The Great Commandment: Love God, and others as you love yourself.
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Planning Ideas And Resources For The Entire Church Year
Pastoral Invitation to the Celebration
Suggestion:
Begin, C. S. Lewis once said that "On the whole, God's love for us is a much safer subject to think about than our love for God." True, yet we begin with the reality of God's love for us, expressed in the following ways: (this litany between pastor and ministers)
Pastor:
God, we praise you for our hearts
Ministers: Which respond in love to your mercies.
Pastor:
We praise you for our minds
Ministers: Which open up broad awareness of understanding.
Pastor:
We praise you for our wills
Ministers: Which we can tune in for obedient action.
Pastor:
We thank you for salvation by grace, and for wisdom by revelation.
Ministers: That all of us will come to know you and trust you as one who possesses the qualities of Father and Mother.
(author unknown, revised)
Following the prayer of praise, you may want to use this version of the Lord's Prayer:
(source unknown)
Pastor:
Our Father/Mother who are in heaven.
Ministers: Let creation be silent. Let all the people praise God.
Pastor:
Hallowed be your name.
Ministers: May God's holiness purge our hearts. In the name of our God, we will set up our banners.
Pastor:
Your kingdom come.
Ministers: Dawn upon this world of darkness with your true Light; make all things new.
Pastor:
Your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Ministers: Open our minds and hearts and bodies to your holy will. Free us from our favorite sin by the power of grace and love.
Pastor:
Give us this day our daily bread.
Ministers: Free us as we labor in your kingdom. Grant us the bread of heaven and the water of life which satisfy.
Pastor:
Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
Ministers: Deliver us from our worst selves. In the act of forgiving others, and receiving their forgiveness, grant that we will experience your forgiveness.
Pastor:
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Planning Notes
Ministers: Grant that the tests and trials of life not be too much for us. Remind us that we will not be tempted beyond what we are able to bear.
All: For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever.
(revised)
The Act of Recognizing our Humanness and The Act of Recognizing New Life
Consider this: especially if this is stewardship-loyalty Sunday:
What do we give to, and withhold from, God in Christ?
Print the following questions in the order of worship:
1. Is my life under and within the control of Christ?
If not, what areas do I reserve for myself?
2. How do I resist God's plan for me? Where do I have divided loyalties?
3. Who or what is more important to me than Christ and his mission?
Indicated by the way I use my time, energy, resources, money?
(silent meditation)
Then, print this response for the assurance of pardon:
Pastor:
Even before we finish asking forgiveness, God, we know that in Christ, we are forgiven. Help us to believe that truth and,
Ministers: Help us to put that truth to work in a world which is out for what it can get; make us agents of intercession and reconciliation to the sick, the self-righteous, the unforgiven, the apathetic, the doubters, the lonely, and for one another. By your Spirit, reconcite the world to yourself, and liberate the church to serve you above all others -
All: In the name of our great High Priest, Jesus the Christ.
Message with the Children of All Ages
Suggestion:
Ask, have you ever seen a branding iron, or an animal branded with one? Maybe some of you come from farms where you have seen this happen. Sometimes, you can see this on television. It surely would hurt if we got branded. Did you know that God has branded us, not with a hot iron, but with gracious love. Talk about some of the ways this happens. Conclude with a thanksgiving prayer.
Proclamation of the Word
Consider this:
Topic:
You Mean, the Whole Thing?
God asks all from us; God gives all to us.
I. Think about the parts of ourselves that we have developed and which parts remain in pygmy dimensions in relation to body, mind, feelings.
II. As we think about the Commandment,
A. We are to love God. Which god? Spell out some possibilities. Loving God comes as a response to God's loving us.
B. We are to love neighbor as we love ourself. For me, the key word is "as." My theory is this: we will not love God or neighbor until we love ourself. We will not love ourseif until we know that someone loves us. We will not love as Christ loves until we know that someone who knows that Christ loves him/her loves us. Many of us have been taught that God is first, others second, we are last.
Here is the diagram I prefer:
God
Others
Self
Put this on a large poster for the congregation to see as you explain it.
Stewardship Challenge
Consider this:
If this is pledge Sunday for next year's mission, (give up the term "budget"), remind the congregation of your procedure. I say the following:
1. We send pledge cards only to members; we believe that if the members do not support the mission, it doesn't deserve support. Pledge cards are available in the pew racks for the convenience of the visitors.
2. You have not received a proposed mission for next year, because we do not give to a budget; and also, we promise to spend every penny that you give. Your pledge will determine our mission.
3. As you come forward to place your pledge card on the communion table, offer verbal or silent prayer as you come forward. Offering plates are available in the narthex for those who choose not to come forward.
Thought prior to the offering: "We have not lived today until we have done something for someone who can never repay us."
John Bunyan
Charge to the Congregation
Try this:
Ask the people to repeat the commandment after us, using the word "I" or our first name. Speak slowly and deliberately.
Planning for Your Congregation
Suggestions
Your Situation
I. Other Scriptures
Liturgist:
Psalm 119:33-48
Psalm 119:1-16
Psalm 18:2-4, 47, 51
Deuteronomy 6:1-9
Hebrews 7:23-38
II. Suggested Hymns
Coordinator:
"Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty"
Reginald Heber, 1826
"Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above"
Johann J. Schutz, 1675 Trans. by Frances F. Cox, 1864; alt.
"Take Thou Our Minds, Dear Lord!"
William H. Foulkes; sts. 1-3, 1918; st. 4, 1920
"O God, You Hear Our Every Prayer"
Jane Parker Huber A Singing Faith, Jane Parker Huber, Westminster Press
III. Other Music Possibilities
Organist/Choir director:
Music for Preparation
"Andante" C.P.E. Bach
Response to the Assurance of Pardon
"He Comes to Us" Jane Marshall
Response to the Children's Message
"A New Creature"
Words and Music
by John F. Wilson from Lexicon Music Inc., in Folk Encounter, Hope Publishing Company
Response to the Stewardship Challenge
"Our Father in Heaven"
Dupre
Response to the Benediction
"Pass It On" Words and Music by Kurt Kaiser from Lexicon Music Inc., in Folk Encounter, Hope Publishing Company
Music for Dismissal
Popular song, "Who Will Answer?"
IV. Bulletin Cover
Church secretary:
V. Bulletin Symbols
VI. Miscellaneous Details (Assignments:)
Ushers
Candlelighters
Hosts/Hostesses
Banners
Flowers
Greeters
Posters
Name-tags
Others
Suggestion:
Begin, C. S. Lewis once said that "On the whole, God's love for us is a much safer subject to think about than our love for God." True, yet we begin with the reality of God's love for us, expressed in the following ways: (this litany between pastor and ministers)
Pastor:
God, we praise you for our hearts
Ministers: Which respond in love to your mercies.
Pastor:
We praise you for our minds
Ministers: Which open up broad awareness of understanding.
Pastor:
We praise you for our wills
Ministers: Which we can tune in for obedient action.
Pastor:
We thank you for salvation by grace, and for wisdom by revelation.
Ministers: That all of us will come to know you and trust you as one who possesses the qualities of Father and Mother.
(author unknown, revised)
Following the prayer of praise, you may want to use this version of the Lord's Prayer:
(source unknown)
Pastor:
Our Father/Mother who are in heaven.
Ministers: Let creation be silent. Let all the people praise God.
Pastor:
Hallowed be your name.
Ministers: May God's holiness purge our hearts. In the name of our God, we will set up our banners.
Pastor:
Your kingdom come.
Ministers: Dawn upon this world of darkness with your true Light; make all things new.
Pastor:
Your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Ministers: Open our minds and hearts and bodies to your holy will. Free us from our favorite sin by the power of grace and love.
Pastor:
Give us this day our daily bread.
Ministers: Free us as we labor in your kingdom. Grant us the bread of heaven and the water of life which satisfy.
Pastor:
Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
Ministers: Deliver us from our worst selves. In the act of forgiving others, and receiving their forgiveness, grant that we will experience your forgiveness.
Pastor:
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Planning Notes
Ministers: Grant that the tests and trials of life not be too much for us. Remind us that we will not be tempted beyond what we are able to bear.
All: For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever.
(revised)
The Act of Recognizing our Humanness and The Act of Recognizing New Life
Consider this: especially if this is stewardship-loyalty Sunday:
What do we give to, and withhold from, God in Christ?
Print the following questions in the order of worship:
1. Is my life under and within the control of Christ?
If not, what areas do I reserve for myself?
2. How do I resist God's plan for me? Where do I have divided loyalties?
3. Who or what is more important to me than Christ and his mission?
Indicated by the way I use my time, energy, resources, money?
(silent meditation)
Then, print this response for the assurance of pardon:
Pastor:
Even before we finish asking forgiveness, God, we know that in Christ, we are forgiven. Help us to believe that truth and,
Ministers: Help us to put that truth to work in a world which is out for what it can get; make us agents of intercession and reconciliation to the sick, the self-righteous, the unforgiven, the apathetic, the doubters, the lonely, and for one another. By your Spirit, reconcite the world to yourself, and liberate the church to serve you above all others -
All: In the name of our great High Priest, Jesus the Christ.
Message with the Children of All Ages
Suggestion:
Ask, have you ever seen a branding iron, or an animal branded with one? Maybe some of you come from farms where you have seen this happen. Sometimes, you can see this on television. It surely would hurt if we got branded. Did you know that God has branded us, not with a hot iron, but with gracious love. Talk about some of the ways this happens. Conclude with a thanksgiving prayer.
Proclamation of the Word
Consider this:
Topic:
You Mean, the Whole Thing?
God asks all from us; God gives all to us.
I. Think about the parts of ourselves that we have developed and which parts remain in pygmy dimensions in relation to body, mind, feelings.
II. As we think about the Commandment,
A. We are to love God. Which god? Spell out some possibilities. Loving God comes as a response to God's loving us.
B. We are to love neighbor as we love ourself. For me, the key word is "as." My theory is this: we will not love God or neighbor until we love ourself. We will not love ourseif until we know that someone loves us. We will not love as Christ loves until we know that someone who knows that Christ loves him/her loves us. Many of us have been taught that God is first, others second, we are last.
Here is the diagram I prefer:
God
Others
Self
Put this on a large poster for the congregation to see as you explain it.
Stewardship Challenge
Consider this:
If this is pledge Sunday for next year's mission, (give up the term "budget"), remind the congregation of your procedure. I say the following:
1. We send pledge cards only to members; we believe that if the members do not support the mission, it doesn't deserve support. Pledge cards are available in the pew racks for the convenience of the visitors.
2. You have not received a proposed mission for next year, because we do not give to a budget; and also, we promise to spend every penny that you give. Your pledge will determine our mission.
3. As you come forward to place your pledge card on the communion table, offer verbal or silent prayer as you come forward. Offering plates are available in the narthex for those who choose not to come forward.
Thought prior to the offering: "We have not lived today until we have done something for someone who can never repay us."
John Bunyan
Charge to the Congregation
Try this:
Ask the people to repeat the commandment after us, using the word "I" or our first name. Speak slowly and deliberately.
Planning for Your Congregation
Suggestions
Your Situation
I. Other Scriptures
Liturgist:
Psalm 119:33-48
Psalm 119:1-16
Psalm 18:2-4, 47, 51
Deuteronomy 6:1-9
Hebrews 7:23-38
II. Suggested Hymns
Coordinator:
"Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty"
Reginald Heber, 1826
"Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above"
Johann J. Schutz, 1675 Trans. by Frances F. Cox, 1864; alt.
"Take Thou Our Minds, Dear Lord!"
William H. Foulkes; sts. 1-3, 1918; st. 4, 1920
"O God, You Hear Our Every Prayer"
Jane Parker Huber A Singing Faith, Jane Parker Huber, Westminster Press
III. Other Music Possibilities
Organist/Choir director:
Music for Preparation
"Andante" C.P.E. Bach
Response to the Assurance of Pardon
"He Comes to Us" Jane Marshall
Response to the Children's Message
"A New Creature"
Words and Music
by John F. Wilson from Lexicon Music Inc., in Folk Encounter, Hope Publishing Company
Response to the Stewardship Challenge
"Our Father in Heaven"
Dupre
Response to the Benediction
"Pass It On" Words and Music by Kurt Kaiser from Lexicon Music Inc., in Folk Encounter, Hope Publishing Company
Music for Dismissal
Popular song, "Who Will Answer?"
IV. Bulletin Cover
Church secretary:
V. Bulletin Symbols
VI. Miscellaneous Details (Assignments:)
Ushers
Candlelighters
Hosts/Hostesses
Banners
Flowers
Greeters
Posters
Name-tags
Others
