Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle A Gospel Texts
A Celebration Of Resurrection
Invitation to the Easter Celebration
When God got ready to turn a world free from its bondage, it took everything that God had. There was no other way, truth, life. No pain, no birth. No suffering, no salvation. No crucifixion, no resurrection. No death, no life. No cross, no crown. For, once again, now on this fifth Sunday of Easter, Easter is not some date that appears on a calendar, but rather, an event that happens to the heart, mind, strength, will of us humans, thanks to the gift of the one who is the way, the truth, and the life. We celebrate the presence and power of that one who offers us that gift.
P: So, let's celebrate the Author of that gift.
M: But we don't see God on television, or hear God on radio.
P: Nevertheless, let us celebrate the way, God's way!
M: But God has no broadcast time and no family tree.
P: Even so, let us celebrate the truth, God's truth!
M: But the world is scary, and so are we.
P: All the more reason to celebrate the life, God's life!
M: But under what label? How can we know God?
P: The only true God has no label, no heritage.
M: Then, how can we know who God is?
P: We can't know God unless God chooses to reveal the God-Self to us; and God has done precisely that in Jesus the Christ, the Way and the Truth and the Life. Thank God! Are you glad? If so, respond in your favorite praise word!
Response
"Allelu!" (words and music by Ray Repp, F.E.L. Church Publications, Ltd., found in Folk Encounter, published by Hope Publishing Company. See Appendix I for address). Use all musical instruments, all choirs; have the ones who can, walk around the church sanctuary as they sing.
Prayer of Praise
Ask people to call out praise words, repeat them, and then have the congregation repeat your repeating. Make this an enthusiastic response.
Hymn of Praise
"Here, O Lord, Your Servants Gather" (Tokuo Yamaguchi, 1958; Japanese gagaku mode; trans. Everett M. Stowe, 1958; alt. 1952, Isao Koizumi).
Recognizing Who We Are And Whose We Are
The Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
As we enter into this act of worship, think about how Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life, reveals to you your brokenness, and how you respond to him in your daily walk. What of your life do you plan to bring before God today, and which will you continue to hide from God? Someone has said that we cannot and will not put our sins behind us until we face them. Which ones will you face today, knowing that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life?
Response
(Unison prayer. However, before praying verbally, read the prayer silently. Consider praying only those parts which pertain to you. Ask the organist or pianist to play "Beneath the Cross of Jesus" as the congregation prays.) "Forgive us, Lord, for our cowardices which hold us back from courageous action when we know what is right; for our prejudices which keep us from looking facts in the face; for our silences which keep us from speaking out for justice and truth; for our selfishness which hinders us from responding to our neighbor's need; for our pride which will not permit us to admit that we are wrong, or acknowledge the part we play in the wrongs of others. Pardon us through the merits of Jesus the Christ, our Lord, the way, the truth, and the life. Fill us with his strong, courageous love" (resource lost).
The Act of Receiving New Life
After several moments of silence, introduce the act with these, or similar words: No matter what your past has been, your future is spotless, in the name of God, the Creator, Liberator, Sustainer, Energizer.
P and M: God's love never changes. Against all who oppose or ignore God, God expresses love and wrath. In the same love and wrath, God took on self-judgment and death in Jesus the Christ, to bring us liberation and new life.
P: I declare to you who mean business with God, in the name of the Christ, the way, the truth, the life, you are forgiven. Do you hear that central biblical message? You are forgiven. Rejoice!
M: We do hear. Thank you, Lord. We receive your gift. Yes, we do!
Response
"For Your Gracious Blessings" (source unknown; harm. by David Smart; found in Folk Encounter, Hope Publishing Company. See Appendix I for address).
The Teaching
Message with the Children of All Ages
Explore the healthy and unhealthy ways in which children and young people are living. Perhaps you will find some examples in yesterday's newspaper. Without becoming legalistic, reveal to them Jesus' way, even though sometimes, it hurts.
Reading of the Newer Covenant
Dramatize the passage, using someone to be Jesus, Thomas, and Philip.
Stewardship Challenge
"The world is not a supermarket in which we can buy anything we want" (author unknown). Do we need to reorder our priorities around the One who is the way, the truth, and the life? If so, how will we go about doing that?
Charge to the Congregation
In Malaya, during World War II, a sympathetic native was helping an escaping prisoner of war to make his way to the coast. Stumbling through the well-nigh impenetrable jungle, with no evidence of human life and no sign of a trail, the soldier turned to his guide and asked, "Are you sure this is the way?" To which came the reply in faltering English, "There is no way. I am the way" (source lost).
Meditation
"It's the set of the sail, and not the gale, that determines the way you go" (author unknown).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Easter hymns, or "Fantasie in C-Minor," Bach.
Hymn of Praise: "Earth and All Stars," Herbert Frederick Brokering, 1964; David N. Johnson, 1968.
Response to the Newer Covenant: "He Is the Way," W. H. Auden, 1944.
Response to the Message with the Children: "Truth Shall Make You Free," John F. Wilson, found in Folk Encounter, Hope Publishing Company. See Appendix I for address.
Offertory: "A Morning Song," by Charles Wesley.
Hymn of Commitment: "I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art," attr. John Calvin; French Psalter, Strassurg, 1545; adapt. from Genevan 124; trans. Elizabeth Lee Smith, 1868.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Easter hymns.
Invitation to the Easter Celebration
When God got ready to turn a world free from its bondage, it took everything that God had. There was no other way, truth, life. No pain, no birth. No suffering, no salvation. No crucifixion, no resurrection. No death, no life. No cross, no crown. For, once again, now on this fifth Sunday of Easter, Easter is not some date that appears on a calendar, but rather, an event that happens to the heart, mind, strength, will of us humans, thanks to the gift of the one who is the way, the truth, and the life. We celebrate the presence and power of that one who offers us that gift.
P: So, let's celebrate the Author of that gift.
M: But we don't see God on television, or hear God on radio.
P: Nevertheless, let us celebrate the way, God's way!
M: But God has no broadcast time and no family tree.
P: Even so, let us celebrate the truth, God's truth!
M: But the world is scary, and so are we.
P: All the more reason to celebrate the life, God's life!
M: But under what label? How can we know God?
P: The only true God has no label, no heritage.
M: Then, how can we know who God is?
P: We can't know God unless God chooses to reveal the God-Self to us; and God has done precisely that in Jesus the Christ, the Way and the Truth and the Life. Thank God! Are you glad? If so, respond in your favorite praise word!
Response
"Allelu!" (words and music by Ray Repp, F.E.L. Church Publications, Ltd., found in Folk Encounter, published by Hope Publishing Company. See Appendix I for address). Use all musical instruments, all choirs; have the ones who can, walk around the church sanctuary as they sing.
Prayer of Praise
Ask people to call out praise words, repeat them, and then have the congregation repeat your repeating. Make this an enthusiastic response.
Hymn of Praise
"Here, O Lord, Your Servants Gather" (Tokuo Yamaguchi, 1958; Japanese gagaku mode; trans. Everett M. Stowe, 1958; alt. 1952, Isao Koizumi).
Recognizing Who We Are And Whose We Are
The Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
As we enter into this act of worship, think about how Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life, reveals to you your brokenness, and how you respond to him in your daily walk. What of your life do you plan to bring before God today, and which will you continue to hide from God? Someone has said that we cannot and will not put our sins behind us until we face them. Which ones will you face today, knowing that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life?
Response
(Unison prayer. However, before praying verbally, read the prayer silently. Consider praying only those parts which pertain to you. Ask the organist or pianist to play "Beneath the Cross of Jesus" as the congregation prays.) "Forgive us, Lord, for our cowardices which hold us back from courageous action when we know what is right; for our prejudices which keep us from looking facts in the face; for our silences which keep us from speaking out for justice and truth; for our selfishness which hinders us from responding to our neighbor's need; for our pride which will not permit us to admit that we are wrong, or acknowledge the part we play in the wrongs of others. Pardon us through the merits of Jesus the Christ, our Lord, the way, the truth, and the life. Fill us with his strong, courageous love" (resource lost).
The Act of Receiving New Life
After several moments of silence, introduce the act with these, or similar words: No matter what your past has been, your future is spotless, in the name of God, the Creator, Liberator, Sustainer, Energizer.
P and M: God's love never changes. Against all who oppose or ignore God, God expresses love and wrath. In the same love and wrath, God took on self-judgment and death in Jesus the Christ, to bring us liberation and new life.
P: I declare to you who mean business with God, in the name of the Christ, the way, the truth, the life, you are forgiven. Do you hear that central biblical message? You are forgiven. Rejoice!
M: We do hear. Thank you, Lord. We receive your gift. Yes, we do!
Response
"For Your Gracious Blessings" (source unknown; harm. by David Smart; found in Folk Encounter, Hope Publishing Company. See Appendix I for address).
The Teaching
Message with the Children of All Ages
Explore the healthy and unhealthy ways in which children and young people are living. Perhaps you will find some examples in yesterday's newspaper. Without becoming legalistic, reveal to them Jesus' way, even though sometimes, it hurts.
Reading of the Newer Covenant
Dramatize the passage, using someone to be Jesus, Thomas, and Philip.
Stewardship Challenge
"The world is not a supermarket in which we can buy anything we want" (author unknown). Do we need to reorder our priorities around the One who is the way, the truth, and the life? If so, how will we go about doing that?
Charge to the Congregation
In Malaya, during World War II, a sympathetic native was helping an escaping prisoner of war to make his way to the coast. Stumbling through the well-nigh impenetrable jungle, with no evidence of human life and no sign of a trail, the soldier turned to his guide and asked, "Are you sure this is the way?" To which came the reply in faltering English, "There is no way. I am the way" (source lost).
Meditation
"It's the set of the sail, and not the gale, that determines the way you go" (author unknown).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Easter hymns, or "Fantasie in C-Minor," Bach.
Hymn of Praise: "Earth and All Stars," Herbert Frederick Brokering, 1964; David N. Johnson, 1968.
Response to the Newer Covenant: "He Is the Way," W. H. Auden, 1944.
Response to the Message with the Children: "Truth Shall Make You Free," John F. Wilson, found in Folk Encounter, Hope Publishing Company. See Appendix I for address.
Offertory: "A Morning Song," by Charles Wesley.
Hymn of Commitment: "I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art," attr. John Calvin; French Psalter, Strassurg, 1545; adapt. from Genevan 124; trans. Elizabeth Lee Smith, 1868.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Easter hymns.
