Parable of the Soils
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle A Gospel Texts
Celebrating The Presence Of God
(Plan ahead to hand out a package of seeds to every person or every family that comes to worship today. Give no explanation for the seeds at this time.)
Invitation to the Celebration
Welcome to God's world. On behalf of all of those who decided not to worship today, we celebrate the Good News, as a body, family, community of persons, called by God, sustained by God, perfected by God, in order to allow the Spirit of God to energize us, to allow the lives of each other to strengthen us, to let the rest of the world know who we are, whose we are, what we do, where we go, in the name of the risen Christ. What a joy!
P: Our help is in the Name of the Lord, the good gardener,
M: Who provided the proper soil in which to grow healthy lives.
P: Praise the Lord for the right nutrients.
M: The Lord's Name be praised, as the gardener who grows healthy lives.
Hymn of Praise
"As Trees from Tiny Seeds Can Grow" (Jane Parker Huber, 1981; Henry K. Oliver, 1832).
Prayer of Praise
Ask, in advance, one of the laypeople who works in the garden to offer the prayer. Remind him/her that this prayer is to focus on the Master Gardener.
Response
"Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks" (Donald Fishel, 1973; arr. Betty Pulkingham and Donald Fishel, 1979). Sing the chorus and the first stanza only. Sing it several times if unknown; ask the young people to lead it.
Celebrating The Act Of Forgiveness
The Act of Confession
Scott Peck has said that sin is anything that stands in the way of our own or another person's growth. How do we see ourself doing that in our home, community, school, job, and so forth? (Give two minutes of silence; ask the people to write down their responses.) What are we willing to do about our whacking away at another's seed? (Follow this with another two minutes of silence.)
Response
Sing once again, "As Trees from Tiny Seeds Can Grow." Ask if any see themselves differently in light of their confession. Perhaps several would be willing to share their insights. If there is no response, perhaps you, the pastor, would be willing to share one of yours.
The Assurance of Pardon
How do you suppose our lives, and the lives of those around us, would be different if we nurtured the soil of each other's lives? Do you see some specific ways this week that we can make that happen? Write down your specific decisions about how you will be nurturers, rather than complainers. Anyone willing to share?
Response
"Let There Be Peace On Earth" (words and music by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson, copyright by Jan-lee Music, found in Singing the Lord's Song, published by Discipleship Resources, United Methodist Church. See Appendix I for address). Change the word "peace" to "growth," and the word "brother"Êto "neighbor."
Celebrating The Word
Message with the Children of All Ages
Have a master gardener present the message around the text. Perhaps he/she could bring a piece of garden which shows growth in good soil, and death in nonproductive soil. Have them suggest ways to nurture the seeds so they produce well. Ask the same question to those who chose to remain in their seats.
Response
"Help Us Accept Each Other" (John Ness Beck, copyright by Agape, Hope Publishing Company. See Appendix I for address).
Reading from the Newer Covenant
While the children remain, let them serve as the crowd that gathered around Jesus. Have "Jesus" recite, dramatically, only Matthew 13:1-9. After a few moments' pause, have several of the children, warned in advance, ask "why in the world he needed to speak to them in parables." "Jesus" can tell them, and present the last part of the text.
Proclamation of the Good News
If you have a background working with chickens, you may want to compare the four soils with the four kinds of chickens found in every chicken house: the pullets, who are getting ready to lay; the molters who have laid and are now resting and may lay again someday; the cluckers, who go around pretending they have laid, and who may sit on eggs laid by another chicken; and the layers, who must produce for all the others if the farmer is to make a profit. You can readily see how members of the congregation fit into each category.
Response
"God, Give Us Eyes and Hearts to See" (Jane Parker Huber, from Joy in Singing. See Appendix I for address).
Celebrating Our Gifts
Stewardship Challenge
How will we take care of the earth, and each of us on it, this week? What will you do with your seeds, both literally and figuratively speaking? One idea to consider: Each time you go for a walk, take a plastic sack and collect recyclables; you may be surprised to discover how many spread garbage on our living room.
Charge to the Congregation
Meditation: Rod McKuen has said, "I like people with flowers, because they're trying; they haven't given up. People with flowers are always going someplace, to worship, to weddings, to graveyards, home, to attempt to make their empty lives [and I add, their full lives] as full as blossoms."
Meditation
God opens up every day as a flower for us. Yes, God does!
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of growing or gardening hymns or "O Day of Rest and Gladness," Christopher Wordsworth, 1862.
Hymn of Praise: "O Day of Rest and Gladness," Christopher Wordsworth, 1862.
Reading of the Psalm: Instead of reading the Psalm, find a musical version for the choir and/or the congregation to sing.
Offertory: "Take My Life, and Let It Be Consecrated," Frances Ridley Havergal, 1874. Note again, the hymn does not say, "Take My Life and Let It Be."
Hymn of Praise: "What Signs Has God Revealed to Us?" Jane Parker Huber, from Joy in Singing.
Music for Dismissal: "Johnny Appleseed."
(Plan ahead to hand out a package of seeds to every person or every family that comes to worship today. Give no explanation for the seeds at this time.)
Invitation to the Celebration
Welcome to God's world. On behalf of all of those who decided not to worship today, we celebrate the Good News, as a body, family, community of persons, called by God, sustained by God, perfected by God, in order to allow the Spirit of God to energize us, to allow the lives of each other to strengthen us, to let the rest of the world know who we are, whose we are, what we do, where we go, in the name of the risen Christ. What a joy!
P: Our help is in the Name of the Lord, the good gardener,
M: Who provided the proper soil in which to grow healthy lives.
P: Praise the Lord for the right nutrients.
M: The Lord's Name be praised, as the gardener who grows healthy lives.
Hymn of Praise
"As Trees from Tiny Seeds Can Grow" (Jane Parker Huber, 1981; Henry K. Oliver, 1832).
Prayer of Praise
Ask, in advance, one of the laypeople who works in the garden to offer the prayer. Remind him/her that this prayer is to focus on the Master Gardener.
Response
"Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks" (Donald Fishel, 1973; arr. Betty Pulkingham and Donald Fishel, 1979). Sing the chorus and the first stanza only. Sing it several times if unknown; ask the young people to lead it.
Celebrating The Act Of Forgiveness
The Act of Confession
Scott Peck has said that sin is anything that stands in the way of our own or another person's growth. How do we see ourself doing that in our home, community, school, job, and so forth? (Give two minutes of silence; ask the people to write down their responses.) What are we willing to do about our whacking away at another's seed? (Follow this with another two minutes of silence.)
Response
Sing once again, "As Trees from Tiny Seeds Can Grow." Ask if any see themselves differently in light of their confession. Perhaps several would be willing to share their insights. If there is no response, perhaps you, the pastor, would be willing to share one of yours.
The Assurance of Pardon
How do you suppose our lives, and the lives of those around us, would be different if we nurtured the soil of each other's lives? Do you see some specific ways this week that we can make that happen? Write down your specific decisions about how you will be nurturers, rather than complainers. Anyone willing to share?
Response
"Let There Be Peace On Earth" (words and music by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson, copyright by Jan-lee Music, found in Singing the Lord's Song, published by Discipleship Resources, United Methodist Church. See Appendix I for address). Change the word "peace" to "growth," and the word "brother"Êto "neighbor."
Celebrating The Word
Message with the Children of All Ages
Have a master gardener present the message around the text. Perhaps he/she could bring a piece of garden which shows growth in good soil, and death in nonproductive soil. Have them suggest ways to nurture the seeds so they produce well. Ask the same question to those who chose to remain in their seats.
Response
"Help Us Accept Each Other" (John Ness Beck, copyright by Agape, Hope Publishing Company. See Appendix I for address).
Reading from the Newer Covenant
While the children remain, let them serve as the crowd that gathered around Jesus. Have "Jesus" recite, dramatically, only Matthew 13:1-9. After a few moments' pause, have several of the children, warned in advance, ask "why in the world he needed to speak to them in parables." "Jesus" can tell them, and present the last part of the text.
Proclamation of the Good News
If you have a background working with chickens, you may want to compare the four soils with the four kinds of chickens found in every chicken house: the pullets, who are getting ready to lay; the molters who have laid and are now resting and may lay again someday; the cluckers, who go around pretending they have laid, and who may sit on eggs laid by another chicken; and the layers, who must produce for all the others if the farmer is to make a profit. You can readily see how members of the congregation fit into each category.
Response
"God, Give Us Eyes and Hearts to See" (Jane Parker Huber, from Joy in Singing. See Appendix I for address).
Celebrating Our Gifts
Stewardship Challenge
How will we take care of the earth, and each of us on it, this week? What will you do with your seeds, both literally and figuratively speaking? One idea to consider: Each time you go for a walk, take a plastic sack and collect recyclables; you may be surprised to discover how many spread garbage on our living room.
Charge to the Congregation
Meditation: Rod McKuen has said, "I like people with flowers, because they're trying; they haven't given up. People with flowers are always going someplace, to worship, to weddings, to graveyards, home, to attempt to make their empty lives [and I add, their full lives] as full as blossoms."
Meditation
God opens up every day as a flower for us. Yes, God does!
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of growing or gardening hymns or "O Day of Rest and Gladness," Christopher Wordsworth, 1862.
Hymn of Praise: "O Day of Rest and Gladness," Christopher Wordsworth, 1862.
Reading of the Psalm: Instead of reading the Psalm, find a musical version for the choir and/or the congregation to sing.
Offertory: "Take My Life, and Let It Be Consecrated," Frances Ridley Havergal, 1874. Note again, the hymn does not say, "Take My Life and Let It Be."
Hymn of Praise: "What Signs Has God Revealed to Us?" Jane Parker Huber, from Joy in Singing.
Music for Dismissal: "Johnny Appleseed."
