The subtle presence of God
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series II
Exegetical note: Jacob's response to his dream-theophany - that God had been in that place all along without his knowing it - reflects well the modern-day tendency to let the prevailing secularizing worldview exclude such divine impingement, and yet to have extraordinary events trigger a recognition that the divine presence and power abide, usually incognito, even in the midst of everyday life.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 91)
Leader:
For those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
People:
OUR GOD IS A MIGHTY FORTRESS!
Leader:
For those who dwell in the shadow of the Almighty,
People:
OUR GOD IS A SAFE REFUGE!
Collect
Ever-present God, you are with us and within us, among us and around us, even when we do not feel it. Burst through our barriers of insensitivity: that, made thus aware of your abiding presence in our everyday lives, we may live each moment in blessed harmony with you. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most merciful God, we confess that we have allowed the secularism of modern life to filter you out of our minds, so that we live for the most part without any sense of your presence or power in the world; and we know in our hearts, whenever we stop to think about it, that our lives are faulty and flat, superficial and sad as a result. Forgive us, we pray, and sensitize us once again to the reality of your continuing being and constant abiding in Creation, shaping lives and steering events by the subtle movements of your mighty divine Providence. In the name of your Word made flesh, Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen
Proper 7
Sunday between June 19 and June 25 inclusive
(If after Trinity Sunday)
Second Lesson: Romans 5:12-19
Theme:
The "living death" of sin
Exegetical note: Paul's juridical paralleling of Adam and Jesus is one of contrasts: the former's trespass (disobedience) brought condemnation and death to all under the Law; the latter's righteousness (obedience) brought them acquittal and life under grace. The point here is neither to blame Adam for death (see the "because" clause in v. 15) nor to treat physical death as a punishment, but to underscore the "living death" of being estranged from God that everyone's sin (like Adam's) causes.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 91)
Leader:
Those who trust God fear not the terrors of the night!
People:
THOSE WHO LOVE GOD FLEE NOT THE PERILS OF THE DAY!
Leader:
For God's grace dispels what stalks the darkness!
People:
GOD'S MERCY VANQUISHES THE EVILS OF THE DAY!
Collect
Almighty God, you have rescued us from the living death and eternal damnation that sin would bring us. Impress us again with the magnitude of your grace: that, seeing again the awful end from which you have saved us, we may glory in the freedom and life that you have given us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of loving kindness, we confess that we live much of our lives as descendents of Adam and heirs to his sin, rather than as brothers and sisters of Jesus and recipients of your grace. Our transgressions are many and our merits are few. Forgive us, we pray, and help us to realign our lives after the image and likeness of the second Adam and his new humanity, so that we may be thus transformed and our lives thus redeemed, to his glory and yours. In his holy name we pray. Amen
Proper 7
Sunday between June 19 and June 25 inclusive
(If after Trinity Sunday)
Gospel:
Matthew 10:24-33
Theme:
Grounds for Christian courage
Exegetical note: As a part of his parting commission to his disciples, Jesus urges them not to fear on three (rather loosely related) grounds: (1) that what has been hidden (probably the Reign of God proclaimed, often obliquely, by Jesus) will be revealed; (2) that, compared with God's power and providence, nothing is fearsome; and (3) that the faithful will have an advocate in heaven before this God in the person of the Christ.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 91)
Leader:
Let us worship the God who delivers us from every peril!
People:
LET US PRAISE THE GOD WHO PROTECTS US FROM EVERY PLAGUE!
Leader:
For God covers us with heavenly wings!
People:
GOD DEFENDS US WITH HOLY SHIELDS!
Collect
Mighty God, beside you and your power nothing is fearsome. Grant us the courage required of discipleship: that, trusting in the security of your coming Reign and the support of our advocate Jesus, we may be bold to proclaim the truth of your liberating gospel even to those who would rather not hear. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of the ages, we confess with deep regret our timidity in proclaiming your Word of forgiveness and mercy, grace and hope to the world, because we fear what others will think of us or do to us as a result. We have grown to like our possessions more than our professions, and our comforts more than our commissions as disciples of Christ Jesus. Forgive us, we pray, and adjust our values to conform to your demands rather than to the world's dictates or our desires. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 91)
Leader:
For those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
People:
OUR GOD IS A MIGHTY FORTRESS!
Leader:
For those who dwell in the shadow of the Almighty,
People:
OUR GOD IS A SAFE REFUGE!
Collect
Ever-present God, you are with us and within us, among us and around us, even when we do not feel it. Burst through our barriers of insensitivity: that, made thus aware of your abiding presence in our everyday lives, we may live each moment in blessed harmony with you. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most merciful God, we confess that we have allowed the secularism of modern life to filter you out of our minds, so that we live for the most part without any sense of your presence or power in the world; and we know in our hearts, whenever we stop to think about it, that our lives are faulty and flat, superficial and sad as a result. Forgive us, we pray, and sensitize us once again to the reality of your continuing being and constant abiding in Creation, shaping lives and steering events by the subtle movements of your mighty divine Providence. In the name of your Word made flesh, Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen
Proper 7
Sunday between June 19 and June 25 inclusive
(If after Trinity Sunday)
Second Lesson: Romans 5:12-19
Theme:
The "living death" of sin
Exegetical note: Paul's juridical paralleling of Adam and Jesus is one of contrasts: the former's trespass (disobedience) brought condemnation and death to all under the Law; the latter's righteousness (obedience) brought them acquittal and life under grace. The point here is neither to blame Adam for death (see the "because" clause in v. 15) nor to treat physical death as a punishment, but to underscore the "living death" of being estranged from God that everyone's sin (like Adam's) causes.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 91)
Leader:
Those who trust God fear not the terrors of the night!
People:
THOSE WHO LOVE GOD FLEE NOT THE PERILS OF THE DAY!
Leader:
For God's grace dispels what stalks the darkness!
People:
GOD'S MERCY VANQUISHES THE EVILS OF THE DAY!
Collect
Almighty God, you have rescued us from the living death and eternal damnation that sin would bring us. Impress us again with the magnitude of your grace: that, seeing again the awful end from which you have saved us, we may glory in the freedom and life that you have given us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of loving kindness, we confess that we live much of our lives as descendents of Adam and heirs to his sin, rather than as brothers and sisters of Jesus and recipients of your grace. Our transgressions are many and our merits are few. Forgive us, we pray, and help us to realign our lives after the image and likeness of the second Adam and his new humanity, so that we may be thus transformed and our lives thus redeemed, to his glory and yours. In his holy name we pray. Amen
Proper 7
Sunday between June 19 and June 25 inclusive
(If after Trinity Sunday)
Gospel:
Matthew 10:24-33
Theme:
Grounds for Christian courage
Exegetical note: As a part of his parting commission to his disciples, Jesus urges them not to fear on three (rather loosely related) grounds: (1) that what has been hidden (probably the Reign of God proclaimed, often obliquely, by Jesus) will be revealed; (2) that, compared with God's power and providence, nothing is fearsome; and (3) that the faithful will have an advocate in heaven before this God in the person of the Christ.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 91)
Leader:
Let us worship the God who delivers us from every peril!
People:
LET US PRAISE THE GOD WHO PROTECTS US FROM EVERY PLAGUE!
Leader:
For God covers us with heavenly wings!
People:
GOD DEFENDS US WITH HOLY SHIELDS!
Collect
Mighty God, beside you and your power nothing is fearsome. Grant us the courage required of discipleship: that, trusting in the security of your coming Reign and the support of our advocate Jesus, we may be bold to proclaim the truth of your liberating gospel even to those who would rather not hear. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of the ages, we confess with deep regret our timidity in proclaiming your Word of forgiveness and mercy, grace and hope to the world, because we fear what others will think of us or do to us as a result. We have grown to like our possessions more than our professions, and our comforts more than our commissions as disciples of Christ Jesus. Forgive us, we pray, and adjust our values to conform to your demands rather than to the world's dictates or our desires. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
