Proper 20 / Ordinary Time 25 / Pentecost 18
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook, Series IV, Cycle C
Soul Motion
Object:
If we love the Lord with all our hearts, minds, and strength,
we are going to have to stretch our hearts, open our minds,
and strengthen our souls ... God cannot lodge in a narrow mind;
God cannot lodge in a small heart. To accommodate God they must be palatial.
-- William Sloan Coffin, Credo
Call To Worship
Leader: Good morning! I hope you rested well last night and have come here to enjoy integrating tranquility, insistent inspiration, and lively conversation.
People: We've come to celebrate, giving thanks to the Giver of Life, Living Water, and Spirit Fruits.
Leader: God is Great Mystery, calling us to relish the beauty of creation and to live as citizens of benevolent society.
People: From the east to the west, God moves among the rich and poor, inviting all humankind to collaborate in establishing justice.
Leader: Let's accept God's invitation.
People: We will pray aloud and silently; we will combine our voices in song. We will be active at home and in our neighborhoods seeking justice.
Prayer Of Thanksgiving (Responsorial)
Leader: Holy One -- in this sanctuary, we feel your love; in this place, we express our desires and our questions about you and about our lives.
People: In this place, we remember that we are your people, your thankful and peacemaking people.
Leader: In this place, we turn our attention from the tangles of our lives to your gracious Presence.
People: In the sanctuary of this space, we thank you for the breath of life, for the changing seasons, and for the children growing up around us.
Leader: In this place, we give you our undivided attention, expecting to hear your voice --
People: expecting to hear your affirmations and challenges; and we expect to walk the path you set before us.
Leader: Thank you for your love, for Jesus the Christ, and for the congregation you are crafting us to be. Amen.
Call To Confession (Leader)
The Bible readings until Advent are full of grief because of the degeneration of Jerusalem and the less-than-honest ethics of the Hebrew people. The prophets constantly reminded the people that the consequences of their actions would be tangible. Amos cautioned the people that devastation and exile were around the corner. He called them to be aware of the ways they betrayed the God of their ancestors. Although destruction was on the way, Amos already was looking forward to the restoration of a vital relationship between God and the people. Pray with me the printed prayer and then parley with the Holy One about your own attitudes and habits.
Community Confession (Unison)
God of Fire and Fruit -- it's an old story: Honesty among shoppers and merchants is flexible.
The word "sale" seduces us to part with our money and sometimes our integrity.
We buy and sell trifling products; our debts haunt us at night.
Poverty is always outside our doors; cynicism robs us of cheerfulness; constant data about evil tarnishes our joy.
Fear steals our confidence.
With the fire of your Spirit, reveal the changes we need to make in order to be cocreators with you.
With fruits of your Spirit, nourish our souls so we can be benevolent people who care about the earth and the poor of the world.
Give us courage to travel the path you set before us. Amen.
Sermon Idea
Civilizations rise and fall. Often the "enemy issues" have to do with the morals, poverty, affluence, and apathy of the citizens. David and Solomon's Jerusalem/Israel is no exception. It is painful to read the prophets' and psalmist's perceptions of what was happening. Perhaps the distress current readers feel is because we see some of our own country's story mirrored on the pages of scripture. At the same time, today there are millions of perceptions of why the American dream is not more dependable for more people; there are millions of prescriptions for how to remedy the problems. Haranguing and guilt-tripping people are rarely effective ways to promote change in contemporary attitudes and behavior. Another approach might be to look at what happens when people gather for rites and rituals. Paul offers Timothy first-century options. Without judgmental tones, the sermon might explore fresh options that can be included in worship to inspire most of the people most of the time -- remembering that for every idea there is an opposing one; for every option there is an alternative.
We are cocreators with God and we see evidence of change throughout all the seasons; we can expect changes in our internal timings and energy levels as well as in the ways we respond to the Holy Presence. Consider the foci for the liturgical seasons and all the arts. Compared with spring, we are in slow motion until the Thanksgiving/Advent gestation season begins. Though schools are busily in session, the earth's productivity in the northern hemisphere is slowing down, moving into dormancy. We can be shrewd/savvy managers of our time together for worship and at fellowship events.
Contemporary Affirmation
Leader: What do you think about Divine relationship with creation?
People: We believe God cares for the cosmos that has been created; we believe God cares about creatures and us.
Leader: What do you think about the man called Jesus of Nazareth?
People: We know that Jesus of Nazareth incarnated divine wisdom as he lived, healed, and taught at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea 2,000 years ago.
Leader: How do you understand Holy Spirit?
People: We experience Holy Spirit coaxing us into relationship with the Holy One; we trust that the Spirit finds us when we are wandering among the culture's idols seeking satisfying days and nights. We are inspired by the Holy Spirit to be creative in our work, in our relationships, and in our leisure.
Leader: What is the church for you?
People: This congregation, church, is a community of friends; we encourage one another to listen for God's voice and to respond to it. We enjoy companionship and conversation about our journeys with Great Mystery. Together we explore ways to manifest Christ in our town and throughout the global village. Together, we speak for justice, truth, nutrition, and peace.
Leader: Amen!
Offertory Statement (Leader)
It's a good day to give tithes and offerings, time and talents to God and to this church.
Doxology
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow, tune: OLD HUNDREDTH
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, you heavenly hosts --
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen!
Prayer Of Thanksgiving (Leader)
Living God -- for all we have and are, thank you. For the gifts we receive and can share, we are grateful. Amen.
Intercessory Prayers (Leader or Readers)
God of Beginnings and Endings -- we pray for peace -- peace between Palestinians and Israelis, democrats and republicans, Americans and Iraqis. We pray for respect and gentleness, understanding and hospitality for this whole global village. We see that time reveals corruption and indoctrination, intentions and misinformation. We hear politicians and prophets coming and going, governments rising and falling. We ascribe to you, Holy One, the judgments and justice, the hardship and the victories. Help us to learn and to teach tolerance and collaboration.
God of Growing and Eldering -- see our children shiver with excitement as they adventure into the world! Protect them from melancholy and overactivity. Help us mentor them in the journey to you. See our friends who struggle to pay their rent and mortgages and to put wholesome food on their tables. Give them strength, courage, and opportunity to do a job that is meaningful and pays well. See us who realize our bumpy days are numbered. Grace us to rest in your accompanying presence.
Hospitable God -- this global village needs some "stone soup" -- nourishing body and soul food served with conversation and hope. We hold before you the regions of this planet where famine and greed deny the necessities of life to people and animals. Do something we pray! Let wisdom provide for the common good and overtake selfish individualism in both hemispheres in all countries. Let the moon rise tonight giving light to dark minds; let the sun rise tomorrow and give new hope to those in need. Amen.
Benediction (Leader)
As you leave here --
Keep in mind the tranquility of this place;
Hold in your mind the ideas that inspire you;
Remember those with whom you have shared this hour.
May the creating God guide you to surprising places in the days ahead.
Go gently; feel generous and be infectious with joy!
Amen!
Music
For Each Day Of Life We Thank You
Words: H. Glen Lanier, 1976, alt.
Music: Amos Pilsbury, 1799; arr. Carlton R. Young, 1964
CHARLESTOWN
God Of Freedom, God Of Justice
Words: Shirley Erena Murray, 1980
Music: Guthrie Foote (20th century)
TREDEGAR
In The Bulb There Is A Flower
Words and Music: Natalie Sleeth, 1986
PROMISE
Wellspring Of Wisdom
Words: Miriam Therese Winter, 1987
Music: Miriam Therese Winter, 1987; harm. Don McKeever, 1987
WELLSPRING
we are going to have to stretch our hearts, open our minds,
and strengthen our souls ... God cannot lodge in a narrow mind;
God cannot lodge in a small heart. To accommodate God they must be palatial.
-- William Sloan Coffin, Credo
Call To Worship
Leader: Good morning! I hope you rested well last night and have come here to enjoy integrating tranquility, insistent inspiration, and lively conversation.
People: We've come to celebrate, giving thanks to the Giver of Life, Living Water, and Spirit Fruits.
Leader: God is Great Mystery, calling us to relish the beauty of creation and to live as citizens of benevolent society.
People: From the east to the west, God moves among the rich and poor, inviting all humankind to collaborate in establishing justice.
Leader: Let's accept God's invitation.
People: We will pray aloud and silently; we will combine our voices in song. We will be active at home and in our neighborhoods seeking justice.
Prayer Of Thanksgiving (Responsorial)
Leader: Holy One -- in this sanctuary, we feel your love; in this place, we express our desires and our questions about you and about our lives.
People: In this place, we remember that we are your people, your thankful and peacemaking people.
Leader: In this place, we turn our attention from the tangles of our lives to your gracious Presence.
People: In the sanctuary of this space, we thank you for the breath of life, for the changing seasons, and for the children growing up around us.
Leader: In this place, we give you our undivided attention, expecting to hear your voice --
People: expecting to hear your affirmations and challenges; and we expect to walk the path you set before us.
Leader: Thank you for your love, for Jesus the Christ, and for the congregation you are crafting us to be. Amen.
Call To Confession (Leader)
The Bible readings until Advent are full of grief because of the degeneration of Jerusalem and the less-than-honest ethics of the Hebrew people. The prophets constantly reminded the people that the consequences of their actions would be tangible. Amos cautioned the people that devastation and exile were around the corner. He called them to be aware of the ways they betrayed the God of their ancestors. Although destruction was on the way, Amos already was looking forward to the restoration of a vital relationship between God and the people. Pray with me the printed prayer and then parley with the Holy One about your own attitudes and habits.
Community Confession (Unison)
God of Fire and Fruit -- it's an old story: Honesty among shoppers and merchants is flexible.
The word "sale" seduces us to part with our money and sometimes our integrity.
We buy and sell trifling products; our debts haunt us at night.
Poverty is always outside our doors; cynicism robs us of cheerfulness; constant data about evil tarnishes our joy.
Fear steals our confidence.
With the fire of your Spirit, reveal the changes we need to make in order to be cocreators with you.
With fruits of your Spirit, nourish our souls so we can be benevolent people who care about the earth and the poor of the world.
Give us courage to travel the path you set before us. Amen.
Sermon Idea
Civilizations rise and fall. Often the "enemy issues" have to do with the morals, poverty, affluence, and apathy of the citizens. David and Solomon's Jerusalem/Israel is no exception. It is painful to read the prophets' and psalmist's perceptions of what was happening. Perhaps the distress current readers feel is because we see some of our own country's story mirrored on the pages of scripture. At the same time, today there are millions of perceptions of why the American dream is not more dependable for more people; there are millions of prescriptions for how to remedy the problems. Haranguing and guilt-tripping people are rarely effective ways to promote change in contemporary attitudes and behavior. Another approach might be to look at what happens when people gather for rites and rituals. Paul offers Timothy first-century options. Without judgmental tones, the sermon might explore fresh options that can be included in worship to inspire most of the people most of the time -- remembering that for every idea there is an opposing one; for every option there is an alternative.
We are cocreators with God and we see evidence of change throughout all the seasons; we can expect changes in our internal timings and energy levels as well as in the ways we respond to the Holy Presence. Consider the foci for the liturgical seasons and all the arts. Compared with spring, we are in slow motion until the Thanksgiving/Advent gestation season begins. Though schools are busily in session, the earth's productivity in the northern hemisphere is slowing down, moving into dormancy. We can be shrewd/savvy managers of our time together for worship and at fellowship events.
Contemporary Affirmation
Leader: What do you think about Divine relationship with creation?
People: We believe God cares for the cosmos that has been created; we believe God cares about creatures and us.
Leader: What do you think about the man called Jesus of Nazareth?
People: We know that Jesus of Nazareth incarnated divine wisdom as he lived, healed, and taught at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea 2,000 years ago.
Leader: How do you understand Holy Spirit?
People: We experience Holy Spirit coaxing us into relationship with the Holy One; we trust that the Spirit finds us when we are wandering among the culture's idols seeking satisfying days and nights. We are inspired by the Holy Spirit to be creative in our work, in our relationships, and in our leisure.
Leader: What is the church for you?
People: This congregation, church, is a community of friends; we encourage one another to listen for God's voice and to respond to it. We enjoy companionship and conversation about our journeys with Great Mystery. Together we explore ways to manifest Christ in our town and throughout the global village. Together, we speak for justice, truth, nutrition, and peace.
Leader: Amen!
Offertory Statement (Leader)
It's a good day to give tithes and offerings, time and talents to God and to this church.
Doxology
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow, tune: OLD HUNDREDTH
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, you heavenly hosts --
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen!
Prayer Of Thanksgiving (Leader)
Living God -- for all we have and are, thank you. For the gifts we receive and can share, we are grateful. Amen.
Intercessory Prayers (Leader or Readers)
God of Beginnings and Endings -- we pray for peace -- peace between Palestinians and Israelis, democrats and republicans, Americans and Iraqis. We pray for respect and gentleness, understanding and hospitality for this whole global village. We see that time reveals corruption and indoctrination, intentions and misinformation. We hear politicians and prophets coming and going, governments rising and falling. We ascribe to you, Holy One, the judgments and justice, the hardship and the victories. Help us to learn and to teach tolerance and collaboration.
God of Growing and Eldering -- see our children shiver with excitement as they adventure into the world! Protect them from melancholy and overactivity. Help us mentor them in the journey to you. See our friends who struggle to pay their rent and mortgages and to put wholesome food on their tables. Give them strength, courage, and opportunity to do a job that is meaningful and pays well. See us who realize our bumpy days are numbered. Grace us to rest in your accompanying presence.
Hospitable God -- this global village needs some "stone soup" -- nourishing body and soul food served with conversation and hope. We hold before you the regions of this planet where famine and greed deny the necessities of life to people and animals. Do something we pray! Let wisdom provide for the common good and overtake selfish individualism in both hemispheres in all countries. Let the moon rise tonight giving light to dark minds; let the sun rise tomorrow and give new hope to those in need. Amen.
Benediction (Leader)
As you leave here --
Keep in mind the tranquility of this place;
Hold in your mind the ideas that inspire you;
Remember those with whom you have shared this hour.
May the creating God guide you to surprising places in the days ahead.
Go gently; feel generous and be infectious with joy!
Amen!
Music
For Each Day Of Life We Thank You
Words: H. Glen Lanier, 1976, alt.
Music: Amos Pilsbury, 1799; arr. Carlton R. Young, 1964
CHARLESTOWN
God Of Freedom, God Of Justice
Words: Shirley Erena Murray, 1980
Music: Guthrie Foote (20th century)
TREDEGAR
In The Bulb There Is A Flower
Words and Music: Natalie Sleeth, 1986
PROMISE
Wellspring Of Wisdom
Words: Miriam Therese Winter, 1987
Music: Miriam Therese Winter, 1987; harm. Don McKeever, 1987
WELLSPRING
