Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand; Jesus Walks on Water. Do you see the connection?
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle B
Adoration
Pastoral Invitation
Ask three soloists, well in advance, to sing a line or two, beginning with "I come ..." One may come weary; another, in physical pain; another, experiencing the death of a friend. They enter from the rear of the sanctuary, and sing as they come down the aisle. Once they complete their singing, the pastor asks, "How have you come today?" (Give several time to respond. If no one responds, tell the congregation how you came to worship today.) Then, conclude with a statement by Bernice Johnson Reagon, in the Other Side (July-August 1997), who identifies the black church style this way: "You pass the audition when you walk in the door." Our being here has little to do with how we feel and everything to do with our obedience.
Hymn of Adoration
"O God of Vision," Jane Parker Huber, 1981; arr. in Praxis Pietatis Melica, 1668.
Prayer of Adoration
Incorporate how the people came to worship with God's faithfulness to meet them as they are. God remains faithful even when we are less than faithful, and constantly look for excuses and scapegoats.
Confession And Forgiveness
Introduction to the Act of Confession
Tom Oden, in his book, Game Free, says, "The deeper problem may be that we do not know how to use our freedom responsibly, rather than our not having enough freedom." (Read the statement again, and give one minute of silence without comment.) Ask how many believe that statement. (Show of hands.) Ask for prayers of confession from the people, around the theme of freedom.
Response
"Create In Me A Clean Heart, O God," Jim Strathdee, from New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Introduction to the Act of Forgiveness
To become and remain victors -- to stay on top, despite a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make us similar to everyone else -- means that we fight the hardest battle which anyone can fight -- this brings joy to us. We stay on top, though we do have our down times, because Christ first bids us to walk on the water, to keep our eyes on him. How do you stay on top? (Partial paraphrase of e.e. cummings.)
Response
"If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee," Georg Neumark, 1657; trans. Catherine Winkworth, 1855, 1863; alt. 1987.
Proclamation
Message with the Children of All Ages
Today, I am inviting only adults, all those over eighteen, to come forward for the message. A few weeks ago, we talked about Jesus feeding the 5,000 men, plus women and children. Today, I want to read about Jesus walking on water. Do you really think that Jesus and Peter walked on water? Seems like something out of the X-Files, doesn't it? Here's what some of us do, instead. Jack Sellers in his book, The River to Pickle Beach, spent many days watching the bird in the birdbath. The bird comes every day, and every day, stops there and looks and takes a long time before he sticks his foot in the birdbath. Along with the disciples, you and I live our lives that way, for whatever reason. Another character in the book talks about "trickling out our days," just living, as opposed to living well. No matter how scary the situation for us, Jesus promises us the presence of his Spirit.
Reading from the Gospel
Use the children's message as the scripture reading.
Proclamation of the Good News
You may want to include these ideas: Humans and animals experience two primary feelings -- fear and joy. Surely, fear must have gotten in Peter's way. Montaigne once said, "It is fear that I stand most in fear of; its sharpness exceeds every other feeling." Franklin Roosevelt said, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." Fear may well keep us from obeying.
Thanksgiving And Intercession
Include the ideas of our fear and God's promise of Presence and Power.
Dedication
Stewardship Challenge
"We all mortgage ourselves, but we can't let foreclosure happen" (Bernice Johnson Reagon). Before you present your offering, consider carefully: "What are the memories which rob you of your present freedom and joy?"
Response
"Our God, to Whom We Turn," Edward Grubb, 1925; Ahasuerus Fritsch, 1679; harm. J. S. Bach, 1724.
Charge to the Congregation
Jesus bids us to come and walk on the water with him. What keeps us from experiencing this joy? Fear? Perhaps we need to take our cue from sports fans (fan-atics). People are excited about sports; they scream, shout, swear; they get excited.
Hymn of Commitment
"God Is Our Refuge and Strength," The Psalter, 1912; alt. 1988; Este's Psalmes, 1592.
Meditation
"We praise the person who 'has the courage of his/her convictions,' but every bigot and fanatic has that: what is much harder, and rarer, is to have the courage to reexamine one's convictions, and to reject them if they don't square with the facts" (Sidney Harris, Chicago News). "Courage is fear that has said its prayer" (Author unknown).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "From God Shall Naught Divide Me," J. S. Bach.
Hymn of Adoration: "Come, Ye People, Rise and Sing," Cyril Argentine Alington, b. 1872; from Union Harmony; harm. by Hilton Rufty, 1934.
Response to the Confession: "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need," para. Isaac Watts, 1719; alt. 1972; Walker's Southern Harmony, 1835; harm. Dale Grotenhuis, 1986.
Response to the Forgiveness: "Christ is Made the Sure Foundation," (two tunes) seventh century, Latin; trans. John Mason Neale, 1851; alt. 1861, 1972; Henry Purcell (1659-1695), adapt. and Henry Thomas Smart, 1867.
Response to the Message with Children: "Seek and You Shall Find," Kentucky-Tennessee Gospel Song, from New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: "Offertory in E Flat," Dubois.
Hymn of Commitment: "In You, Lord, I Have Put My Trust," Adam Reissner, 1533; trans. Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt.; Sunderreiter's Himmlische Harfen, 1573. (Substitute "we" for "I.")
Music for Dismissal: "O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee," Washington Gladden, 1879; Henry Percy Smith, 1874. (Invite the people to stay and sing this hymn.)
Pastoral Invitation
Ask three soloists, well in advance, to sing a line or two, beginning with "I come ..." One may come weary; another, in physical pain; another, experiencing the death of a friend. They enter from the rear of the sanctuary, and sing as they come down the aisle. Once they complete their singing, the pastor asks, "How have you come today?" (Give several time to respond. If no one responds, tell the congregation how you came to worship today.) Then, conclude with a statement by Bernice Johnson Reagon, in the Other Side (July-August 1997), who identifies the black church style this way: "You pass the audition when you walk in the door." Our being here has little to do with how we feel and everything to do with our obedience.
Hymn of Adoration
"O God of Vision," Jane Parker Huber, 1981; arr. in Praxis Pietatis Melica, 1668.
Prayer of Adoration
Incorporate how the people came to worship with God's faithfulness to meet them as they are. God remains faithful even when we are less than faithful, and constantly look for excuses and scapegoats.
Confession And Forgiveness
Introduction to the Act of Confession
Tom Oden, in his book, Game Free, says, "The deeper problem may be that we do not know how to use our freedom responsibly, rather than our not having enough freedom." (Read the statement again, and give one minute of silence without comment.) Ask how many believe that statement. (Show of hands.) Ask for prayers of confession from the people, around the theme of freedom.
Response
"Create In Me A Clean Heart, O God," Jim Strathdee, from New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Introduction to the Act of Forgiveness
To become and remain victors -- to stay on top, despite a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make us similar to everyone else -- means that we fight the hardest battle which anyone can fight -- this brings joy to us. We stay on top, though we do have our down times, because Christ first bids us to walk on the water, to keep our eyes on him. How do you stay on top? (Partial paraphrase of e.e. cummings.)
Response
"If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee," Georg Neumark, 1657; trans. Catherine Winkworth, 1855, 1863; alt. 1987.
Proclamation
Message with the Children of All Ages
Today, I am inviting only adults, all those over eighteen, to come forward for the message. A few weeks ago, we talked about Jesus feeding the 5,000 men, plus women and children. Today, I want to read about Jesus walking on water. Do you really think that Jesus and Peter walked on water? Seems like something out of the X-Files, doesn't it? Here's what some of us do, instead. Jack Sellers in his book, The River to Pickle Beach, spent many days watching the bird in the birdbath. The bird comes every day, and every day, stops there and looks and takes a long time before he sticks his foot in the birdbath. Along with the disciples, you and I live our lives that way, for whatever reason. Another character in the book talks about "trickling out our days," just living, as opposed to living well. No matter how scary the situation for us, Jesus promises us the presence of his Spirit.
Reading from the Gospel
Use the children's message as the scripture reading.
Proclamation of the Good News
You may want to include these ideas: Humans and animals experience two primary feelings -- fear and joy. Surely, fear must have gotten in Peter's way. Montaigne once said, "It is fear that I stand most in fear of; its sharpness exceeds every other feeling." Franklin Roosevelt said, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." Fear may well keep us from obeying.
Thanksgiving And Intercession
Include the ideas of our fear and God's promise of Presence and Power.
Dedication
Stewardship Challenge
"We all mortgage ourselves, but we can't let foreclosure happen" (Bernice Johnson Reagon). Before you present your offering, consider carefully: "What are the memories which rob you of your present freedom and joy?"
Response
"Our God, to Whom We Turn," Edward Grubb, 1925; Ahasuerus Fritsch, 1679; harm. J. S. Bach, 1724.
Charge to the Congregation
Jesus bids us to come and walk on the water with him. What keeps us from experiencing this joy? Fear? Perhaps we need to take our cue from sports fans (fan-atics). People are excited about sports; they scream, shout, swear; they get excited.
Hymn of Commitment
"God Is Our Refuge and Strength," The Psalter, 1912; alt. 1988; Este's Psalmes, 1592.
Meditation
"We praise the person who 'has the courage of his/her convictions,' but every bigot and fanatic has that: what is much harder, and rarer, is to have the courage to reexamine one's convictions, and to reject them if they don't square with the facts" (Sidney Harris, Chicago News). "Courage is fear that has said its prayer" (Author unknown).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "From God Shall Naught Divide Me," J. S. Bach.
Hymn of Adoration: "Come, Ye People, Rise and Sing," Cyril Argentine Alington, b. 1872; from Union Harmony; harm. by Hilton Rufty, 1934.
Response to the Confession: "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need," para. Isaac Watts, 1719; alt. 1972; Walker's Southern Harmony, 1835; harm. Dale Grotenhuis, 1986.
Response to the Forgiveness: "Christ is Made the Sure Foundation," (two tunes) seventh century, Latin; trans. John Mason Neale, 1851; alt. 1861, 1972; Henry Purcell (1659-1695), adapt. and Henry Thomas Smart, 1867.
Response to the Message with Children: "Seek and You Shall Find," Kentucky-Tennessee Gospel Song, from New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: "Offertory in E Flat," Dubois.
Hymn of Commitment: "In You, Lord, I Have Put My Trust," Adam Reissner, 1533; trans. Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt.; Sunderreiter's Himmlische Harfen, 1573. (Substitute "we" for "I.")
Music for Dismissal: "O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee," Washington Gladden, 1879; Henry Percy Smith, 1874. (Invite the people to stay and sing this hymn.)
