Sixth Sunday After Epiphany
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series IV, Cycle A
Hymns
Lord Jesus, Think On Me (LBW309, PH301, CBH526)
Blest Are The Uncorrupt In Heart (PH223)
The Word Of God Is Solid Ground (CBH314)
What Gift Can We Bring (NCH370, UM8, CBH385)
Now In The Days Of Youth (NCH350)
If I Have Been The Source Of Pain (NCH544)
Where Charity And Love Prevail (NCH396, UM549, CBH305, LBW126)
O Christ, Our Hope (LBW300)
Anthems
The House Of The Lord, Ker, CGA, 2--part
Faith Of Our Fathers, Greg Kerkorian, Blake State, 3--octave handbells
Thy Word Is A Lantern, Robert Powell, Abingdon, SATB
Call to Worship (based on Psalm 119)
Leader: Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of God.
People: Happy are those who keep God's decrees, who seek God with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in God's ways.
Leader: O may our ways be steadfast in keeping your statutes.
People: We will praise you with an upright heart.
All: When we learn your righteous ordinances, we will observe your statutes. Let us worship God.
Call to Confession
Paul tells us that we may plant the seed and others may water, but only God gives the growth. Let us come together asking God to help us grow in obedience to God's word. Let us pray.
Prayer of Confession
Loving God, why do we fight with each other? We are your people, and yet we hurt each other and turn away from those we love. We treat those whom we love so badly. We take sides and refuse to listen to what others might have to say. We get stuck and can't seem to learn from other well--meaning people, even here at church. Help us, God. We know that we come together for a common purpose - to learn your desires for us, and to do your work in this chaotic world. Open our hearts to show kindness to those whom we love, and to those we don't even know. As Paul tell us, "We are God's servants, working together." Forgive us, God, for our inability to work toward a new community of love.
Assurance of Forgiveness
Jesus took his disciples to task because they argued with each other and had trouble seeing the bigger picture. But Jesus showed us the love that he had for all people by giving up his life for our sake. God loves us so much that we are forgiven through grace. Amen.
Scripture Readings
Deuteronomy 30:15--20: This passage is a soliloquy by Moses as the Israelites get ready to go into the promised land. This segment is full of emotion and should be memorized and given as a speech. A good response from the congregation, after it has been given, might be, "We choose life. Be with us, Yahweh."
1 Corinthians 3:1--9: This is another good passage either to be memorized or simply read dramatically. It is Paul, speaking from the heart. The response at the end of the reading might be:
Reader: Only God gives the growth.
People: We have a common purpose. We are God's servants, working together.
Matthew 5:21--37: This passage is a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount. It can either be read by two voices, a choral speaking choir in which half the group are on one side of the sanctuary and the other half across from them, or as a responsive reading by reader and congregation.
Voice 1: You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, "You shall not murder"; and "whoever murders shall be liable to judgment."
Voice 2: But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment: and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, "You fool," you will be liable to the hell of fire.
Voice 1: So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go;
Voice 2: First be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come to terms and offer your gift.
Voice 1: Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him,
Voice 2: Or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison.
All: Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Voice 1: You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery."
Voice 2: But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Voice 1: If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Voice 2: And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.
Voice 1: It was also said, "Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce."
Voice 2: But I say to you, that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the grounds of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Voice 1: Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, "You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord."
Voice 2: But I say to you, do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
Voice 1: And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.
Voice 2: Let your word be "Yes, Yes," or "No, No"; anything more than this comes from the evil one.
Benediction
Leader: Choose life so that you and your descendants may live loving, obeying, and holding fast to God.
People: That is life to God's people.
Leader: Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything,
People: Only God gives the growth.
Leader: The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose.
People: We are God's servants, working together. Let us plant God's message in the hearts of others.
Leader: In the name of Christ who showed us the power of reconciling love. Amen.
Lord Jesus, Think On Me (LBW309, PH301, CBH526)
Blest Are The Uncorrupt In Heart (PH223)
The Word Of God Is Solid Ground (CBH314)
What Gift Can We Bring (NCH370, UM8, CBH385)
Now In The Days Of Youth (NCH350)
If I Have Been The Source Of Pain (NCH544)
Where Charity And Love Prevail (NCH396, UM549, CBH305, LBW126)
O Christ, Our Hope (LBW300)
Anthems
The House Of The Lord, Ker, CGA, 2--part
Faith Of Our Fathers, Greg Kerkorian, Blake State, 3--octave handbells
Thy Word Is A Lantern, Robert Powell, Abingdon, SATB
Call to Worship (based on Psalm 119)
Leader: Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of God.
People: Happy are those who keep God's decrees, who seek God with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in God's ways.
Leader: O may our ways be steadfast in keeping your statutes.
People: We will praise you with an upright heart.
All: When we learn your righteous ordinances, we will observe your statutes. Let us worship God.
Call to Confession
Paul tells us that we may plant the seed and others may water, but only God gives the growth. Let us come together asking God to help us grow in obedience to God's word. Let us pray.
Prayer of Confession
Loving God, why do we fight with each other? We are your people, and yet we hurt each other and turn away from those we love. We treat those whom we love so badly. We take sides and refuse to listen to what others might have to say. We get stuck and can't seem to learn from other well--meaning people, even here at church. Help us, God. We know that we come together for a common purpose - to learn your desires for us, and to do your work in this chaotic world. Open our hearts to show kindness to those whom we love, and to those we don't even know. As Paul tell us, "We are God's servants, working together." Forgive us, God, for our inability to work toward a new community of love.
Assurance of Forgiveness
Jesus took his disciples to task because they argued with each other and had trouble seeing the bigger picture. But Jesus showed us the love that he had for all people by giving up his life for our sake. God loves us so much that we are forgiven through grace. Amen.
Scripture Readings
Deuteronomy 30:15--20: This passage is a soliloquy by Moses as the Israelites get ready to go into the promised land. This segment is full of emotion and should be memorized and given as a speech. A good response from the congregation, after it has been given, might be, "We choose life. Be with us, Yahweh."
1 Corinthians 3:1--9: This is another good passage either to be memorized or simply read dramatically. It is Paul, speaking from the heart. The response at the end of the reading might be:
Reader: Only God gives the growth.
People: We have a common purpose. We are God's servants, working together.
Matthew 5:21--37: This passage is a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount. It can either be read by two voices, a choral speaking choir in which half the group are on one side of the sanctuary and the other half across from them, or as a responsive reading by reader and congregation.
Voice 1: You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, "You shall not murder"; and "whoever murders shall be liable to judgment."
Voice 2: But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment: and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, "You fool," you will be liable to the hell of fire.
Voice 1: So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go;
Voice 2: First be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come to terms and offer your gift.
Voice 1: Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him,
Voice 2: Or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison.
All: Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Voice 1: You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery."
Voice 2: But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Voice 1: If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Voice 2: And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.
Voice 1: It was also said, "Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce."
Voice 2: But I say to you, that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the grounds of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Voice 1: Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, "You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord."
Voice 2: But I say to you, do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
Voice 1: And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.
Voice 2: Let your word be "Yes, Yes," or "No, No"; anything more than this comes from the evil one.
Benediction
Leader: Choose life so that you and your descendants may live loving, obeying, and holding fast to God.
People: That is life to God's people.
Leader: Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything,
People: Only God gives the growth.
Leader: The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose.
People: We are God's servants, working together. Let us plant God's message in the hearts of others.
Leader: In the name of Christ who showed us the power of reconciling love. Amen.
