God's safe-keeping Spirit
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series II
Exegetical note: Although Paul made the crossing of the Red Sea a type for Christian baptism (1 Corinthians 10:1-2), the incident would seem to have much broader implications: God's miraculous rescue of the Israelites from their "deep waters" (both literal and figurative) prefigures God's removal of all believers from whatever "deep waters" they find themselves confronting. Noteworthy here, of course, is the suggestion (v. 21) that God actually worked through a natural phenomenon, notably wind (cf. "breath," "spirit").
Call to Worship
(Psalm 106)
Leader:
Give thanks to God! For God is good!
People:
GOD'S STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!
Leader:
No one can utter God's mighty works!
People:
NO TONGUE CAN TELL THE WONDER OF GOD'S WONDROUS ACTS!
Collect
Almighty God, you have always rescued your people from whatever deep waters they encountered. Make us sensitive to the subtle movements of your Spirit: that, even in the seemingly natural events around us, we may see your redemptive handiwork. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Loving God of mercy, we confess that whenever we encounter "deep waters" in the course of our lives, our first impulse is to deal with them under our own power and relying upon our own abilities; and we admit that, more often than not, we wind up "over our heads." Forgive us, we pray, and remind us with the example of the Israelites at the Red Sea that you will be active on our behalf to overcome whatever obstacles we encounter, however insurmountable they may seem. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Proper 14
Sunday between August 7 and August 13 inclusive
Second Lesson: Romans 9:1-5
Theme:
The apostasy of the advantaged
Exegetical note: Paul's heart-felt expression of "anguish" and "sorrow" for his fellow Jews over their rejection of the Christ in spite of their many advantages (enumerated in v. 4) may well be universalized to include those of every age and place who, despite their God-given advantages, yet reject God's most exceptional acts of grace and mercy.
Call to Worship
Leader:
Sisters and brothers, let us worship the God of Israel!
People:
LET US LIFT OUR VOICES TO THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB!
Leader:
Let us exalt the God of Moses and David!
People:
MAY THE GOD OF CHRIST JESUS BE BLESSED FOR EVER!
Collect
Glorious God, you have given us advantages and blessings beyond number. Help us to keep these in proper perspective: that, looking beyond the gifts to the Giver, we make of them opportunities rather than obstacles for faith and righteousness. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of infinite forgiveness, we confess that we often allow our many advantages - of power, position, prestige and possessions - to become obstacles of faithful service to you. Indeed, we often find ourselves so in bondage to such things that true ministry to others in your name becomes difficult if not impossible. Forgive us, we pray, and help us to use whatever favorable status we have as an occasion for furthering your precious gospel and building your coming Reign upon the earth. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Proper 14
Sunday between August 7 and August 13 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 14:22-33
Theme:
The power of faith
Exegetical note: Matthew's reworking of Mark's earlier story shows embellishment of detail and a special "spin" that makes it an allegory of the Church (i.e., boat) in his day, which was being "beaten" by the "stormy seas" of persecution. The story is both a testimony to the power of faith to permit believers to "tread upon the waters" of threatening, fearsome circumstances, and (if faith falters) a reassuring promise of Jesus' "rescuing" hand.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 106)
Leader:
Blessed are those who do justice!
People:
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE ALWAYS RIGHTEOUS!
Leader:
May God show us favor!
People:
MAY GOD DELIVER US!
Collect
Eternal God, you have mercifully thrown a drowning humanity the life-line of faith in the person of the Christ. Give us now the power and will to grasp it tightly: that, life's stormy seas notwithstanding, we shall be rescued and saved by your grace. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Ever-living God, we confess that our faith, like Peter's, falters and fails at all the worst times, and that, like him, we find ourselves sinking in life's deep waters and stormy seas as a result of the timidity of our faith. Forgive our weakness of heart and spirit, O God, and remind us that, when all else fails, we shall still find ourselves in the grasp of the saving hand of Christ Jesus, whose love and compassion never fail. In his holy name we humbly pray. Amen
Call to Worship
(Psalm 106)
Leader:
Give thanks to God! For God is good!
People:
GOD'S STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!
Leader:
No one can utter God's mighty works!
People:
NO TONGUE CAN TELL THE WONDER OF GOD'S WONDROUS ACTS!
Collect
Almighty God, you have always rescued your people from whatever deep waters they encountered. Make us sensitive to the subtle movements of your Spirit: that, even in the seemingly natural events around us, we may see your redemptive handiwork. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Loving God of mercy, we confess that whenever we encounter "deep waters" in the course of our lives, our first impulse is to deal with them under our own power and relying upon our own abilities; and we admit that, more often than not, we wind up "over our heads." Forgive us, we pray, and remind us with the example of the Israelites at the Red Sea that you will be active on our behalf to overcome whatever obstacles we encounter, however insurmountable they may seem. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Proper 14
Sunday between August 7 and August 13 inclusive
Second Lesson: Romans 9:1-5
Theme:
The apostasy of the advantaged
Exegetical note: Paul's heart-felt expression of "anguish" and "sorrow" for his fellow Jews over their rejection of the Christ in spite of their many advantages (enumerated in v. 4) may well be universalized to include those of every age and place who, despite their God-given advantages, yet reject God's most exceptional acts of grace and mercy.
Call to Worship
Leader:
Sisters and brothers, let us worship the God of Israel!
People:
LET US LIFT OUR VOICES TO THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB!
Leader:
Let us exalt the God of Moses and David!
People:
MAY THE GOD OF CHRIST JESUS BE BLESSED FOR EVER!
Collect
Glorious God, you have given us advantages and blessings beyond number. Help us to keep these in proper perspective: that, looking beyond the gifts to the Giver, we make of them opportunities rather than obstacles for faith and righteousness. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of infinite forgiveness, we confess that we often allow our many advantages - of power, position, prestige and possessions - to become obstacles of faithful service to you. Indeed, we often find ourselves so in bondage to such things that true ministry to others in your name becomes difficult if not impossible. Forgive us, we pray, and help us to use whatever favorable status we have as an occasion for furthering your precious gospel and building your coming Reign upon the earth. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Proper 14
Sunday between August 7 and August 13 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 14:22-33
Theme:
The power of faith
Exegetical note: Matthew's reworking of Mark's earlier story shows embellishment of detail and a special "spin" that makes it an allegory of the Church (i.e., boat) in his day, which was being "beaten" by the "stormy seas" of persecution. The story is both a testimony to the power of faith to permit believers to "tread upon the waters" of threatening, fearsome circumstances, and (if faith falters) a reassuring promise of Jesus' "rescuing" hand.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 106)
Leader:
Blessed are those who do justice!
People:
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE ALWAYS RIGHTEOUS!
Leader:
May God show us favor!
People:
MAY GOD DELIVER US!
Collect
Eternal God, you have mercifully thrown a drowning humanity the life-line of faith in the person of the Christ. Give us now the power and will to grasp it tightly: that, life's stormy seas notwithstanding, we shall be rescued and saved by your grace. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Ever-living God, we confess that our faith, like Peter's, falters and fails at all the worst times, and that, like him, we find ourselves sinking in life's deep waters and stormy seas as a result of the timidity of our faith. Forgive our weakness of heart and spirit, O God, and remind us that, when all else fails, we shall still find ourselves in the grasp of the saving hand of Christ Jesus, whose love and compassion never fail. In his holy name we humbly pray. Amen
