Proper 24, Pentecost 22, Ordinary Time 29
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle C Gospel Texts
Liturgical Color: Green
Gospel: Luke 18:1-8
Theme: The Persevering Widow and the Unrighteous Judge. Sometimes, we get our way by making ourselves so obnoxious to the authorities that, in sheer desperation, they give in to our request or demand.
Recognizing Who God Is
Music for Preparation
"Salvation Has Come," Karg-Elert.
Choral Invitation
"The Lord Is in His Holy Temple."
Pastoral Invitation
Pastor and Ministers
In the name of the God who created both the persevering widow and the unrighteous judge, welcome to the twenty-second Sunday of Pentecost. Are you ready for a God-event? (Wait for a response; if no, or a hushed response, ask again and again until the people respond with some energy.) What expectations do you bring today? (Ask three or four people well in advance of worship to present their expectations. When they have finished, check to see if they have primed the pump.)
P: To be in Christ means to be moving, searching, discovering, living, and praying without ceasing.
M: We do embrace life, call it good, and seek to create new life in those around us.
P: I invite us to remember our life, our prayer life, together.
M: We celebrate faith through words, through actions.
Hymn of Praise
"Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above." (See Pentecost 7.)
Prayer of Praise
Incorporate the behavior of the persevering widow and the unrighteous judge in your prayer.
Invitation To Discover Who We Are And Who We Can Become
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
If someone asked you to describe your prayer life, what would you say? (Thirty seconds of silence.) Anyone want to take the risk of sharing? Do we pray cream and live skim milk, as suggested by Henry Ward Beecher? Do we expect 1,000-dollar answers to ten-cent prayers? Or, as E. Stanley Jones cautions us, "Be careful how you pray; you may be the answer." (Two minutes of silence; write down your responses.) Anyone willing to respond? If no one does, offer your own thoughts. Part of the pastor's vocation is to take risks, hoping that the people will follow, if not during worship, then beyond worship. Offer the essence of this confession as a pastoral confession on behalf of the people.
Response
"God of Compassion, in Mercy Befriend Us," John J. Moment, 1933; Paris Antiphone, 1681; as in La Feillee's Methode du plain-chant, 1808.
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life
Pastor and Ministers
Rose Terlin said, "Prayer is not escape from reality and action; it is the source of strength and insight for action. It is the only preparation for sound action."
P: I invite you to become as persevering as the widow woman in your prayers, as she was in her persistence toward the unrighteous judge.
M: We shall, we will, in the name of the God who responds.
Response
"As Deer Long for the Streams," Christopher L. Webber, 1986; Second Supplement to Psalmody in Miniature, 1783; harm. Edward Miller, 1790.
Hearing The Truth Of The Good News
Message with the Children of All Ages
Have any of you ever wanted something so badly that you pestered and pestered your parents until they finally gave in? Sometimes, you may even have played your father against your mother. If one said, "No," you went to the other who said, "Yes," without knowing the other had already said, "No." That's a sneaky way to get your way. And sometimes, it works. The widow in the story never beat around the bush; she went straight to the dishonest judge, and he finally gave in to her request. God invites us to be as persistent in prayer. Some of us, however, pray as if we were rabbits nibbling grass. We hop here and there, never settling down. We get so easily distracted.
Response
"Kum Ba Yah," African (Angola), from Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.) Sing only, "Someone's praying, Lord." Sing it until the people sound as though they will take it seriously.
Dramatizing the Scripture
This is ideal for dramatizing. Invite your drama group to write and present this in their own words.
Proclamation of the Good News
(1) A. B. Bruce, a New Testament professor with Free Church College, Glasgow, says that the judge neither fears God nor regards persons worthy of esteem; he acknowledges that he is as bad as others perceive him. (2) The widow is friendless, a destitute woman, a synonym for helplessness. (3) It's true that you can get your own way by making yourself so objectionable and obnoxious to human authorities that, in sheer desperation, they give in (Idea suggested by J. Alexander Findlay, in his book Jesus and His Parables.) (4) George Buttrick has said that if a heartless judge forgave that woman because of her troublesomeness, we may trust a Father-Mother God to vindicate those who offer ceaseless prayers.
Response
Invent a hymn that focuses on the theme of perseverance.
Responding To What We Say We Believe
Stewardship Challenge
Stewardship of prayer: "When people get on your nerves, as did the widow, then it's time to get on your knees, as the unjust judge did not, even though he answered her request" (Addison Leitch, slightly revised). How persistent are we, anyway? Toward what we want; toward what God wants?
Offertory
"Prayer," Guilmant.
Prayer of Dedication
Give us the courage to be obnoxiously persevering ... for the right reasons, with the right motivation, to do your will rather than ours.
Hymn of Obedience
"God of Grace and God of Glory." (See Pentecost 5.)
Charge to the Congregation
When God presents us with a vision for change in this world, no giving up is allowed, no matter how scary or impossible.
Response
"The Impossible Dream," popular song.
Meditation
Prayer changes people so that they can change events, situations, history; this kind of praying requires perseverance, persistence, pertinacity. In the spirit of Christ, we are dismissed to tackle the impossible.
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "A Celtic Pastorale," Lindsay.
Choral Invitation: An "Alleluia" response.
Hymn of Praise: "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," two tunes, Martin Luther, 1529; trans. Frederick Henry Hedge, 1852; Omer Westendorf, 1964; stanza 1, lines 1-2, Martin Luther, 1592; trans. Frederick Henry Hedge, 1852; harm. Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612); alt.
Response to the Gospel: (Adult Choir) "Alleluia, Glorious is Thy Name," Olson.
Offertory: "Forest Green," Purvis.
Hymn of Commitment: "Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire," James Montgomery, 1818; John B. Dykes, 1866.
Response to the Benediction: Either a congregational threefold or a choral sevenfold "amen."
Gospel: Luke 18:1-8
Theme: The Persevering Widow and the Unrighteous Judge. Sometimes, we get our way by making ourselves so obnoxious to the authorities that, in sheer desperation, they give in to our request or demand.
Recognizing Who God Is
Music for Preparation
"Salvation Has Come," Karg-Elert.
Choral Invitation
"The Lord Is in His Holy Temple."
Pastoral Invitation
Pastor and Ministers
In the name of the God who created both the persevering widow and the unrighteous judge, welcome to the twenty-second Sunday of Pentecost. Are you ready for a God-event? (Wait for a response; if no, or a hushed response, ask again and again until the people respond with some energy.) What expectations do you bring today? (Ask three or four people well in advance of worship to present their expectations. When they have finished, check to see if they have primed the pump.)
P: To be in Christ means to be moving, searching, discovering, living, and praying without ceasing.
M: We do embrace life, call it good, and seek to create new life in those around us.
P: I invite us to remember our life, our prayer life, together.
M: We celebrate faith through words, through actions.
Hymn of Praise
"Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above." (See Pentecost 7.)
Prayer of Praise
Incorporate the behavior of the persevering widow and the unrighteous judge in your prayer.
Invitation To Discover Who We Are And Who We Can Become
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
If someone asked you to describe your prayer life, what would you say? (Thirty seconds of silence.) Anyone want to take the risk of sharing? Do we pray cream and live skim milk, as suggested by Henry Ward Beecher? Do we expect 1,000-dollar answers to ten-cent prayers? Or, as E. Stanley Jones cautions us, "Be careful how you pray; you may be the answer." (Two minutes of silence; write down your responses.) Anyone willing to respond? If no one does, offer your own thoughts. Part of the pastor's vocation is to take risks, hoping that the people will follow, if not during worship, then beyond worship. Offer the essence of this confession as a pastoral confession on behalf of the people.
Response
"God of Compassion, in Mercy Befriend Us," John J. Moment, 1933; Paris Antiphone, 1681; as in La Feillee's Methode du plain-chant, 1808.
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life
Pastor and Ministers
Rose Terlin said, "Prayer is not escape from reality and action; it is the source of strength and insight for action. It is the only preparation for sound action."
P: I invite you to become as persevering as the widow woman in your prayers, as she was in her persistence toward the unrighteous judge.
M: We shall, we will, in the name of the God who responds.
Response
"As Deer Long for the Streams," Christopher L. Webber, 1986; Second Supplement to Psalmody in Miniature, 1783; harm. Edward Miller, 1790.
Hearing The Truth Of The Good News
Message with the Children of All Ages
Have any of you ever wanted something so badly that you pestered and pestered your parents until they finally gave in? Sometimes, you may even have played your father against your mother. If one said, "No," you went to the other who said, "Yes," without knowing the other had already said, "No." That's a sneaky way to get your way. And sometimes, it works. The widow in the story never beat around the bush; she went straight to the dishonest judge, and he finally gave in to her request. God invites us to be as persistent in prayer. Some of us, however, pray as if we were rabbits nibbling grass. We hop here and there, never settling down. We get so easily distracted.
Response
"Kum Ba Yah," African (Angola), from Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.) Sing only, "Someone's praying, Lord." Sing it until the people sound as though they will take it seriously.
Dramatizing the Scripture
This is ideal for dramatizing. Invite your drama group to write and present this in their own words.
Proclamation of the Good News
(1) A. B. Bruce, a New Testament professor with Free Church College, Glasgow, says that the judge neither fears God nor regards persons worthy of esteem; he acknowledges that he is as bad as others perceive him. (2) The widow is friendless, a destitute woman, a synonym for helplessness. (3) It's true that you can get your own way by making yourself so objectionable and obnoxious to human authorities that, in sheer desperation, they give in (Idea suggested by J. Alexander Findlay, in his book Jesus and His Parables.) (4) George Buttrick has said that if a heartless judge forgave that woman because of her troublesomeness, we may trust a Father-Mother God to vindicate those who offer ceaseless prayers.
Response
Invent a hymn that focuses on the theme of perseverance.
Responding To What We Say We Believe
Stewardship Challenge
Stewardship of prayer: "When people get on your nerves, as did the widow, then it's time to get on your knees, as the unjust judge did not, even though he answered her request" (Addison Leitch, slightly revised). How persistent are we, anyway? Toward what we want; toward what God wants?
Offertory
"Prayer," Guilmant.
Prayer of Dedication
Give us the courage to be obnoxiously persevering ... for the right reasons, with the right motivation, to do your will rather than ours.
Hymn of Obedience
"God of Grace and God of Glory." (See Pentecost 5.)
Charge to the Congregation
When God presents us with a vision for change in this world, no giving up is allowed, no matter how scary or impossible.
Response
"The Impossible Dream," popular song.
Meditation
Prayer changes people so that they can change events, situations, history; this kind of praying requires perseverance, persistence, pertinacity. In the spirit of Christ, we are dismissed to tackle the impossible.
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "A Celtic Pastorale," Lindsay.
Choral Invitation: An "Alleluia" response.
Hymn of Praise: "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," two tunes, Martin Luther, 1529; trans. Frederick Henry Hedge, 1852; Omer Westendorf, 1964; stanza 1, lines 1-2, Martin Luther, 1592; trans. Frederick Henry Hedge, 1852; harm. Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612); alt.
Response to the Gospel: (Adult Choir) "Alleluia, Glorious is Thy Name," Olson.
Offertory: "Forest Green," Purvis.
Hymn of Commitment: "Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire," James Montgomery, 1818; John B. Dykes, 1866.
Response to the Benediction: Either a congregational threefold or a choral sevenfold "amen."
