Proper 16 / Ordinary Time 21 / Pentecost 14
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook, Series IV, Cycle C
Soul Motion
Object:
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 morning! Welcome to this place where our souls can rest and praise God.
People: We are thankful for life and we are seeking security and happiness.
Leader: We have called to God many times and the Holy One has sustained us and restored us to hopefulness.
People: We are standing straight and tall! With our minds and bodies, we thank God for divine goodness among us!
Prayer Of Thanksgiving (Leader)
God of the Straight-Standers and the Bent-Overs -- thank you for your constant presence caring for us no matter what our posture is, no matter what our doubts are, no matter what our certainties are. In this hour, as we listen for your voice, stretch our imaginations so we can be creative with you; expand our perceptions so we can admire your handiwork; enlarge our understanding of how divinity is with humanity. We are eager to sing and pray, to listen and to respond to your voice. Amen.
Call To Confession (Leader)
Throughout the global village this morning, people are praying for relief from the consequences of their behaviors, praying that God would make things okay and easier: "Listen to us and save us," we say. Everywhere, people are asking questions about the meaning of their lives. Now there is time to reflect on Holy Presence and to ask God our questions and to listen for a response. Pray with me the printed prayer and then have your personal conversation with the Holy One.
Community Confession (Unison)
Designer of the Human Psyche -- there is so much we do not understand.
Why do we want to do what is right ethically and morally and then don't do it?
Why do we find a way around the commandments and ignore our responsibility?
Why do we seek happiness in relationships and things beyond our own homes?
Reveal our fantasies; give us the courage to be honest and to do what we know to be life-giving. Amen.
Sermon Idea
The gospel lesson provides an opportunity to explore what causes twenty-first-century Christians to bend over. The list probably includes: our food supply, sexism, debate about reproduction and human sexuality, extended work hours, pay that is inadequate to put a roof over head and nutritious food on the table, building a Supreme Court, international terrorism, immigration, torturing enemies, and other social issues. If we are like the woman in Jesus' story, we are to stand ourselves up. Can we praise God, can our lives be a light for others, can we honor God if our soul/psyches are bent over/crippled? The movie Rain Man shows a savvy determination to live fully, also the story of Christopher Reeves. If we are to stand straight, we must have wholesome foods for the body and for the mind. What is the role of sports, movies, television, music, visual art, and dance in providing cognitive and affective nutrition for adults and children? Does the church and its interpretation of scriptures enable women as well as men to stand up and walk their journey with the Holy? The book Eat, Pray, Love stimulates discussion about ways culture and our personal diversity push us to step outside the experiences of our pasts. Another approach might be to take the Hebrews text and consider what draws us to God and how we respond -- such as running for government offices to influence care for the earth, safe foods, education for our children, and a reasonable fair way of articulating our varying understandings of the Holy.
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)
Despite our questions and the ambiguities in our lives, we can be thankful for the breath of life and for the resources that help sustain it. We share the expenses of ministry on this street and through out the global village. In our work and play together, we learn to unbend and look each other in the eye and see the Christ. Share as you can.
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)
Holy One -- we are grateful for money to make our way in the world. We want to use it to make clean water and good foods available to all people. Thank you for the moral and ethical courage to stand straight and to follow the teachings of Jesus. And when we forget, help us to encourage each other. Amen.
Intercessory Prayers (Leader or Readers)
God of Body and Mind -- our awareness of you changes as the years go by. Our bodies change; our minds entertain strange ideas. We trust your continuing presence to guide us through the experiences that weigh heavy on our shoulders and through the events that give our days and nights meaning. We know the journey on this earth includes pain and suffering. Sustain us as our bodies ache and our minds forget; encourage us to play fairly and appreciate our opponents. Move among us adults and kids so that peacemaking is a satisfying habit.
God of all Ages -- give us clear voices and words to speak appropriate to our age. However old the ancient prophets were, they were never too young to be truthful. We, too, want to learn to be honest about what is happening in our bodies and souls. We want to take into our selves only that which is life-giving; we do not want to be bent over by half-truths, abusive images, and political accusations. Help us.
God of Religions -- how we have struggled to understand your hopes for your creatures. We've made rules and rituals, fences and doors, formulas and theories hoping to present ourselves well to you and keep away contaminating influences. But the more we try, the more rumors of war erupt; the more judgments are rendered against people who experience you differently; the more angst we feel in our own bodies. Stretch our imaginations to see you at work in other nations and their attempts to honor you. Visit us and world leaders in dreams that are clearly peaceful and genuinely empowering.
God of People and Polar Bears -- we pray for ourselves and our planet. We want to be your mind and hands in our neighborhoods, responding with compassion to creatures in need. Some days we wonder what real compassion is. Help us not to be blinded by irresponsibility, by ethnic identities or by disease. Guide us through our questions and our dilemmas of climate changes, aging, children's activities, relationships, loneliness, and soul health. Increase our self-control so that we do not abuse the earth and its gifts necessary for life. 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 and strong contentment. Amen.
Music
Every Time I Feel The Spirit
Words: African-American spiritual
Music: African-American spiritual; arr. Joseph T. Jones (1902-1983); adapt. Melva W. Costen
PENTECOST
The Lone, Wild Bird (note: the second verse of this hymn is also suggested for use as the Doxology for the entire Pentecost season)
Words: Henry Richard McFadyen, 1925, alt.
Music: as in Twelve Folksongs and Spirituals, 1968; harm. David N. Johnson, 1968
PROSPECT
Spirit
Words and Music: James K. Manley, 1975
SPIRIT
Spirit Of The Living God
Words: Daniel Iverson, 1935, adapt.
Music: Daniel Iverson, 1935
LIVING GOD
Wind Upon The Waters
Words and Music: Marty Haugen, 1986
WIND UPON THE WATERS
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 morning! Welcome to this place where our souls can rest and praise God.
People: We are thankful for life and we are seeking security and happiness.
Leader: We have called to God many times and the Holy One has sustained us and restored us to hopefulness.
People: We are standing straight and tall! With our minds and bodies, we thank God for divine goodness among us!
Prayer Of Thanksgiving (Leader)
God of the Straight-Standers and the Bent-Overs -- thank you for your constant presence caring for us no matter what our posture is, no matter what our doubts are, no matter what our certainties are. In this hour, as we listen for your voice, stretch our imaginations so we can be creative with you; expand our perceptions so we can admire your handiwork; enlarge our understanding of how divinity is with humanity. We are eager to sing and pray, to listen and to respond to your voice. Amen.
Call To Confession (Leader)
Throughout the global village this morning, people are praying for relief from the consequences of their behaviors, praying that God would make things okay and easier: "Listen to us and save us," we say. Everywhere, people are asking questions about the meaning of their lives. Now there is time to reflect on Holy Presence and to ask God our questions and to listen for a response. Pray with me the printed prayer and then have your personal conversation with the Holy One.
Community Confession (Unison)
Designer of the Human Psyche -- there is so much we do not understand.
Why do we want to do what is right ethically and morally and then don't do it?
Why do we find a way around the commandments and ignore our responsibility?
Why do we seek happiness in relationships and things beyond our own homes?
Reveal our fantasies; give us the courage to be honest and to do what we know to be life-giving. Amen.
Sermon Idea
The gospel lesson provides an opportunity to explore what causes twenty-first-century Christians to bend over. The list probably includes: our food supply, sexism, debate about reproduction and human sexuality, extended work hours, pay that is inadequate to put a roof over head and nutritious food on the table, building a Supreme Court, international terrorism, immigration, torturing enemies, and other social issues. If we are like the woman in Jesus' story, we are to stand ourselves up. Can we praise God, can our lives be a light for others, can we honor God if our soul/psyches are bent over/crippled? The movie Rain Man shows a savvy determination to live fully, also the story of Christopher Reeves. If we are to stand straight, we must have wholesome foods for the body and for the mind. What is the role of sports, movies, television, music, visual art, and dance in providing cognitive and affective nutrition for adults and children? Does the church and its interpretation of scriptures enable women as well as men to stand up and walk their journey with the Holy? The book Eat, Pray, Love stimulates discussion about ways culture and our personal diversity push us to step outside the experiences of our pasts. Another approach might be to take the Hebrews text and consider what draws us to God and how we respond -- such as running for government offices to influence care for the earth, safe foods, education for our children, and a reasonable fair way of articulating our varying understandings of the Holy.
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)
Despite our questions and the ambiguities in our lives, we can be thankful for the breath of life and for the resources that help sustain it. We share the expenses of ministry on this street and through out the global village. In our work and play together, we learn to unbend and look each other in the eye and see the Christ. Share as you can.
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)
Holy One -- we are grateful for money to make our way in the world. We want to use it to make clean water and good foods available to all people. Thank you for the moral and ethical courage to stand straight and to follow the teachings of Jesus. And when we forget, help us to encourage each other. Amen.
Intercessory Prayers (Leader or Readers)
God of Body and Mind -- our awareness of you changes as the years go by. Our bodies change; our minds entertain strange ideas. We trust your continuing presence to guide us through the experiences that weigh heavy on our shoulders and through the events that give our days and nights meaning. We know the journey on this earth includes pain and suffering. Sustain us as our bodies ache and our minds forget; encourage us to play fairly and appreciate our opponents. Move among us adults and kids so that peacemaking is a satisfying habit.
God of all Ages -- give us clear voices and words to speak appropriate to our age. However old the ancient prophets were, they were never too young to be truthful. We, too, want to learn to be honest about what is happening in our bodies and souls. We want to take into our selves only that which is life-giving; we do not want to be bent over by half-truths, abusive images, and political accusations. Help us.
God of Religions -- how we have struggled to understand your hopes for your creatures. We've made rules and rituals, fences and doors, formulas and theories hoping to present ourselves well to you and keep away contaminating influences. But the more we try, the more rumors of war erupt; the more judgments are rendered against people who experience you differently; the more angst we feel in our own bodies. Stretch our imaginations to see you at work in other nations and their attempts to honor you. Visit us and world leaders in dreams that are clearly peaceful and genuinely empowering.
God of People and Polar Bears -- we pray for ourselves and our planet. We want to be your mind and hands in our neighborhoods, responding with compassion to creatures in need. Some days we wonder what real compassion is. Help us not to be blinded by irresponsibility, by ethnic identities or by disease. Guide us through our questions and our dilemmas of climate changes, aging, children's activities, relationships, loneliness, and soul health. Increase our self-control so that we do not abuse the earth and its gifts necessary for life. 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 and strong contentment. Amen.
Music
Every Time I Feel The Spirit
Words: African-American spiritual
Music: African-American spiritual; arr. Joseph T. Jones (1902-1983); adapt. Melva W. Costen
PENTECOST
The Lone, Wild Bird (note: the second verse of this hymn is also suggested for use as the Doxology for the entire Pentecost season)
Words: Henry Richard McFadyen, 1925, alt.
Music: as in Twelve Folksongs and Spirituals, 1968; harm. David N. Johnson, 1968
PROSPECT
Spirit
Words and Music: James K. Manley, 1975
SPIRIT
Spirit Of The Living God
Words: Daniel Iverson, 1935, adapt.
Music: Daniel Iverson, 1935
LIVING GOD
Wind Upon The Waters
Words and Music: Marty Haugen, 1986
WIND UPON THE WATERS
