The Judgment of the Nations
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle A Gospel Texts
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Invitation to the Celebration
Are we ready for the final judgment, which, of course, takes place every day? If we are not ready, what are we willing to do to get ready? How are we getting ready? The living God provides all of the resources we need to prepare. The living God provides our model for living. The living Spirit provides the energy we need to be the community of faith, hope, love.
(Just before the response, have the musicians play, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." The musicians continue to play during the litany.)
P: God owns the world of nature, of animals, of people.
M: The earth belongs to the Lord; and so do those who dwell in it.
P: God has established it from the beginning.
M: By God, we exist. In God, we live.
P: Lift up your heart, mind, will.
M: We lift them up, and offer them, to the Lord of Creation.
Response
"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" (Martin Luther, 1529; trans. Frederick Henry Hedge, 1852). Use one tune during the litany; and the other tune for congregational singing.
Prayer of Praise
God, thank You for Your presence and power which invite, urge, call us to be Your people. Show us again today what You want from us, as persons appointed to specific tasks in Your world. Continue with us that we may keep on learning that You so loved the world, the whole world, the world of races and peoples and tribes and tongues; the world of nations; the world of families; the world of men and women; the world of little children, that You gave Your unique, one-of-a-kind son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have life eternal.
Hymn of Praise
"O God of Earth and Space" (Jane Parker Huber, 1980; adapted from a Hebrew melody). If this hymn is unknown, invite the choir to sing stanza 1, the people to read stanza 2, to hum or whistle stanza 3, and all to sing stanza 4. Use all of your musical instruments.
We Seek Forgiveness
The Act of Judgment
While the organist plays some somber music, have someone read from a loudspeaker the verses 25:40-46. Follow the reading with two minutes of silence. Ask the people to write down their thoughts. Invite them to share their awareness. Share a couple of your own.
Response
"Jesus the Man (Confession)" (words and music by David Farley, found in New Wine). If this is too difficult for the congregation, have a soloist, quartet, or choir sing it.
The Act of Hope
Now, while the musicians play some energetic, hopeful music, have a second reader, on the loudspeaker from outside of the sanctuary, read with much enthusiasm verses 34-40. Again, ask the people to write down their thoughts. Invite them to share their awarenesses. Share a couple of yours.
Response
"When a Poor One" (J. A. Oliver and Miguel Manzano, 1976; English trans. George Lockwood, 1989; alt., arr. Alvin Schutmaat).
We Are Listening!
Message with the Children of All Ages
(Bring a teddy bear with you.) How many of you wish that you were a teddy bear? Point out the advantages of being one: never have to eat; sit in the corner all day; people pick you up and play with you once in a while; no pain when ignored. A country-western song says, "I wish I was (were) a teddy bear, not living or loving, not going no where ... a wooden head and sawdust brains." Nice, huh? No feelings of any kind. Those folks at the end of Jesus' words seemed to have no feelings either; they ignored, never thought about, the people in need. They cared only about themselves. And, now, notice the other group. How can you be a part of that group?
Reading from the Newer Covenant
With the children still present, enact the passage.
Proclamation of the Good News
Perhaps you will want to begin as I do, with words similar to these: "I speak about this passage because it's a part of the Scripture which I would rather avoid. I come, mostly, with tears, rather than answers, with frustration, rather than solutions." As you begin, hand around to the congregation pictures which depict the latter part of the passage. Ask the people to write down their thoughts as they look at the scenes. Give them an opportunity to share their insights. Point out that the church has the power and resources to change that part of the world in which it resides; the church is you and I. Offer some specific ways for the church,corporately and individually, to involve itself in the healing part of Jesus' statement.
Response
Sing, once again, "When a Poor One."
We Are Accountable!
Stewardship Challenge
Christians are saved, that is, made whole, not by feeling guilty about what we do not do. We are made whole/saved by receiving God's love. Then we respond to that love in whatever capacity God calls us to share it, not because we must, but because we choose to do so.
Dedication Prayer
Freely we have received; freely we now give of our money, time, energy, resources, our being --Êbecause we have these to give; and because the world needs these gifts.
We Leave For Ministry!
Charge to the Congregation
Worship is something that happens, not between the church (we are the church) and God (because if worship stops here, we have not worshiped); rather, worship is something that happens between the world and God. "God loved the world so much that God gave ... and God gave us to minister to the world, the whole world in our space."
Response
Once more, sing, "When a Poor One."
Meditation
A church member, on an evaluation sheet of the church's program, said, "The church will survive only if it sells its property and helps the poor. A rich church is a contradiction in New Testament terms." Catholic layman Matthew Ahman puts the question this way: "When is the church going to stop playing games and really put its wealth to the service of the poor?"
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "Now Thank We All Our God," Bach.
Hymn of Praise: "O Come and Sing Unto the Lord," The Psalter, 1912; alt., 1955; or "For the Beauty of the Earth," stanzas 1-4, Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1864; alt. stanza 5, composite.
Response to the Newer Covenant: "Sing to the Lord of Harvest," S. Drummond Wolff.
Response to the Proclamation: "Come, You Thankful People, Come," Henry Alford, 1844, 1865; alt., 1972.
Response to the Newer Covenant: "He Comes to Us," Jane Marshall; text, A. Schweitzer.
Offertory: "Thanks Be to Thee," Handel; or "Song of Joy," Wesley.
Hymn of Commitment and Thanksgiving: "Now Thank We All Our God," Martin Rinkart, 1636; trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1858; alt., 1972.
Charge to the Congregation: "He Ain't Heavy; He's My Brother," words by Bob Russell, Harrison Music Corp., 39 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019. If you sing this, include "sister, mother, father."
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Thanksgiving music.
Invitation to the Celebration
Are we ready for the final judgment, which, of course, takes place every day? If we are not ready, what are we willing to do to get ready? How are we getting ready? The living God provides all of the resources we need to prepare. The living God provides our model for living. The living Spirit provides the energy we need to be the community of faith, hope, love.
(Just before the response, have the musicians play, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." The musicians continue to play during the litany.)
P: God owns the world of nature, of animals, of people.
M: The earth belongs to the Lord; and so do those who dwell in it.
P: God has established it from the beginning.
M: By God, we exist. In God, we live.
P: Lift up your heart, mind, will.
M: We lift them up, and offer them, to the Lord of Creation.
Response
"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" (Martin Luther, 1529; trans. Frederick Henry Hedge, 1852). Use one tune during the litany; and the other tune for congregational singing.
Prayer of Praise
God, thank You for Your presence and power which invite, urge, call us to be Your people. Show us again today what You want from us, as persons appointed to specific tasks in Your world. Continue with us that we may keep on learning that You so loved the world, the whole world, the world of races and peoples and tribes and tongues; the world of nations; the world of families; the world of men and women; the world of little children, that You gave Your unique, one-of-a-kind son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have life eternal.
Hymn of Praise
"O God of Earth and Space" (Jane Parker Huber, 1980; adapted from a Hebrew melody). If this hymn is unknown, invite the choir to sing stanza 1, the people to read stanza 2, to hum or whistle stanza 3, and all to sing stanza 4. Use all of your musical instruments.
We Seek Forgiveness
The Act of Judgment
While the organist plays some somber music, have someone read from a loudspeaker the verses 25:40-46. Follow the reading with two minutes of silence. Ask the people to write down their thoughts. Invite them to share their awareness. Share a couple of your own.
Response
"Jesus the Man (Confession)" (words and music by David Farley, found in New Wine). If this is too difficult for the congregation, have a soloist, quartet, or choir sing it.
The Act of Hope
Now, while the musicians play some energetic, hopeful music, have a second reader, on the loudspeaker from outside of the sanctuary, read with much enthusiasm verses 34-40. Again, ask the people to write down their thoughts. Invite them to share their awarenesses. Share a couple of yours.
Response
"When a Poor One" (J. A. Oliver and Miguel Manzano, 1976; English trans. George Lockwood, 1989; alt., arr. Alvin Schutmaat).
We Are Listening!
Message with the Children of All Ages
(Bring a teddy bear with you.) How many of you wish that you were a teddy bear? Point out the advantages of being one: never have to eat; sit in the corner all day; people pick you up and play with you once in a while; no pain when ignored. A country-western song says, "I wish I was (were) a teddy bear, not living or loving, not going no where ... a wooden head and sawdust brains." Nice, huh? No feelings of any kind. Those folks at the end of Jesus' words seemed to have no feelings either; they ignored, never thought about, the people in need. They cared only about themselves. And, now, notice the other group. How can you be a part of that group?
Reading from the Newer Covenant
With the children still present, enact the passage.
Proclamation of the Good News
Perhaps you will want to begin as I do, with words similar to these: "I speak about this passage because it's a part of the Scripture which I would rather avoid. I come, mostly, with tears, rather than answers, with frustration, rather than solutions." As you begin, hand around to the congregation pictures which depict the latter part of the passage. Ask the people to write down their thoughts as they look at the scenes. Give them an opportunity to share their insights. Point out that the church has the power and resources to change that part of the world in which it resides; the church is you and I. Offer some specific ways for the church,corporately and individually, to involve itself in the healing part of Jesus' statement.
Response
Sing, once again, "When a Poor One."
We Are Accountable!
Stewardship Challenge
Christians are saved, that is, made whole, not by feeling guilty about what we do not do. We are made whole/saved by receiving God's love. Then we respond to that love in whatever capacity God calls us to share it, not because we must, but because we choose to do so.
Dedication Prayer
Freely we have received; freely we now give of our money, time, energy, resources, our being --Êbecause we have these to give; and because the world needs these gifts.
We Leave For Ministry!
Charge to the Congregation
Worship is something that happens, not between the church (we are the church) and God (because if worship stops here, we have not worshiped); rather, worship is something that happens between the world and God. "God loved the world so much that God gave ... and God gave us to minister to the world, the whole world in our space."
Response
Once more, sing, "When a Poor One."
Meditation
A church member, on an evaluation sheet of the church's program, said, "The church will survive only if it sells its property and helps the poor. A rich church is a contradiction in New Testament terms." Catholic layman Matthew Ahman puts the question this way: "When is the church going to stop playing games and really put its wealth to the service of the poor?"
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "Now Thank We All Our God," Bach.
Hymn of Praise: "O Come and Sing Unto the Lord," The Psalter, 1912; alt., 1955; or "For the Beauty of the Earth," stanzas 1-4, Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1864; alt. stanza 5, composite.
Response to the Newer Covenant: "Sing to the Lord of Harvest," S. Drummond Wolff.
Response to the Proclamation: "Come, You Thankful People, Come," Henry Alford, 1844, 1865; alt., 1972.
Response to the Newer Covenant: "He Comes to Us," Jane Marshall; text, A. Schweitzer.
Offertory: "Thanks Be to Thee," Handel; or "Song of Joy," Wesley.
Hymn of Commitment and Thanksgiving: "Now Thank We All Our God," Martin Rinkart, 1636; trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1858; alt., 1972.
Charge to the Congregation: "He Ain't Heavy; He's My Brother," words by Bob Russell, Harrison Music Corp., 39 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019. If you sing this, include "sister, mother, father."
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Thanksgiving music.
