Jesus Heals Many
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle B
Pastoral Invitation
In the name of the living God, welcome. With what expectations do you come today? (Give the people thirty seconds to identify their expectations, silently.) Mark Twain said, "Blessed are those who expect nothing; for they will not be disappointed;" and I say, "Blessed are those who come, not as observers, but as participants -- responsible to God, others, self -- for they shall be filled. However we've come, we're here to celebrate the presence and power of the Christ. And all the people said, ___________!"
Hymn of Praise
"When in Our Music God is Glorified," Fred Pratt Green, 1972; Charles Villiers Stanford, 1904.
Prayer of Praise
Always focus on the One who Creates, Sustains, Liberates, Energizes. Then, bring the needs of the people to be healed by God. For example, lives are lonely and need God's compassion. Lives are burdened and need God's strength. Lives are troubled and need God's comfort. Lives are anxious and need God's direction. Make sure that the people know that such needs are met, not through David Copperfield's magic, but by surrender to the living Christ, and by our involvement in his mission.
Response
"Day By Day," Richard of Chichester (alt.); Stephen Schwartz. (See Appendix I for the address.)
The evangels Face Up To Themselves
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Provide a printed copy of the following personal inventory for each worshiper: Invite them to respond with a "yes" or "no." (1) I have freely chosen to accept God. (2) I have chosen to live under and to serve God; and I am aware of other things I could be doing with my life, other than this. (3) I have chosen to live under and to serve God; and I understand the consequences of this decision. (4) I am content with my choice, and am satisfied that this is what I want to be doing with my life ... I have no regrets. (5) I am ready to make my decision known publicly when appropriate for me to do so. (6) My life is different than it would be if I had not pledged my life to God in Christ. (7) People who know me, know me as a servant of God and others. (Give three minutes for the people to digest this commitment.)
Response
"Lord, I Want to Be a Christian," stanzas 1 and 2, African-American spiritual.
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life (Pastor and evangels)
Someone has said, "We will never be able to solve our own problems so long as we believe that someone or something outside of ourself is responsible for them" (author unknown). The personal inventory puts the responsibility where it belongs, with each of us.
P: The word of Christ is Good News.
e: Our humanity has been received. We can be ourselves.
P: The past is forgiven. The future is before us.
e: We live with courage, and with a deep concern for others.
P: I invite us to give thanks and to embrace our lives.
e: We do! Amen! So be it!
Response
"Lord, I Want to Be a Christian," stanzas 3 and 4.
The evangels Respond To God's Good News
Message with the Children of All Ages
Invite the children to list some of the things that Jesus did to show people how much he loved them. Be sure to include his healing, praying, preaching ministry as expressed in the Gospel lesson for today. Identify some of the things that they can do also to express their love for family, friends, and even those whom they do not like.
Presenting the Scripture
Have three groups in different parts of the sanctuary dramatize the three aspects of Jesus' ministry. Yes, this takes preparation. Put it in the hands of your drama group or someone who has a flair for the dramatic.
Proclamation of the Good News
Expand on the ideas expressed in the message with the children. Offer ways that the evangels can be involved in the healing, praying, preaching ministry of Jesus.
Stewardship Challenge
What do we evangels consider stewardship of the kingdom's healing, praying, preaching? How can we fool ourselves into thinking that we are a part of the kingdom, when, in reality, we only think that we are part of the kingdom? Consider ways by which we hope to work our way into the kingdom -- by doing things, going places, giving money, becoming "pillars of the church." Fact: as God's evangels, we give for one reason: to offer thanks, pure, unadulterated thanks, expecting nothing in return.
Prayer following the Offering
By your spirit, show us how to keep our response to you in proper perspective, for the sake of the world, and ourselves.
Hymn of Commitment
"God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens," Catherine Arnott Cameron, 1967; alt.; attr. William Moore, 1825; harm. Charles Anders, 1969.
Charge to the Congregation
God calls us Christians, not to be happy, effective, wealthy, powerful successful; God calls us only to be faithful. Please reread each day the personal inventory.
Response to the Charge and Benediction (Pastor and evangels)
P: Alleluia!
e: You said it, and we agree!
Choral Response
"Threefold Amen" (lively and energetically)
Meditation
"Lord, forgive us for looking at the world with dry eyes" (Frank Laubach).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation and Dismissal: Medley of Epiphany hymns.
Hymn of Praise: (Hymn for the last half of Epiphany) "When in Our Music God is Glorified."
Response to the Act of Receiving New Life: "You Are the Lord, Giver of Mercy," contemporary version.
Response to the Scripture: "Alleluia," (source unknown), found in Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.)
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: "Truth Shall Make You Free," based on John 8:31-32, John F. Wilson, from Folk Encounter.
Hymn of Commitment: "Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies," Charles Wesley (two tunes).
Response to the Benediction: "Glory Be to God on High," from Folk Encounter.
In the name of the living God, welcome. With what expectations do you come today? (Give the people thirty seconds to identify their expectations, silently.) Mark Twain said, "Blessed are those who expect nothing; for they will not be disappointed;" and I say, "Blessed are those who come, not as observers, but as participants -- responsible to God, others, self -- for they shall be filled. However we've come, we're here to celebrate the presence and power of the Christ. And all the people said, ___________!"
Hymn of Praise
"When in Our Music God is Glorified," Fred Pratt Green, 1972; Charles Villiers Stanford, 1904.
Prayer of Praise
Always focus on the One who Creates, Sustains, Liberates, Energizes. Then, bring the needs of the people to be healed by God. For example, lives are lonely and need God's compassion. Lives are burdened and need God's strength. Lives are troubled and need God's comfort. Lives are anxious and need God's direction. Make sure that the people know that such needs are met, not through David Copperfield's magic, but by surrender to the living Christ, and by our involvement in his mission.
Response
"Day By Day," Richard of Chichester (alt.); Stephen Schwartz. (See Appendix I for the address.)
The evangels Face Up To Themselves
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Provide a printed copy of the following personal inventory for each worshiper: Invite them to respond with a "yes" or "no." (1) I have freely chosen to accept God. (2) I have chosen to live under and to serve God; and I am aware of other things I could be doing with my life, other than this. (3) I have chosen to live under and to serve God; and I understand the consequences of this decision. (4) I am content with my choice, and am satisfied that this is what I want to be doing with my life ... I have no regrets. (5) I am ready to make my decision known publicly when appropriate for me to do so. (6) My life is different than it would be if I had not pledged my life to God in Christ. (7) People who know me, know me as a servant of God and others. (Give three minutes for the people to digest this commitment.)
Response
"Lord, I Want to Be a Christian," stanzas 1 and 2, African-American spiritual.
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life (Pastor and evangels)
Someone has said, "We will never be able to solve our own problems so long as we believe that someone or something outside of ourself is responsible for them" (author unknown). The personal inventory puts the responsibility where it belongs, with each of us.
P: The word of Christ is Good News.
e: Our humanity has been received. We can be ourselves.
P: The past is forgiven. The future is before us.
e: We live with courage, and with a deep concern for others.
P: I invite us to give thanks and to embrace our lives.
e: We do! Amen! So be it!
Response
"Lord, I Want to Be a Christian," stanzas 3 and 4.
The evangels Respond To God's Good News
Message with the Children of All Ages
Invite the children to list some of the things that Jesus did to show people how much he loved them. Be sure to include his healing, praying, preaching ministry as expressed in the Gospel lesson for today. Identify some of the things that they can do also to express their love for family, friends, and even those whom they do not like.
Presenting the Scripture
Have three groups in different parts of the sanctuary dramatize the three aspects of Jesus' ministry. Yes, this takes preparation. Put it in the hands of your drama group or someone who has a flair for the dramatic.
Proclamation of the Good News
Expand on the ideas expressed in the message with the children. Offer ways that the evangels can be involved in the healing, praying, preaching ministry of Jesus.
Stewardship Challenge
What do we evangels consider stewardship of the kingdom's healing, praying, preaching? How can we fool ourselves into thinking that we are a part of the kingdom, when, in reality, we only think that we are part of the kingdom? Consider ways by which we hope to work our way into the kingdom -- by doing things, going places, giving money, becoming "pillars of the church." Fact: as God's evangels, we give for one reason: to offer thanks, pure, unadulterated thanks, expecting nothing in return.
Prayer following the Offering
By your spirit, show us how to keep our response to you in proper perspective, for the sake of the world, and ourselves.
Hymn of Commitment
"God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens," Catherine Arnott Cameron, 1967; alt.; attr. William Moore, 1825; harm. Charles Anders, 1969.
Charge to the Congregation
God calls us Christians, not to be happy, effective, wealthy, powerful successful; God calls us only to be faithful. Please reread each day the personal inventory.
Response to the Charge and Benediction (Pastor and evangels)
P: Alleluia!
e: You said it, and we agree!
Choral Response
"Threefold Amen" (lively and energetically)
Meditation
"Lord, forgive us for looking at the world with dry eyes" (Frank Laubach).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation and Dismissal: Medley of Epiphany hymns.
Hymn of Praise: (Hymn for the last half of Epiphany) "When in Our Music God is Glorified."
Response to the Act of Receiving New Life: "You Are the Lord, Giver of Mercy," contemporary version.
Response to the Scripture: "Alleluia," (source unknown), found in Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.)
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: "Truth Shall Make You Free," based on John 8:31-32, John F. Wilson, from Folk Encounter.
Hymn of Commitment: "Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies," Charles Wesley (two tunes).
Response to the Benediction: "Glory Be to God on High," from Folk Encounter.
