Peter's Declaration about Jesus
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle A Gospel Texts
Remembering Whose We Are
Invitation to the Celebration
We come to worship in Christ's church, to celebrate, to declare, to affirm whose we are, who we are, what we do, where we go in the Name of the crucified, risen Lord. Welcome.
P: We continue to celebrate.
M: What? Ourselves? Others? Things? Objects? Success? Money?
P: No! We celebrate the Word made flesh.
M: Is that Word here today? If so, where? Can we see him? Hear him? Speak about him? How can worship help us find him?
P: Because celebration is a sign ... and in his signs, he is real. His presence is here!
M: Then we seek him in prayer, in the word, in our response, in our commitment, in our mission.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, we believe; help our unbelief!
Response
"God Is! Rejoice!" (words and music by Avery and Marsh, from Let the People Sing, Hope Publishing Company. See Appendix I for address).
Prayer of Praise
Center it around Peter's declaration of who Jesus was to him, and who he is to us, not some vague blur in the sky, but the unique Son of God who is Lord of lords, the one to whom every knee shall bow.
Hymn of Praise
"God, You Spin the Whirling Planets" (Jane Parker Huber, 1978; Franz Joseph Haydn, 1797).
Facing Up To Ourselves
Introduction to Our Brokenness
Where is your favorite hiding place from God? (Silence for one minute.) Anyone care to respond? Share your own. It may be your pastorate. For laypeople, it may be serving as a church officer, or a member of a committee, which does church business without seriously involving God in the decisions. It may be in becoming a "pillar of the church." (Again, one minute of silence.) Then offer this poem, written by Fran De Nardo, Grade 6: "I have a hiding place; it can be in a closet. Sometimes it is in the attic. Other times it is in the basement. But my favorite hiding place is in MYSELF."
Response
"I Don't Know How to Love Him" (lyrics by Tim Rice, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, from Jesus Christ, Superstar, Leeds Music Corporation, MCA Music, 25 Deshon Drive, Melville, NY 11747). Ask one of your soloists to sing.
Invitation to Our Acceptance
Only God knows the extent of our dishonesty, our fear in proclaiming our declaration about who Christ is to us, our lack of obedience; for God alone has paid the supreme price for such knowledge. (Two minutes of silence.) Then say, "Nothing is so whole as a broken heart" (Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav). Conclude with this, or a similar prayer: O God, because we can hide nothing, including ourself, especially ourself, from you, we have confessed our cowardice and lack of obedience. We rejoice that you have forgiven us, even when we "feel" unforgiven and guilty. Remove from us the guilt which destroys our relationship with you and others, and the fear which betrays our trust in you and others. In the strong name of the Christ.
Response
(Choir) "You Are the Lord, Giver of Mercy" (any version).
Looking Out To Others
Message with the Children of All Ages
Focus on Peter. Sometimes he was "hot" and sometimes "cold" in his faith. Give some examples of Peter. Invite the children to give some examples from their lives when they made a decision and stuck by it, even when others made fun of them.
Reading from the Newer Covenant
Have the children remain while your actors dramatize Jesus' encounter with Peter.
Proclamation of the Good News
Consider this title, "Is Religion a Simple Matter of Sincerity?" Incorporate these ideas: Many of us believe in generalities when it comes to our faith; for example, "Everyone's going to the same place; even a sincere atheist goes to heaven; we're no different from other religions; God won't send everyone to hell; he/she is such a good person." Point out some differences between Christianity and other religions. Faith, however, is more than mouthing a word; more than saying "yes" to a church membership vow; more than joining the church. Faith is throwing your life in with the builders, not the destroyers; living on the growing edge of life, instead of hiding behind the bushes of security and comfort; living as though Christ is living in you, not on you, or out there somewhere. Add your own.
Response
"This Is the Good News" (The Worshipbook, 1972; based on Native American (Dakota) melody; arr. Richard D. Wetzel, b. 1935).
Remembering Our Reason For Being The Church
Stewardship Challenge
Consider the stewardship of our words. Our declaration of faith makes a difference, just as our daily speaking does. We have this idea that popular usage of words makes for correctness, as for example, "Winston tastes good, like ..." Or, "who do you trust?" used by politicians, and others who ought to know better. If it is wrong, it cannot be right, even though we all talk that way.
Acting On Our Faith
Charge to the Congregation
Live and speak as if Christ meant everything to us, everything!
Meditation
"How do we declare the name of Christ, in order to share the power of Christ, without becoming self-righteous and pompous? Take a cue from this: Our task is to show that Christ is not our possession, but that all of us, in every corner of the earth, and beyond, are his. We claim no finality or monopoly of truth for our version of a faith that came to us from the Middle East; but we claim that when anyone has met with the living Christ, there is no other Lord with whom his worship and ministry can be shared" (WHK).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of hymns which focus on God; or "Adante Tranquillo," Stickles.
Choral Introit: "You, Holy Father, We Adore," Calvin W. Laufer, 1931; alt., 1972.
Response to Our Acceptance: "Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi," Ron Nelson.
Response to the Message with the Children: "We Are Jesus' People," words and music by Shirley Whitecotton, copyright 1973, Folk Encounter, Hope Publishing Company. (See Appendix I for address.)
Offertory: "Berceuse," Stickles.
Hymn of Commitment: "Glorious Is Your Name, Most Holy," Ruth Elliot, 1960; alt., 1972.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of hymns which focus on the strong name of Jesus.
Invitation to the Celebration
We come to worship in Christ's church, to celebrate, to declare, to affirm whose we are, who we are, what we do, where we go in the Name of the crucified, risen Lord. Welcome.
P: We continue to celebrate.
M: What? Ourselves? Others? Things? Objects? Success? Money?
P: No! We celebrate the Word made flesh.
M: Is that Word here today? If so, where? Can we see him? Hear him? Speak about him? How can worship help us find him?
P: Because celebration is a sign ... and in his signs, he is real. His presence is here!
M: Then we seek him in prayer, in the word, in our response, in our commitment, in our mission.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, we believe; help our unbelief!
Response
"God Is! Rejoice!" (words and music by Avery and Marsh, from Let the People Sing, Hope Publishing Company. See Appendix I for address).
Prayer of Praise
Center it around Peter's declaration of who Jesus was to him, and who he is to us, not some vague blur in the sky, but the unique Son of God who is Lord of lords, the one to whom every knee shall bow.
Hymn of Praise
"God, You Spin the Whirling Planets" (Jane Parker Huber, 1978; Franz Joseph Haydn, 1797).
Facing Up To Ourselves
Introduction to Our Brokenness
Where is your favorite hiding place from God? (Silence for one minute.) Anyone care to respond? Share your own. It may be your pastorate. For laypeople, it may be serving as a church officer, or a member of a committee, which does church business without seriously involving God in the decisions. It may be in becoming a "pillar of the church." (Again, one minute of silence.) Then offer this poem, written by Fran De Nardo, Grade 6: "I have a hiding place; it can be in a closet. Sometimes it is in the attic. Other times it is in the basement. But my favorite hiding place is in MYSELF."
Response
"I Don't Know How to Love Him" (lyrics by Tim Rice, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, from Jesus Christ, Superstar, Leeds Music Corporation, MCA Music, 25 Deshon Drive, Melville, NY 11747). Ask one of your soloists to sing.
Invitation to Our Acceptance
Only God knows the extent of our dishonesty, our fear in proclaiming our declaration about who Christ is to us, our lack of obedience; for God alone has paid the supreme price for such knowledge. (Two minutes of silence.) Then say, "Nothing is so whole as a broken heart" (Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav). Conclude with this, or a similar prayer: O God, because we can hide nothing, including ourself, especially ourself, from you, we have confessed our cowardice and lack of obedience. We rejoice that you have forgiven us, even when we "feel" unforgiven and guilty. Remove from us the guilt which destroys our relationship with you and others, and the fear which betrays our trust in you and others. In the strong name of the Christ.
Response
(Choir) "You Are the Lord, Giver of Mercy" (any version).
Looking Out To Others
Message with the Children of All Ages
Focus on Peter. Sometimes he was "hot" and sometimes "cold" in his faith. Give some examples of Peter. Invite the children to give some examples from their lives when they made a decision and stuck by it, even when others made fun of them.
Reading from the Newer Covenant
Have the children remain while your actors dramatize Jesus' encounter with Peter.
Proclamation of the Good News
Consider this title, "Is Religion a Simple Matter of Sincerity?" Incorporate these ideas: Many of us believe in generalities when it comes to our faith; for example, "Everyone's going to the same place; even a sincere atheist goes to heaven; we're no different from other religions; God won't send everyone to hell; he/she is such a good person." Point out some differences between Christianity and other religions. Faith, however, is more than mouthing a word; more than saying "yes" to a church membership vow; more than joining the church. Faith is throwing your life in with the builders, not the destroyers; living on the growing edge of life, instead of hiding behind the bushes of security and comfort; living as though Christ is living in you, not on you, or out there somewhere. Add your own.
Response
"This Is the Good News" (The Worshipbook, 1972; based on Native American (Dakota) melody; arr. Richard D. Wetzel, b. 1935).
Remembering Our Reason For Being The Church
Stewardship Challenge
Consider the stewardship of our words. Our declaration of faith makes a difference, just as our daily speaking does. We have this idea that popular usage of words makes for correctness, as for example, "Winston tastes good, like ..." Or, "who do you trust?" used by politicians, and others who ought to know better. If it is wrong, it cannot be right, even though we all talk that way.
Acting On Our Faith
Charge to the Congregation
Live and speak as if Christ meant everything to us, everything!
Meditation
"How do we declare the name of Christ, in order to share the power of Christ, without becoming self-righteous and pompous? Take a cue from this: Our task is to show that Christ is not our possession, but that all of us, in every corner of the earth, and beyond, are his. We claim no finality or monopoly of truth for our version of a faith that came to us from the Middle East; but we claim that when anyone has met with the living Christ, there is no other Lord with whom his worship and ministry can be shared" (WHK).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of hymns which focus on God; or "Adante Tranquillo," Stickles.
Choral Introit: "You, Holy Father, We Adore," Calvin W. Laufer, 1931; alt., 1972.
Response to Our Acceptance: "Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi," Ron Nelson.
Response to the Message with the Children: "We Are Jesus' People," words and music by Shirley Whitecotton, copyright 1973, Folk Encounter, Hope Publishing Company. (See Appendix I for address.)
Offertory: "Berceuse," Stickles.
Hymn of Commitment: "Glorious Is Your Name, Most Holy," Ruth Elliot, 1960; alt., 1972.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of hymns which focus on the strong name of Jesus.
