Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series IV, Cycle B
Call To Worship
From Psalm 125.
Leader: Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
People: Which cannot be shaken and endures forever.
Leader: As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
People: So the Lord surrounds his people.
Leader: The power of evil will not control the people of righteousness,
People: For God will do good to the upright,
Leader: And those who turn away from God
People: Will be banished.
Leader: So evil will be overrun,
People: And peace will be ours forever. Amen.
Why do we worship? This prayer asks that question.
Leader: Why are we here today?
People: Because we're supposed to be here.
Leader: Why?
People: Because it's what you do Sunday morning.
Leader: Really. But why?
People: Because we've always come.
Leader: Not good enough!
People: What do you mean, not good enough?
Leader: Not good enough. God doesn't want your body. He wants your heart. Being here just because, isn't good enough.
People: Then why should we come?
Leader: To remember all that God has done for us, and to praise and honor him for his love!
People: That is important.
Leader: To be with these people of God. To love and be loved by them.
People: I do need that.
Leader: To hear God speak in the music, in the scripture, in the silence.
People: I need that, too.
Leader: To steep yourself in God's presence and power as a preparation for living in a tough world.
People: Yes! Those are the reasons we are here this morning.
Leader: To worship.
People: To love.
Leader: To listen.
People: To steep.
Leader: Come, let us begin.
People: Amen!
Prayer Of Confession
Based on James 2:1-10.
Leader: I walk past him on the street.
People: Dirty, smelly, begging for money.
Leader: I secretly think, "What a bum.
People: He deserves to be here.
Leader: Why should I help him?
People: I work hard for my money."
Leader: And then I hear the word of the Lord,
People: If there is among you a poor man,
Leader: You shall not harden your heart
People: Or shut your hand against him.
Leader: But you shall open your hand
People: And lend him what he needs.
Leader: Take heed, lest you have base thoughts
People: And be hostile to him.
Leader: You shall give freely
People: And your heart shall not be grudging.
Leader: Forgive us, Father, for failing to be generous to others
People: As you have been generous to us. Amen.
James 2:14-17
Leader: Faith is the assurance of things hoped for,
People: The conviction of things not seen.
Leader: Without faith
People: It is impossible to please God.
Leader: Faith without works is dead.
People: Father, we confess that there are times
Leader: When our faith is deader than a doornail.
People: Forgive our deadness
Leader: And revive us again.
People: For you are the God
Leader: Who makes all things new again,
People: And again,
Leader: And again.
People: Praise God for forgiveness,
Leader: And newness.
People: Amen.
Another based on James 2.
Leader: Father of us all, we confess that our minds are fouled with prejudice.
People: We involuntarily associate poverty and ignorance;
Leader: Unemployment and laziness;
People: Violence and people of color;
Leader: Terrorism and Arabs;
People: Politicians and dishonesty;
Leader: Lawyers and liberals and,
People: And soon everyone fits in their little, less-than-human box.
Leader: Where they need not be respected or cared for.
People: Father, forgive us when we see skin color, or occupation, or circumstances, instead of children of the living God.
Leader: Convict us of our prejudice,
People: Give us hearts to repent,
Leader: And new eyes with which to see your children.
People: In Jesus' name we ask it. Amen.
Assurance Of Pardon
The purpose of the weekly Assurance Of Pardon is to remind us that we are indeed forgiven; all our sin has been washed away.
We often need to be reminded of that. But we need to be careful not to forget that there is no pardon without piety; no forgiveness without faithful action.
For as James said, "Faith without works is dead." In fact, if there are no works, if there is no loving action toward others, then there is no real faith. Our sins are forgiven! Now, let us live as the forgiven ought to live. Amen.
Prayer Of Dedication
Let us pray: The wise sage who wrote the words of Proverbs 22 says, "Those who are generous will themselves be blessed, when they share their food with the poor." There is a blessing in generosity. Teach us to be generous, Lord. Amen.
Prayer For Illumination
Faith without works is dead. The reading of the Word without the living of the Word is an exercise in futility. Lord, do not allow our time together this morning to be a futile effort. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
Almighty One who made us all, we live in a world of celebrity. Riches, looks, athletic skill, certain talents, these are the things that are admired, but your teaching, from the wise heart of the writer of Proverbs, is this: "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." For in the end, "Rich and poor have this in common: you, Lord, made them all." Teach us to esteem people as you do. Teach us to concern ourselves with character rather than currency; with love rather than looks; with faithfulness rather than fashion. And as we grow in these qualities, use us to infiltrate and influence the world around us with your love and truth. Amen.
Benediction
Faith without works is dead! Let's you and me be alive.
Hymns
Faith Is The Victory
Footsteps Of Jesus
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
I Have Decided To Follow Jesus
Let Your Heart Be Broken
Living For Jesus
Make Me A Blessing
May Jesus Christ Be Praised
O How I Love Jesus
Take My Life And Let it Be
Who Is On The Lord's Side
Contemporary Choruses
Be Glorified
Jesus, Name Above All Names, Naida Hearn
Light My Fire
Lord, Reign In Me, Brenton Brown
Surrender
Other Music
I Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb, Ray Boltz
Powerful song of commitment.
Merciful Rain, FFH
God rains mercy down on us.
Creative Ideas
A mini-skit based on the parable of the Pharisee and the publican.
On the stage area one man is seated near the rear of the area. He is dressed a bit shabbily. He is bent over -- head in hands. An occasional sigh comes from him. He looks to heaven with sorrow on his face. Then his head goes back into his hands. Another man enters. This man is dressed to the hilt -- suit, tie, polished shoes, not a hair out of place. He looks at the seated man. His face registers contempt. He moves to the front of the area. Looking over his shoulder, he says in a loud whisper, "Thank you, Lord, that I am not like this guy." He then faces forward, raises his hands to the heavens, and begins to pray loudly, "God of all creation; maker of sun, moon, and stars; maker of me, thank you for making me as you have, a man of integrity, a tither, a righteous follower of all your ways."
The man in the seat is now watching this man pray. He looks even sadder. He watches as the well-dressed man turns and leaves the area with a certain confidence. After the well-dressed man is gone the man in the seat looks to the heavens once more and cries out in despair, "O Lord, have mercy on me for I am a sinner." Then his head drops back into his hands and he sobs.
If the preacher wishes he may ask the congregation at this point: "Which of these men offered a true prayer? Jesus said it was the poor sinner, for he knew his need for God, and he revealed his heart to God. The other man simply told God of his qualifications."
This is prayer, the sharing of the heart with the One who made us and loves us.
From Psalm 125.
Leader: Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
People: Which cannot be shaken and endures forever.
Leader: As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
People: So the Lord surrounds his people.
Leader: The power of evil will not control the people of righteousness,
People: For God will do good to the upright,
Leader: And those who turn away from God
People: Will be banished.
Leader: So evil will be overrun,
People: And peace will be ours forever. Amen.
Why do we worship? This prayer asks that question.
Leader: Why are we here today?
People: Because we're supposed to be here.
Leader: Why?
People: Because it's what you do Sunday morning.
Leader: Really. But why?
People: Because we've always come.
Leader: Not good enough!
People: What do you mean, not good enough?
Leader: Not good enough. God doesn't want your body. He wants your heart. Being here just because, isn't good enough.
People: Then why should we come?
Leader: To remember all that God has done for us, and to praise and honor him for his love!
People: That is important.
Leader: To be with these people of God. To love and be loved by them.
People: I do need that.
Leader: To hear God speak in the music, in the scripture, in the silence.
People: I need that, too.
Leader: To steep yourself in God's presence and power as a preparation for living in a tough world.
People: Yes! Those are the reasons we are here this morning.
Leader: To worship.
People: To love.
Leader: To listen.
People: To steep.
Leader: Come, let us begin.
People: Amen!
Prayer Of Confession
Based on James 2:1-10.
Leader: I walk past him on the street.
People: Dirty, smelly, begging for money.
Leader: I secretly think, "What a bum.
People: He deserves to be here.
Leader: Why should I help him?
People: I work hard for my money."
Leader: And then I hear the word of the Lord,
People: If there is among you a poor man,
Leader: You shall not harden your heart
People: Or shut your hand against him.
Leader: But you shall open your hand
People: And lend him what he needs.
Leader: Take heed, lest you have base thoughts
People: And be hostile to him.
Leader: You shall give freely
People: And your heart shall not be grudging.
Leader: Forgive us, Father, for failing to be generous to others
People: As you have been generous to us. Amen.
James 2:14-17
Leader: Faith is the assurance of things hoped for,
People: The conviction of things not seen.
Leader: Without faith
People: It is impossible to please God.
Leader: Faith without works is dead.
People: Father, we confess that there are times
Leader: When our faith is deader than a doornail.
People: Forgive our deadness
Leader: And revive us again.
People: For you are the God
Leader: Who makes all things new again,
People: And again,
Leader: And again.
People: Praise God for forgiveness,
Leader: And newness.
People: Amen.
Another based on James 2.
Leader: Father of us all, we confess that our minds are fouled with prejudice.
People: We involuntarily associate poverty and ignorance;
Leader: Unemployment and laziness;
People: Violence and people of color;
Leader: Terrorism and Arabs;
People: Politicians and dishonesty;
Leader: Lawyers and liberals and,
People: And soon everyone fits in their little, less-than-human box.
Leader: Where they need not be respected or cared for.
People: Father, forgive us when we see skin color, or occupation, or circumstances, instead of children of the living God.
Leader: Convict us of our prejudice,
People: Give us hearts to repent,
Leader: And new eyes with which to see your children.
People: In Jesus' name we ask it. Amen.
Assurance Of Pardon
The purpose of the weekly Assurance Of Pardon is to remind us that we are indeed forgiven; all our sin has been washed away.
We often need to be reminded of that. But we need to be careful not to forget that there is no pardon without piety; no forgiveness without faithful action.
For as James said, "Faith without works is dead." In fact, if there are no works, if there is no loving action toward others, then there is no real faith. Our sins are forgiven! Now, let us live as the forgiven ought to live. Amen.
Prayer Of Dedication
Let us pray: The wise sage who wrote the words of Proverbs 22 says, "Those who are generous will themselves be blessed, when they share their food with the poor." There is a blessing in generosity. Teach us to be generous, Lord. Amen.
Prayer For Illumination
Faith without works is dead. The reading of the Word without the living of the Word is an exercise in futility. Lord, do not allow our time together this morning to be a futile effort. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
Almighty One who made us all, we live in a world of celebrity. Riches, looks, athletic skill, certain talents, these are the things that are admired, but your teaching, from the wise heart of the writer of Proverbs, is this: "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." For in the end, "Rich and poor have this in common: you, Lord, made them all." Teach us to esteem people as you do. Teach us to concern ourselves with character rather than currency; with love rather than looks; with faithfulness rather than fashion. And as we grow in these qualities, use us to infiltrate and influence the world around us with your love and truth. Amen.
Benediction
Faith without works is dead! Let's you and me be alive.
Hymns
Faith Is The Victory
Footsteps Of Jesus
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
I Have Decided To Follow Jesus
Let Your Heart Be Broken
Living For Jesus
Make Me A Blessing
May Jesus Christ Be Praised
O How I Love Jesus
Take My Life And Let it Be
Who Is On The Lord's Side
Contemporary Choruses
Be Glorified
Jesus, Name Above All Names, Naida Hearn
Light My Fire
Lord, Reign In Me, Brenton Brown
Surrender
Other Music
I Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb, Ray Boltz
Powerful song of commitment.
Merciful Rain, FFH
God rains mercy down on us.
Creative Ideas
A mini-skit based on the parable of the Pharisee and the publican.
On the stage area one man is seated near the rear of the area. He is dressed a bit shabbily. He is bent over -- head in hands. An occasional sigh comes from him. He looks to heaven with sorrow on his face. Then his head goes back into his hands. Another man enters. This man is dressed to the hilt -- suit, tie, polished shoes, not a hair out of place. He looks at the seated man. His face registers contempt. He moves to the front of the area. Looking over his shoulder, he says in a loud whisper, "Thank you, Lord, that I am not like this guy." He then faces forward, raises his hands to the heavens, and begins to pray loudly, "God of all creation; maker of sun, moon, and stars; maker of me, thank you for making me as you have, a man of integrity, a tither, a righteous follower of all your ways."
The man in the seat is now watching this man pray. He looks even sadder. He watches as the well-dressed man turns and leaves the area with a certain confidence. After the well-dressed man is gone the man in the seat looks to the heavens once more and cries out in despair, "O Lord, have mercy on me for I am a sinner." Then his head drops back into his hands and he sobs.
If the preacher wishes he may ask the congregation at this point: "Which of these men offered a true prayer? Jesus said it was the poor sinner, for he knew his need for God, and he revealed his heart to God. The other man simply told God of his qualifications."
This is prayer, the sharing of the heart with the One who made us and loves us.
