Nicodemus and Jesus
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle A Gospel Texts
The Community Gathers
Invitation to the Celebration
In the name of the Christ who confronts us, as he did Nicodemus, with our "new birth status." Today, we consider the first step of what it means to call ourselves Christians. Are you ready to do that, even though you may have called yourself a Christian for fifty years? Please raise your hand if you are.
P: Fellow adventurers in the new life in Christ, a new life which needs renewing each day, we belong to each other. Christ has made us a new breed of humanity, filled us with his own Spirit, and released us to be persons for others. We praise him for this fellowship, in which we are learning to love him, ourselves, one another, our enemies, and the world.
M: And we are new, not perfect, men, women, boys, girls through him. Even so, as transformed, renewed, released people, we celebrate with adoration and praise.
P: The living Christ is here, even as the living Jesus was with Nicodemus. Our communion is with him, and through his love, with each other. I invite us to open ourselves to him, as did Nicodemus, and to each other, as the did the disciples, at least sometimes. In Christ's name, I invite you to greet those around you. Use your favorite greeting.
Hymn of Praise
"To God Be the Glory" (Fanny Jane Crosby, 1875; William Howard Doane, 1875).
Prayer of Praise
Ask, in advance, one of the young people, perhaps a new Christian, to offer the prayer. Offer the idea that this is a prayer of praise, not a subjective prayer.
The Community Takes Responsibility For Itself
The Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Think about this statement as we come to this time of confession: "We don't want to be saved, liberated, made whole in our humanity; we want to be fished out of it" (author unknown). Think about this for two minutes; and write down your thoughts; you will have an opportunity to respond. (Wait two minutes. Ask for response.) Some may have some great ideas; some may remain confused, no differently from Nicodemus. For me, one idea is that we only want the furniture of our life rearranged, rather than our buying new furniture.
Response
"Eternal Light, Shine in My Heart" (Alcuin, c. 735-804; paraphrase Christopher Idle, b. 1938; Jane Manton Marshall, b. 1924).
The Act of Receiving New Life
Often, we rush through this act of worship to get to the "important stuff," whatever that's supposed to mean. In silence, consider your personal battle about being born again and receiving the Good News. Did your conversion come easily; or did you do battle with God? After a few minutes of silence, invite the people to offer sentence prayers of thanksgiving.
Response
"Eightfold Alleluia."
The Community Responds To God's Truth
Message with the Children of All Ages
Do you ever argue with your parents? Or do you always do what you are told, immediately? Did you know that many of the people in the Bible argued with God? Sometimes, they were confused; sometimes they were angry. Did you know that it's okay to be confused and angry with God and it's okay to tell God? Give two or three examples: Abraham, Moses,Nicodemus. Tell them the essence of the Nicodemus story and what it means for them.
Reading of the Newer Covenant
Act out the story. You will need a reader, a Nicodemus, and a Jesus. Update the language.
Proclamation of the Good News
Years ago, Elton Trueblood referred to our generation as the "cut-flower" generation. It has no roots. The contemporary church has plenty of activity but little depth. So, take the people back to the basics of the faith through the example of Nicodemus. At the end of the message, ask the people if they have any questions or confusions.
Stewardship Challenge
In which of these two choices, as the stewards of God, are you most involved: Church work, or the work of the church? Do we know the difference? After the offering, ask a layperson to pray about the difference, without the person preaching to the "unsaved."
Charge to the Congregation
On a scale of 1 (mild religion) to 10 (vital faith), where do you put yourself? If you give yourself a one, what are you willing to do to move toward a ten? We are here to help each other.
Meditation
"Many a church member would be terribly frightened if he/she could only feel his/her spiritual pulse and find out how nearly dead he/she is" (from Uplift, Stonewall Jackson Industrial School). Does that description fit us or do we have a vital faith which sustains us on the mountaintops and valleys and pits?
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Lenten hymns, or "Prelude and Variation," Franck.
Choral Introit: "O Lamb of God," Weiss.
Prayer of Praise: "Christ of All My Hopes, the Ground," Ralph Wardlaw, 1817. (Hymn for first half of Lent; use the hymn, and other hymns, in different places in the worship. Be certain that they fit the proper section of the worship.)
Response to the Confession: "God is Love," C. J. Rivers.
Response to the Newer Covenant: (Choir) "O Savior of the World," text and music by John Goss.
Offertory: "Crucifix," Jean-Baptist Favre.
Hymns of Commitment: 1) "Of the Father's Love Begotten," Aurelius Clemens Prodentius, 348-410 A.D.; John Mason Neale, trans. 1851 and Henry W. Baker, 1859; alt. 1972. 2) "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," Charles Wesley, 1747; alt.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Lenten hymns, or "In My Deepest Grief," Bach.
Invitation to the Celebration
In the name of the Christ who confronts us, as he did Nicodemus, with our "new birth status." Today, we consider the first step of what it means to call ourselves Christians. Are you ready to do that, even though you may have called yourself a Christian for fifty years? Please raise your hand if you are.
P: Fellow adventurers in the new life in Christ, a new life which needs renewing each day, we belong to each other. Christ has made us a new breed of humanity, filled us with his own Spirit, and released us to be persons for others. We praise him for this fellowship, in which we are learning to love him, ourselves, one another, our enemies, and the world.
M: And we are new, not perfect, men, women, boys, girls through him. Even so, as transformed, renewed, released people, we celebrate with adoration and praise.
P: The living Christ is here, even as the living Jesus was with Nicodemus. Our communion is with him, and through his love, with each other. I invite us to open ourselves to him, as did Nicodemus, and to each other, as the did the disciples, at least sometimes. In Christ's name, I invite you to greet those around you. Use your favorite greeting.
Hymn of Praise
"To God Be the Glory" (Fanny Jane Crosby, 1875; William Howard Doane, 1875).
Prayer of Praise
Ask, in advance, one of the young people, perhaps a new Christian, to offer the prayer. Offer the idea that this is a prayer of praise, not a subjective prayer.
The Community Takes Responsibility For Itself
The Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Think about this statement as we come to this time of confession: "We don't want to be saved, liberated, made whole in our humanity; we want to be fished out of it" (author unknown). Think about this for two minutes; and write down your thoughts; you will have an opportunity to respond. (Wait two minutes. Ask for response.) Some may have some great ideas; some may remain confused, no differently from Nicodemus. For me, one idea is that we only want the furniture of our life rearranged, rather than our buying new furniture.
Response
"Eternal Light, Shine in My Heart" (Alcuin, c. 735-804; paraphrase Christopher Idle, b. 1938; Jane Manton Marshall, b. 1924).
The Act of Receiving New Life
Often, we rush through this act of worship to get to the "important stuff," whatever that's supposed to mean. In silence, consider your personal battle about being born again and receiving the Good News. Did your conversion come easily; or did you do battle with God? After a few minutes of silence, invite the people to offer sentence prayers of thanksgiving.
Response
"Eightfold Alleluia."
The Community Responds To God's Truth
Message with the Children of All Ages
Do you ever argue with your parents? Or do you always do what you are told, immediately? Did you know that many of the people in the Bible argued with God? Sometimes, they were confused; sometimes they were angry. Did you know that it's okay to be confused and angry with God and it's okay to tell God? Give two or three examples: Abraham, Moses,Nicodemus. Tell them the essence of the Nicodemus story and what it means for them.
Reading of the Newer Covenant
Act out the story. You will need a reader, a Nicodemus, and a Jesus. Update the language.
Proclamation of the Good News
Years ago, Elton Trueblood referred to our generation as the "cut-flower" generation. It has no roots. The contemporary church has plenty of activity but little depth. So, take the people back to the basics of the faith through the example of Nicodemus. At the end of the message, ask the people if they have any questions or confusions.
Stewardship Challenge
In which of these two choices, as the stewards of God, are you most involved: Church work, or the work of the church? Do we know the difference? After the offering, ask a layperson to pray about the difference, without the person preaching to the "unsaved."
Charge to the Congregation
On a scale of 1 (mild religion) to 10 (vital faith), where do you put yourself? If you give yourself a one, what are you willing to do to move toward a ten? We are here to help each other.
Meditation
"Many a church member would be terribly frightened if he/she could only feel his/her spiritual pulse and find out how nearly dead he/she is" (from Uplift, Stonewall Jackson Industrial School). Does that description fit us or do we have a vital faith which sustains us on the mountaintops and valleys and pits?
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Lenten hymns, or "Prelude and Variation," Franck.
Choral Introit: "O Lamb of God," Weiss.
Prayer of Praise: "Christ of All My Hopes, the Ground," Ralph Wardlaw, 1817. (Hymn for first half of Lent; use the hymn, and other hymns, in different places in the worship. Be certain that they fit the proper section of the worship.)
Response to the Confession: "God is Love," C. J. Rivers.
Response to the Newer Covenant: (Choir) "O Savior of the World," text and music by John Goss.
Offertory: "Crucifix," Jean-Baptist Favre.
Hymns of Commitment: 1) "Of the Father's Love Begotten," Aurelius Clemens Prodentius, 348-410 A.D.; John Mason Neale, trans. 1851 and Henry W. Baker, 1859; alt. 1972. 2) "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," Charles Wesley, 1747; alt.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Lenten hymns, or "In My Deepest Grief," Bach.
