:
God's medicine of mercy
Exegetical note: Jesus' association with the despised (here, tax collectors and sinners) and his pronouncements about the need of the sick for a physician and God's desire for mercy all direct the reader's attention to the point that God's interest is not in the self-righteous (who may also be termed "the supposedly-righteous"), but to those who need God's "medicine" of mercy to make them "well."
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 13)
Leader:
Let us trust in God's steadfast love
People:
LET OUR HEARTS REJOICE IN GOD'S SALVATION!
Leader:
Let us sing to God!
People:
FOR GOD HAS DEALT BOUNTIFULLY WITH US!
Collect
Eternal God, you sent us in Christ Jesus a healer with a gospel that was medicine for sin-sick souls. Convince us of our malady: that, recognizing our need for spiritual healing, we may place our trust in that great physician and the wholeness and holiness that only he can bring. In his name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most merciful God, we confess that, though we make every effort to give the appearance of spiritual health, our souls in fact are sin-sick; and that, though we take great pains to treat our inner maladies and to cure ourselves, we wind up, at best, self-righteous, which means supposedly-righteous. Forgive us, O God, and grant us a new lease on health and life through the healing powers of your holy gospel of grace, as delivered by him who restored the sick to health and the dead to life. In his holy name we pray. Amen
