God's unbearable majesty
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series II
Exegetical note: Face imagery permeates this selection. The preceding verse (11) has claimed that God spoke to Moses "face to face," and verse 14 has God promising that his "face" (presence) would go with Moses. But the following verses make it clear that no one, not even Moses, can look upon God's face and live. The majesty of God is simply more than mortals can take "head-on," so they must be content with viewing God's "backside" (v. 23).
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 99)
Leader:
God reigns! Let all people tremble!
People:
GOD IS ENTHRONED! LET THE EARTH QUAKE!
Leader:
God is great in Zion and exalted over all nations!
People:
LET ALL PEOPLE PRAISE GOD'S GREAT AND TERRIBLE NAME!
Collect
Magnificent God, you have revealed of yourself as much as we need to know for our redemption. Spur our inquiring minds: that, questing after complete knowledge of you, we may gain an even better sense of your unfathomable being and unspeakable grandeur. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of the universe, we confess that we sometimes grow frustrated at our inability to grasp more of your divine nature than we do, and that we sometimes even fall into skepticism about your existence, activity, and will. Forgive our impatience, O God, and continue to reveal yourself to us progressively, even as our understanding of the universe grows. If we cannot behold your face, then let us be satisfied with your handiwork, both in the cosmos and in the Christ. In his name we pray. Amen
Proper 21
Sunday between September 25 and October 1 inclusive
Second Lesson: Philippians 2:1-13
Theme:
Christian selflessness
Exegetical note: It is understandable that the grandeur of the famous hymn here (vv. 5-11) might overshadow the exhortation that precedes it. But the two are intimately related. The self-emptying and self-humbling of Christ Jesus are to be the "mindset" of his followers: simply stated, they are to be as selfless toward one another as he was "unto death."
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 99)
Leader:
Holy is God: a mighty ruler and a lover of justice!
People:
GOD HAS ESTABLISHED FAIRNESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS!
Leader:
Let us praise God's holy name!
People:
LET US WORSHIP AT GOD'S FEET!
Collect
Eternal God, you have taught us through the words and life of Jesus to be selfless and humble. Lay this lesson upon our hearts afresh: that, emptied of our selves, we may be filled with his spirit of selfsacrifice and therein find our glory. In his name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Everliving God, it pains us to confess just how selfish, self-centered, and self-serving we really are, and thus how little like the Christ who gave his life for humanity. We try to know ourselves, find ourselves, better ourselves, and even remodel ourselves, all in an effort to overcome the effects of sin that only you can alleviate. Forgive us, we pray, and help us to follow the teachings and to emulate the life of Jesus, who emptied and humbled himself for us and thereby found glory in you. In his name and spirit we pray. Amen
Proper 21
Sunday between September 25 and October 1 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 21:28-32
Theme:
Religiousness that resists grace
Exegetical note: RSV and NEB give two very different versions of this passage, reversing, in effect, the sons' responses and, accordingly, changing the crowd's reply to Jesus' question. The point, however, remains the same: outcasts are far more ready to accept God's coming Reign than are the overtly religious, ostensibly because the latter's self-righteousness prevents them from responding to God's graciousness.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 99)
Leader:
Let us praise our God!
People:
LET US WORSHIP AT GOD'S HOLY MOUNTAIN!
Leader:
For our God is holy!
People:
OUR GOD IS HOLY INDEED!
Collect
God of heaven and earth, you are the author of our redemption. Save us now from our religious self-righteousness: that, forsaking all attempts to save ourselves by our worship or our works, we may at last place our faith only in your grace in Christ Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Compassionate God, we confess with dismay how much we place our faith in our religion rather than your righteousness, and in our own goodness rather than your grace; and we know in our hearts that, at best, we wind up self-righteous, and thus all the more insulated from your mercy and forgiveness. Forgive us, we pray, and remove us from the ranks of the Pharisees. Teach us our dependence upon your blessed actions in Christ Jesus, and help us to respond in thankfulness and praise for his wondrous work on our behalf. In his name we pray. Amen
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 99)
Leader:
God reigns! Let all people tremble!
People:
GOD IS ENTHRONED! LET THE EARTH QUAKE!
Leader:
God is great in Zion and exalted over all nations!
People:
LET ALL PEOPLE PRAISE GOD'S GREAT AND TERRIBLE NAME!
Collect
Magnificent God, you have revealed of yourself as much as we need to know for our redemption. Spur our inquiring minds: that, questing after complete knowledge of you, we may gain an even better sense of your unfathomable being and unspeakable grandeur. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of the universe, we confess that we sometimes grow frustrated at our inability to grasp more of your divine nature than we do, and that we sometimes even fall into skepticism about your existence, activity, and will. Forgive our impatience, O God, and continue to reveal yourself to us progressively, even as our understanding of the universe grows. If we cannot behold your face, then let us be satisfied with your handiwork, both in the cosmos and in the Christ. In his name we pray. Amen
Proper 21
Sunday between September 25 and October 1 inclusive
Second Lesson: Philippians 2:1-13
Theme:
Christian selflessness
Exegetical note: It is understandable that the grandeur of the famous hymn here (vv. 5-11) might overshadow the exhortation that precedes it. But the two are intimately related. The self-emptying and self-humbling of Christ Jesus are to be the "mindset" of his followers: simply stated, they are to be as selfless toward one another as he was "unto death."
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 99)
Leader:
Holy is God: a mighty ruler and a lover of justice!
People:
GOD HAS ESTABLISHED FAIRNESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS!
Leader:
Let us praise God's holy name!
People:
LET US WORSHIP AT GOD'S FEET!
Collect
Eternal God, you have taught us through the words and life of Jesus to be selfless and humble. Lay this lesson upon our hearts afresh: that, emptied of our selves, we may be filled with his spirit of selfsacrifice and therein find our glory. In his name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Everliving God, it pains us to confess just how selfish, self-centered, and self-serving we really are, and thus how little like the Christ who gave his life for humanity. We try to know ourselves, find ourselves, better ourselves, and even remodel ourselves, all in an effort to overcome the effects of sin that only you can alleviate. Forgive us, we pray, and help us to follow the teachings and to emulate the life of Jesus, who emptied and humbled himself for us and thereby found glory in you. In his name and spirit we pray. Amen
Proper 21
Sunday between September 25 and October 1 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 21:28-32
Theme:
Religiousness that resists grace
Exegetical note: RSV and NEB give two very different versions of this passage, reversing, in effect, the sons' responses and, accordingly, changing the crowd's reply to Jesus' question. The point, however, remains the same: outcasts are far more ready to accept God's coming Reign than are the overtly religious, ostensibly because the latter's self-righteousness prevents them from responding to God's graciousness.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 99)
Leader:
Let us praise our God!
People:
LET US WORSHIP AT GOD'S HOLY MOUNTAIN!
Leader:
For our God is holy!
People:
OUR GOD IS HOLY INDEED!
Collect
God of heaven and earth, you are the author of our redemption. Save us now from our religious self-righteousness: that, forsaking all attempts to save ourselves by our worship or our works, we may at last place our faith only in your grace in Christ Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Compassionate God, we confess with dismay how much we place our faith in our religion rather than your righteousness, and in our own goodness rather than your grace; and we know in our hearts that, at best, we wind up self-righteous, and thus all the more insulated from your mercy and forgiveness. Forgive us, we pray, and remove us from the ranks of the Pharisees. Teach us our dependence upon your blessed actions in Christ Jesus, and help us to respond in thankfulness and praise for his wondrous work on our behalf. In his name we pray. Amen
