Jesus and Beelzebub
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle B
Celebration Through Praise
Pastoral Invitation (Pastor and ministers)
Today, the third Sunday in Pentecost, we rejoice with the Christ who has conquered Beelze, and every other "Bub" of this world. And because he has conquered all the other "Bubs," we are here. Despite the hostility of the religious leaders, despite the confusion of his family, he is Lord, then, and now, and always. So, rejoice in the name of the Risen One. And all the people shouted ... (your favorite praise word). (If the people mumble, do it again, until they show some enthusiasm.)
P: Shout joy!
M: Joy!
P: Pass joy around! Children shout joy! (Response) Adults shout joy! (Response.) Girls shout joy! (Response.) Boys shout joy! (Response.) Women shout joy! (Response.) Men shout joy! (Response.) Everyone shout joy! We've said it. Respond in any way that is appropriate for you at this moment.
M: We've said it! We've shown it! Now, let's sing joy!
Response
"Clap Your Hands," words and music by Jimmy Owens, from Let the People Sing. (See Appendix I for address.)
Prayer of Praise
Acknowledge Jesus the Christ as the one who has conquered all the "Bubs" of his day, and ours, despite all the odds, despite all the criticism, ridicule, ignorance.
Hymn of Praise
"Blessing and Honor," Horatius Bonar, 1866; alt. as in La Feillée's Méthode du plainchant, 1808.
Celebration Through Confession and Forgiveness
Introduction to the Act of Confession
In a sense, we live at the extremes of one world. On the one hand, if we are at all sensitive to Christ's presence in our lives, we continually pray, "Lord, have mercy." For the next three minutes, I invite us to consider those times this past week when we were aware of God's mercy. Write them down. Following the silence, offer a prayer thanking God for mercy.
Response
"Have Mercy on Us, Living Lord," Fred R. Anderson, 1986; Hal H. Hopson, 1983.
Introduction to the Act of Forgiveness
Now, on the other hand, if we are at all sensitive to the presence of God, we also pray, "Thank you, Jesus." For the next three minutes, write down your reasons for thanks. Following the silence, invite the people to shout out their reasons for thanks. Following each response, ask the people to offer their individual affirmation.
Response
"Let All Things Now Living," Katherine K. Davis, 1939; alt. Welsh folk melody; harm. Gerald H. Knight (1908-1979).
Celebration Through The Word
Message with the Children of All Ages
Talk about how Jesus' family thought of him, in the first and last part of the Gospel for today. They thought that he was crazy. Does that seem strange to you? In what way? (Give them time to respond.) Give examples from history, or from your own personal history about similar attitudes toward people who didn't fit the mold. Many of my relatives thought that I was "nuts" for going into the ministry.
Reading of the Scripture
Dramatize this using the whole sanctuary. Jesus' family could be seated with the people and then come forward at the appropriate time. Of course, this takes time; put your drama group to work.
Proclamation of the Good News
Emphasize one or all of the following: (1) the attitude of Jesus' family; (2) the hostility of the religious leaders; (3) the reality of Jesus' statement, "Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother (and father?)."
Celebration Through Thanksgiving And Intercession
Invite the people to share their joys and concerns; always encourage them to focus on the theme for the day.
Celebration Through Commitment
Stewardship Challenge
How would you answer Jesus' question, "Are you my brother, sister, mother, father?" How do you show it? Or, do you show it, only when it costs you little or nothing?
Charge to the Congregation
If you felt free to speak one word, one sentence, of encouragement to the person on your right and left, what would you say, what would you be, what would your face express?
Meditation
Jesus did not say, "I am the pleasant way, the half-truth, the moneyed life" (Author unknown). "It is so hard to believe because it is so hard to obey" (Søren Kierkegaard).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Pentecost hymns; or, "Psalm Prelude," Howells.
Hymn of Praise: "Lord of Our Growing Years," David Mowbray (b. 1938); Martin Shaw, 1915.
Response to the Older Covenant Reading: (Adult choir) "God Eternal is My Refuge," Peninger.
Response to the Newer Covenant: (Adult choir) "Build Thee More Stately Mansions," Gordon Young.
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: "Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest," Telemann.
Hymn of Commitment: "On Our Way Rejoicing," J. S. B. Monsell, 1863, 1873; stanza 1 alt. Frances Ridley Havergal, 1871. (Change the sexist language as you sing.)
Response to the Benediction: "I Am the Light of the World," (chorus only). Words by Howard Thurman and Jim Strathdee from New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Hymns; or, "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name," Wyton.
Pastoral Invitation (Pastor and ministers)
Today, the third Sunday in Pentecost, we rejoice with the Christ who has conquered Beelze, and every other "Bub" of this world. And because he has conquered all the other "Bubs," we are here. Despite the hostility of the religious leaders, despite the confusion of his family, he is Lord, then, and now, and always. So, rejoice in the name of the Risen One. And all the people shouted ... (your favorite praise word). (If the people mumble, do it again, until they show some enthusiasm.)
P: Shout joy!
M: Joy!
P: Pass joy around! Children shout joy! (Response) Adults shout joy! (Response.) Girls shout joy! (Response.) Boys shout joy! (Response.) Women shout joy! (Response.) Men shout joy! (Response.) Everyone shout joy! We've said it. Respond in any way that is appropriate for you at this moment.
M: We've said it! We've shown it! Now, let's sing joy!
Response
"Clap Your Hands," words and music by Jimmy Owens, from Let the People Sing. (See Appendix I for address.)
Prayer of Praise
Acknowledge Jesus the Christ as the one who has conquered all the "Bubs" of his day, and ours, despite all the odds, despite all the criticism, ridicule, ignorance.
Hymn of Praise
"Blessing and Honor," Horatius Bonar, 1866; alt. as in La Feillée's Méthode du plainchant, 1808.
Celebration Through Confession and Forgiveness
Introduction to the Act of Confession
In a sense, we live at the extremes of one world. On the one hand, if we are at all sensitive to Christ's presence in our lives, we continually pray, "Lord, have mercy." For the next three minutes, I invite us to consider those times this past week when we were aware of God's mercy. Write them down. Following the silence, offer a prayer thanking God for mercy.
Response
"Have Mercy on Us, Living Lord," Fred R. Anderson, 1986; Hal H. Hopson, 1983.
Introduction to the Act of Forgiveness
Now, on the other hand, if we are at all sensitive to the presence of God, we also pray, "Thank you, Jesus." For the next three minutes, write down your reasons for thanks. Following the silence, invite the people to shout out their reasons for thanks. Following each response, ask the people to offer their individual affirmation.
Response
"Let All Things Now Living," Katherine K. Davis, 1939; alt. Welsh folk melody; harm. Gerald H. Knight (1908-1979).
Celebration Through The Word
Message with the Children of All Ages
Talk about how Jesus' family thought of him, in the first and last part of the Gospel for today. They thought that he was crazy. Does that seem strange to you? In what way? (Give them time to respond.) Give examples from history, or from your own personal history about similar attitudes toward people who didn't fit the mold. Many of my relatives thought that I was "nuts" for going into the ministry.
Reading of the Scripture
Dramatize this using the whole sanctuary. Jesus' family could be seated with the people and then come forward at the appropriate time. Of course, this takes time; put your drama group to work.
Proclamation of the Good News
Emphasize one or all of the following: (1) the attitude of Jesus' family; (2) the hostility of the religious leaders; (3) the reality of Jesus' statement, "Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother (and father?)."
Celebration Through Thanksgiving And Intercession
Invite the people to share their joys and concerns; always encourage them to focus on the theme for the day.
Celebration Through Commitment
Stewardship Challenge
How would you answer Jesus' question, "Are you my brother, sister, mother, father?" How do you show it? Or, do you show it, only when it costs you little or nothing?
Charge to the Congregation
If you felt free to speak one word, one sentence, of encouragement to the person on your right and left, what would you say, what would you be, what would your face express?
Meditation
Jesus did not say, "I am the pleasant way, the half-truth, the moneyed life" (Author unknown). "It is so hard to believe because it is so hard to obey" (Søren Kierkegaard).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Pentecost hymns; or, "Psalm Prelude," Howells.
Hymn of Praise: "Lord of Our Growing Years," David Mowbray (b. 1938); Martin Shaw, 1915.
Response to the Older Covenant Reading: (Adult choir) "God Eternal is My Refuge," Peninger.
Response to the Newer Covenant: (Adult choir) "Build Thee More Stately Mansions," Gordon Young.
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: "Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest," Telemann.
Hymn of Commitment: "On Our Way Rejoicing," J. S. B. Monsell, 1863, 1873; stanza 1 alt. Frances Ridley Havergal, 1871. (Change the sexist language as you sing.)
Response to the Benediction: "I Am the Light of the World," (chorus only). Words by Howard Thurman and Jim Strathdee from New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Hymns; or, "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name," Wyton.
