Proper 15 / Ordinary Time 20 / Pentecost 10
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook, Series IV, Cycle C
Soul Motion
Zoos are no longer in people's good graces.
Religion faces the same problem.
Certain illusions about freedom plague them both.
-- Yann Martel, Life of Pi
Call To Worship
Leader: It's a good summer morning! We are gathered again. We can ask questions, sing, pray, listen, and talk!
People: Yes. We are thankful for life and for the opportunities that come to us.
Leader: We have called to God many times and the Holy One has sustained us and restored us to hopefulness.
People: We trust the Holy Spirit to minister to our needs and to guide us along the path of joy and service.
Prayer Of Thanksgiving (Leader)
God of morning and evening -- we are grateful for the breath of life, grateful for the option of gathering here to acknowledge our devotion to you. When we gather to sing and pray, we feel your gracious goodness. During this hour, we honor you, giving you our full attention and our best responses as you speak to us. Thank you for your creative presence. Amen.
Call To Confession (Leader)
God is here and everywhere! No one can hide from the One who is Great Mystery. Pray with me the printed prayer and then have your personal conversation with the Holy One.
Community Confession (Unison)
Holy Spirit -- we read in scriptures about judgment and punishment, about love and justice.
They are always issues for us personally and as a nation.
We know that nations who have ignored the poor and hungry and favored the wealthy have not fared well in history books.
Open our eyes to the evils we foster in the name of "freedom," "capitalism," and "profit."
Open our ears to the harmful words in our relationships and in our conversations.
Set us on a different path that we may live the teachings of Jesus. Amen.
Sermon Idea
If the preacher enjoys wine and vineyard husbandry, s/he might present the necessary care of a vineyard and then show how "grapevine" for the psalmist and Isaiah represent the potential productivity of Israel. But without fruit, there seem to be two options: destroy it or find a way to refurbish it. It would be great if there is a musician in the congregation who could chant the story from Isaiah 5. A person who has good pantomime skills might also give some vitality to the Isaiah story. The story in Luke is one of the hardest of Jesus' sayings. It would be interesting to explore how weather is predicted and link it with Jesus asking how people can have such vital knowledge but not know about spiritual things. "Setting the earth on fire" might refer to the constant upheavals between world religions. If it's a communion Sunday, emphasis might be focused on the gathered people at the table expecting a good wine as a reminder of Jesus. A catchy sermon title might be: Juicy Possibilities.
Contemporary Affirmation (Unison)
We know God, the Creator, by many names;
we believe that God, the Holy One, loves us and all creation.
We know Jesus of Nazareth taught people to love friends and enemies;
we believe Jesus' teachings lead us to satisfaction in living.
We believe the Holy Spirit is moving throughout the global village,
inviting all peoples to live peaceably together;
we experience the Holy Spirit to be motivating us to journey toward
internal contentment and external service for justice.
In community, we are stimulated intellectually to ask questions
about the meaning of life and Mystery.
We are challenged to know ourselves and to relate to God.
We are soothed during the painful parts of life and in good times,
we share our rejoicings! Hurrah! Yippee! Hallelujah!
Offertory Statement (Leader)
Let our generosity be part of our reputation. The baskets are coming your way.
Doxology
The Lone, Wild Bird (v. 2, modified), tune: PROSPECT
The ends of earth are in God's hand, The sea's dark deep and far-off land.
And I am yours! I rest in you. Great Spirit, come, and rest in me.
Prayer Of Thanksgiving (Leader)
God of Isaiah and Jesus -- we are thankful that you refurbished the grapevine of ancient Israel. And we are grateful for the variety of vines we enjoy today. Use this money to make this world a more hospitable place. Amen.
Intercessory Prayers (Leader or Readers)
Farmer God -- we are aware that agriculture varies from place to place; we are also aware that you are everywhere, capable of planting and harvesting, cultivating and plowing under. Not only are we grateful for the stories of scripture, we are also glad for grapes to eat and to make juices. We pray for the helpless, the homeless, and the hungry for whom grapes in our culture are too expensive. Visit humankind again with news that there is enough food and water for all creatures.
Fiery God -- Jesus said he came to set the earth on fire. One way we look at that image is exciting: Jesus will cleanse the earth of its rubble and nonsense. Another way we see that image is scary: The people of the world will incinerate all that is not consistent with preparation for your kingdom on earth. Instead of a flood story, it threatens a fire story! We pray for religious leaders in every country. Let bigotry and judgment no longer be part of passing on the news of your dynamic presence in human life.
Fearsome God -- we see the wars and hear the rumors of wars right in our own living rooms. We see children and soldiers, men and women going about their daily work being killed. Why? Muslims and Christians, Arabs and Americans pray for safety and democracy, whatever that means in countries far away. Why is it that atrocities continue? We pray for an end to hostilities in every nation. We pray for wise leaders whose goal is to govern so people have safety and food. We pray for relief from greedy, power-hungry men -- in Africa, in China, in Pakistan, in Iraq, in Iran, in Saudi Arabia, in Afghanistan, and in America. Hear our prayers.
Feeling God -- see your children suffer. Don't neglect your creatures on any continent. Work among scientists and physicians, among politicians and scholars to heal deep ethnic wounds. Reach to us whose backs are wearing out, whose circulation systems get clogged, whose minds are confused; heal us all and lift our fears as we prepare to meet you in eternity.
Freeing God -- see our children grow and learn. Keep them safe from harm and guide them to be leaders for a fresh dream of possibility for all peoples. Help us mentor them in compassion and hospitality so that they are not overcome with competition and mediocre projects. Amen.
Benediction (Leader)
Life is a journey to Mystery.
Experiment with multiple names for God;
Explore different ways to respond to the Holy Spirit.
Laugh each day and unbuild the overwhelming towers of the world.
Notice possibilities around each corner;
Make dreams and cultivate a glad heart!
Holy Spirit empowers you and me to live real life --
Peace be yours, deep contentment. Amen.
Music
Come, O Spirit
Words: John A. Dalles, 1983
Music: Union Harmony, 1837; harm. Hilton Rufty, 1934
BOUNDLESS MERCY
God, You Spin The Whirling Planets
Words: Jane Parker Huber, 1978
Music: Franz Joseph Haydn, 1797
AUSTRIAN HYMN
In Loving Partnership
Words and Music: Jim Strathdee, 1983
PARTNERSHIP
LM
Maker, In Whom We Live
Words: Charles Wesley, 1747
Music: George J. Elvey, 1868
DIADEMATA
O Holy Spirit, Root Of Life
Words: Jean Janzen, 1991, based on the writings of Hildegard of Bingen (12th century)
Music: Trier manuscript (15th century); adapt. Michael Praetorius, 1609; harm. George R. Woodward, 1904
PUER NOBIS NASCITUR
Religion faces the same problem.
Certain illusions about freedom plague them both.
-- Yann Martel, Life of Pi
Call To Worship
Leader: It's a good summer morning! We are gathered again. We can ask questions, sing, pray, listen, and talk!
People: Yes. We are thankful for life and for the opportunities that come to us.
Leader: We have called to God many times and the Holy One has sustained us and restored us to hopefulness.
People: We trust the Holy Spirit to minister to our needs and to guide us along the path of joy and service.
Prayer Of Thanksgiving (Leader)
God of morning and evening -- we are grateful for the breath of life, grateful for the option of gathering here to acknowledge our devotion to you. When we gather to sing and pray, we feel your gracious goodness. During this hour, we honor you, giving you our full attention and our best responses as you speak to us. Thank you for your creative presence. Amen.
Call To Confession (Leader)
God is here and everywhere! No one can hide from the One who is Great Mystery. Pray with me the printed prayer and then have your personal conversation with the Holy One.
Community Confession (Unison)
Holy Spirit -- we read in scriptures about judgment and punishment, about love and justice.
They are always issues for us personally and as a nation.
We know that nations who have ignored the poor and hungry and favored the wealthy have not fared well in history books.
Open our eyes to the evils we foster in the name of "freedom," "capitalism," and "profit."
Open our ears to the harmful words in our relationships and in our conversations.
Set us on a different path that we may live the teachings of Jesus. Amen.
Sermon Idea
If the preacher enjoys wine and vineyard husbandry, s/he might present the necessary care of a vineyard and then show how "grapevine" for the psalmist and Isaiah represent the potential productivity of Israel. But without fruit, there seem to be two options: destroy it or find a way to refurbish it. It would be great if there is a musician in the congregation who could chant the story from Isaiah 5. A person who has good pantomime skills might also give some vitality to the Isaiah story. The story in Luke is one of the hardest of Jesus' sayings. It would be interesting to explore how weather is predicted and link it with Jesus asking how people can have such vital knowledge but not know about spiritual things. "Setting the earth on fire" might refer to the constant upheavals between world religions. If it's a communion Sunday, emphasis might be focused on the gathered people at the table expecting a good wine as a reminder of Jesus. A catchy sermon title might be: Juicy Possibilities.
Contemporary Affirmation (Unison)
We know God, the Creator, by many names;
we believe that God, the Holy One, loves us and all creation.
We know Jesus of Nazareth taught people to love friends and enemies;
we believe Jesus' teachings lead us to satisfaction in living.
We believe the Holy Spirit is moving throughout the global village,
inviting all peoples to live peaceably together;
we experience the Holy Spirit to be motivating us to journey toward
internal contentment and external service for justice.
In community, we are stimulated intellectually to ask questions
about the meaning of life and Mystery.
We are challenged to know ourselves and to relate to God.
We are soothed during the painful parts of life and in good times,
we share our rejoicings! Hurrah! Yippee! Hallelujah!
Offertory Statement (Leader)
Let our generosity be part of our reputation. The baskets are coming your way.
Doxology
The Lone, Wild Bird (v. 2, modified), tune: PROSPECT
The ends of earth are in God's hand, The sea's dark deep and far-off land.
And I am yours! I rest in you. Great Spirit, come, and rest in me.
Prayer Of Thanksgiving (Leader)
God of Isaiah and Jesus -- we are thankful that you refurbished the grapevine of ancient Israel. And we are grateful for the variety of vines we enjoy today. Use this money to make this world a more hospitable place. Amen.
Intercessory Prayers (Leader or Readers)
Farmer God -- we are aware that agriculture varies from place to place; we are also aware that you are everywhere, capable of planting and harvesting, cultivating and plowing under. Not only are we grateful for the stories of scripture, we are also glad for grapes to eat and to make juices. We pray for the helpless, the homeless, and the hungry for whom grapes in our culture are too expensive. Visit humankind again with news that there is enough food and water for all creatures.
Fiery God -- Jesus said he came to set the earth on fire. One way we look at that image is exciting: Jesus will cleanse the earth of its rubble and nonsense. Another way we see that image is scary: The people of the world will incinerate all that is not consistent with preparation for your kingdom on earth. Instead of a flood story, it threatens a fire story! We pray for religious leaders in every country. Let bigotry and judgment no longer be part of passing on the news of your dynamic presence in human life.
Fearsome God -- we see the wars and hear the rumors of wars right in our own living rooms. We see children and soldiers, men and women going about their daily work being killed. Why? Muslims and Christians, Arabs and Americans pray for safety and democracy, whatever that means in countries far away. Why is it that atrocities continue? We pray for an end to hostilities in every nation. We pray for wise leaders whose goal is to govern so people have safety and food. We pray for relief from greedy, power-hungry men -- in Africa, in China, in Pakistan, in Iraq, in Iran, in Saudi Arabia, in Afghanistan, and in America. Hear our prayers.
Feeling God -- see your children suffer. Don't neglect your creatures on any continent. Work among scientists and physicians, among politicians and scholars to heal deep ethnic wounds. Reach to us whose backs are wearing out, whose circulation systems get clogged, whose minds are confused; heal us all and lift our fears as we prepare to meet you in eternity.
Freeing God -- see our children grow and learn. Keep them safe from harm and guide them to be leaders for a fresh dream of possibility for all peoples. Help us mentor them in compassion and hospitality so that they are not overcome with competition and mediocre projects. Amen.
Benediction (Leader)
Life is a journey to Mystery.
Experiment with multiple names for God;
Explore different ways to respond to the Holy Spirit.
Laugh each day and unbuild the overwhelming towers of the world.
Notice possibilities around each corner;
Make dreams and cultivate a glad heart!
Holy Spirit empowers you and me to live real life --
Peace be yours, deep contentment. Amen.
Music
Come, O Spirit
Words: John A. Dalles, 1983
Music: Union Harmony, 1837; harm. Hilton Rufty, 1934
BOUNDLESS MERCY
God, You Spin The Whirling Planets
Words: Jane Parker Huber, 1978
Music: Franz Joseph Haydn, 1797
AUSTRIAN HYMN
In Loving Partnership
Words and Music: Jim Strathdee, 1983
PARTNERSHIP
LM
Maker, In Whom We Live
Words: Charles Wesley, 1747
Music: George J. Elvey, 1868
DIADEMATA
O Holy Spirit, Root Of Life
Words: Jean Janzen, 1991, based on the writings of Hildegard of Bingen (12th century)
Music: Trier manuscript (15th century); adapt. Michael Praetorius, 1609; harm. George R. Woodward, 1904
PUER NOBIS NASCITUR
