Proper 21, Pentecost 19, Ordinary Time 26
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle C Gospel Texts
Liturgical Color: Green
Gospel: Luke 16:19-31
Theme: The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. What Jesus condemns is not riches, but trust in riches; not money, but the love of money and what it can do.
Recognizing Who God Is
Music for Preparation
"Meditation," Weinberger.
Pastoral Invitation
Pastor and Ministers
God loves the world -- so rejoice! (Congregation speaks a favorite praise word.) God loves the church -- so rejoice! (Congregation responds.) Because God loves both the church and the world -- the sign for today is faith! (Congregation responds.) The sign for today is hope! (Response.) The sign for today is love! (Response.) The sign for today is joy! (Response.) So be it, Lord! (Response.)
P:
Serve the Lord with gladness; come before God's presence with singing.
M: We enter into God's gates with thanksgiving, and into God's courts with praise.
P:
Be thankful to God; and bless God's name.
All: For the Lord is good; God's mercy is everlasting; and God's truth endures to all generations.
(During the invitation, have the musicians play some powerful and joyful background music.)
Hymn of Praise
"Eternal God, Whose Power Upholds," Henry Hallam Tweedy, 1929; English folk melody; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906.
Prayer of Praise
Loving and Holy God, Lord of our lives, including our pocketbooks, credit cards, ATMs, and loose change, keep us this day healthy of body and sound in mind, in purity of heart and cheerfulness of spirit, in contentment with our lot and love with our neighbor. In our labors, strengthen us. In our pleasure, purify us. In our difficulties, direct us. In our perils, defend us. In our troubles, comfort us. And help us to distinguish between our needs and our wants, in order that we will recognize the riches of your grace, in Christ the Lord.
Invitation To Discover Who We Are And Who We Can Become
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Respond silently, and write down your response to the following questions: (1) Is my life, including my riches, completely under Christ's control? If not, why not? What have you decided to withhold? (2) What areas do I reserve for my own plans, unexamined in prayer? (3) How do I resist Christ's plan for me? (4) Who or what is more important to me than Christ, indicated by the way I spend my time, energy, and money? (Two minutes of silence.)
Response
"I Don't Know How to Love Him," from Jesus Christ, Superstar. (Sung by a soloist and interpreted by a dancer.)
Unison Prayer
Lord God, you have insisted that we shall have no other gods before you. We confess that our false gods, though subtle and seemingly acceptable, at least in the beginning, nevertheless demand our ultimate allegiance. We worship our possessions, our work, our loved ones, and our hopes for the future as though these could satisfy our deeper needs. Forgive us, Lord, for the way we try to manipulate you and rationalize our behavior to achieve our obedience to these false gods. We pray for strength, wisdom, and energy to be able more completely to serve the lesser gods of our own making, instead of making these things a means of glorifying and praising you. Forgive us, Lord, and create a new spirit of love and commitment to you within and through us.
Response
One of the "Glory Be to the Father" responses.
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life
The past, up to this moment, for the person of faith, is forgiven. Our future is spotless. The future will be different if we make the precious present moment different.
Response
Soloist sings this stanza of the popular song: "There will be a new tomorrow. There will be a brighter day. There will be a new tomorrow. Love will find a way."
Pastor's Response
"The future will be different, if we make the present different."
Choral Response
"Thy Truth Is Great," Ron Nelson.
Hearing The Truth Of The Good News
Message with the Children of All Ages
Please raise your hand if you think that you and your family are rich. (If no one responds, ask) How much money do you need, or what do you think would make you rich? (Wait.) Now, are you sure? Jesus was tough on the rich ruler in this story. Consider what he did not have that we have. Indoor bathroom, swimming pools, televisions, radiant heating -- make your own list. Jesus tells us that we are to use what we have for sharing. How will you do that this week?
Response
"Simple Gifts," Shaker song, from Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.)
Reading from the Scripture
Use Clarence Jordan's "The Rich Man and Lazarus" cassette. (Order from Koinonia Records, Route 2, Americus, Georgia 31709.)
Proclamation of the Good News
How often have we read this story and decided that it has nothing to do with us? "After all, I'm not rich!" we insist. Deal with the essence of the story: Indifference. George Bernard Shaw wrote, "The worst sin toward others is not to hate them but to be indifferent toward them." Someone else has said, "Our greatest sin is apathy, but who cares." The sin of Dives, careless and callous indifference to the need and suffering of others, is one of the great corrupting forces in society. It is the sin which refuses to see persons, each with his/her own uniqueness, but which sees only blobs, "miscellaneous bodies," in the sea of humanity. Elizabeth Goudge, the English novelist, in her book about Jesus, says, "It was not what Dives did that got him into jail; it was what he did not do that got him into hell."aHow will we deal with this passage on a daily basis?
Response
"Prayer Before a Twenty-Dollar Bill," by Michael Quoist, from Prayers. (See Appendix II for address.)
Responding To What We Say We Believe
Stewardship Challenge
I have used this on another occasion. It bears repeating to Christians who deny that they're rich. The journalist, John Gerassi, in his book, The Great Fear in Latin America, tells of a conversation he had with a pregnant woman in the hillside slum of Rio. "My first two babies died within a few months of their births. Now I hope that this one will be a boy, and that he will grow up to be strong so that he can avenge his dead brother and sister." Gerassi asked her who she thought was responsible. Her answer stunned him. "You! And all the others like you who can afford those shoes and that suit. I think just the money you paid for that pen could have saved one of my children." (One minute of silence to write down your response.) Was the woman unfair? What has Gerassi done to her? Nothing -- probably. And what had the rich man in the parable done to or for Lazarus? Nothing. He had known of Lazarus, perhaps in the vague, uneasy way that many of us are aware of poverty, and he had done nothing, and for nothing he was condemned.
Hymn of Obedience
"I'll Praise My Maker," Isaac Watts; adapt. John Wesley, 1736; alt., 1988; attr. Matth us Greiter (1500-1552); harm. Vicar Earle Copes, 1964.
Charge to the Congregation
Oscar Wilde said, "We have become a generation of people who know the price of everything and the value of nothing." True of us?
Meditation
There are two ways to get enough: One is to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less and less. Ignorance is bliss, we are told. Has anyone ever told us that indifference is also bliss?
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "Cantabile," Widor.
Hymn of Praise: "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee." (See Pentecost 8.)
Response to the Scripture: "The Guiding Christ, Our Shepherd," Lloyd Pfautsch.
Response to the Message with Children: "Pass My Love Around," words and music by David Yantis and Gio Sgarlata, from New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Offertory: "Adagio," Vierne.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Obedience hymns.
Gospel: Luke 16:19-31
Theme: The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. What Jesus condemns is not riches, but trust in riches; not money, but the love of money and what it can do.
Recognizing Who God Is
Music for Preparation
"Meditation," Weinberger.
Pastoral Invitation
Pastor and Ministers
God loves the world -- so rejoice! (Congregation speaks a favorite praise word.) God loves the church -- so rejoice! (Congregation responds.) Because God loves both the church and the world -- the sign for today is faith! (Congregation responds.) The sign for today is hope! (Response.) The sign for today is love! (Response.) The sign for today is joy! (Response.) So be it, Lord! (Response.)
P:
Serve the Lord with gladness; come before God's presence with singing.
M: We enter into God's gates with thanksgiving, and into God's courts with praise.
P:
Be thankful to God; and bless God's name.
All: For the Lord is good; God's mercy is everlasting; and God's truth endures to all generations.
(During the invitation, have the musicians play some powerful and joyful background music.)
Hymn of Praise
"Eternal God, Whose Power Upholds," Henry Hallam Tweedy, 1929; English folk melody; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906.
Prayer of Praise
Loving and Holy God, Lord of our lives, including our pocketbooks, credit cards, ATMs, and loose change, keep us this day healthy of body and sound in mind, in purity of heart and cheerfulness of spirit, in contentment with our lot and love with our neighbor. In our labors, strengthen us. In our pleasure, purify us. In our difficulties, direct us. In our perils, defend us. In our troubles, comfort us. And help us to distinguish between our needs and our wants, in order that we will recognize the riches of your grace, in Christ the Lord.
Invitation To Discover Who We Are And Who We Can Become
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Respond silently, and write down your response to the following questions: (1) Is my life, including my riches, completely under Christ's control? If not, why not? What have you decided to withhold? (2) What areas do I reserve for my own plans, unexamined in prayer? (3) How do I resist Christ's plan for me? (4) Who or what is more important to me than Christ, indicated by the way I spend my time, energy, and money? (Two minutes of silence.)
Response
"I Don't Know How to Love Him," from Jesus Christ, Superstar. (Sung by a soloist and interpreted by a dancer.)
Unison Prayer
Lord God, you have insisted that we shall have no other gods before you. We confess that our false gods, though subtle and seemingly acceptable, at least in the beginning, nevertheless demand our ultimate allegiance. We worship our possessions, our work, our loved ones, and our hopes for the future as though these could satisfy our deeper needs. Forgive us, Lord, for the way we try to manipulate you and rationalize our behavior to achieve our obedience to these false gods. We pray for strength, wisdom, and energy to be able more completely to serve the lesser gods of our own making, instead of making these things a means of glorifying and praising you. Forgive us, Lord, and create a new spirit of love and commitment to you within and through us.
Response
One of the "Glory Be to the Father" responses.
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life
The past, up to this moment, for the person of faith, is forgiven. Our future is spotless. The future will be different if we make the precious present moment different.
Response
Soloist sings this stanza of the popular song: "There will be a new tomorrow. There will be a brighter day. There will be a new tomorrow. Love will find a way."
Pastor's Response
"The future will be different, if we make the present different."
Choral Response
"Thy Truth Is Great," Ron Nelson.
Hearing The Truth Of The Good News
Message with the Children of All Ages
Please raise your hand if you think that you and your family are rich. (If no one responds, ask) How much money do you need, or what do you think would make you rich? (Wait.) Now, are you sure? Jesus was tough on the rich ruler in this story. Consider what he did not have that we have. Indoor bathroom, swimming pools, televisions, radiant heating -- make your own list. Jesus tells us that we are to use what we have for sharing. How will you do that this week?
Response
"Simple Gifts," Shaker song, from Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.)
Reading from the Scripture
Use Clarence Jordan's "The Rich Man and Lazarus" cassette. (Order from Koinonia Records, Route 2, Americus, Georgia 31709.)
Proclamation of the Good News
How often have we read this story and decided that it has nothing to do with us? "After all, I'm not rich!" we insist. Deal with the essence of the story: Indifference. George Bernard Shaw wrote, "The worst sin toward others is not to hate them but to be indifferent toward them." Someone else has said, "Our greatest sin is apathy, but who cares." The sin of Dives, careless and callous indifference to the need and suffering of others, is one of the great corrupting forces in society. It is the sin which refuses to see persons, each with his/her own uniqueness, but which sees only blobs, "miscellaneous bodies," in the sea of humanity. Elizabeth Goudge, the English novelist, in her book about Jesus, says, "It was not what Dives did that got him into jail; it was what he did not do that got him into hell."aHow will we deal with this passage on a daily basis?
Response
"Prayer Before a Twenty-Dollar Bill," by Michael Quoist, from Prayers. (See Appendix II for address.)
Responding To What We Say We Believe
Stewardship Challenge
I have used this on another occasion. It bears repeating to Christians who deny that they're rich. The journalist, John Gerassi, in his book, The Great Fear in Latin America, tells of a conversation he had with a pregnant woman in the hillside slum of Rio. "My first two babies died within a few months of their births. Now I hope that this one will be a boy, and that he will grow up to be strong so that he can avenge his dead brother and sister." Gerassi asked her who she thought was responsible. Her answer stunned him. "You! And all the others like you who can afford those shoes and that suit. I think just the money you paid for that pen could have saved one of my children." (One minute of silence to write down your response.) Was the woman unfair? What has Gerassi done to her? Nothing -- probably. And what had the rich man in the parable done to or for Lazarus? Nothing. He had known of Lazarus, perhaps in the vague, uneasy way that many of us are aware of poverty, and he had done nothing, and for nothing he was condemned.
Hymn of Obedience
"I'll Praise My Maker," Isaac Watts; adapt. John Wesley, 1736; alt., 1988; attr. Matth us Greiter (1500-1552); harm. Vicar Earle Copes, 1964.
Charge to the Congregation
Oscar Wilde said, "We have become a generation of people who know the price of everything and the value of nothing." True of us?
Meditation
There are two ways to get enough: One is to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less and less. Ignorance is bliss, we are told. Has anyone ever told us that indifference is also bliss?
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "Cantabile," Widor.
Hymn of Praise: "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee." (See Pentecost 8.)
Response to the Scripture: "The Guiding Christ, Our Shepherd," Lloyd Pfautsch.
Response to the Message with Children: "Pass My Love Around," words and music by David Yantis and Gio Sgarlata, from New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Offertory: "Adagio," Vierne.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Obedience hymns.
