Proper 26 / Ordinary Time 31 / Pentecost 24
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)
Welcome to this sanctuary! Take a deep breath and bring your whole self -- body, mind, and psyche -- to this place. Set aside the pain and troubles that you brought with you. Be aware of what gives you pleasure and be grateful. Be aware of how and when you feel God's presence. Listen to the psalmist:
Happy are those whose wrongs are erased;
Happy are they who feel at home with God.
God is our hiding place and lifts us from trouble.
We honor God with our living as expression of our gratitude!
Prayer Of Thanksgiving (Leader)
Living God -- thank you for guiding us day by day. We sing and dance our gratitude. In this hour, speak to us again so we may hear your hopes for our lives; speak again so we can answer you with gracious attitudes and hospitable habits. We are alert for your loving guidance. Amen.
Call To Confession (Leader)
Most of us want something to be different so we can be happy. Not many of us are conscious moment by moment that happiness, like peace, begins and is sustained internally. Some of us experience happiness when we feel connected to the Holy One. I think that happiness shows up as contentment with life; happiness is a result of attitudes, relationships, and work that have credibility with our souls. Pray with me the printed prayer and then have your personal conversation with the Holy One.
Community Confession (Unison)
Yahweh -- ancient "commandments" are clearly printed in our Bibles.
We read them and ask what is "reasonable" and "applicable" for these times.
With our minds we ask for guidance on this journey we call life.
With our souls, we yearn for freedom from fears; we long to feel secure in our relationships and in our homes.
We want to be happy.
Reveal to us the hindrances that lurk in us and inhibit our inner peace.
Open us to what is good and honest, what is just and lovely; help us walk in that path. Amen.
Sermon Idea
Civilizations rise and fall; vital and fierce leaders come and go. We say we are God's people because we believe that Jesus lived, taught, and died so we might live. We keep on teaching the Golden Rule and the Sermon on the Mount but human greed and violence don't go away. Old Testament prophet Habakkuk articulates our current questions:
* How long must we call for help before God takes some action?
* How can God endure the violence and destruction?
* Why is it that evil gets the better of righteousness?
* Why is justice not done and mercy not practiced?
Since these questions have no real answers, the sermon might explore the major themes of the prophets and explicate how Jesus falls in line with them and how he extends expectations. Consider how the concept of sin changes and how the concept of manners and acceptability change. When Jesus ignores popular opinion and goes home with Zacchaeus, he sets up a new etiquette for his followers. A sermon title might be: Etiquette for Friends of Jesus.
Contemporary Affirmation (Unison)
We believe that God is, was, and will be;
we call God Mystery, Creator, Holy, I AM....
We believe that God was in Jesus of Nazareth, teaching and healing;
we call Jesus Light for the World, Lily of the Valley, Bread of Life....
We believe that God's Spirit -- the Holy Spirit -- lives through us as
self-control, gentleness, patience, hope, and compassion.
We experience God's presence in many ways, and in many settings.
Here, we gather with individuals who intentionally journey with us
toward God's reign on this earth and in eternity.
We are not alone! Thanks be to God!
Offertory Statement (Leader)
Even though we may have complaints about the weather, about our leaders, or about our programs, we have this opportunity to express our gratitude to God and to those who walked this way before us by providing money, skills, and talents to make ministry vital on this street corner. The baskets are big enough to hold whatever you can share.
Doxology
Now Thank We All Our God (v. 1), tune: NUN DANKET ALLE GOTT
Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done, in whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers' arms, hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love and still is ours today.
Prayer Of Thanksgiving (Leader)
Holy One -- we are grateful for what we have and who we are becoming. Work with us and through us to make this world a good place to live. Amen.
Intercessory Prayers (Leader or Readers)
God of Prophets -- we watch to see what you will do with our questions. We pray for an end to rivalry and destruction. We wonder how long we must endure terror and greed, ignorance and arrogance. We wonder how long humankind will fight over what name is your real name. We wonder if humans will ever walk with Jesus and be gracious and respectful to people different from ourselves, who live by an etiquette different from our own. We pray for tolerance and collaboration throughout the global village.
God of Jesus -- thank you for the first-century man whose friends included women and children, outcasts and higher-ups. Thank you for Jesus who gave his life for what he believed. His Sermon on the Mount and his people skills guide us today. His human interest stories reveal bits of our own stories. Help us to recognize the Zacchaeus in ourselves and to respond to your active presence as he did.
God of Saints -- thank you for the leaders in this congregation. Open their minds to options and opportunities; awaken their hearts to service and beauty. Thank you, too, for the men and women of past generations who taught and worked to keep these doors open and the space welcoming. Thank you for each person sitting here now. As our souls commune with you, heal our wounds; soothe our griefs; relieve our pains; strengthen our immune systems so that our discomforts are few.
Living God -- we think with words and we express our thoughts and our hopes with the language we understand. Make fresh for us the intentions of Jesus as we pray his prayer: Our Father ... Amen.
Benediction (Leader)
We have heard what God has done;
Be alert for what God is doing now.
We have heard how Jesus accepted individuals for who they were;
Be aware of how you interact with people you meet.
We have heard how Habakkuk the prophet questioned God about the politics of his day;
Pray for our global village:
Be gracious and merciful in our own times, God, even when you are angry.
Let justice envelop all peoples!
Go from this place cradled in divine love and empowered to be God's hands, feet, and voice in your daily activities.
Strong contentment be yours.
Amen.
Music
For All The Saints
Words: William W. How, 1864, alt.
Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906
SINE NOMINE
Give Thanks For Life
Words: Shirley Erena Murray, 1986
Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906
SINE NOMINE
Let Hope And Sorrow Now Unite
Words: Brian Wren, 1979, rev. 1983
Music: Bohemian Brethren's Kirchengesange, 1566
MIT FREUDEN ZART
Mountains Are All Aglow
Words: Ok In Lim, 1967; trans. Hae Jong Kim, 1988; versification Hope Omachi-Kawashima
Music: Jae Hoon Park, 1967
KAHM-SAH
O God Of Vision
Words: Jane Parker Huber, 1981
Music: Erneuerten Gesangbuch, 1665
LOBE DEN HERREN
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)
Welcome to this sanctuary! Take a deep breath and bring your whole self -- body, mind, and psyche -- to this place. Set aside the pain and troubles that you brought with you. Be aware of what gives you pleasure and be grateful. Be aware of how and when you feel God's presence. Listen to the psalmist:
Happy are those whose wrongs are erased;
Happy are they who feel at home with God.
God is our hiding place and lifts us from trouble.
We honor God with our living as expression of our gratitude!
Prayer Of Thanksgiving (Leader)
Living God -- thank you for guiding us day by day. We sing and dance our gratitude. In this hour, speak to us again so we may hear your hopes for our lives; speak again so we can answer you with gracious attitudes and hospitable habits. We are alert for your loving guidance. Amen.
Call To Confession (Leader)
Most of us want something to be different so we can be happy. Not many of us are conscious moment by moment that happiness, like peace, begins and is sustained internally. Some of us experience happiness when we feel connected to the Holy One. I think that happiness shows up as contentment with life; happiness is a result of attitudes, relationships, and work that have credibility with our souls. Pray with me the printed prayer and then have your personal conversation with the Holy One.
Community Confession (Unison)
Yahweh -- ancient "commandments" are clearly printed in our Bibles.
We read them and ask what is "reasonable" and "applicable" for these times.
With our minds we ask for guidance on this journey we call life.
With our souls, we yearn for freedom from fears; we long to feel secure in our relationships and in our homes.
We want to be happy.
Reveal to us the hindrances that lurk in us and inhibit our inner peace.
Open us to what is good and honest, what is just and lovely; help us walk in that path. Amen.
Sermon Idea
Civilizations rise and fall; vital and fierce leaders come and go. We say we are God's people because we believe that Jesus lived, taught, and died so we might live. We keep on teaching the Golden Rule and the Sermon on the Mount but human greed and violence don't go away. Old Testament prophet Habakkuk articulates our current questions:
* How long must we call for help before God takes some action?
* How can God endure the violence and destruction?
* Why is it that evil gets the better of righteousness?
* Why is justice not done and mercy not practiced?
Since these questions have no real answers, the sermon might explore the major themes of the prophets and explicate how Jesus falls in line with them and how he extends expectations. Consider how the concept of sin changes and how the concept of manners and acceptability change. When Jesus ignores popular opinion and goes home with Zacchaeus, he sets up a new etiquette for his followers. A sermon title might be: Etiquette for Friends of Jesus.
Contemporary Affirmation (Unison)
We believe that God is, was, and will be;
we call God Mystery, Creator, Holy, I AM....
We believe that God was in Jesus of Nazareth, teaching and healing;
we call Jesus Light for the World, Lily of the Valley, Bread of Life....
We believe that God's Spirit -- the Holy Spirit -- lives through us as
self-control, gentleness, patience, hope, and compassion.
We experience God's presence in many ways, and in many settings.
Here, we gather with individuals who intentionally journey with us
toward God's reign on this earth and in eternity.
We are not alone! Thanks be to God!
Offertory Statement (Leader)
Even though we may have complaints about the weather, about our leaders, or about our programs, we have this opportunity to express our gratitude to God and to those who walked this way before us by providing money, skills, and talents to make ministry vital on this street corner. The baskets are big enough to hold whatever you can share.
Doxology
Now Thank We All Our God (v. 1), tune: NUN DANKET ALLE GOTT
Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done, in whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers' arms, hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love and still is ours today.
Prayer Of Thanksgiving (Leader)
Holy One -- we are grateful for what we have and who we are becoming. Work with us and through us to make this world a good place to live. Amen.
Intercessory Prayers (Leader or Readers)
God of Prophets -- we watch to see what you will do with our questions. We pray for an end to rivalry and destruction. We wonder how long we must endure terror and greed, ignorance and arrogance. We wonder how long humankind will fight over what name is your real name. We wonder if humans will ever walk with Jesus and be gracious and respectful to people different from ourselves, who live by an etiquette different from our own. We pray for tolerance and collaboration throughout the global village.
God of Jesus -- thank you for the first-century man whose friends included women and children, outcasts and higher-ups. Thank you for Jesus who gave his life for what he believed. His Sermon on the Mount and his people skills guide us today. His human interest stories reveal bits of our own stories. Help us to recognize the Zacchaeus in ourselves and to respond to your active presence as he did.
God of Saints -- thank you for the leaders in this congregation. Open their minds to options and opportunities; awaken their hearts to service and beauty. Thank you, too, for the men and women of past generations who taught and worked to keep these doors open and the space welcoming. Thank you for each person sitting here now. As our souls commune with you, heal our wounds; soothe our griefs; relieve our pains; strengthen our immune systems so that our discomforts are few.
Living God -- we think with words and we express our thoughts and our hopes with the language we understand. Make fresh for us the intentions of Jesus as we pray his prayer: Our Father ... Amen.
Benediction (Leader)
We have heard what God has done;
Be alert for what God is doing now.
We have heard how Jesus accepted individuals for who they were;
Be aware of how you interact with people you meet.
We have heard how Habakkuk the prophet questioned God about the politics of his day;
Pray for our global village:
Be gracious and merciful in our own times, God, even when you are angry.
Let justice envelop all peoples!
Go from this place cradled in divine love and empowered to be God's hands, feet, and voice in your daily activities.
Strong contentment be yours.
Amen.
Music
For All The Saints
Words: William W. How, 1864, alt.
Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906
SINE NOMINE
Give Thanks For Life
Words: Shirley Erena Murray, 1986
Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906
SINE NOMINE
Let Hope And Sorrow Now Unite
Words: Brian Wren, 1979, rev. 1983
Music: Bohemian Brethren's Kirchengesange, 1566
MIT FREUDEN ZART
Mountains Are All Aglow
Words: Ok In Lim, 1967; trans. Hae Jong Kim, 1988; versification Hope Omachi-Kawashima
Music: Jae Hoon Park, 1967
KAHM-SAH
O God Of Vision
Words: Jane Parker Huber, 1981
Music: Erneuerten Gesangbuch, 1665
LOBE DEN HERREN
