Proper 17, Pentecost 15, Ordinary Time 22
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle C Gospel Texts
Liturgical Color: Green
Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7-14
Theme: The Parable Depicting Bad Manners: About Exaltation and Humiliation. Would you like to have someone say to you, "Step up" or "Step down"?
Remembering Who God Is
Music for Preparation
Medley of Praise hymns.
Pastoral Invitation
Pastor and Ministers
P: In the name of the One who chooses who will sit at the head table, welcome to worship. Be ready for some surprises. So, ready or not, here God comes! Enter into the declaration of joy, with thanksgiving. Come on, I invite us to celebrate life! The Living Christ, the Way, the Truth, the Life, is here!
M: We come to worship to find power to live an authentic life, freedom to live honestly and openly, love in order to become sensitive to others.
P: We are the people of the Resurrection. Because Christ lives, we live also.
M: In the Christ, we have a reoriented vision about who we are, whose we are, what we do, and where we go in the world.
P: The quality of the abundant life we long to receive is not to dash for the head table, but rather, to wait on the Lord for an invitation. Christ is here to lead us to the right seat.
M: We wait for Christ's invitation; we celebrate life in the Christ.
Hymn of Praise
"All Praise Be Yours; for You, O King Divine," F. Bland Tucket, 1938, 1972. (Use for several weeks until the congregation knows it well.)
Prayer of Praise
Lord, you are our God, even when we act with impurity. We realize how much we depend on you, even when we act as spoiled children. Not only have you given us life, you have created us to think about its meaning, and to choose and work for what is good. We have your word to guide us. Your presence transforms even the darker times; with you we need not be afraid. Nothing can separate us from your love. Teach us to be sensitive to those around us.
Facing Up To Ourselves
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Read the Scripture from the Cotton Patch Version. Then say, "It is always bad manners to be a show-off." Invite the people to take two minutes to write down the times this past week that they were show-offs. Remember that sin is subtle. Our "show-off" may take place only in our mind. Someone has defined racial superiority as a "pigment of one's imagination." Be aware of our moral superiority attitudes: "I don't commit those sins." Be aware of our church superiority: "I belong to the right church." Be aware of our political superiority: "I am a member of the right group."
Response
"Lord, Who May Dwell Within Your House," Christopher L. Webber, 1986; Este's Psalmles, 1592; as in Songs of Syon, 1910.
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life
Pastor and Ministers
After Mary was told of Jesus' coming birth, she went about the daily tasks, milking cows, sweeping the house, and so on, as any other ordinary person. This is the kind of humility about which Jesus was speaking. To look at the world with eyes wide open, and to say to it, "Amen! So be it! This is the way it is. This is where I come in. What do we do now, Lord?"
P: I invite us to remember the Good News of our status.
M: Christ has declared our self-worth; we can quit fighting for the best seats in the house.
P: As we are, we have been forgiven, accepted, received; the treadmill is useless.
M: Christ has forgiven our false exaltations. Christ has given the present new meaning. We can stop acting superior, as if we deserved the best seats.
P: I invite us to live fully and responsibly; in Christ, we are freed to do that. We can stop playing the "I'm better than you are" game.
M: Indeed we can; indeed we will! So be it! Tah-dah!
Remembering Our Reason For Being By Hearing The Truth
Message with the Children of All Ages
Set up a table in the chancel with some goodies on it. Ahead of time, ask some adults to come forward and sit down; suggest that a few make it obvious that they want to sit near you, the pastor. Once they are finally seated, invite the young children to come forward and sit on the floor around the table. Then, ask the one or two nearest you, the pastor, to move to the end; and the one at the end to sit near you. Apply this to today's Gospel.
Dramatizing the Scripture
See Message with the Children of All Ages.
Proclamation of the Good News
This is a tricky passage. Focus on the last verse. Identify ways that we seek to exalt ourselves, some obvious, some subtle. We clergy like to be wined and dined by our wealthier members. How do we seek to humble ourselves? And is our humility only a game? Golda Meir said, "Don't be so humble; you're not that great." False humility is no better than exaltation. It is always bad manners to be a show-off, no matter how subtle.
Response
"My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less," Edward Mote, c. 1834; William Batchelder Bradbury, 1863.
The Community Takes Responsibility For Responding To God's Word
Stewardship Challenge
Stewardship of Humility: "Humility is elusive. It is such a fragile plant that the slightest reference to it causes it to wilt and die" (Walter B. Knight, Gospel Herald).
Hymn of Obedience
Here is the model that Christ gives us to follow. "We'll Walk Hand in Hand," Richard Avery and Don Marsh, from The Second Avery and Marsh Songbook. (See Appendix I for address.)
Charge to the Congregation
How will this worship change your behavior around the issues of exaltation and humility? Write down your responses this week, and share them in the church newsletter.
Meditation
"One way to restore humility is to read the help-wanted ads. You'd be surprised how many positions there are which you are too ignorant, too unattractive, or too old to fill" (Kiwanis Magazine).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of popular music which emphasizes the best seats.
Prayer of Praise: Sing a version of the Lord's Prayer
Response to the Gospel: (Adult Choir) "Cause Us, O Lord," Ron Nelson.
Offertory: "Andante," Marchand.
Hymn of Obedience: "O Christ, Whose Love Has Sought Us Out," John Edgar Park, 1953; alt., 1972.
Music for Dismissal: "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise," Walter Chambers Smith, 1867, 1884, alt.
Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7-14
Theme: The Parable Depicting Bad Manners: About Exaltation and Humiliation. Would you like to have someone say to you, "Step up" or "Step down"?
Remembering Who God Is
Music for Preparation
Medley of Praise hymns.
Pastoral Invitation
Pastor and Ministers
P: In the name of the One who chooses who will sit at the head table, welcome to worship. Be ready for some surprises. So, ready or not, here God comes! Enter into the declaration of joy, with thanksgiving. Come on, I invite us to celebrate life! The Living Christ, the Way, the Truth, the Life, is here!
M: We come to worship to find power to live an authentic life, freedom to live honestly and openly, love in order to become sensitive to others.
P: We are the people of the Resurrection. Because Christ lives, we live also.
M: In the Christ, we have a reoriented vision about who we are, whose we are, what we do, and where we go in the world.
P: The quality of the abundant life we long to receive is not to dash for the head table, but rather, to wait on the Lord for an invitation. Christ is here to lead us to the right seat.
M: We wait for Christ's invitation; we celebrate life in the Christ.
Hymn of Praise
"All Praise Be Yours; for You, O King Divine," F. Bland Tucket, 1938, 1972. (Use for several weeks until the congregation knows it well.)
Prayer of Praise
Lord, you are our God, even when we act with impurity. We realize how much we depend on you, even when we act as spoiled children. Not only have you given us life, you have created us to think about its meaning, and to choose and work for what is good. We have your word to guide us. Your presence transforms even the darker times; with you we need not be afraid. Nothing can separate us from your love. Teach us to be sensitive to those around us.
Facing Up To Ourselves
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Read the Scripture from the Cotton Patch Version. Then say, "It is always bad manners to be a show-off." Invite the people to take two minutes to write down the times this past week that they were show-offs. Remember that sin is subtle. Our "show-off" may take place only in our mind. Someone has defined racial superiority as a "pigment of one's imagination." Be aware of our moral superiority attitudes: "I don't commit those sins." Be aware of our church superiority: "I belong to the right church." Be aware of our political superiority: "I am a member of the right group."
Response
"Lord, Who May Dwell Within Your House," Christopher L. Webber, 1986; Este's Psalmles, 1592; as in Songs of Syon, 1910.
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life
Pastor and Ministers
After Mary was told of Jesus' coming birth, she went about the daily tasks, milking cows, sweeping the house, and so on, as any other ordinary person. This is the kind of humility about which Jesus was speaking. To look at the world with eyes wide open, and to say to it, "Amen! So be it! This is the way it is. This is where I come in. What do we do now, Lord?"
P: I invite us to remember the Good News of our status.
M: Christ has declared our self-worth; we can quit fighting for the best seats in the house.
P: As we are, we have been forgiven, accepted, received; the treadmill is useless.
M: Christ has forgiven our false exaltations. Christ has given the present new meaning. We can stop acting superior, as if we deserved the best seats.
P: I invite us to live fully and responsibly; in Christ, we are freed to do that. We can stop playing the "I'm better than you are" game.
M: Indeed we can; indeed we will! So be it! Tah-dah!
Remembering Our Reason For Being By Hearing The Truth
Message with the Children of All Ages
Set up a table in the chancel with some goodies on it. Ahead of time, ask some adults to come forward and sit down; suggest that a few make it obvious that they want to sit near you, the pastor. Once they are finally seated, invite the young children to come forward and sit on the floor around the table. Then, ask the one or two nearest you, the pastor, to move to the end; and the one at the end to sit near you. Apply this to today's Gospel.
Dramatizing the Scripture
See Message with the Children of All Ages.
Proclamation of the Good News
This is a tricky passage. Focus on the last verse. Identify ways that we seek to exalt ourselves, some obvious, some subtle. We clergy like to be wined and dined by our wealthier members. How do we seek to humble ourselves? And is our humility only a game? Golda Meir said, "Don't be so humble; you're not that great." False humility is no better than exaltation. It is always bad manners to be a show-off, no matter how subtle.
Response
"My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less," Edward Mote, c. 1834; William Batchelder Bradbury, 1863.
The Community Takes Responsibility For Responding To God's Word
Stewardship Challenge
Stewardship of Humility: "Humility is elusive. It is such a fragile plant that the slightest reference to it causes it to wilt and die" (Walter B. Knight, Gospel Herald).
Hymn of Obedience
Here is the model that Christ gives us to follow. "We'll Walk Hand in Hand," Richard Avery and Don Marsh, from The Second Avery and Marsh Songbook. (See Appendix I for address.)
Charge to the Congregation
How will this worship change your behavior around the issues of exaltation and humility? Write down your responses this week, and share them in the church newsletter.
Meditation
"One way to restore humility is to read the help-wanted ads. You'd be surprised how many positions there are which you are too ignorant, too unattractive, or too old to fill" (Kiwanis Magazine).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of popular music which emphasizes the best seats.
Prayer of Praise: Sing a version of the Lord's Prayer
Response to the Gospel: (Adult Choir) "Cause Us, O Lord," Ron Nelson.
Offertory: "Andante," Marchand.
Hymn of Obedience: "O Christ, Whose Love Has Sought Us Out," John Edgar Park, 1953; alt., 1972.
Music for Dismissal: "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise," Walter Chambers Smith, 1867, 1884, alt.
