Selfless intercession
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series II
Exegetical note: Modern readers will have difficulty with a view of God that allows for the divine wrath to get so out of hand that the deity has to be dissuaded from and repent of the vengeful evil that the divine indignation has threatened. More plausible, perhaps, is the selfless intercession of Moses, who gave up the flattering divine offer to become the new father of a great nation in order to plead on the basis of the old Abramic pact.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 106)
Leader:
Sisters and brothers, let us never be as the Israelites in the wilderness!
People:
FOR THEY REBELLED AGAINST THE MOST HIGH!
Leader:
But let us remember God's steadfast love!
People:
FOR IT SAVED EVEN THOSE WHOSE FAITH WAS WEAK!
Collect
Most generous God, you graciously answer the prayers of your people. Teach us to pray selflessly: that, placing the needs of others before our own, we shall let compassion rather than self-centered ness guide our intercessions to you. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
All-compassionate God, we confess that we are selfish and self-centered in every area of our lives, but especially in our prayers. We ask you, not only for what we need, but for what we want, including the most trivial, and forget the dire situations caused by famine, natural disaster, disease, terrorism, war, and civil strife the world over. Forgive us, O God, and teach us not to pray for happiness while there is still hunger, possessions while there is still poverty, or peace of mind while there is still violence in the world. In the name of Christ Jesus we pray. Amen
Proper 20
Sunday between September 18 and September 24 inclusive
Second Lesson: Philippians 1:21-27
Theme:
Continuity of life in Christ Jesus
Exegetical note: Paul, probably writing from prison, finds himself facing the real possibility of martyrdom, which he not only does not fear, but seems to welcome. His only hesitation stems from his suspicion that he may be more useful alive for those dependent on his guidance, and thus he resolves to continue "in the flesh." But in either case, alive or "departed," Paul is certain that he will continue to be "in Christ."
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 106)
Leader:
May God remember us and show us favor!
People:
MAY GOD HELP US AND DELIVER US!
Leader:
May God show us the prosperity of a chosen people!
People:
MAY GOD PERMIT US TO GLORY IN OUR DIVINE HERITAGE!
Collect
Almighty God, you have created in Christ Jesus a community that transcends death. Instill in us a sense of oneness with all your saints: that, strengthened by that crowd of witnesses, we may become a timeless Church united against evil and for your gospel. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Ancient of days, it sorrows us deeply to confess how limited our sense of the community of the Christ is, and how much we identify "Church" with a building, congregation, or denomintaion, forgetting that it is a cosmic and universal body that transcends, not only our distinctions, but time and space as well. Forgive us, we pray; open our eyes, minds, and hearts to the extraordinary scope of the new Israel founded in Christ Jesus; and widen and deepen our commitment to being the people of your ageless will and eternal Word. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Proper 20
Sunday between September 18 and September 24 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 20:1-16
Theme:
God's gracious unfairness
Exegetical note: The original "punchline" to this parable was probably verse 15, which would shift the focus of the parable properly from the laborers to the vineyard owner and would underscore his generosity. The lesson, then, is about God and God's coming Reign:
God will be just to all but "unfairly" gracious to some.
Call to Worship
Leader:
Let us gather in the name of the God of glory!
People:
LET US JOIN TO WORSHIP THE GOD OF GRACE!
Leader:
For ours is a God of righteousness and justice!
People:
OURS IS A GOD OF FORGIVENESS AND MERCY!
Collect
God of past, present, and future, you have promised a Reign that will bless humanity and the world. Set our sights upon this coming reality: that, inspired by the hope that it brings, we may know ourselves to be recipients of your incomparable grace and mercy. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, we confess that we have failed miserably to emulate your justice in our dealings with others, much less your graciousness, and that we have sown ill-will, contempt, hatred, and discord as a result. Forgive us, we pray, and inspire us by the mercy and forgiveness that you have shown to us in Christ Jesus to deal, not just honestly and fairly, but generously and charitably, after the example of Christ Jesus, who taught love for enemies and forgave even his tormentors. In his name and spirit we pray. Amen
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 106)
Leader:
Sisters and brothers, let us never be as the Israelites in the wilderness!
People:
FOR THEY REBELLED AGAINST THE MOST HIGH!
Leader:
But let us remember God's steadfast love!
People:
FOR IT SAVED EVEN THOSE WHOSE FAITH WAS WEAK!
Collect
Most generous God, you graciously answer the prayers of your people. Teach us to pray selflessly: that, placing the needs of others before our own, we shall let compassion rather than self-centered ness guide our intercessions to you. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
All-compassionate God, we confess that we are selfish and self-centered in every area of our lives, but especially in our prayers. We ask you, not only for what we need, but for what we want, including the most trivial, and forget the dire situations caused by famine, natural disaster, disease, terrorism, war, and civil strife the world over. Forgive us, O God, and teach us not to pray for happiness while there is still hunger, possessions while there is still poverty, or peace of mind while there is still violence in the world. In the name of Christ Jesus we pray. Amen
Proper 20
Sunday between September 18 and September 24 inclusive
Second Lesson: Philippians 1:21-27
Theme:
Continuity of life in Christ Jesus
Exegetical note: Paul, probably writing from prison, finds himself facing the real possibility of martyrdom, which he not only does not fear, but seems to welcome. His only hesitation stems from his suspicion that he may be more useful alive for those dependent on his guidance, and thus he resolves to continue "in the flesh." But in either case, alive or "departed," Paul is certain that he will continue to be "in Christ."
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 106)
Leader:
May God remember us and show us favor!
People:
MAY GOD HELP US AND DELIVER US!
Leader:
May God show us the prosperity of a chosen people!
People:
MAY GOD PERMIT US TO GLORY IN OUR DIVINE HERITAGE!
Collect
Almighty God, you have created in Christ Jesus a community that transcends death. Instill in us a sense of oneness with all your saints: that, strengthened by that crowd of witnesses, we may become a timeless Church united against evil and for your gospel. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Ancient of days, it sorrows us deeply to confess how limited our sense of the community of the Christ is, and how much we identify "Church" with a building, congregation, or denomintaion, forgetting that it is a cosmic and universal body that transcends, not only our distinctions, but time and space as well. Forgive us, we pray; open our eyes, minds, and hearts to the extraordinary scope of the new Israel founded in Christ Jesus; and widen and deepen our commitment to being the people of your ageless will and eternal Word. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Proper 20
Sunday between September 18 and September 24 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 20:1-16
Theme:
God's gracious unfairness
Exegetical note: The original "punchline" to this parable was probably verse 15, which would shift the focus of the parable properly from the laborers to the vineyard owner and would underscore his generosity. The lesson, then, is about God and God's coming Reign:
God will be just to all but "unfairly" gracious to some.
Call to Worship
Leader:
Let us gather in the name of the God of glory!
People:
LET US JOIN TO WORSHIP THE GOD OF GRACE!
Leader:
For ours is a God of righteousness and justice!
People:
OURS IS A GOD OF FORGIVENESS AND MERCY!
Collect
God of past, present, and future, you have promised a Reign that will bless humanity and the world. Set our sights upon this coming reality: that, inspired by the hope that it brings, we may know ourselves to be recipients of your incomparable grace and mercy. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, we confess that we have failed miserably to emulate your justice in our dealings with others, much less your graciousness, and that we have sown ill-will, contempt, hatred, and discord as a result. Forgive us, we pray, and inspire us by the mercy and forgiveness that you have shown to us in Christ Jesus to deal, not just honestly and fairly, but generously and charitably, after the example of Christ Jesus, who taught love for enemies and forgave even his tormentors. In his name and spirit we pray. Amen
