The majesty and mystery of God
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series II
Exegetical note: God's call to Moses in the presence of the burning bush is a classic theophany, presenting the Holy as what Rudolf Otto called a mysterium tremendum et fascinans (i.e., a mystery that is both terrifying and magnetic): on the one hand, Moses is drawn to the burning bush and has to be warned not to go near; on the other, he is afraid to look at God and hides his face. The whole incident, therefore, bespeaks the majesty and the mystery of God that leaves humans awestruck and wanting more.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 103)
Leader:
Let all that is within us bless God's holy name!
People:
LET US REMEMBER GOD'S BENEFITS IN OUR VERY SOULS!
Leader:
For God forgives and heals and redeems!
People:
GOD IS LOVING AND MERCIFUL AND GOOD!
Collect
Most awesome God, you have revealed yourself in majestic mystery to your faithful servants. Give us now a glimpse of your divinity: that, beholding your wondrous glory, we may depart newly inspired to serve you. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most grand and glorious God, we confess our tendency to reduce you in our minds to a merely superhuman being rather than Being Itself, and to deal with you as "the Man Upstairs" rather than the majestic and mysterious God of power and might that you are. Forgive us, we pray, and teach us by the example of your encounter with Moses in the burning bush that, even while drawn to you as Friend, we mere mortals must approach your cosmic presence with awe and wonder, fear and trembling, reverence and respect. In the name of Christ Jesus we pray. Amen
Proper 11
Sunday between July 17 and July 23 inclusive
Second Lesson: Romans 8:18-25
Theme:
Sin as earth-shaking
Exegetical note: Though a literal reading of Genesis 3 is untenable to the modern scientific worldview (and contemporary exegesis!), the notion of the world itself "groaning" because of Adam's original disobedience does point to the far-reaching, earth-shaking effects of human sin that belie our tendency to individualize the human plight and its remedy through the gospel. One need only think of our potentially catastrophic pollution or the potential devastation of a nuclear holocaust to see the truth in Paul's image.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 103)
Leader:
God is merciful and gracious!
People:
GOD ABOUNDS IN STEADFAST LOVE!
Leader:
God does not deal with us according to our sins!
People:
GOD TREATS US WITH THE COMPASSIONATE KINDNESS OF A LOVING PARENT!
Collect
Creator God, you have given us a world full of wonderful treasures. Teach us to treat it wisely: that, using its resources to promote life, we may overcome all of the negative effects of sin that threaten to destroy the earth and its creatures. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most gracious God, we know that we consistently underestimate the power of sin and ignore the catastrophic effects that it has had on the world and its inhabitants. We misuse the earth's resources in wasteful and harmful ways; we pollute its winds and waters with the by-products of our squander; and we harvest and mine its valuable resources only to fashion objects of vanity or weapons of annihilation. Forgive us, great God, and teach us to be better guardians and stewards of that over which you have given us dominion. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Proper 11
Sunday between July 17 and July 23 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Theme:
God's discrimination
Exegetical note: One of the most disturbing slogans to come out of America's recent war experiences was "Kill them all, and let God sort them out!" The parable of the tares (or "weeds") offers a much more positive angle on divine discrimination, both in its original form (vv. 24-30) and in its (almost certainly later) allegorical interpretation (vv. 36-43). The suggestion is that in God's Reign (and in the Church) no artificial human "weeding" is necessary: "Save them all, and let God sort them out!"
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 103)
Leader:
Let all the angels and heavenly hosts bless God,
People:
AND ALL WHO ENDEAVOR TO DO GOD'S WORD AND WILL!
Leader:
Let all the works of creation bless God,
People:
IN EVERY CORNER OF GOD'S HOLY REIGN!
Collect
Glorious God, you have given us a gospel directed to all humanity. Give us now the vision and scope to match it: that, empowered with a measure of your universal love, we shall not rest until all humanity finds peace in you and your coming Reign. In the name and spirit of the Christ we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most merciful God, we admit with a deep sense of shame our tendency to be selective in our sharing of the gospel, and to pick and choose those with whom we share the good news of your mercy and forgiveness, both in word and in deed. Forgive us our narrowness of mind and smallness of heart, we pray, and fill us with your Spirit of universal love and grace. Make us determined disciples and able apostles, whose mission to the world has no boundaries, and whose message to humankind has no limits. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 103)
Leader:
Let all that is within us bless God's holy name!
People:
LET US REMEMBER GOD'S BENEFITS IN OUR VERY SOULS!
Leader:
For God forgives and heals and redeems!
People:
GOD IS LOVING AND MERCIFUL AND GOOD!
Collect
Most awesome God, you have revealed yourself in majestic mystery to your faithful servants. Give us now a glimpse of your divinity: that, beholding your wondrous glory, we may depart newly inspired to serve you. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most grand and glorious God, we confess our tendency to reduce you in our minds to a merely superhuman being rather than Being Itself, and to deal with you as "the Man Upstairs" rather than the majestic and mysterious God of power and might that you are. Forgive us, we pray, and teach us by the example of your encounter with Moses in the burning bush that, even while drawn to you as Friend, we mere mortals must approach your cosmic presence with awe and wonder, fear and trembling, reverence and respect. In the name of Christ Jesus we pray. Amen
Proper 11
Sunday between July 17 and July 23 inclusive
Second Lesson: Romans 8:18-25
Theme:
Sin as earth-shaking
Exegetical note: Though a literal reading of Genesis 3 is untenable to the modern scientific worldview (and contemporary exegesis!), the notion of the world itself "groaning" because of Adam's original disobedience does point to the far-reaching, earth-shaking effects of human sin that belie our tendency to individualize the human plight and its remedy through the gospel. One need only think of our potentially catastrophic pollution or the potential devastation of a nuclear holocaust to see the truth in Paul's image.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 103)
Leader:
God is merciful and gracious!
People:
GOD ABOUNDS IN STEADFAST LOVE!
Leader:
God does not deal with us according to our sins!
People:
GOD TREATS US WITH THE COMPASSIONATE KINDNESS OF A LOVING PARENT!
Collect
Creator God, you have given us a world full of wonderful treasures. Teach us to treat it wisely: that, using its resources to promote life, we may overcome all of the negative effects of sin that threaten to destroy the earth and its creatures. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most gracious God, we know that we consistently underestimate the power of sin and ignore the catastrophic effects that it has had on the world and its inhabitants. We misuse the earth's resources in wasteful and harmful ways; we pollute its winds and waters with the by-products of our squander; and we harvest and mine its valuable resources only to fashion objects of vanity or weapons of annihilation. Forgive us, great God, and teach us to be better guardians and stewards of that over which you have given us dominion. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Proper 11
Sunday between July 17 and July 23 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Theme:
God's discrimination
Exegetical note: One of the most disturbing slogans to come out of America's recent war experiences was "Kill them all, and let God sort them out!" The parable of the tares (or "weeds") offers a much more positive angle on divine discrimination, both in its original form (vv. 24-30) and in its (almost certainly later) allegorical interpretation (vv. 36-43). The suggestion is that in God's Reign (and in the Church) no artificial human "weeding" is necessary: "Save them all, and let God sort them out!"
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 103)
Leader:
Let all the angels and heavenly hosts bless God,
People:
AND ALL WHO ENDEAVOR TO DO GOD'S WORD AND WILL!
Leader:
Let all the works of creation bless God,
People:
IN EVERY CORNER OF GOD'S HOLY REIGN!
Collect
Glorious God, you have given us a gospel directed to all humanity. Give us now the vision and scope to match it: that, empowered with a measure of your universal love, we shall not rest until all humanity finds peace in you and your coming Reign. In the name and spirit of the Christ we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most merciful God, we admit with a deep sense of shame our tendency to be selective in our sharing of the gospel, and to pick and choose those with whom we share the good news of your mercy and forgiveness, both in word and in deed. Forgive us our narrowness of mind and smallness of heart, we pray, and fill us with your Spirit of universal love and grace. Make us determined disciples and able apostles, whose mission to the world has no boundaries, and whose message to humankind has no limits. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
