Witnessing - Bearing witness to the light of the world
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Planning Ideas And Resources For The Entire Church Year
Invitation to the Corporate Celebration
One pastor began this way:
By now, this third Sunday in Advent, what does Christ's coming mean to you? More work or new hope, exhaustion or peace? Rushing around doing this and that or an opportunity to discover anew the world's savior?
Continue with this, or a similar, litany between pastor and ministers:
Pastor:
God promises to make life in Christ a great adventure.
Ministers: We're not sure; because we come with the bland sameness of daily life, irritating preoccupation with little concerns which fail to count ultimately, and the ineffective frustration of a world aflame with crises and urgent concerns.
Pastor:
Jesus the Christ has made us partners in liberating, freeing the world from its brokenness.
Ministers: We come to receive a plan for significant living, a purpose to lift up our vision, and a power to change that which needs changing, beginning with ourselves and the people who touch our lives.
Pastor:
We are a new breed of persons set free to be the Master's persons. I invite us to worship with thankful praise and joyous lives. Christ is here! Let us celebrate!
Ministers: We shall! So be it!
The Act of Recognizing our Humanness and the Act of Receiving New Life
Consider this:
Several years ago, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel produced a piece of music titled, "7 O'Clock News/Silent Night." Though the lyrics are a bit outdated, you may want to play it, with appropriate comment; or, you may want to up-date the words and have a member of the congregation sing it. It was produced by Columbia Records under the general title, "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme." (Stereo CS 9363/CL 2563)
Following the playing of the record, give the congregation 3-5 minutes of silence to apply it to themselves and their own human condition.
Conclude the silence with a prayer which focuses on the theme of the music with the theme for the third Sunday in Advent.
Message for the Children of All Ages
Suggestion:
Use a flashlight to make the point of the message. A flashlight points to something other than oneself. It serves as a guide, a warning, an awareness. It's useless, in most ways, if we point it on ourselves. You may want to make other applications. Compare the flashlight with the purpose of John's coming, to point the way to Jesus.
Proclamation of the Good News
Consider this:
We hear much about becoming Christian and God will bless us beyond anything we can imagine; usually, that blessing includes material and physical benefits. When we get sucked into that kind of promise, we turn the spotlight on ourselves; we spend more and more of our money on ourselves, as individuals, as families, as congregations. Keep on reminding the people that God calls us as witnesses to the light, the Christ; when we spotlight ourselves, demanding that God do more for us, we are no different from the Scribes and Pharisees.
Stewardship Challenge
Consider this:
Compare the amount of money the congregation gives to the total mission (local and beyond local). Figure out the per capita amount each member gives to each. For example, one day, I said to the congregation: "If you spend more than $32 on your recreation and vacation this year, you will have spent more than you give to the mission beyond the local church."
You may want to follow the offering with this prayer:
Lord, we like to say that we are your people, that we believe in your world mission. Forgive us for not putting our money where our mouth is.
Charge to the Congregation
Suggestion:
Instead of giving the benediction with the people looking toward the pastor, ask them to turn around facing the doors out of the sanctuary. Point them to the world. Herbert Brokering, in his book, Uncovered Feelings, adds the words "out there," to each line of the benediction which begins, "The Lord bless you and keep you ... " (published by Fortress Press, Philadelphia, Penn.)
Planning for Your Congregation
Suggestions
Your Situation
I. Other Scriptures
Liturgist:
Luke 1:46-55
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
II. Suggested Hymns
Assignments:
"Hark! the Glad sound, the savior Comes"
Based on Luke 4:18-19 Philip Doddrodge, 1735; alt., 1972
"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" Charles Wesley, 1744
"Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" From the liturgy of St. James Trans. by Gerard Moultrie, 1864
III. Other Music Possibilities
Organist/Choir director:
Music for Preparation
"In Dulce Jubilo" Karg-Elert
Choral Intriot
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" Plain Song
Response to the Proclamation
"Bridge Over Troubled Waters" Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel
(You may want to have a soloist sing this; define what you mean by the bridge. Some have suggested "drugs." When I use it, I call the bridge "Christ.")
Response to the Stewardship Challenge
"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"
(You may want a soloist to sing this, the organist to play it, someone to recite it while someone plays the piano, the latter of which is my favorite.)
Response to the Benediction/Music for Dismissal
Medley of Advent Hymns
IV. Bulletin Cover
Church secretary:
V. Bulletin Symbols
VI. Lighting the Advent Candles
Person or family:
VII. Miscellaneous Details (Assignments:)
Ushers
Candlelighters
Hosts/Hostesses
Banners
Flowers
Greeters
Posters
Name-tags
Others
One pastor began this way:
By now, this third Sunday in Advent, what does Christ's coming mean to you? More work or new hope, exhaustion or peace? Rushing around doing this and that or an opportunity to discover anew the world's savior?
Continue with this, or a similar, litany between pastor and ministers:
Pastor:
God promises to make life in Christ a great adventure.
Ministers: We're not sure; because we come with the bland sameness of daily life, irritating preoccupation with little concerns which fail to count ultimately, and the ineffective frustration of a world aflame with crises and urgent concerns.
Pastor:
Jesus the Christ has made us partners in liberating, freeing the world from its brokenness.
Ministers: We come to receive a plan for significant living, a purpose to lift up our vision, and a power to change that which needs changing, beginning with ourselves and the people who touch our lives.
Pastor:
We are a new breed of persons set free to be the Master's persons. I invite us to worship with thankful praise and joyous lives. Christ is here! Let us celebrate!
Ministers: We shall! So be it!
The Act of Recognizing our Humanness and the Act of Receiving New Life
Consider this:
Several years ago, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel produced a piece of music titled, "7 O'Clock News/Silent Night." Though the lyrics are a bit outdated, you may want to play it, with appropriate comment; or, you may want to up-date the words and have a member of the congregation sing it. It was produced by Columbia Records under the general title, "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme." (Stereo CS 9363/CL 2563)
Following the playing of the record, give the congregation 3-5 minutes of silence to apply it to themselves and their own human condition.
Conclude the silence with a prayer which focuses on the theme of the music with the theme for the third Sunday in Advent.
Message for the Children of All Ages
Suggestion:
Use a flashlight to make the point of the message. A flashlight points to something other than oneself. It serves as a guide, a warning, an awareness. It's useless, in most ways, if we point it on ourselves. You may want to make other applications. Compare the flashlight with the purpose of John's coming, to point the way to Jesus.
Proclamation of the Good News
Consider this:
We hear much about becoming Christian and God will bless us beyond anything we can imagine; usually, that blessing includes material and physical benefits. When we get sucked into that kind of promise, we turn the spotlight on ourselves; we spend more and more of our money on ourselves, as individuals, as families, as congregations. Keep on reminding the people that God calls us as witnesses to the light, the Christ; when we spotlight ourselves, demanding that God do more for us, we are no different from the Scribes and Pharisees.
Stewardship Challenge
Consider this:
Compare the amount of money the congregation gives to the total mission (local and beyond local). Figure out the per capita amount each member gives to each. For example, one day, I said to the congregation: "If you spend more than $32 on your recreation and vacation this year, you will have spent more than you give to the mission beyond the local church."
You may want to follow the offering with this prayer:
Lord, we like to say that we are your people, that we believe in your world mission. Forgive us for not putting our money where our mouth is.
Charge to the Congregation
Suggestion:
Instead of giving the benediction with the people looking toward the pastor, ask them to turn around facing the doors out of the sanctuary. Point them to the world. Herbert Brokering, in his book, Uncovered Feelings, adds the words "out there," to each line of the benediction which begins, "The Lord bless you and keep you ... " (published by Fortress Press, Philadelphia, Penn.)
Planning for Your Congregation
Suggestions
Your Situation
I. Other Scriptures
Liturgist:
Luke 1:46-55
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
II. Suggested Hymns
Assignments:
"Hark! the Glad sound, the savior Comes"
Based on Luke 4:18-19 Philip Doddrodge, 1735; alt., 1972
"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" Charles Wesley, 1744
"Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" From the liturgy of St. James Trans. by Gerard Moultrie, 1864
III. Other Music Possibilities
Organist/Choir director:
Music for Preparation
"In Dulce Jubilo" Karg-Elert
Choral Intriot
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" Plain Song
Response to the Proclamation
"Bridge Over Troubled Waters" Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel
(You may want to have a soloist sing this; define what you mean by the bridge. Some have suggested "drugs." When I use it, I call the bridge "Christ.")
Response to the Stewardship Challenge
"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"
(You may want a soloist to sing this, the organist to play it, someone to recite it while someone plays the piano, the latter of which is my favorite.)
Response to the Benediction/Music for Dismissal
Medley of Advent Hymns
IV. Bulletin Cover
Church secretary:
V. Bulletin Symbols
VI. Lighting the Advent Candles
Person or family:
VII. Miscellaneous Details (Assignments:)
Ushers
Candlelighters
Hosts/Hostesses
Banners
Flowers
Greeters
Posters
Name-tags
Others
