Proper 14
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series IV, Cycle A
Hymns
Sing Praise To God (NCH6, CBH59, UM126, PH483)
Immortal Love, Forever Full (NCH166, CBH629)
Here, O God, Your Servants Gather/Sekai No Tomo (NCH72, CBH7, PH465)
When The Storms Of Life Are Raging (CBH558, UM512)
O Sing A Song Of Bethlehem (NCH51, UM179, PH308)
Precious Lord, Take My Hand (CBH575, NCH472, UM474, PH404)
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (CBH582, NCH18, 19, UM127, PH281)
O Day Of God, Draw Nigh (PH452)
Anthems
Joseph And The Coat, Tammy Waldrop, Ring Out! Press, Narrator/2 to 3--octave handbells
How Lovely Are The Messengers, Felix Mendelssohn, SATB
Sing, Dance, Clap Your Hands, Ziegenhals, CGA, Unison/2--part
So Long, Joe!, Malmstrom and Calhoun, musical unison/2 part, flute, percussion, CGC33
Call to Worship
Leader: O give thanks to God, call on God's name, make known God's deeds among the people.
People: Sing praises to God - tell of all the wonderful works.
Leader: Glory in God's holy name; let the hearts of those who seek God rejoice.
People: We seek God and God's strength.
All: We seek God's presence continually.
Call to Confession
Paul tells us that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Let us now confess our sins before God and ask forgiveness. Let us pray.
Prayer of Confession
Merciful and loving God, we come to you this morning asking you to hear our prayer. We confess that we don't think of you very often. We go about our daily lives as if we are completely in charge of our lives. We know that isn't so, and you remind us of that quite often, but we still continually fool ourselves. You are our creator, God, and we know that you have given us free will to pursue our lives, but we want to do your will. Help us to be ever aware that you walk with us, God - that you are always there to guide us and protect us. Give us courage to stand straighter against the contrariness of the world. Remind us to call upon you whenever we need guidance. Forgive us for forgetting about you. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
In Romans 10, Paul tells us that if we confess with our lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead, we are saved. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Alleluia! We are forgiven. Amen.
Scripture Readings
Genesis 37:1--4: This passage, as well as the one from Matthew are two very dramatic stories, both having to do with lack of faith and wanting more from their lives. The Genesis passage is also about jealousy and what happens when brother is pitted against brother. The NRSV version also changes the coat of many colors that we know about to a "long robe with sleeves." While this is probably more correct, it will be hard to use those words with a congregation, because they will get caught up in that description and forget the story. Preface the story with the change so that they won't be surprised. This story could easily be acted out by one of the Sunday school classes. An older class might be able to come up with a modern situation to substitute for the ancient story. But the ancient story runs the gamut of human emotions. The cast includes a Narrator, Jacob, Joseph, many Brothers (girls can easily be substituted for any of these parts), a Man in Field, Brother Reuben, some Ishmaelites, Brother Judah, Midianite, and Traders. Props include a long--sleeved, brightly colored coat, shepherd's crooks, bread in pockets of brothers, packages and baskets for traders to carry, moneybag. When the reading begins, Jacob is standing over by the pulpit with the Joseph coat over his arm. Brothers, including Joseph, are on other side of chancel.
Narrator: Jacob settled in the land where his father had lived as an alien, the land of Canaan. This is the story of the family of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. (Joseph walks over to father and whispers in his ear) Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves. (Jacob shakes his head and gives Joseph the coat, helps him put it on, gives him big hug) But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him. (Brothers watch from afar, talk amongst themselves, and move farther away - behind the altar if possible) Now his brothers went to pasture their father's flock near Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph,
Jacob (Israel): Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.
Joseph: Here I am.
Jacob: Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock; and bring word back to me.
Narrator: So he sent him from the valley of Hebron. (Joseph begins wandering the front of the sanctuary. Man comes from stage left) He came to Shechem, and a man found him wandering in the fields; the man asked him,
Man: What are you seeking?
Joseph: I am seeking my brothers. Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.
Man: They have gone away, for I heard them say, "Let us go to Dothan." (Man walks off stage right. Joseph continues to walk in a round bout way toward his brothers)
Narrator: So Joseph went after his brothers, and found them at Dothan. They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired to kill him.
2 Brothers: Here comes the dreamer.
Brother 3: Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits.
Brother 4: Then we shall say that a wild animal has devoured him,
All Brothers (except Reuben): Then we shall see what will become of his dreams.
Reuben: No, let us not take his life. Shed no blood; throw him into the pit (Points to floor) here in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him.
Narrator: Reuben thought that he might rescue him out of their hand and restore him to his father. (Joseph walks happily up to his brothers) So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves that he wore; and they took him and threw him into a pit. (Brothers roughly rip off coat and throw Joseph down behind altar) The pit was empty; there was no water in it. Then they sat down to eat (Brothers sit and pull bread out of pockets to eat) And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead (Group of Traders comes from stage right and crosses in front of Brothers carrying packages and baskets) with their camels carrying gum, balm, and resin, on their way to carry it down to Egypt.
Judah: What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh. (Other Brothers nod and agree. Another convoy of Traders comes in from stage left)
Narrator: When some Midianite traders passed by, they drew Joseph up, lifting out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. (Brothers lift Joseph out of pit, and take him to Traders. One Trader hands them the moneybag. Traders go off stage right with Joseph looking back at Brothers. They watch, some gleefully, others wondering if they did the right thing) And they took Joseph to Egypt.
Matthew 14:22--33: This passage is a familiar one and could be well done by a storyteller who would act it out. The choral speaking choir can also do it.
1 2 3 4
5 6 P
7 8 Jesus
All Voices: Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.
Voices 7 and 8: And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray.
Voice 6: When evening came, he was there alone,
Voices 4 and 5: But by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them.
Voice 3: And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea.
Voice 2: But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying,
All Voices: It is a ghost! (Wail in fear)
Voice 1: But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said,
Jesus: Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.
Voice 8: Peter answered him,
Peter: Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.
Jesus: Come.
Voice 7: So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus.
Voices 5 and 6: But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out,
Peter: Lord, save me!
Voice 4: Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him,
Jesus: You of little faith, why did you doubt? (Walks over to rest of choir and joins them)
Voice 3: When they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Voice 2: And those in the boat worshiped him, saying,
All: Truly you are the Son of God.
Benediction (from the hymn Sing Praise To God)
Leader: Let all who name Christ's holy name give God all praise and glory.
People: Let all who own his power proclaim aloud the wondrous story!
Leader: Cast each false idol from its throne, for Christ is Lord, and Christ alone.
All: To God all praise and glory. Amen.
Sing Praise To God (NCH6, CBH59, UM126, PH483)
Immortal Love, Forever Full (NCH166, CBH629)
Here, O God, Your Servants Gather/Sekai No Tomo (NCH72, CBH7, PH465)
When The Storms Of Life Are Raging (CBH558, UM512)
O Sing A Song Of Bethlehem (NCH51, UM179, PH308)
Precious Lord, Take My Hand (CBH575, NCH472, UM474, PH404)
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (CBH582, NCH18, 19, UM127, PH281)
O Day Of God, Draw Nigh (PH452)
Anthems
Joseph And The Coat, Tammy Waldrop, Ring Out! Press, Narrator/2 to 3--octave handbells
How Lovely Are The Messengers, Felix Mendelssohn, SATB
Sing, Dance, Clap Your Hands, Ziegenhals, CGA, Unison/2--part
So Long, Joe!, Malmstrom and Calhoun, musical unison/2 part, flute, percussion, CGC33
Call to Worship
Leader: O give thanks to God, call on God's name, make known God's deeds among the people.
People: Sing praises to God - tell of all the wonderful works.
Leader: Glory in God's holy name; let the hearts of those who seek God rejoice.
People: We seek God and God's strength.
All: We seek God's presence continually.
Call to Confession
Paul tells us that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Let us now confess our sins before God and ask forgiveness. Let us pray.
Prayer of Confession
Merciful and loving God, we come to you this morning asking you to hear our prayer. We confess that we don't think of you very often. We go about our daily lives as if we are completely in charge of our lives. We know that isn't so, and you remind us of that quite often, but we still continually fool ourselves. You are our creator, God, and we know that you have given us free will to pursue our lives, but we want to do your will. Help us to be ever aware that you walk with us, God - that you are always there to guide us and protect us. Give us courage to stand straighter against the contrariness of the world. Remind us to call upon you whenever we need guidance. Forgive us for forgetting about you. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
In Romans 10, Paul tells us that if we confess with our lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead, we are saved. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Alleluia! We are forgiven. Amen.
Scripture Readings
Genesis 37:1--4: This passage, as well as the one from Matthew are two very dramatic stories, both having to do with lack of faith and wanting more from their lives. The Genesis passage is also about jealousy and what happens when brother is pitted against brother. The NRSV version also changes the coat of many colors that we know about to a "long robe with sleeves." While this is probably more correct, it will be hard to use those words with a congregation, because they will get caught up in that description and forget the story. Preface the story with the change so that they won't be surprised. This story could easily be acted out by one of the Sunday school classes. An older class might be able to come up with a modern situation to substitute for the ancient story. But the ancient story runs the gamut of human emotions. The cast includes a Narrator, Jacob, Joseph, many Brothers (girls can easily be substituted for any of these parts), a Man in Field, Brother Reuben, some Ishmaelites, Brother Judah, Midianite, and Traders. Props include a long--sleeved, brightly colored coat, shepherd's crooks, bread in pockets of brothers, packages and baskets for traders to carry, moneybag. When the reading begins, Jacob is standing over by the pulpit with the Joseph coat over his arm. Brothers, including Joseph, are on other side of chancel.
Narrator: Jacob settled in the land where his father had lived as an alien, the land of Canaan. This is the story of the family of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. (Joseph walks over to father and whispers in his ear) Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves. (Jacob shakes his head and gives Joseph the coat, helps him put it on, gives him big hug) But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him. (Brothers watch from afar, talk amongst themselves, and move farther away - behind the altar if possible) Now his brothers went to pasture their father's flock near Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph,
Jacob (Israel): Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.
Joseph: Here I am.
Jacob: Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock; and bring word back to me.
Narrator: So he sent him from the valley of Hebron. (Joseph begins wandering the front of the sanctuary. Man comes from stage left) He came to Shechem, and a man found him wandering in the fields; the man asked him,
Man: What are you seeking?
Joseph: I am seeking my brothers. Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.
Man: They have gone away, for I heard them say, "Let us go to Dothan." (Man walks off stage right. Joseph continues to walk in a round bout way toward his brothers)
Narrator: So Joseph went after his brothers, and found them at Dothan. They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired to kill him.
2 Brothers: Here comes the dreamer.
Brother 3: Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits.
Brother 4: Then we shall say that a wild animal has devoured him,
All Brothers (except Reuben): Then we shall see what will become of his dreams.
Reuben: No, let us not take his life. Shed no blood; throw him into the pit (Points to floor) here in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him.
Narrator: Reuben thought that he might rescue him out of their hand and restore him to his father. (Joseph walks happily up to his brothers) So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves that he wore; and they took him and threw him into a pit. (Brothers roughly rip off coat and throw Joseph down behind altar) The pit was empty; there was no water in it. Then they sat down to eat (Brothers sit and pull bread out of pockets to eat) And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead (Group of Traders comes from stage right and crosses in front of Brothers carrying packages and baskets) with their camels carrying gum, balm, and resin, on their way to carry it down to Egypt.
Judah: What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh. (Other Brothers nod and agree. Another convoy of Traders comes in from stage left)
Narrator: When some Midianite traders passed by, they drew Joseph up, lifting out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. (Brothers lift Joseph out of pit, and take him to Traders. One Trader hands them the moneybag. Traders go off stage right with Joseph looking back at Brothers. They watch, some gleefully, others wondering if they did the right thing) And they took Joseph to Egypt.
Matthew 14:22--33: This passage is a familiar one and could be well done by a storyteller who would act it out. The choral speaking choir can also do it.
1 2 3 4
5 6 P
7 8 Jesus
All Voices: Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.
Voices 7 and 8: And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray.
Voice 6: When evening came, he was there alone,
Voices 4 and 5: But by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them.
Voice 3: And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea.
Voice 2: But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying,
All Voices: It is a ghost! (Wail in fear)
Voice 1: But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said,
Jesus: Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.
Voice 8: Peter answered him,
Peter: Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.
Jesus: Come.
Voice 7: So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus.
Voices 5 and 6: But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out,
Peter: Lord, save me!
Voice 4: Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him,
Jesus: You of little faith, why did you doubt? (Walks over to rest of choir and joins them)
Voice 3: When they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Voice 2: And those in the boat worshiped him, saying,
All: Truly you are the Son of God.
Benediction (from the hymn Sing Praise To God)
Leader: Let all who name Christ's holy name give God all praise and glory.
People: Let all who own his power proclaim aloud the wondrous story!
Leader: Cast each false idol from its throne, for Christ is Lord, and Christ alone.
All: To God all praise and glory. Amen.
