Jesus Foretells his Death and Resurrection
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle A Gospel Texts
Remembering Whose We Are
Invitation to the Celebration
Have an alarm clock set to ring as the organist/pianist finishes the music for preparation. Then, wake up! We're here to celebrate life in the Presence/Power of God. We gather weekly (weakly?) in this sanctuary, not because God is more present here than anywhere else. We gather here to announce to each other and the world our experience of new life in Christ, our endurance in the midst of change, our enjoyments of God's presence everywhere. Worship is the celebration of God's activity in the world, all of the world, for Christ's sake.
P: Now that we're awake (we are awake, aren't we?), good morning! Who do you think you are?
M: Now that we're awake (we are awake!), good morning to you. We are the church of Jesus Christ. We have come here to remember what it means to be Christian, and to be the church in worship, so we will be the church in mission.
P: Will you be honest during this time? Will your hearts, minds, wills be open to God's truth?
M: We will be honest and open to God's truth!
P: Then we shall continue to praise God.
M: Amen. Let it be so in you and me!
Response
Popular song: "Let it be; let it be; let it be; let it be; there will be an answer, let it be."
Prayer of Praise
Focus on the theme that God awakens us to a new day and new opportunities, and that we, through God's Spirit, will be ready for them.
Hymn of Praise
"God of Our Life" (Charles Henry Purday, 1860; Hugh Thompson Kerr, 1916; alt. 1928; harm. John Weaver, 1986).
Facing Up To Ourselves
Introduction to Our Brokenness
Arthur Boers, in an article from The Other Side (May/June, 1989), titled "The Fullness of Christ and the Small Church," points out this sin of the church (you and me): Many want to know what they can get out of the local congregation, so that churches are simply one more consumer commodity. Thus, worship is not a place for us to serve God and our neighbors and enemies, but a place where people expect to purchase the best: inspiring worship, which never deals with justice issues; good music which they "like"; moving sermons which comfort and never confront; and quality child care for every age. As if we could buy God ... (Silence for two minutes, with the question, "Is this your expectation and experience?")
Response
Soloist to sing "Both Sides Now" (words and music by Joni Mitchell, Siquomb Publishing Corporation). Or play the recording.
Invitation to Our Acceptance
(Sit down in silence for two minutes after the song.) Again, invite the people to write down their thoughts. Does the song fit their life? What does it say about their daily experiences? Offer a prayer which, while not summarizing their thoughts, may well summarize yours.
P: Christ has set us free to live responsibly.
M: The past is forgiven, every bit of it to this moment; the future is before us, every bit of it from now on.
P: I invite us to love life, and the people who share it with us.
M: We embrace life, and we live in Christ.
Response
"Lord, I Want to Be a Christian" (African-American Spiritual).
Looking Out To Others
Message with the Children of All Ages
Have you ever wanted something so badly that you think you will do anything to get it? Give examples of people who have, and then, who went to jail. Or, think of a swimmer who stays under water too long; he/she wants air more than anything. Tie this in with the second half of the Scripture.
Reading from the Newer Covenant
Have the children remain, as your actors dramatize Jesus' encounter with the disciples and Peter.
Proclamation of the Good News
Perhaps you can use this example: Following J.F.K.'s death, many people united with the church. Many of them tagged along for a short time and dropped out. After the immediate crisis, one family stopped participating, but sent a $500 check to "pay their way." The pastor asked the secretary to return it, with this note, "We want you, not just your money." Unfortunately, the family never returned.
Response
"Breathe on Me, Breath of God" (Edwin Hatch, 1886; Robert Jackson, 1894).
Remembering Our Reason For Being The Church
Stewardship Challenge
The real measure of our wealth and obedience is how much we would be worth if we lost all of our money. No one really trusts God until he/she trusts God with his/her money.
Acting On Our Faith
Charge to the Congregation
Read the second half of the text, and ask the people to charge themselves silently. Ask them to write down their charge when they get home, to bring that charge with them next week, and to place it in the offering plate, unsigned. Get their permission to use those charges in future worships, and in the church newsletter, anonymously.
Response
Hymn of Commitment: "O God, Our Faithful God" (Johann Heermann, 1630; trans. Catherine Winkworth, 1858; alt.; harm. J. S. Bach, 1685-1750; alt.).
Meditation
"Perfect obedience would be perfect joy if only we had perfect confidence in the power we were obeying" (author unknown, slightly revised).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "My Heart Ever Faithful," Bach.
Choral Introit: (Choir) "Come, Let Us Worship God," Kettring.
Hymn of Praise: "Christ Is the World's True Light," George Wallace Briggs, 1931; alt., 1972. (Change "men" to "we.")
Response to the Newer Covenant: "The Lord's Prayer," Gates. Invite the people to pray as they sing.
Offertory: "Child's Prayer," Kerllak.
Hymn of Commitment: "Walk Tall, Christian," Miriam Drury, 1969.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of obedience hymns.
Invitation to the Celebration
Have an alarm clock set to ring as the organist/pianist finishes the music for preparation. Then, wake up! We're here to celebrate life in the Presence/Power of God. We gather weekly (weakly?) in this sanctuary, not because God is more present here than anywhere else. We gather here to announce to each other and the world our experience of new life in Christ, our endurance in the midst of change, our enjoyments of God's presence everywhere. Worship is the celebration of God's activity in the world, all of the world, for Christ's sake.
P: Now that we're awake (we are awake, aren't we?), good morning! Who do you think you are?
M: Now that we're awake (we are awake!), good morning to you. We are the church of Jesus Christ. We have come here to remember what it means to be Christian, and to be the church in worship, so we will be the church in mission.
P: Will you be honest during this time? Will your hearts, minds, wills be open to God's truth?
M: We will be honest and open to God's truth!
P: Then we shall continue to praise God.
M: Amen. Let it be so in you and me!
Response
Popular song: "Let it be; let it be; let it be; let it be; there will be an answer, let it be."
Prayer of Praise
Focus on the theme that God awakens us to a new day and new opportunities, and that we, through God's Spirit, will be ready for them.
Hymn of Praise
"God of Our Life" (Charles Henry Purday, 1860; Hugh Thompson Kerr, 1916; alt. 1928; harm. John Weaver, 1986).
Facing Up To Ourselves
Introduction to Our Brokenness
Arthur Boers, in an article from The Other Side (May/June, 1989), titled "The Fullness of Christ and the Small Church," points out this sin of the church (you and me): Many want to know what they can get out of the local congregation, so that churches are simply one more consumer commodity. Thus, worship is not a place for us to serve God and our neighbors and enemies, but a place where people expect to purchase the best: inspiring worship, which never deals with justice issues; good music which they "like"; moving sermons which comfort and never confront; and quality child care for every age. As if we could buy God ... (Silence for two minutes, with the question, "Is this your expectation and experience?")
Response
Soloist to sing "Both Sides Now" (words and music by Joni Mitchell, Siquomb Publishing Corporation). Or play the recording.
Invitation to Our Acceptance
(Sit down in silence for two minutes after the song.) Again, invite the people to write down their thoughts. Does the song fit their life? What does it say about their daily experiences? Offer a prayer which, while not summarizing their thoughts, may well summarize yours.
P: Christ has set us free to live responsibly.
M: The past is forgiven, every bit of it to this moment; the future is before us, every bit of it from now on.
P: I invite us to love life, and the people who share it with us.
M: We embrace life, and we live in Christ.
Response
"Lord, I Want to Be a Christian" (African-American Spiritual).
Looking Out To Others
Message with the Children of All Ages
Have you ever wanted something so badly that you think you will do anything to get it? Give examples of people who have, and then, who went to jail. Or, think of a swimmer who stays under water too long; he/she wants air more than anything. Tie this in with the second half of the Scripture.
Reading from the Newer Covenant
Have the children remain, as your actors dramatize Jesus' encounter with the disciples and Peter.
Proclamation of the Good News
Perhaps you can use this example: Following J.F.K.'s death, many people united with the church. Many of them tagged along for a short time and dropped out. After the immediate crisis, one family stopped participating, but sent a $500 check to "pay their way." The pastor asked the secretary to return it, with this note, "We want you, not just your money." Unfortunately, the family never returned.
Response
"Breathe on Me, Breath of God" (Edwin Hatch, 1886; Robert Jackson, 1894).
Remembering Our Reason For Being The Church
Stewardship Challenge
The real measure of our wealth and obedience is how much we would be worth if we lost all of our money. No one really trusts God until he/she trusts God with his/her money.
Acting On Our Faith
Charge to the Congregation
Read the second half of the text, and ask the people to charge themselves silently. Ask them to write down their charge when they get home, to bring that charge with them next week, and to place it in the offering plate, unsigned. Get their permission to use those charges in future worships, and in the church newsletter, anonymously.
Response
Hymn of Commitment: "O God, Our Faithful God" (Johann Heermann, 1630; trans. Catherine Winkworth, 1858; alt.; harm. J. S. Bach, 1685-1750; alt.).
Meditation
"Perfect obedience would be perfect joy if only we had perfect confidence in the power we were obeying" (author unknown, slightly revised).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "My Heart Ever Faithful," Bach.
Choral Introit: (Choir) "Come, Let Us Worship God," Kettring.
Hymn of Praise: "Christ Is the World's True Light," George Wallace Briggs, 1931; alt., 1972. (Change "men" to "we.")
Response to the Newer Covenant: "The Lord's Prayer," Gates. Invite the people to pray as they sing.
Offertory: "Child's Prayer," Kerllak.
Hymn of Commitment: "Walk Tall, Christian," Miriam Drury, 1969.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of obedience hymns.
