Proper 9, Pentecost 7, Ordinary Time 14
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle C Gospel Texts
Liturgical Color: Green
Gospel: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Theme: Directions for Discipleship: The Sending and the Return of the Seventy. When God sends us from worship into the world each week, what does our discipleship look like as we return to worship the next week?
Celebrating God's Activity In The Life Of The Church
Pastoral Invitation
In the name of the God who called and who calls the church into being, welcome. Not only does God call us; God, through the Holy Spirit, empowers us, energizes us, whatever we are, whatever we're doing. Rejoice in that incredible good news, even as the seventy appointed by Jesus years ago.
Declaration of Joyful and Challenging Expectations
Pastor and Ministers
P: God so loves the world that God calls us to minister to the world.
M: God loves the world?
P: Yes, the world, even that part that we ignore, and that part of the world which ignores God and God's church.
M: Well, then, what's the point of our trying to reach that part of it? Why not ignore it? That seems to be what Jesus is saying.
P: Well, if he is saying that, he says it only after we have visited it in his name, and sought to bring his message to it. That's scary, and exciting.
M: That's for sure! That's why we need God's power. So, we accept God's love and courage. And we share God's truth and justice.
P: Right on! I invite us to open our hearts, minds, and wills, as did the seventy.
M: We open ourselves to the Lord of Life. And all the people said ...
Hymn of Praise
"Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above," Johann Jacob SchÙtz, 1675; alt.; trans. Frances Elizabeth Cox, 1864; alt.; Bohemian Brethren's Kirchengesang, 1566; harm. Maurice F. Bell, 1906.
Prayer of Praise
We rejoice, God, that you empower and energize us to do an impossible calling. Keep us centered on you, and your purpose for our lives as your people. (Add your own.)
Examining Our Activities In The Light Of God's Activity
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Where would we rather spend most of our time, money, and energy? Where do we spend most of our time, money, and energy? (One minute of silence.) The eleventh edition of The Encyclopedia Britanica says, "We humans are seekers after the greatest degree of comfort with the least expenditure of energy." True for us, despite our calling by God to minister to a world going to hell, living in hell? (One minute of silence.) Now, when you are ready, I invite you to pray this prayer silently: God I confess that I am often dissuaded by disappointments. I plan and scheme for my life and others, and am unsettled when things go awry. I have often lost the vision of your care over my life, and my failure to respond to your will. I am frustrated when life fails to go smoothly for me. I forget that you are able to take my failures to glorify you, no matter how often I stumble, grumble, bumble, and mumble my way through life. I fume and fuss instead of looking for the fresh blessings that you will bring out of my reluctant witness. I confess my deep need of your indwelling power to help me see myself as I am, and others as they are. I know that I will never make a fresh start until I am honest with you about my life. I have wandered from you, wasted your gifts, and forgotten your love. Have mercy on me, Lord. I am deeply sorry for my secret sins and for my cowardice, which have blighted my trust in you and made me superficial with others. Forgive me by the love revealed in, and enacted through, Jesus the Christ, our Lord. (Remain in silence to let the message soak in.)
Response
"Lord, Have Mercy." (Use one of several tunes; sing it as a round. Invite the people to turn toward the exits, and remind them that their confession is to lead them to new ministry beyond the church walls.)
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life
Pastor and Ministers
We have opened ourselves to God's forgiveness and new life. Because we have taken that risk, God gives us new stamina, new courage, new direction, and new hope for this world, beginning with each of us. That's God's promise. God not once has reneged on that promise.
P: We are free to live a new dimension of life in Christ.
M: We rejoice that Christ makes this possible, as we move out with the seventy.
Response
"Our Father, Which Art in Heaven," West Indies folk melody, trans. by Olive Pattison, 1945.
Allowing The Word To Examine Us
Message with the Children of All Ages
When the seventy that Jesus called went out into a hostile world, they had two responses: (1) They got angry when people refused to respond to their good news; and (2) they experienced great joy when they saw people respond to their good news. When your parents ask you to do something, when you would rather watch television, how do you respond? Maybe with anger at first; but think about the joy you have when you do something for your parents or when you reach out to other people. Take a moment to identify the joy that you have had, despite your initial anger.
Response
"Truth Shall Make You Free," John F. Wilson, from Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.)
Dramatizing the Scripture
Have "Jesus" walk down among the people, as if they were the seventy. Have him memorize the passage if possible. Then, after a few moments of silence, have a group from the congregation dash forward which much excitement, telling of their exciting joyful experience in their own words.
Proclamation of the Good News
Focus on these two themes: (1) The anger expressed by the disciples when people refused to listen or disagreed with them; (2) the joy they experienced when they got "out of their own skin" and proclaimed good news. Offer this as a model for us today.
Choral Response
"Awake My Heart,"aJane Marshall.
Responding To God's Activity In The World And Church
Stewardship Challenge
A country-western song has this line in it: "If it feels good, do it ... if it hurts, let it lie." I'm so glad that the seventy refused to respond to Jesus this way. If they had, we wouldn't be here today. How do you respond to God's call as you enter the world each day?
Hymn of Obedience
"Make Me a Captive, Lord," George Matheson, 1890; Samuel Howard, 1762; harm. David Evans, 1927.
Charge to the Congregation
Have we put church life into the category of leisure time? If so, then discipleship becomes trivial, which competes with other trivia, such as lying in a hammock, sailing, or watching television after we have slipped into something more comfortable. Discipleship in Christ requires top priority; it's not something we do if we have nothing else to do (idea suggested by Dave Yeaworth).
Response
"Lord, I want to be (1) more holy; (2) like Jesus; and (3) empowered."
Meditation
At what point, or points, in worship did we allow God's Spirit to reach us and convict us? What will we do about it this coming week?
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "Toccata in D Minor," Froberger.
Choral Introduction: "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! In God's temple, God be praised. In the high and heavenly places be the sounding anthem raised" (author unknown). Make up your own tune.
Response to the Scripture: "Salvation is Created," Tschesnokoff.
Doxology: Use the tune to "All Creatures of Our God and King." (Change the tune now and then.)
Music for Dismissal: "Credo," Haydn.
Gospel: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Theme: Directions for Discipleship: The Sending and the Return of the Seventy. When God sends us from worship into the world each week, what does our discipleship look like as we return to worship the next week?
Celebrating God's Activity In The Life Of The Church
Pastoral Invitation
In the name of the God who called and who calls the church into being, welcome. Not only does God call us; God, through the Holy Spirit, empowers us, energizes us, whatever we are, whatever we're doing. Rejoice in that incredible good news, even as the seventy appointed by Jesus years ago.
Declaration of Joyful and Challenging Expectations
Pastor and Ministers
P: God so loves the world that God calls us to minister to the world.
M: God loves the world?
P: Yes, the world, even that part that we ignore, and that part of the world which ignores God and God's church.
M: Well, then, what's the point of our trying to reach that part of it? Why not ignore it? That seems to be what Jesus is saying.
P: Well, if he is saying that, he says it only after we have visited it in his name, and sought to bring his message to it. That's scary, and exciting.
M: That's for sure! That's why we need God's power. So, we accept God's love and courage. And we share God's truth and justice.
P: Right on! I invite us to open our hearts, minds, and wills, as did the seventy.
M: We open ourselves to the Lord of Life. And all the people said ...
Hymn of Praise
"Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above," Johann Jacob SchÙtz, 1675; alt.; trans. Frances Elizabeth Cox, 1864; alt.; Bohemian Brethren's Kirchengesang, 1566; harm. Maurice F. Bell, 1906.
Prayer of Praise
We rejoice, God, that you empower and energize us to do an impossible calling. Keep us centered on you, and your purpose for our lives as your people. (Add your own.)
Examining Our Activities In The Light Of God's Activity
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Where would we rather spend most of our time, money, and energy? Where do we spend most of our time, money, and energy? (One minute of silence.) The eleventh edition of The Encyclopedia Britanica says, "We humans are seekers after the greatest degree of comfort with the least expenditure of energy." True for us, despite our calling by God to minister to a world going to hell, living in hell? (One minute of silence.) Now, when you are ready, I invite you to pray this prayer silently: God I confess that I am often dissuaded by disappointments. I plan and scheme for my life and others, and am unsettled when things go awry. I have often lost the vision of your care over my life, and my failure to respond to your will. I am frustrated when life fails to go smoothly for me. I forget that you are able to take my failures to glorify you, no matter how often I stumble, grumble, bumble, and mumble my way through life. I fume and fuss instead of looking for the fresh blessings that you will bring out of my reluctant witness. I confess my deep need of your indwelling power to help me see myself as I am, and others as they are. I know that I will never make a fresh start until I am honest with you about my life. I have wandered from you, wasted your gifts, and forgotten your love. Have mercy on me, Lord. I am deeply sorry for my secret sins and for my cowardice, which have blighted my trust in you and made me superficial with others. Forgive me by the love revealed in, and enacted through, Jesus the Christ, our Lord. (Remain in silence to let the message soak in.)
Response
"Lord, Have Mercy." (Use one of several tunes; sing it as a round. Invite the people to turn toward the exits, and remind them that their confession is to lead them to new ministry beyond the church walls.)
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life
Pastor and Ministers
We have opened ourselves to God's forgiveness and new life. Because we have taken that risk, God gives us new stamina, new courage, new direction, and new hope for this world, beginning with each of us. That's God's promise. God not once has reneged on that promise.
P: We are free to live a new dimension of life in Christ.
M: We rejoice that Christ makes this possible, as we move out with the seventy.
Response
"Our Father, Which Art in Heaven," West Indies folk melody, trans. by Olive Pattison, 1945.
Allowing The Word To Examine Us
Message with the Children of All Ages
When the seventy that Jesus called went out into a hostile world, they had two responses: (1) They got angry when people refused to respond to their good news; and (2) they experienced great joy when they saw people respond to their good news. When your parents ask you to do something, when you would rather watch television, how do you respond? Maybe with anger at first; but think about the joy you have when you do something for your parents or when you reach out to other people. Take a moment to identify the joy that you have had, despite your initial anger.
Response
"Truth Shall Make You Free," John F. Wilson, from Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.)
Dramatizing the Scripture
Have "Jesus" walk down among the people, as if they were the seventy. Have him memorize the passage if possible. Then, after a few moments of silence, have a group from the congregation dash forward which much excitement, telling of their exciting joyful experience in their own words.
Proclamation of the Good News
Focus on these two themes: (1) The anger expressed by the disciples when people refused to listen or disagreed with them; (2) the joy they experienced when they got "out of their own skin" and proclaimed good news. Offer this as a model for us today.
Choral Response
"Awake My Heart,"aJane Marshall.
Responding To God's Activity In The World And Church
Stewardship Challenge
A country-western song has this line in it: "If it feels good, do it ... if it hurts, let it lie." I'm so glad that the seventy refused to respond to Jesus this way. If they had, we wouldn't be here today. How do you respond to God's call as you enter the world each day?
Hymn of Obedience
"Make Me a Captive, Lord," George Matheson, 1890; Samuel Howard, 1762; harm. David Evans, 1927.
Charge to the Congregation
Have we put church life into the category of leisure time? If so, then discipleship becomes trivial, which competes with other trivia, such as lying in a hammock, sailing, or watching television after we have slipped into something more comfortable. Discipleship in Christ requires top priority; it's not something we do if we have nothing else to do (idea suggested by Dave Yeaworth).
Response
"Lord, I want to be (1) more holy; (2) like Jesus; and (3) empowered."
Meditation
At what point, or points, in worship did we allow God's Spirit to reach us and convict us? What will we do about it this coming week?
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "Toccata in D Minor," Froberger.
Choral Introduction: "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! In God's temple, God be praised. In the high and heavenly places be the sounding anthem raised" (author unknown). Make up your own tune.
Response to the Scripture: "Salvation is Created," Tschesnokoff.
Doxology: Use the tune to "All Creatures of Our God and King." (Change the tune now and then.)
Music for Dismissal: "Credo," Haydn.
