The transcendent, immanent God
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series II
Exegetical note: This passage clearly attests the two basic components of Judaeo-Christian theism. For the assertion in v. 39 that God is in heaven and on earth bespeaks both the transcendence of God's being (i.e., God's essential nature prior to, above, beyond, and other than the world) and the immanence of God's activity. That is, the Creator does not become the creation or its creatures (with one notable exception for orthodox Christianity!), but does work redemptively in the world and with its people.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 33)
Leader:
Let the righteous rejoice in God!
People:
FOR GOD'S WORD IS TRUSTWORTHY, AND ALL GOD'S ACTS ARE FAITHFUL!
Leader:
God loves righteousness and justice!
People: AND THE EARTH IS FULL OF GOD'S STEADFAST LOVE!
Collect
Almighty God, you were prior to creation and stand above it now as its Holy Other. Convince us again of your abiding care for and presence in the world: that, knowing that you are indeed active in its history and among its people, we may cooperate with you in bringing your majesty and mercy to bear. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most caring Creator, we confess that we sometimes treat you as aloof from the world and far removed from everyday life, for imagining you as distant, we feel free to keep the world at arm's length as well. Forgive us this self-deceit, O God, and assist us in admitting always your continuing concern and compassion for your Creation and creatures. Make the fact that you abide in the world and its affairs move us to involve ourselves graciously as well. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
First Sunday after Pentecost
(The Holy Trinity)
Second Lesson: 2 Corinthians 13:5-14
Theme:
The Christ-centered Trinity
Exegetical note: The formula that closes the hortatory conclusion to this letter is the only time that Paul explicity refers to the three entities that later became the doctrine of the Trinity for orthodox Christianity. The order that Paul employs here is important (and hardly accidental): Christians experience the grace of the Christ first, and because of that, they experience God's love and the fellowship of the Spirit.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 33)
Leader:
By God's word were the heavens made!
People:
WITH GOD'S BREATH WERE THE WORLD'S CREATURES MADE!
Leader:
Let all the earth fear God!
People:
LET ALL ITS INHABITANTS STAND IN AWE!
Collect
Holy God, you have shown us your grace in Christ Jesus, and through him your love and the fellowship of the Spirit. Give us now an appreciation of your mysterious threefold nature: that, what we are unable to comprehend, we shall be able to know intuitively because of its impact upon our lives. In the name of the living Christ we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Eternal God, we confess that we often wallow in the incomprehensibility of your majesty, and use the limitations of our human minds as an excuse to ignore you altogether. Forgive us, we pray, and help us to take to heart the saving knowledge of you that an experience of the Christ brings. Let the grace that we have realized in him tell us of your love and lead us to fellowship in your Spirit, to the end that we shall know of you what we need, for both assurance of mind and action in ministry. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
First Sunday after Pentecost
(The Holy Trinity)
Gospel:
Matthew 28:16-20
Theme:
The threefold name of God
Exegetical note: Matthew's version of the great commission contained here provides the clearest scriptural statement of the trinitarian formula that would later become the Trinitarian doctrine of orthodox Christianity. Important here is the context given by Jesus for this charge: it is a matter of authority, which has been given to him, and which he, in turn, is passing along to those who will be in mission in the threefold name of God.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 33)
Leader:
The counsel of God stands forever!
People:
THE THOUGHTS OF GOD'S HEART ARE FOR ALL GENERATIONS!
Leader:
Blessed are the nations that worship God!
People:
BLESSED ARE THE PEOPLES WHOM GOD HAS CHOSEN!
Collect
Triune God, you have given us a threefold name by which to call you and know you. Make it now an inspiration for us: that, knowing you not only as Creator, but Redeemer and Sustainer as well, we may be empowered and enthused to engage in ministry on your behalf and for our sakes. In all of these holy names we pray this day. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Majestic God, we confess that we spend far too much time thin king about you, your Persons, and your Names, and not enough experiencing you in all your fullness. Forgive us, we pray, and open our souls and spirits to the manifold ways in which you can touch us. As Creator, empower us; as Redeemer, save us; and as Sustainer, be with us as we move beyond our limitations of mind to engage in carrying out our missions as your people, your children, your Church. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 33)
Leader:
Let the righteous rejoice in God!
People:
FOR GOD'S WORD IS TRUSTWORTHY, AND ALL GOD'S ACTS ARE FAITHFUL!
Leader:
God loves righteousness and justice!
People: AND THE EARTH IS FULL OF GOD'S STEADFAST LOVE!
Collect
Almighty God, you were prior to creation and stand above it now as its Holy Other. Convince us again of your abiding care for and presence in the world: that, knowing that you are indeed active in its history and among its people, we may cooperate with you in bringing your majesty and mercy to bear. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most caring Creator, we confess that we sometimes treat you as aloof from the world and far removed from everyday life, for imagining you as distant, we feel free to keep the world at arm's length as well. Forgive us this self-deceit, O God, and assist us in admitting always your continuing concern and compassion for your Creation and creatures. Make the fact that you abide in the world and its affairs move us to involve ourselves graciously as well. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
First Sunday after Pentecost
(The Holy Trinity)
Second Lesson: 2 Corinthians 13:5-14
Theme:
The Christ-centered Trinity
Exegetical note: The formula that closes the hortatory conclusion to this letter is the only time that Paul explicity refers to the three entities that later became the doctrine of the Trinity for orthodox Christianity. The order that Paul employs here is important (and hardly accidental): Christians experience the grace of the Christ first, and because of that, they experience God's love and the fellowship of the Spirit.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 33)
Leader:
By God's word were the heavens made!
People:
WITH GOD'S BREATH WERE THE WORLD'S CREATURES MADE!
Leader:
Let all the earth fear God!
People:
LET ALL ITS INHABITANTS STAND IN AWE!
Collect
Holy God, you have shown us your grace in Christ Jesus, and through him your love and the fellowship of the Spirit. Give us now an appreciation of your mysterious threefold nature: that, what we are unable to comprehend, we shall be able to know intuitively because of its impact upon our lives. In the name of the living Christ we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Eternal God, we confess that we often wallow in the incomprehensibility of your majesty, and use the limitations of our human minds as an excuse to ignore you altogether. Forgive us, we pray, and help us to take to heart the saving knowledge of you that an experience of the Christ brings. Let the grace that we have realized in him tell us of your love and lead us to fellowship in your Spirit, to the end that we shall know of you what we need, for both assurance of mind and action in ministry. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
First Sunday after Pentecost
(The Holy Trinity)
Gospel:
Matthew 28:16-20
Theme:
The threefold name of God
Exegetical note: Matthew's version of the great commission contained here provides the clearest scriptural statement of the trinitarian formula that would later become the Trinitarian doctrine of orthodox Christianity. Important here is the context given by Jesus for this charge: it is a matter of authority, which has been given to him, and which he, in turn, is passing along to those who will be in mission in the threefold name of God.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 33)
Leader:
The counsel of God stands forever!
People:
THE THOUGHTS OF GOD'S HEART ARE FOR ALL GENERATIONS!
Leader:
Blessed are the nations that worship God!
People:
BLESSED ARE THE PEOPLES WHOM GOD HAS CHOSEN!
Collect
Triune God, you have given us a threefold name by which to call you and know you. Make it now an inspiration for us: that, knowing you not only as Creator, but Redeemer and Sustainer as well, we may be empowered and enthused to engage in ministry on your behalf and for our sakes. In all of these holy names we pray this day. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Majestic God, we confess that we spend far too much time thin king about you, your Persons, and your Names, and not enough experiencing you in all your fullness. Forgive us, we pray, and open our souls and spirits to the manifold ways in which you can touch us. As Creator, empower us; as Redeemer, save us; and as Sustainer, be with us as we move beyond our limitations of mind to engage in carrying out our missions as your people, your children, your Church. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
