Jesus Heals the Leper, and Warns Him Not to Tell Anyone
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle B
Pastoral Invitation
In the name of the Author of Epiphany and the other five seasons, joy to you and me! Because of God's touch on our lives, we who were nobodies have become somebodies. In God's Spirit, I invite us to keep on receiving God's healing touch. And all the people said, ______________!"
Hymn of Praise
"When in Our Music God is Glorified." (Hymn for the last half of Epiphany.)
Prayer of Praise
Begin to point out the power of God's touch; and begin to caution the people about their touch on other peoples' lives.
Response
"Somebody Touched Me," Spiritual, found in Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.)
The evangels Face Up To Themselves
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
While God's touch brings healing, we know, some by experience, that the human touch often harms. Some of you bring some exceedingly painful memories of the abused, misused touch. And even this reminder may bring tears and sadness and anger, even today. It is okay to feel what you feel. If you are not yet ready to forgive the perpetrator, that, too, is okay. Use these moments to find healthy ways to take care of yourself. The world is a scary place; sometimes, even the church is a scary place. (Two minutes of silence.)
Response
Sing again, "Somebody Touched Me."
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life
Ignore all those messages that say, "It's your job as a Christian to forgive the person who has hurt you." Maybe so. However, you are to do so on your own time schedule, not someone else's. Perhaps you will want to use this prayer as a basis for your prayer: "Because, God, we can hide nothing from you, even though we have hidden some horrible things even from those closest to us, we are in the process of facing our pain. We may need more than this moment to receive healing. Grant that we will seek people who will help us to reclaim our wholeness, no matter what has happened to us in the past. Remove from us the guilt which destroys our trust in you." (Lectionary Worship Workbook, Cycle B, by Wayne H. Keller, CSS Publishing Company, Lima, Ohio, 1990 revised.)
Response
"There's a Wideness in God's Mercy," Frederick William Faber, 1854; alt.; Dutch melody, arr. Julius Ršntgen (1855-1933).
The evangels Respond To God's Good News
Message with the Children of All Ages
You know that Jesus was a great healer; and the more people he healed, the more people wanted him to heal. In Jesus' day, leprosy included even those who had skin rash or acne. In this passage, Jesus healed the leper, and then told him to tell no one. Ask, "Why do you suppose he did that?" Ask the ones who did not come forward also. (Wait.) Did anyone ever ask you not to tell anyone; and you went right out and told someone? Sometimes we do that because we like the attention. Any other reasons? (Give time to respond.) Leave it at that; the Gospel needs no little moralism tacked on.
Dramatize the Scripture
Have the action take place in the chancel. After Jesus speaks, have the cleansed leper go out telling the people. Have a reader conclude with the last verse.
Proclamation of the Good News
Before tackling this difficult subject, do some studying on sexual perpetrators, both inside and outside of the church. I know several who will never again set foot inside of a church building because some "pillar of the church" molested them. This message of the touch will stir up some unresolved issues for many. (One of the first organizations to deal with this horrific problem is the Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence, 936 North 34th, Suite 200, Seattle, Washington 98103.* Your community may have a similar organization. Marie Fortune coordinates the Seattle Office. She has written Is Nothing Sacred? When Sex Invades the Pastoral Relationship.) Please point out, somewhere in the proclamation, that Jesus did not forgive from the cross. He said, "Father, you forgive them, because they have no idea what they're doing."
Stewardship Challenge
Two minutes of silence to write down three ways that you will touch another person's life in healthy ways this week. (Wait two minutes; rushing through worship heals no one.)
Charge to the Congregation
Add your own response to this story: A woman with a signboard is walking along a busy street. The signboard reads: "Touch me. Wrinkles are not contagious."
Meditation
"If you try to annihilate their gods, they'll kill you" (The Big Valley television program).
*For Additional Reading: Healing Life Hurts and Don't Forgive Too Soon, Dennis Linn, Sheila Fabricant Linn, Matthew Linn. These authors deal with the five stages of forgiveness: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. Published by Paulist Press, 997 Macarthur Boulevard, Mahwah, New Jersey 07430.
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Epiphany hymns.
Response to the Act of Receiving New Life: "Immortal Love, Forever Full," John Greenleaf Whittier, 1866; arr. from William V. Wallace, 1856.
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: "Elevation," Zipoli (1688-1726).
Hymn of Commitment: "We Bear the Strain of Earthly Care," Ozora Stearns Davis, 1909; Carl G. GlŠser, 1828; arr. by Lowell Mason, 1839.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Epiphany hymns. (Keep these hymns alive.)
In the name of the Author of Epiphany and the other five seasons, joy to you and me! Because of God's touch on our lives, we who were nobodies have become somebodies. In God's Spirit, I invite us to keep on receiving God's healing touch. And all the people said, ______________!"
Hymn of Praise
"When in Our Music God is Glorified." (Hymn for the last half of Epiphany.)
Prayer of Praise
Begin to point out the power of God's touch; and begin to caution the people about their touch on other peoples' lives.
Response
"Somebody Touched Me," Spiritual, found in Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.)
The evangels Face Up To Themselves
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
While God's touch brings healing, we know, some by experience, that the human touch often harms. Some of you bring some exceedingly painful memories of the abused, misused touch. And even this reminder may bring tears and sadness and anger, even today. It is okay to feel what you feel. If you are not yet ready to forgive the perpetrator, that, too, is okay. Use these moments to find healthy ways to take care of yourself. The world is a scary place; sometimes, even the church is a scary place. (Two minutes of silence.)
Response
Sing again, "Somebody Touched Me."
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life
Ignore all those messages that say, "It's your job as a Christian to forgive the person who has hurt you." Maybe so. However, you are to do so on your own time schedule, not someone else's. Perhaps you will want to use this prayer as a basis for your prayer: "Because, God, we can hide nothing from you, even though we have hidden some horrible things even from those closest to us, we are in the process of facing our pain. We may need more than this moment to receive healing. Grant that we will seek people who will help us to reclaim our wholeness, no matter what has happened to us in the past. Remove from us the guilt which destroys our trust in you." (Lectionary Worship Workbook, Cycle B, by Wayne H. Keller, CSS Publishing Company, Lima, Ohio, 1990 revised.)
Response
"There's a Wideness in God's Mercy," Frederick William Faber, 1854; alt.; Dutch melody, arr. Julius Ršntgen (1855-1933).
The evangels Respond To God's Good News
Message with the Children of All Ages
You know that Jesus was a great healer; and the more people he healed, the more people wanted him to heal. In Jesus' day, leprosy included even those who had skin rash or acne. In this passage, Jesus healed the leper, and then told him to tell no one. Ask, "Why do you suppose he did that?" Ask the ones who did not come forward also. (Wait.) Did anyone ever ask you not to tell anyone; and you went right out and told someone? Sometimes we do that because we like the attention. Any other reasons? (Give time to respond.) Leave it at that; the Gospel needs no little moralism tacked on.
Dramatize the Scripture
Have the action take place in the chancel. After Jesus speaks, have the cleansed leper go out telling the people. Have a reader conclude with the last verse.
Proclamation of the Good News
Before tackling this difficult subject, do some studying on sexual perpetrators, both inside and outside of the church. I know several who will never again set foot inside of a church building because some "pillar of the church" molested them. This message of the touch will stir up some unresolved issues for many. (One of the first organizations to deal with this horrific problem is the Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence, 936 North 34th, Suite 200, Seattle, Washington 98103.* Your community may have a similar organization. Marie Fortune coordinates the Seattle Office. She has written Is Nothing Sacred? When Sex Invades the Pastoral Relationship.) Please point out, somewhere in the proclamation, that Jesus did not forgive from the cross. He said, "Father, you forgive them, because they have no idea what they're doing."
Stewardship Challenge
Two minutes of silence to write down three ways that you will touch another person's life in healthy ways this week. (Wait two minutes; rushing through worship heals no one.)
Charge to the Congregation
Add your own response to this story: A woman with a signboard is walking along a busy street. The signboard reads: "Touch me. Wrinkles are not contagious."
Meditation
"If you try to annihilate their gods, they'll kill you" (The Big Valley television program).
*For Additional Reading: Healing Life Hurts and Don't Forgive Too Soon, Dennis Linn, Sheila Fabricant Linn, Matthew Linn. These authors deal with the five stages of forgiveness: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. Published by Paulist Press, 997 Macarthur Boulevard, Mahwah, New Jersey 07430.
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Epiphany hymns.
Response to the Act of Receiving New Life: "Immortal Love, Forever Full," John Greenleaf Whittier, 1866; arr. from William V. Wallace, 1856.
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: "Elevation," Zipoli (1688-1726).
Hymn of Commitment: "We Bear the Strain of Earthly Care," Ozora Stearns Davis, 1909; Carl G. GlŠser, 1828; arr. by Lowell Mason, 1839.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Epiphany hymns. (Keep these hymns alive.)
