Self-deception; Hearers and Doers
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle A Gospel Texts
The Community Gathers To Celebrate The Season Of The Holy Spirit
Invitation to the Celebration
Select which Trinitarian greeting you prefer in your welcome. The Spirit of Christ makes us come alive. We use that phrase often. What does it mean? Ask for response from the people. Here is another idea of what it means: "Coming alive is when the grass no longer seems greener somewhere else, but in the relationships and responsibilities which are knocking at our door today" (from Celebrations on Coming Alive, author unknown). (R.S. - Right Side; L.S. - Left Side)
P: Clap your hands, stomp your feet! Let your bodies and voices explode with joy!
R.S.: God is not some human concoction. God is for real and is here!
L.S.: Despite all attempts to rationalize God out of existence, God is in the world and reigns over the universe.
(If the congregation is dragging through the call, begin again, and again, until the people show some enthusiasm about being in God's presence.)
P: The rulers of the nations often ignore God, and so do you and I.
R.S.: People of learning often pass God by, and so do we.
L.S.: The masses of God's creation substitute their own little gods, and worship the things they can see and feel, and so do we.
All: Others build fortresses around themselves, and display no need for God, and so do we.
P: Our God will not be ignored. No, indeed!
All: God will remain in this world, no matter how we react. Therefore, we recognize God's Presence and we fill the air with God's praises! Yes! Yes!
Response
"Eightfold Alleluia" (source unknown).
Prayer and Hymn of Praise
These center upon, and focus on, the God whose presence and power we celebrate. This is no time for subjectiveness!
The Community Takes Responsibility For Itself
The Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
How do you respond to Jesus' words in the Gospel for today? "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven." Often, I come to that statement and have a list of folks who I know won't make it. How about you? Do you have that list in your head? If so, would you be willing to write down the names of those people who you think will not make it; and then, after each name, tell God why you think they won't make it? (Pregnant pause!) After a few moments, invite the people to read, silently, Matthew 7:21-23, to let the Spirit of God examine them, and to make their personal confession of sin. (Three full minutes.)
Response
Pastor to offer a corporate prayer of confession. Incorporate the idea that such behavior represents lives built on sand.
The Act of Receiving New Life
Now, please read Matthew 7:24-29, silently. As you read, what new insights of awareness do you have about yourself, and about the local congregation of which you are a part? Write down your thoughts. After a two-minute pause, ask if any want to share their discovery. Offer one of your own. What does it take to build our house, our life, on rock rather than sand?
Response
"Let All That You Do" (words and music by Gary Hasson, in Folk Encounter, Hope Publishing Company).
The Community Responds To God's Truth
Message with the Children of All Ages
If possible, bring a sandcastle; if not possible, talk about sandcastles at the beach -- how long they take to build, and how quickly they are wiped out by the incoming tide. Talk about things that do not last. Perhaps they can list several. And even though houses built on rock last for a time, they, too, disappear. Jesus asks us to build our lives on his love which never disappears. Use illustrations from your life.
Reading from the Newer Covenant
This passage makes for a dramatic presentation. It includes a person, a reader, and Jesus. Begin by having that person knocking loudly on a sanctuary door entrance. "Hey, let me in!" Use the first part of the text; and give permission for the person to be creative, so long as he/she maintains the content of the passage. Then, Jesus will respond appropriately. The reader concludes with verses 28-29.
Proclamation of the Good News
Consider the difference between religion and Christianity. Identify some of the barriers that keep people from the Kingdom, barriers which are nothing more than sandcastles. To name the barrier is to have power over it. Here are some examples: a deceitful liaison; a full pocketbook; a fear of failure; an unwillingness to risk; a demand for false recognition; a hope based on illusions. These may well keep us from entering the Kingdom. Then, invite the people to allow the presence and power of the risen Christ to replace it, that secondary god, with a primary loyalty to him who came to bring life in all of its richness, fullness, wholeness.
Response
"Have Thine Own Way, Lord" (Adelaide A. Pollard; George C. Stebbins).
Stewardship Challenge
Our faith begins and ends, not by our obedience to rules; not by our achievements, measured by ourself or others; not by our finding God through our efforts; not by how much or how little we put in the offering plate; but, rather, by God's unconditional acceptance of us. Our response, during the offering, and throughout our life, is thankful gratitude. I invite us to offer our grateful thanks to God now.
Charge to the Congregation
The Holy Spirit reveals the irresistibility of God's authority let loose among people in Jesus of Nazareth -- not in Buddha, not in the Bahgwan, not in Mohammed, but in Christ; not in authoritarianism, religion, or otherwise, but in Christ. In Jesus the Christ, God openly declared God's authority by reconciling black and white, rich and poor, ambitious and lazy, intelligent and stupid, hopeful and hopeless, sinner and saint, to the Godself. The authority of God came to life in a manger, hung on a cross, broke loose from death, and lives for all people -- the ones we like and the ones we don't like. We are invited to share that life with the world -- today and every day.
Response
Use Disney's tune, "It's a Small World, After All," again this week. "It Is Christ's World, After All."
Meditation
"Everyone expects to go to heaven, but no one wants to die" (WHK). "If Christianity were a little more willing to put miracles and Resurrection under wraps, it would be far less offensive and worth almost nothing"Ê(S. Lewis Chamberlain).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Pentecost or Holy Spirit hymns; or "Chaconne," Buxtehude.
Hymn of Praise: "When Morning Gilds the Skies," German hymn, eighteenth century; trans. Edward Caswall, 1854; 1858; alt.
Response to the Prayer of Pardon: (Choir) "My Soul Doth Rejoice," Homilius.
Response to the Message with the Children: "Seek and Ye (You) Shall Find," Kentucky-Tennessee gospel song, from New Wine: Songs for Celebration (see Appendix I for address).
Offertory: "Benedictus," Couperin.
Hymn of Dedication: "My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less," Edward Mote, c. 1834; William Batchelder Bradbury, 1863; or "Jesus Shall Reign," Isaac Watts, 1719; based on Psalm 72.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Dedication hymns.
Invitation to the Celebration
Select which Trinitarian greeting you prefer in your welcome. The Spirit of Christ makes us come alive. We use that phrase often. What does it mean? Ask for response from the people. Here is another idea of what it means: "Coming alive is when the grass no longer seems greener somewhere else, but in the relationships and responsibilities which are knocking at our door today" (from Celebrations on Coming Alive, author unknown). (R.S. - Right Side; L.S. - Left Side)
P: Clap your hands, stomp your feet! Let your bodies and voices explode with joy!
R.S.: God is not some human concoction. God is for real and is here!
L.S.: Despite all attempts to rationalize God out of existence, God is in the world and reigns over the universe.
(If the congregation is dragging through the call, begin again, and again, until the people show some enthusiasm about being in God's presence.)
P: The rulers of the nations often ignore God, and so do you and I.
R.S.: People of learning often pass God by, and so do we.
L.S.: The masses of God's creation substitute their own little gods, and worship the things they can see and feel, and so do we.
All: Others build fortresses around themselves, and display no need for God, and so do we.
P: Our God will not be ignored. No, indeed!
All: God will remain in this world, no matter how we react. Therefore, we recognize God's Presence and we fill the air with God's praises! Yes! Yes!
Response
"Eightfold Alleluia" (source unknown).
Prayer and Hymn of Praise
These center upon, and focus on, the God whose presence and power we celebrate. This is no time for subjectiveness!
The Community Takes Responsibility For Itself
The Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
How do you respond to Jesus' words in the Gospel for today? "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven." Often, I come to that statement and have a list of folks who I know won't make it. How about you? Do you have that list in your head? If so, would you be willing to write down the names of those people who you think will not make it; and then, after each name, tell God why you think they won't make it? (Pregnant pause!) After a few moments, invite the people to read, silently, Matthew 7:21-23, to let the Spirit of God examine them, and to make their personal confession of sin. (Three full minutes.)
Response
Pastor to offer a corporate prayer of confession. Incorporate the idea that such behavior represents lives built on sand.
The Act of Receiving New Life
Now, please read Matthew 7:24-29, silently. As you read, what new insights of awareness do you have about yourself, and about the local congregation of which you are a part? Write down your thoughts. After a two-minute pause, ask if any want to share their discovery. Offer one of your own. What does it take to build our house, our life, on rock rather than sand?
Response
"Let All That You Do" (words and music by Gary Hasson, in Folk Encounter, Hope Publishing Company).
The Community Responds To God's Truth
Message with the Children of All Ages
If possible, bring a sandcastle; if not possible, talk about sandcastles at the beach -- how long they take to build, and how quickly they are wiped out by the incoming tide. Talk about things that do not last. Perhaps they can list several. And even though houses built on rock last for a time, they, too, disappear. Jesus asks us to build our lives on his love which never disappears. Use illustrations from your life.
Reading from the Newer Covenant
This passage makes for a dramatic presentation. It includes a person, a reader, and Jesus. Begin by having that person knocking loudly on a sanctuary door entrance. "Hey, let me in!" Use the first part of the text; and give permission for the person to be creative, so long as he/she maintains the content of the passage. Then, Jesus will respond appropriately. The reader concludes with verses 28-29.
Proclamation of the Good News
Consider the difference between religion and Christianity. Identify some of the barriers that keep people from the Kingdom, barriers which are nothing more than sandcastles. To name the barrier is to have power over it. Here are some examples: a deceitful liaison; a full pocketbook; a fear of failure; an unwillingness to risk; a demand for false recognition; a hope based on illusions. These may well keep us from entering the Kingdom. Then, invite the people to allow the presence and power of the risen Christ to replace it, that secondary god, with a primary loyalty to him who came to bring life in all of its richness, fullness, wholeness.
Response
"Have Thine Own Way, Lord" (Adelaide A. Pollard; George C. Stebbins).
Stewardship Challenge
Our faith begins and ends, not by our obedience to rules; not by our achievements, measured by ourself or others; not by our finding God through our efforts; not by how much or how little we put in the offering plate; but, rather, by God's unconditional acceptance of us. Our response, during the offering, and throughout our life, is thankful gratitude. I invite us to offer our grateful thanks to God now.
Charge to the Congregation
The Holy Spirit reveals the irresistibility of God's authority let loose among people in Jesus of Nazareth -- not in Buddha, not in the Bahgwan, not in Mohammed, but in Christ; not in authoritarianism, religion, or otherwise, but in Christ. In Jesus the Christ, God openly declared God's authority by reconciling black and white, rich and poor, ambitious and lazy, intelligent and stupid, hopeful and hopeless, sinner and saint, to the Godself. The authority of God came to life in a manger, hung on a cross, broke loose from death, and lives for all people -- the ones we like and the ones we don't like. We are invited to share that life with the world -- today and every day.
Response
Use Disney's tune, "It's a Small World, After All," again this week. "It Is Christ's World, After All."
Meditation
"Everyone expects to go to heaven, but no one wants to die" (WHK). "If Christianity were a little more willing to put miracles and Resurrection under wraps, it would be far less offensive and worth almost nothing"Ê(S. Lewis Chamberlain).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Pentecost or Holy Spirit hymns; or "Chaconne," Buxtehude.
Hymn of Praise: "When Morning Gilds the Skies," German hymn, eighteenth century; trans. Edward Caswall, 1854; 1858; alt.
Response to the Prayer of Pardon: (Choir) "My Soul Doth Rejoice," Homilius.
Response to the Message with the Children: "Seek and Ye (You) Shall Find," Kentucky-Tennessee gospel song, from New Wine: Songs for Celebration (see Appendix I for address).
Offertory: "Benedictus," Couperin.
Hymn of Dedication: "My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less," Edward Mote, c. 1834; William Batchelder Bradbury, 1863; or "Jesus Shall Reign," Isaac Watts, 1719; based on Psalm 72.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Dedication hymns.
