No Need to Worry
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle B
Celebrating God's Presence And Power
Pastoral and Congregational Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
In the name of the Christ who says, "Do not worry," did we come today bringing any worries? (Pause.) Will anyone take the risk of sharing those worries at the beginning of worship? (Pause.) I invite us to learn some new ways to deal with those worries during this thanksgiving worship. We begin by focusing on the one who has given us the message not to worry. (R.S. - Right Side; L.S. - Left Side)
P: Gladness is ours, because we belong to God.
R.S.: Hallelujah! and thanks!
L.S.: Gladness is ours, because we belong to God!
All: Hallelujah! and thanks!
P: Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving!
All: Glorious things God has done for us, to us, with us, through us!
P: Hills, plains,
R.S.: Rock, sand,
L.S.: Grass, trees, fields,
P: Clouds, sky,
R.S.: Moon, stars,
L.S.: Rain, wind, sun.
P: Gladness belongs to the people of God. Hallelujah! Amen!
R.S.: Hallelujah! Amen!
L.S.: Hallelujah! Amen!
All: Hallelujah! Amen!
Hymn of Praise and Thanksgiving
"For the Fruit of All Creation," Fred Pratt Green, 1970; Francis Jackson, 1957.
Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving
Avoid the phrase, "Thank you for our many blessings," unless you include the biblical idea that all blessings require good stewardship. Self-aggrandizement has no place in worship.
Celebrating Our Forgiveness
Call to Confession
Martin Luther defined sin as being "incurved" on ourselves, rather than "outcurved" in thankfulness and in obedient love of God and loving service to one's fellow humans, and I add, to the whole creation of nature and animals. Someone has said that our greatest sin is ingratitude. Is that true for you? Identify, and write down those areas of life for which you are ungrateful. (One minute of silence.) As you look at that list, which ones reveal a lack of reliance on, and obedience to, God, which lead to an anxious life? (One minute of silence.) Now, as we sing this hymn, how will you allow its message to change your thinking and behaving?
Response
"Give to Me, Lord, a Thankful Heart," Caryl Micklem, 1973.
Call to Pardon
Consider the mileage we get out of worrying. We may get lots of attention, even though negative-attention. Someone has said that "bad breath is better than none." One way to move beyond anxiety is to involve ourselves creatively, and carefully, in the lives of others. How are you willing to do that this week? Write down three ways. And listen to the words of this hymn, which is not a call to magic, but a call to obedience.
Response
"Seek Ye First," Karen Lafferty (b. 1948).
Celebrating the Word
Message with the Children of All Ages
Check to see if the children ever worry about anything. Ask them to share their worries. If they have difficulty doing this, share some of your own from your childhood, as for example, having friends, getting good grades, and so forth. Focus on Jesus' promise. Then, have someone read the scripture from a children's translation (or, write your own), or from The Cotton Patch Version by Clarence Jordan.
Reading the Scripture
See above.
Proclamation of the Good News
Consider incorporating these ideas: (1) The refugees of the world would like to have your problems. (2) "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength" (Corrie ten Boom). (3) "Don't tell me that worry does no good. Everything I worry about doesn't happen" (Member of a congregation).
Celebrating Our Obedience
Stewardship Challenge
What does it profit us if we add ten or twenty years to our lives, if we aren't really living anyway? The difference is gratitude, not because I say so, but because Jesus did.
Hymn of Commitment
"I Will Give Thanks with My Whole Heart," Christopher L. Webber, 1986, 1988; arr. J. S. Bach, c. 1708.
Charge to the Congregation (Pastor and Ministers)
Do not be anxious, does not say, "Do not be concerned." It does not say, "Just pray harder, and all will work out." It does not say, "Expect others to feed, clothe, house you, that is, take care of all your needs without lifting a finger." Jesus does say that we deal with the troubles of this day, today. He is insisting that we put life in its proper perspective, now. Jesus urges us not to be anxious for what we cannot have anyway, namely, safety, security.
P: Go forth now, into a world in which there is no security and safety, into a world where apathy (who cares?) and halfheartedness are dominant. In Christ's name, move the world a little, beginning in your own home, in the name of God the Parent, the Child, the Spirit. God be with you.
M: And with you too, pastor.
P: God's grace, mercy, justice, and strength will be with you.
M: And we will be, we are, instruments of God's grace, mercy, justice, and strength to the world, because of our gratitude.
Meditation
"May God deny you peace and give you glory" (Unamuno).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "Thanks Be to God," Handel.
Choral Introit: (Adult choir) "God Is In His Temple," Neander.
Hymn of Praise: "The God of Abraham Praise," Daniel ben Judah Dayyan, c. 1400; trans. Max Landsberg and Newton Mann, 1855; alt.; Hebrew melody; adapt. Thomas Olivers and Meyer Lyon, 1770.
Response to the Confession: (Adult choir) "Kyrie."
Response to the Scripture: "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus," Challinor.
Offertory: "Andante," Rheinberger.
Hymn of Commitment and Thanksgiving: "Now Thank We All Our God," Martin Rinkart, 1636; trans. Catherine Winkworth, 1858; alt.; stanza 3, "Rejoice in the Lord," 1985; Johann CrŸger, 1648; harm. Lobegesang, Felix Mendelssohn, 1840.
Music for Dismissal: "To God We Render Thanks and Praise," J. S. Bach.
Pastoral and Congregational Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
In the name of the Christ who says, "Do not worry," did we come today bringing any worries? (Pause.) Will anyone take the risk of sharing those worries at the beginning of worship? (Pause.) I invite us to learn some new ways to deal with those worries during this thanksgiving worship. We begin by focusing on the one who has given us the message not to worry. (R.S. - Right Side; L.S. - Left Side)
P: Gladness is ours, because we belong to God.
R.S.: Hallelujah! and thanks!
L.S.: Gladness is ours, because we belong to God!
All: Hallelujah! and thanks!
P: Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving!
All: Glorious things God has done for us, to us, with us, through us!
P: Hills, plains,
R.S.: Rock, sand,
L.S.: Grass, trees, fields,
P: Clouds, sky,
R.S.: Moon, stars,
L.S.: Rain, wind, sun.
P: Gladness belongs to the people of God. Hallelujah! Amen!
R.S.: Hallelujah! Amen!
L.S.: Hallelujah! Amen!
All: Hallelujah! Amen!
Hymn of Praise and Thanksgiving
"For the Fruit of All Creation," Fred Pratt Green, 1970; Francis Jackson, 1957.
Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving
Avoid the phrase, "Thank you for our many blessings," unless you include the biblical idea that all blessings require good stewardship. Self-aggrandizement has no place in worship.
Celebrating Our Forgiveness
Call to Confession
Martin Luther defined sin as being "incurved" on ourselves, rather than "outcurved" in thankfulness and in obedient love of God and loving service to one's fellow humans, and I add, to the whole creation of nature and animals. Someone has said that our greatest sin is ingratitude. Is that true for you? Identify, and write down those areas of life for which you are ungrateful. (One minute of silence.) As you look at that list, which ones reveal a lack of reliance on, and obedience to, God, which lead to an anxious life? (One minute of silence.) Now, as we sing this hymn, how will you allow its message to change your thinking and behaving?
Response
"Give to Me, Lord, a Thankful Heart," Caryl Micklem, 1973.
Call to Pardon
Consider the mileage we get out of worrying. We may get lots of attention, even though negative-attention. Someone has said that "bad breath is better than none." One way to move beyond anxiety is to involve ourselves creatively, and carefully, in the lives of others. How are you willing to do that this week? Write down three ways. And listen to the words of this hymn, which is not a call to magic, but a call to obedience.
Response
"Seek Ye First," Karen Lafferty (b. 1948).
Celebrating the Word
Message with the Children of All Ages
Check to see if the children ever worry about anything. Ask them to share their worries. If they have difficulty doing this, share some of your own from your childhood, as for example, having friends, getting good grades, and so forth. Focus on Jesus' promise. Then, have someone read the scripture from a children's translation (or, write your own), or from The Cotton Patch Version by Clarence Jordan.
Reading the Scripture
See above.
Proclamation of the Good News
Consider incorporating these ideas: (1) The refugees of the world would like to have your problems. (2) "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength" (Corrie ten Boom). (3) "Don't tell me that worry does no good. Everything I worry about doesn't happen" (Member of a congregation).
Celebrating Our Obedience
Stewardship Challenge
What does it profit us if we add ten or twenty years to our lives, if we aren't really living anyway? The difference is gratitude, not because I say so, but because Jesus did.
Hymn of Commitment
"I Will Give Thanks with My Whole Heart," Christopher L. Webber, 1986, 1988; arr. J. S. Bach, c. 1708.
Charge to the Congregation (Pastor and Ministers)
Do not be anxious, does not say, "Do not be concerned." It does not say, "Just pray harder, and all will work out." It does not say, "Expect others to feed, clothe, house you, that is, take care of all your needs without lifting a finger." Jesus does say that we deal with the troubles of this day, today. He is insisting that we put life in its proper perspective, now. Jesus urges us not to be anxious for what we cannot have anyway, namely, safety, security.
P: Go forth now, into a world in which there is no security and safety, into a world where apathy (who cares?) and halfheartedness are dominant. In Christ's name, move the world a little, beginning in your own home, in the name of God the Parent, the Child, the Spirit. God be with you.
M: And with you too, pastor.
P: God's grace, mercy, justice, and strength will be with you.
M: And we will be, we are, instruments of God's grace, mercy, justice, and strength to the world, because of our gratitude.
Meditation
"May God deny you peace and give you glory" (Unamuno).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "Thanks Be to God," Handel.
Choral Introit: (Adult choir) "God Is In His Temple," Neander.
Hymn of Praise: "The God of Abraham Praise," Daniel ben Judah Dayyan, c. 1400; trans. Max Landsberg and Newton Mann, 1855; alt.; Hebrew melody; adapt. Thomas Olivers and Meyer Lyon, 1770.
Response to the Confession: (Adult choir) "Kyrie."
Response to the Scripture: "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus," Challinor.
Offertory: "Andante," Rheinberger.
Hymn of Commitment and Thanksgiving: "Now Thank We All Our God," Martin Rinkart, 1636; trans. Catherine Winkworth, 1858; alt.; stanza 3, "Rejoice in the Lord," 1985; Johann CrŸger, 1648; harm. Lobegesang, Felix Mendelssohn, 1840.
Music for Dismissal: "To God We Render Thanks and Praise," J. S. Bach.
