Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series IV, Cycle B
Call To Worship
In the Ephesians reading Paul tells us that the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile has been destroyed by Christ. We are now one. This Call To Worship is based on Galatians 3:28 and Ephesians 2.
Leader:
Paul said, "There is no longer Jew nor Greek,
People:
Slave nor free,
Leader:
Male nor female,
People:
For all are one in Christ."
Leader:
Today we say, "There is no longer black nor white;
People:
Palestinian or Israeli;
Leader:
Serbian or Croatian;
People:
American or Iraqi;
Leader:
For all who are in Christ
People:
Are one."
Leader:
Let us celebrate the love that breaks down dividing walls;
People:
Bridges gulfs,
Leader:
Overcomes differences,
People:
And brings a powerful unity
Leader:
For all the world
People:
And the principalities and powers
Leader:
To see.
People:
Amen.
Sometimes we need to quiet ourselves in order to worship as Jesus quieted the spirit of the Gerasene demoniac in Mark 6.
Leader:
Shhh. It's time to be still and know that he is God.
People:
It's time to rest in his presence.
Leader:
Time to put aside all the distractions
People:
And focus on God alone.
Leader:
Come -- now is the time to worship.
A Call To Worship that celebrates the Body of Christ.
Leader:
So good to see you.
People:
You, too.
Leader:
You know I need you.
People:
I need you, too.
Leader:
It's the way God made us
People:
To need each other.
Leader:
Yes. To need brothers,
People:
And sisters,
Leader:
And parents,
People:
And children,
Leader:
In the Body of Christ.
People:
We need each other.
Leader:
So, my brothers and sisters in Christ, and my parents in the faith, and my children in the faith,
People:
Our faith family!
Leader:
Let's come before our God
People:
And worship together.
Leader:
Amen.
This one celebrates diversity in Christ. (This Call To Worship will also appear on World Communion Sunday.)
Leader:
Gloria, the Hispanic woman;
People:
Created in the image of God.
Leader:
Jamaal, the African-American;
People:
Created in the image of God.
Leader:
Tom, the gay guy;
People:
Created in the image of God.
Leader:
And cranky old Susanna;
People:
Created in the image of God.
Leader:
Little Mikey with Down's Syndrome;
People:
Created in the image of God.
Leader:
Abdul who worships Allah;
People:
Created in the image of God.
Leader:
Jacob who is in prison for murder;
People:
Created in the image of God.
Leader:
And your self-righteous neighbor who puts everyone down,
People:
Created in the image of God.
Leader:
You see, the point is that all people
People:
Carry within them
Leader:
The image of our holy and glorious God. So even if it is hidden or marred,
People:
There is reason to celebrate every person.
Leader:
So, let us celebrate the God who creates,
People:
And the people this God has made.
Leader:
Amen.
People:
Amen!
Another on the body of Christ.
Leader:
Every Sunday they come to church,
People:
And sit in their pew.
Leader:
Some Sundays the Sunday school lesson is dry,
People:
And leaves no impression on them.
Leader:
Some Sundays the sermon misses the mark,
People:
And no insight is gained.
Leader:
And some Sundays the organ and choir are off-key,
People:
And there is no inspiration in their music.
Leader:
But always,
People:
No matter what,
Leader:
The family is there for them.
People:
The Body of Christ,
Leader:
The church,
People:
Gives its love,
Leader:
And encouragement,
People:
And challenge.
Leader:
And they go away nourished.
People:
We are one in the Spirit,
Leader:
And in this oneness there is great power.
People:
Come, let us celebrate the community of faith.
Leader:
Amen.
People:
Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Loving one another in the Body of Christ isn't easy! This Confession uses the love chapter in 1 Corinthians 13.
Leader:
The question, we must admit, is not, "Are we big enough to love our enemies?" but rather, "Are we even big enough to love our friends?"
People:
We so easily turn on each other.
Leader:
We are so quick to judge,
People:
So easy with criticism,
Leader:
So slow to forgive,
People:
Too willing to jettison a friend.
Leader:
Lord, teach us the truth about love,
People:
That it is patient and kind,
Leader:
Not arrogant or rude,
People:
Not irritable or resentful;
Leader:
That it doesn't keep score
People:
Or celebrate another's downfall;
Leader:
Instead -- it always protects,
People:
Always trusts,
Leader:
Always hopes,
People:
Always perseveres,
Leader:
And never ends.
People:
Forgive us
Leader:
And teach us,
People:
Amen.
Option two.
Leader:
She, she, she -- snubbed me!
People:
He wasn't there when I needed him.
Leader:
She gossiped about me.
People:
He seems to get all the breaks.
Leader:
I know what you mean -- it isn't fair.
People:
She has bad breath.
Leader:
His politics are appalling.
People:
She's just not too bright.
Leader:
And Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself."
People:
"Turn the other cheek."
Leader:
"Love your enemy."
People:
"Forgive others as I have forgiven you."
Leader:
Lord, we are unworthy.
People:
Forgive us.
One more on our lack of love.
Leader:
To sacrifice my good for the sake of another;
People:
To allow another to stand in the spotlight;
Leader:
To put her needs before mine;
People:
To let go of legitimate hurts;
Leader:
To extend a hand to those who have damaged my reputation,
People:
Or harmed my family,
Leader:
Or taken what was rightfully mine;
People:
This is the love that is of God.
Leader:
And we confess, O Father, that we are so often lacking in this love.
People:
We love those who love us
Leader:
Or do things for us,
People:
But the enemy,
Leader:
The one who hurts us,
People:
We do not love.
Leader:
Lord, teach us of this love, that we might witness to the world of a love that is beyond any love they have ever known.
People:
Amen!
Our oneness consists of something other than superficialities.
Leader:
Different vestments,
People:
Different music,
Leader:
Different sanctuaries,
People:
Different styles,
Leader:
Different doctrines,
People:
Different procedures,
Leader:
Different traditions,
People:
Different programs,
Leader:
But the same Lord!
People:
The same faith!
Leader:
The same baptism!
People:
The same Father and God of us all!
Leader:
Let's be ourselves,
People:
With all our little differences,
Leader:
And our one big similarity.
People:
We are brothers and sisters
Leader:
Of the same Jesus,
People:
And sons and daughters
Leader:
Of the same Father.
People:
We can celebrate the differences,
Leader:
And still be one.
People:
Come, let us worship the one
Leader:
Who makes us one.
Assurance Of Pardon
Leader:
God's nature is love,
People:
God's character is gracious,
Leader:
He cannot but love
People:
And extend grace.
Leader:
This is the good news of the gospel,
People:
This is our gift to receive;
Leader:
Let us receive it!
People:
Amen.
Prayer For Illumination
Leader:
Lord, let not our ears be clogged by anger,
People:
Blocked by grief,
Leader:
Stopped up by fear,
People:
Or deafened by defeat.
Leader:
Instead, help us to hear the radical word of the Father,
People:
As seen in the Son,
Leader:
And spoken to us by the scriptures.
People:
Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
This morning as we are thinking about unity in Christ would be a great time to just pray for one another in the church. One prayer we sometimes use in our congregation is the following:
Introduction to the prayer:
This morning we are going to pray for those in need in our church.
I will mention a name and you will respond
Lord, hear our prayer for __________________
Benediction
Ephesians 2:19-22
We are no longer strangers, but fellow citizens and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Hymns
Blest Be The Tie That Binds
Bond Of Love, The
Church's One Foundation, The
Come Christians, Join To Sing
Come, We That Love The Lord
Family Of God, The
In Christ There Is No East Or West
Let's Just Praise The Lord
Our God Has Made Us One
Rise Up, O Church Of God
Sweet, Sweet Spirit
They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love
We Are God's People
Ye Servants Of God
Contemporary Choruses
Better Is One Day, Matt Redmon
Give Thanks, Henry Smith
I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever, Martin Smith
My Life Is In You, Daniel Gardner
Reign In Me, Brenton Brown
Other Music
Neither Will I, Twila Paris
A song about friendship in Christ. Neither will I condemn you.
One Heart, Clay Crosse
Oneness in the body of Christ.
Creative Ideas
If you have a way of projecting images during your worship service you might try using images of a variety of different people prior to the service and during the Call To Worship that emphasized diversity.
You might also use poster-type photos hung around the sanctuary.
In the Ephesians reading Paul tells us that the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile has been destroyed by Christ. We are now one. This Call To Worship is based on Galatians 3:28 and Ephesians 2.
Leader:
Paul said, "There is no longer Jew nor Greek,
People:
Slave nor free,
Leader:
Male nor female,
People:
For all are one in Christ."
Leader:
Today we say, "There is no longer black nor white;
People:
Palestinian or Israeli;
Leader:
Serbian or Croatian;
People:
American or Iraqi;
Leader:
For all who are in Christ
People:
Are one."
Leader:
Let us celebrate the love that breaks down dividing walls;
People:
Bridges gulfs,
Leader:
Overcomes differences,
People:
And brings a powerful unity
Leader:
For all the world
People:
And the principalities and powers
Leader:
To see.
People:
Amen.
Sometimes we need to quiet ourselves in order to worship as Jesus quieted the spirit of the Gerasene demoniac in Mark 6.
Leader:
Shhh. It's time to be still and know that he is God.
People:
It's time to rest in his presence.
Leader:
Time to put aside all the distractions
People:
And focus on God alone.
Leader:
Come -- now is the time to worship.
A Call To Worship that celebrates the Body of Christ.
Leader:
So good to see you.
People:
You, too.
Leader:
You know I need you.
People:
I need you, too.
Leader:
It's the way God made us
People:
To need each other.
Leader:
Yes. To need brothers,
People:
And sisters,
Leader:
And parents,
People:
And children,
Leader:
In the Body of Christ.
People:
We need each other.
Leader:
So, my brothers and sisters in Christ, and my parents in the faith, and my children in the faith,
People:
Our faith family!
Leader:
Let's come before our God
People:
And worship together.
Leader:
Amen.
This one celebrates diversity in Christ. (This Call To Worship will also appear on World Communion Sunday.)
Leader:
Gloria, the Hispanic woman;
People:
Created in the image of God.
Leader:
Jamaal, the African-American;
People:
Created in the image of God.
Leader:
Tom, the gay guy;
People:
Created in the image of God.
Leader:
And cranky old Susanna;
People:
Created in the image of God.
Leader:
Little Mikey with Down's Syndrome;
People:
Created in the image of God.
Leader:
Abdul who worships Allah;
People:
Created in the image of God.
Leader:
Jacob who is in prison for murder;
People:
Created in the image of God.
Leader:
And your self-righteous neighbor who puts everyone down,
People:
Created in the image of God.
Leader:
You see, the point is that all people
People:
Carry within them
Leader:
The image of our holy and glorious God. So even if it is hidden or marred,
People:
There is reason to celebrate every person.
Leader:
So, let us celebrate the God who creates,
People:
And the people this God has made.
Leader:
Amen.
People:
Amen!
Another on the body of Christ.
Leader:
Every Sunday they come to church,
People:
And sit in their pew.
Leader:
Some Sundays the Sunday school lesson is dry,
People:
And leaves no impression on them.
Leader:
Some Sundays the sermon misses the mark,
People:
And no insight is gained.
Leader:
And some Sundays the organ and choir are off-key,
People:
And there is no inspiration in their music.
Leader:
But always,
People:
No matter what,
Leader:
The family is there for them.
People:
The Body of Christ,
Leader:
The church,
People:
Gives its love,
Leader:
And encouragement,
People:
And challenge.
Leader:
And they go away nourished.
People:
We are one in the Spirit,
Leader:
And in this oneness there is great power.
People:
Come, let us celebrate the community of faith.
Leader:
Amen.
People:
Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Loving one another in the Body of Christ isn't easy! This Confession uses the love chapter in 1 Corinthians 13.
Leader:
The question, we must admit, is not, "Are we big enough to love our enemies?" but rather, "Are we even big enough to love our friends?"
People:
We so easily turn on each other.
Leader:
We are so quick to judge,
People:
So easy with criticism,
Leader:
So slow to forgive,
People:
Too willing to jettison a friend.
Leader:
Lord, teach us the truth about love,
People:
That it is patient and kind,
Leader:
Not arrogant or rude,
People:
Not irritable or resentful;
Leader:
That it doesn't keep score
People:
Or celebrate another's downfall;
Leader:
Instead -- it always protects,
People:
Always trusts,
Leader:
Always hopes,
People:
Always perseveres,
Leader:
And never ends.
People:
Forgive us
Leader:
And teach us,
People:
Amen.
Option two.
Leader:
She, she, she -- snubbed me!
People:
He wasn't there when I needed him.
Leader:
She gossiped about me.
People:
He seems to get all the breaks.
Leader:
I know what you mean -- it isn't fair.
People:
She has bad breath.
Leader:
His politics are appalling.
People:
She's just not too bright.
Leader:
And Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself."
People:
"Turn the other cheek."
Leader:
"Love your enemy."
People:
"Forgive others as I have forgiven you."
Leader:
Lord, we are unworthy.
People:
Forgive us.
One more on our lack of love.
Leader:
To sacrifice my good for the sake of another;
People:
To allow another to stand in the spotlight;
Leader:
To put her needs before mine;
People:
To let go of legitimate hurts;
Leader:
To extend a hand to those who have damaged my reputation,
People:
Or harmed my family,
Leader:
Or taken what was rightfully mine;
People:
This is the love that is of God.
Leader:
And we confess, O Father, that we are so often lacking in this love.
People:
We love those who love us
Leader:
Or do things for us,
People:
But the enemy,
Leader:
The one who hurts us,
People:
We do not love.
Leader:
Lord, teach us of this love, that we might witness to the world of a love that is beyond any love they have ever known.
People:
Amen!
Our oneness consists of something other than superficialities.
Leader:
Different vestments,
People:
Different music,
Leader:
Different sanctuaries,
People:
Different styles,
Leader:
Different doctrines,
People:
Different procedures,
Leader:
Different traditions,
People:
Different programs,
Leader:
But the same Lord!
People:
The same faith!
Leader:
The same baptism!
People:
The same Father and God of us all!
Leader:
Let's be ourselves,
People:
With all our little differences,
Leader:
And our one big similarity.
People:
We are brothers and sisters
Leader:
Of the same Jesus,
People:
And sons and daughters
Leader:
Of the same Father.
People:
We can celebrate the differences,
Leader:
And still be one.
People:
Come, let us worship the one
Leader:
Who makes us one.
Assurance Of Pardon
Leader:
God's nature is love,
People:
God's character is gracious,
Leader:
He cannot but love
People:
And extend grace.
Leader:
This is the good news of the gospel,
People:
This is our gift to receive;
Leader:
Let us receive it!
People:
Amen.
Prayer For Illumination
Leader:
Lord, let not our ears be clogged by anger,
People:
Blocked by grief,
Leader:
Stopped up by fear,
People:
Or deafened by defeat.
Leader:
Instead, help us to hear the radical word of the Father,
People:
As seen in the Son,
Leader:
And spoken to us by the scriptures.
People:
Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
This morning as we are thinking about unity in Christ would be a great time to just pray for one another in the church. One prayer we sometimes use in our congregation is the following:
Introduction to the prayer:
This morning we are going to pray for those in need in our church.
I will mention a name and you will respond
Lord, hear our prayer for __________________
Benediction
Ephesians 2:19-22
We are no longer strangers, but fellow citizens and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Hymns
Blest Be The Tie That Binds
Bond Of Love, The
Church's One Foundation, The
Come Christians, Join To Sing
Come, We That Love The Lord
Family Of God, The
In Christ There Is No East Or West
Let's Just Praise The Lord
Our God Has Made Us One
Rise Up, O Church Of God
Sweet, Sweet Spirit
They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love
We Are God's People
Ye Servants Of God
Contemporary Choruses
Better Is One Day, Matt Redmon
Give Thanks, Henry Smith
I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever, Martin Smith
My Life Is In You, Daniel Gardner
Reign In Me, Brenton Brown
Other Music
Neither Will I, Twila Paris
A song about friendship in Christ. Neither will I condemn you.
One Heart, Clay Crosse
Oneness in the body of Christ.
Creative Ideas
If you have a way of projecting images during your worship service you might try using images of a variety of different people prior to the service and during the Call To Worship that emphasized diversity.
You might also use poster-type photos hung around the sanctuary.
