Jesus Appears to the Disciples, and Makes a Special Appearance to Thomas
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle B
An Invitation To The Easter Celebration
Pastoral Invitation
In the name of the risen Christ, welcome. Last week, I asked you to wear bright clothes today; thank you for doing so. Now, how many of you know that this past Monday is known as Bright Monday? How many of you know that today is Bright Sunday, which we clergy have often called "Low Sunday," because it is the Sunday after Easter, and often, the opening day of fishing season? Who of you knows the meaning of Easter (and every Sunday is Easter) other than the reality that Christ arose? I'm going to tell you. Easter signifies that, in Christ, God has the last laugh over sin, death, the grave! So, have you laughed with God and each other over that great event? Today, we have this unique opportunity. I invite all of us to laugh with God and each other. Yes, I know that you'll feel embarrassed. To help us with our dis-ease, I brought with me a Spike Jones laughing record. If you prefer not to laugh outright, you can lip-sync with the record.
Hymn of Praise
"God of Love and Joy and Laughter," Jane Parker Huber, 1985; Ludwig von Beethoven, 1824; arr. by Edward Hodges. Hymn to Joy 87 87 D.
Prayer of Praise
Incorporate the words of the hymn in the prayer.
Taking Responsibility For Ourselves
Introduction to the Act of Confession
We live in an era when few take responsibility for their actions; we are encouraged not to take responsibility. For homework this week, read the book by Vincent Barry, The Dog Ate My Homework: Personal Responsibility -- How We Avoid It and What to Do About It (Andrews and McMeel, 1997). We can spend a whole lifetime blaming God, others, circumstances; and if we do, that is our hell. We need not remain as we are.
Prayer of Confession
We know that we are to love as we are loved. You have granted us your own Spirit of love to dwell in us. But, Lord, you know how blocked we become. We are hampered in our loving by our judgments, our preconceptions, our selfishness, our pride, our anxiety, and our drive to blame others for our lives. We wait for people to meet our standards; we create images for people to fulfill; we wait for others to make the first move in accepting us before we give ourselves. Forgive us, Lord, and free us. Help us to see that the purpose of our existence is to love -- you and one another. We open ourselves anew to your Holy Spirit of love, and pray that you will love others through us.
Introduction to the Act of Taking Responsibility
We can begin taking responsibility for ourselves by asking God to warm our cold hearts, soften our rigid wills, bend our false pride, so that loving will become our primary reason for being.
Response
"Our Father, Which Art (Who Are) in Heaven," West Indies folk melody; the melody transcribed by Olive Pattison, 1945; arr. by Paul Abels.
The choir(s) will sing the line of the prayer, and the congregation will respond with "Hallowed Be Thy (Your) Name." After the singing, the pastor will say, "You are free and responsible to celebrate life in Christ." And the people respond, "We rejoice that Christ makes this possible."
The Teaching
Message with the Children of All Ages
Encourage the children, any age, to share any doubts they have about anything. Give them time to respond. If they have difficulty getting started, share some of your own doubts. Jesus welcomed doubts; he did not get angry with Thomas because of his doubts. And he also expressed appreciation for those who do not have life all figured out and still believe. Make them aware that belief is more than saying, "I believe in God." Belief is trusting God even when we do not know all of the answers.
Response
"Were You There?" Thomas was not when Jesus first revealed himself to the disciples after his death. Neither were we. This makes our faith no less important.
Reading the Scriptures
Enact the scripture in two parts: Jesus with the disciples; and then Jesus' conversation with Thomas.
Proclamation of the Gospel
Consider titling your message: "On Having the Right Kind of Doubts." You may want to cover one or several of these themes: doubts and obedience; doubts and illusions; doubts and others; doubts and faith; doubts and God.
Being Responsible In The World
Stewardship Challenge
Does the amount of doubting in your life determine the amount of your giving to Christ's mission? Despite our doubts, Malcolm Muggeridge says, in the introduction of his book, The Most of Malcolm Muggeridge, "There is nothing serious under the sun, except the love of fellow mortals and of God."
Or, you may want to follow up on the Bright Sunday theme. If so, direct the congregation to Jesus' remark, "God loves a cheerful giver." The biblical word for "cheerful" is "hilarious." God loves hilarious givers. And we will know that the Kingdom has arrived in its fullness when we roll in the aisles with raucous laughter. It is time to receive the laughter-offering.
Hymn of Commitment
"God of Love and Joy and Laughter," again. It is both a hymn of praise and a hymn of commitment.
Charge to the Congregation
"To believe in God is to have somebody who knows you through and through, and likes you still and all" (Despite, maybe even because, of your doubts) (former Sister Corita, with my addition).
The Scattering
Response to the Benediction
Tell no one in advance, including the musicians. Invite the people to sing the "Ho Ho" song, three times, and faster each time. Conclude with, "And all the people said, 'Tah-dah.' " If you have never heard the "Tah-dah" story, write to the Fellowship of Merry Christians. (See Appendix II for address.)
Meditation
"The opposite of faith is not doubt; the opposite of faith is security" (author unknown).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Easter hymns.
Hymn of Praise: "Praise the Lord! You Heavens Adore Him," based on Psalm 148; stanzas 1, 2, anon. 1801; alt. 1972; stanza 3, Edward Osler, 1836; alt., 1972.
Response to the Prayer of Praise: "Hallelujah," Beethoven.
Response to the Act of Forgiveness: "Celebrate with Joy and Singing," Mary Jackson Cathey, 1986; R. Bedford Watkins, 1984.
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: "Morning Prelude," Wesley.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Easter hymns; or, "Blessed Jesu, Fount of Mercy," Dvorak.
Pastoral Invitation
In the name of the risen Christ, welcome. Last week, I asked you to wear bright clothes today; thank you for doing so. Now, how many of you know that this past Monday is known as Bright Monday? How many of you know that today is Bright Sunday, which we clergy have often called "Low Sunday," because it is the Sunday after Easter, and often, the opening day of fishing season? Who of you knows the meaning of Easter (and every Sunday is Easter) other than the reality that Christ arose? I'm going to tell you. Easter signifies that, in Christ, God has the last laugh over sin, death, the grave! So, have you laughed with God and each other over that great event? Today, we have this unique opportunity. I invite all of us to laugh with God and each other. Yes, I know that you'll feel embarrassed. To help us with our dis-ease, I brought with me a Spike Jones laughing record. If you prefer not to laugh outright, you can lip-sync with the record.
Hymn of Praise
"God of Love and Joy and Laughter," Jane Parker Huber, 1985; Ludwig von Beethoven, 1824; arr. by Edward Hodges. Hymn to Joy 87 87 D.
Prayer of Praise
Incorporate the words of the hymn in the prayer.
Taking Responsibility For Ourselves
Introduction to the Act of Confession
We live in an era when few take responsibility for their actions; we are encouraged not to take responsibility. For homework this week, read the book by Vincent Barry, The Dog Ate My Homework: Personal Responsibility -- How We Avoid It and What to Do About It (Andrews and McMeel, 1997). We can spend a whole lifetime blaming God, others, circumstances; and if we do, that is our hell. We need not remain as we are.
Prayer of Confession
We know that we are to love as we are loved. You have granted us your own Spirit of love to dwell in us. But, Lord, you know how blocked we become. We are hampered in our loving by our judgments, our preconceptions, our selfishness, our pride, our anxiety, and our drive to blame others for our lives. We wait for people to meet our standards; we create images for people to fulfill; we wait for others to make the first move in accepting us before we give ourselves. Forgive us, Lord, and free us. Help us to see that the purpose of our existence is to love -- you and one another. We open ourselves anew to your Holy Spirit of love, and pray that you will love others through us.
Introduction to the Act of Taking Responsibility
We can begin taking responsibility for ourselves by asking God to warm our cold hearts, soften our rigid wills, bend our false pride, so that loving will become our primary reason for being.
Response
"Our Father, Which Art (Who Are) in Heaven," West Indies folk melody; the melody transcribed by Olive Pattison, 1945; arr. by Paul Abels.
The choir(s) will sing the line of the prayer, and the congregation will respond with "Hallowed Be Thy (Your) Name." After the singing, the pastor will say, "You are free and responsible to celebrate life in Christ." And the people respond, "We rejoice that Christ makes this possible."
The Teaching
Message with the Children of All Ages
Encourage the children, any age, to share any doubts they have about anything. Give them time to respond. If they have difficulty getting started, share some of your own doubts. Jesus welcomed doubts; he did not get angry with Thomas because of his doubts. And he also expressed appreciation for those who do not have life all figured out and still believe. Make them aware that belief is more than saying, "I believe in God." Belief is trusting God even when we do not know all of the answers.
Response
"Were You There?" Thomas was not when Jesus first revealed himself to the disciples after his death. Neither were we. This makes our faith no less important.
Reading the Scriptures
Enact the scripture in two parts: Jesus with the disciples; and then Jesus' conversation with Thomas.
Proclamation of the Gospel
Consider titling your message: "On Having the Right Kind of Doubts." You may want to cover one or several of these themes: doubts and obedience; doubts and illusions; doubts and others; doubts and faith; doubts and God.
Being Responsible In The World
Stewardship Challenge
Does the amount of doubting in your life determine the amount of your giving to Christ's mission? Despite our doubts, Malcolm Muggeridge says, in the introduction of his book, The Most of Malcolm Muggeridge, "There is nothing serious under the sun, except the love of fellow mortals and of God."
Or, you may want to follow up on the Bright Sunday theme. If so, direct the congregation to Jesus' remark, "God loves a cheerful giver." The biblical word for "cheerful" is "hilarious." God loves hilarious givers. And we will know that the Kingdom has arrived in its fullness when we roll in the aisles with raucous laughter. It is time to receive the laughter-offering.
Hymn of Commitment
"God of Love and Joy and Laughter," again. It is both a hymn of praise and a hymn of commitment.
Charge to the Congregation
"To believe in God is to have somebody who knows you through and through, and likes you still and all" (Despite, maybe even because, of your doubts) (former Sister Corita, with my addition).
The Scattering
Response to the Benediction
Tell no one in advance, including the musicians. Invite the people to sing the "Ho Ho" song, three times, and faster each time. Conclude with, "And all the people said, 'Tah-dah.' " If you have never heard the "Tah-dah" story, write to the Fellowship of Merry Christians. (See Appendix II for address.)
Meditation
"The opposite of faith is not doubt; the opposite of faith is security" (author unknown).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Easter hymns.
Hymn of Praise: "Praise the Lord! You Heavens Adore Him," based on Psalm 148; stanzas 1, 2, anon. 1801; alt. 1972; stanza 3, Edward Osler, 1836; alt., 1972.
Response to the Prayer of Praise: "Hallelujah," Beethoven.
Response to the Act of Forgiveness: "Celebrate with Joy and Singing," Mary Jackson Cathey, 1986; R. Bedford Watkins, 1984.
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: "Morning Prelude," Wesley.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Easter hymns; or, "Blessed Jesu, Fount of Mercy," Dvorak.
