Proper 17
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series IV, Cycle A
Hymns
When Israel Was In Egypt's Land (NCH572, UM448, CBH164, PH334)
The God Of Abraham Praise (NCH24, UM116, CBH162, PH488)
Go Down, Moses (NCH572, PH334)
We Shall Overcome (NCH570, UM533)
Nearer, My God, To Thee (NCH606, UM528)
Take Up Thy Cross (UM415, CBH536, PH393)
Here I Am, Lord (CBH395, UM593, PH525)
God Of Many Names (CBH77, UM105)
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go (CBH577, CBH480, NCH485, PH384)
Come Sing, O Church, In Joy (PH430)
Anthems
Before Your Cross, O Jesus, Steve Karin, Jeffers, 3--octave handbells
If Any Will Come After Me, David Stanley York, Mercury, SATB/B
Lord, Make Me An Instrument Of Thy Peace, Jody Lindh, CGA, SATB
Songs from The Puzzling Parables, Jordan/Zabel, CGC31, Unison/2--part
Call to Worship (based on Psalm 105)
Leader: O give thanks to God, call upon God's name, and tell everyone about God's great deeds.
People: Sing to God, sing praises - tell of all God's wonderful works.
Leader: Glory in God's holy name; let the hearts of those who see God rejoice.
People: Seek God's presence continually; seek God's strength.
All: Praise God!
Prayer of Invocation
Great and glorious God, when Moses came upon a burning bush which was not consumed, he stopped and had a conversation with you. Speak to us today, God, through this service. Help us to know what you would have us do to further your kingdom now. Grab our attention, God, as we listen to your word read and interpreted, as we sing the hymns and pray together. May we be attentive to the sound of your voice in this place. Amen.
Scripture Readings
Exodus 3:1--15: This passage is perfect to be acted out by three middle school or high school students. The first two verses set the stage, and can be read by a Narrator. The rest of the passage is a conversation between God and Moses. Have the class create a burning bush (possibly a bush with red cellophane paper and light bulbs set inside - or perhaps simply a drawing placed in front of the lectern or pulpit). God can stand in the pulpit or be hidden behind it - with a microphone. Moses will be on the floor watching the sheep.
Narrator: Moses was keeping the flock of his father--in--law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. (Moses wandering, comes close to the pulpit) There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing; yet it was not consumed.
Moses: I must stop and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.
God: Moses, Moses!
Moses: Here I am.
God: Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground. (Moses removes sandals and holds them in his hand) I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. (Moses turns away and hides his face) I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. (Moses turns back around, looking curious) The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.
Moses: (Jumps back and looks frightened) Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?
God: I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.
Moses: (Still looks confused and reluctant) If I come to the Israelites and say to them, "The God of your ancestors has sent me to you," and they ask me, "What is his name?" what shall I say to them?
God: I AM WHO I AM. Say to the Israelites, "I AM has sent me to you." The LORD, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever, and this my title for all generations.
Romans 12:9--21: The Romans passage can be introduced from the pulpit, and then each verse might be read by someone on the congregation. This could be called a "Pop--Up Scripture," with the different members standing when it is their turn to read. This would be very effective, putting an emphasis on each verse and on what Paul was trying to get across in this passage. It also could be read as a responsive reading between the left and the right sides of the congregation.
Matthew 16:12--28: This passage could be interpreted by the same class as the Exodus passage, using the same Narrator and two other students to be Peter and Jesus. The rest of the class could be the disciples whom Jesus addresses. It is very easy to get the blocking directly from the passage. Jesus might stand in front of the altar in the middle of the chancel. The disciples would be both to his right and left, some sitting and some standing. Peter would come and take his arm and lead him a few steps away to talk to him. Jesus would then rebuke Peter and come back to the "teaching" place to finish.
Call to Offering
In the Romans passage read today, Paul tells us to "rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another." May our morning offering show our solidarity with people all over the world who need our help. The ushers will now wait upon us.
Prayer of Dedication
Loving and giving God, we ask your blessing over our gifts this morning, and we give them over to your service. In giving of ourselves we understand that we receive the greatest gift, the gift of service. Amen.
Benediction
Leader: Let your love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
Left Side: Love one another with mutual affection.
Right Side: Outdo one another in showing honor.
Leader: Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve God.
Women: Rejoice in hope,
Men: Be patient in suffering.
All: Persevere in prayer.
Leader: Extend hospitality to strangers. In the name of God who loves us, Christ who saves us, and the Holy Spirit who works within us, go in peace. Amen.
When Israel Was In Egypt's Land (NCH572, UM448, CBH164, PH334)
The God Of Abraham Praise (NCH24, UM116, CBH162, PH488)
Go Down, Moses (NCH572, PH334)
We Shall Overcome (NCH570, UM533)
Nearer, My God, To Thee (NCH606, UM528)
Take Up Thy Cross (UM415, CBH536, PH393)
Here I Am, Lord (CBH395, UM593, PH525)
God Of Many Names (CBH77, UM105)
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go (CBH577, CBH480, NCH485, PH384)
Come Sing, O Church, In Joy (PH430)
Anthems
Before Your Cross, O Jesus, Steve Karin, Jeffers, 3--octave handbells
If Any Will Come After Me, David Stanley York, Mercury, SATB/B
Lord, Make Me An Instrument Of Thy Peace, Jody Lindh, CGA, SATB
Songs from The Puzzling Parables, Jordan/Zabel, CGC31, Unison/2--part
Call to Worship (based on Psalm 105)
Leader: O give thanks to God, call upon God's name, and tell everyone about God's great deeds.
People: Sing to God, sing praises - tell of all God's wonderful works.
Leader: Glory in God's holy name; let the hearts of those who see God rejoice.
People: Seek God's presence continually; seek God's strength.
All: Praise God!
Prayer of Invocation
Great and glorious God, when Moses came upon a burning bush which was not consumed, he stopped and had a conversation with you. Speak to us today, God, through this service. Help us to know what you would have us do to further your kingdom now. Grab our attention, God, as we listen to your word read and interpreted, as we sing the hymns and pray together. May we be attentive to the sound of your voice in this place. Amen.
Scripture Readings
Exodus 3:1--15: This passage is perfect to be acted out by three middle school or high school students. The first two verses set the stage, and can be read by a Narrator. The rest of the passage is a conversation between God and Moses. Have the class create a burning bush (possibly a bush with red cellophane paper and light bulbs set inside - or perhaps simply a drawing placed in front of the lectern or pulpit). God can stand in the pulpit or be hidden behind it - with a microphone. Moses will be on the floor watching the sheep.
Narrator: Moses was keeping the flock of his father--in--law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. (Moses wandering, comes close to the pulpit) There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing; yet it was not consumed.
Moses: I must stop and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.
God: Moses, Moses!
Moses: Here I am.
God: Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground. (Moses removes sandals and holds them in his hand) I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. (Moses turns away and hides his face) I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. (Moses turns back around, looking curious) The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.
Moses: (Jumps back and looks frightened) Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?
God: I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.
Moses: (Still looks confused and reluctant) If I come to the Israelites and say to them, "The God of your ancestors has sent me to you," and they ask me, "What is his name?" what shall I say to them?
God: I AM WHO I AM. Say to the Israelites, "I AM has sent me to you." The LORD, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever, and this my title for all generations.
Romans 12:9--21: The Romans passage can be introduced from the pulpit, and then each verse might be read by someone on the congregation. This could be called a "Pop--Up Scripture," with the different members standing when it is their turn to read. This would be very effective, putting an emphasis on each verse and on what Paul was trying to get across in this passage. It also could be read as a responsive reading between the left and the right sides of the congregation.
Matthew 16:12--28: This passage could be interpreted by the same class as the Exodus passage, using the same Narrator and two other students to be Peter and Jesus. The rest of the class could be the disciples whom Jesus addresses. It is very easy to get the blocking directly from the passage. Jesus might stand in front of the altar in the middle of the chancel. The disciples would be both to his right and left, some sitting and some standing. Peter would come and take his arm and lead him a few steps away to talk to him. Jesus would then rebuke Peter and come back to the "teaching" place to finish.
Call to Offering
In the Romans passage read today, Paul tells us to "rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another." May our morning offering show our solidarity with people all over the world who need our help. The ushers will now wait upon us.
Prayer of Dedication
Loving and giving God, we ask your blessing over our gifts this morning, and we give them over to your service. In giving of ourselves we understand that we receive the greatest gift, the gift of service. Amen.
Benediction
Leader: Let your love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
Left Side: Love one another with mutual affection.
Right Side: Outdo one another in showing honor.
Leader: Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve God.
Women: Rejoice in hope,
Men: Be patient in suffering.
All: Persevere in prayer.
Leader: Extend hospitality to strangers. In the name of God who loves us, Christ who saves us, and the Holy Spirit who works within us, go in peace. Amen.
