Wonder
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle A Gospel Texts
The Community Gathers To Celebrate God's Wonder That Became Reality
Invitation to the Celebration
The choir begins with stanza one of "Hey! Hey! Anybody Listening?" The congregation joins in for the rest of the hymn, using all of the hand instruments that everyone has brought. If some remain without instruments, invite those people to whistle, a lost art in the sanctuary.
Declaration of Joyful Expectations (Pastors and Ministers)
Is everybody listening? I hope so by now. I invite us to listen and to wonder in silence for one minute. Then I will ask you to share what you've been wondering about. (If no one responds immediately, wait. Most of the time, we rush through worship, giving no one a chance to digest anything. Still, after two minutes, if no one shares, offer your own wonderings, beginning with, "I wonder why none of you responded?")
P: We know that you waited, Lord, until the time was right to send Jesus.
M: Thank you. We wonder why we're so insistent on setting your agenda.
P: We do know why, we just don't want to admit that we want to be in control -- of mate, children, parents, life, You.
Repeat after me: Lord, I (your name) promise, this week, to take ten minutes a day to wonder, to let you be in control of my wonderings (Despite the congregational pressure, use Advent hymns during Advent; use Christmas carols during Christmas.)
Hymn of Advent
Have you given in yet to the pressures of truly sincere people to sing Christmas carols? I hope not.
The Community Faces Up To Itself
The Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
J. B. languished in jail wondering when this Jesus would mobilize his people and attack the Romans. (Well, he might have been thinking that.) Nothing was working out as he expected because he had his own agenda and forgot to check on God's agenda. In what ways do we resemble J. B.? Think of the things about which we wonder: Why do the innocent suffer? Why am I not rich and famous? Why does my income run out before the end of the month? In silence, consider this theme. Write down your responses. I will give you an opportunity to respond in two minutes. (Be sure to wait two full minutes.) Invite a few to respond. Remain calm if no one does. Interactive worship takes time to get used to. Set the example by sharing your own wonderings.
The Act of Receiving New Life
Remember the hymn which begins, "I wonder as I wander ..."? I invite us today to make our wanderings full of healthy wonderings. Through God's Spirit, we can transform our unhealthy wonderings -- that is, "I wonder what life would be if I had married someone else ... if I had been born in a different place at a different time to different parents ... if I had had no children, or children later, or children earlier ... if only I had gone to college ..." to healthy wonderings, "I wonder how I can change the world around me by seeing people, animals, the environment, through the eyes of God?" In silence, for two minutes, write down your healthy wonderings. Invite several people to respond at the appropriate time.
Response
"Day By Day" (words and music by Stephen Schwartz; copyright by Valendo Music, Inc., and New Cadenza Music Corp., 1700 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10019, from the production Godspell).
The Community Responds To God's Wondering
Message with the Children of All Ages
I'd like to know what you're wondering about Christmas. (Probably, some wonder what they will get. Have them share their guesses.) Do you ever wonder about other things? (Give them time to respond.) Maybe they're wondering about friendships, school, parents, vacation, the future. Tell them about J. B., how he announced the coming of the Messiah, Jesus, and how, now, he's wondering, "If this Jesus is the one God had sent to bring peace to the world, why didn't he, John, see the results? Maybe we should look for someone else." As part of the message, acknowledge that doubting is okay for Christians. God accepts us, even when we doubt and wonder about who Jesus is and why he came.
Reading from the Newer Covenant
Use your drama group. Characters will include J. B., a small band of disciples, and Jesus. Follow the dialogue in the text. Practice.
Proclamation of the Good News
Invite the people to interrupt at any time if they are confused about the message. (You may need to give them permission many times before they respond. My wife needed only one invitation. She comes from a non-church background, minus "churchly inhibitions." Her willingness to risk encouraged others to do so.)
Stewardship Challenge
When you put money in the offering plate, do you ever wonder what others give and why? Do you think that they're thinking the same about you? Do you envy what they give, or what you think they give? Do you get angry because you think that they could give more if only they were more dedicated than you? What is your motivation for placing your money in the offering plate?
Prayer after the Offering
By your Spirit, Lord, keep on cleaning up my motives for my "churchly" stewardship.
Charge to the Congregation
No matter what we wonder about God's plan, God's timetable, as people of faith, hope, love, God calls, invites, urges us to share these qualities, not only with our fellow church members but also with the neighbor down the street, or across the desk, or in need, whatever form it takes; with whom we go bowling or fishing, play cards, have barbecues, attend ball games; with whom we share just about everything else.
Meditation
To those who wish to travel with him, no matter how reluctantly, no matter how cautiously, no matter how discreetly, Jesus says, "Give up your Linus blanket -- NOW!"
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Advent Hymns (see Advent 1) or, "Come, Now, Savior of Our Race," Bach.
Advent Hymn of Praise: "Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates," George Weissel, 1642. Translated by Catherine Winkworth; 1855, alt.
Response to the Proclamation: "I Wonder as I Wander," Author unknown.
Offertory: Music to Psalm 146.
Hymn of Commitment: "O Day of God, Draw Nigh," R. B. Y. Scott, 1937, 1939; alt. 1972.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Advent Hymns (see Advent 1).
Invitation to the Celebration
The choir begins with stanza one of "Hey! Hey! Anybody Listening?" The congregation joins in for the rest of the hymn, using all of the hand instruments that everyone has brought. If some remain without instruments, invite those people to whistle, a lost art in the sanctuary.
Declaration of Joyful Expectations (Pastors and Ministers)
Is everybody listening? I hope so by now. I invite us to listen and to wonder in silence for one minute. Then I will ask you to share what you've been wondering about. (If no one responds immediately, wait. Most of the time, we rush through worship, giving no one a chance to digest anything. Still, after two minutes, if no one shares, offer your own wonderings, beginning with, "I wonder why none of you responded?")
P: We know that you waited, Lord, until the time was right to send Jesus.
M: Thank you. We wonder why we're so insistent on setting your agenda.
P: We do know why, we just don't want to admit that we want to be in control -- of mate, children, parents, life, You.
Repeat after me: Lord, I (your name) promise, this week, to take ten minutes a day to wonder, to let you be in control of my wonderings (Despite the congregational pressure, use Advent hymns during Advent; use Christmas carols during Christmas.)
Hymn of Advent
Have you given in yet to the pressures of truly sincere people to sing Christmas carols? I hope not.
The Community Faces Up To Itself
The Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
J. B. languished in jail wondering when this Jesus would mobilize his people and attack the Romans. (Well, he might have been thinking that.) Nothing was working out as he expected because he had his own agenda and forgot to check on God's agenda. In what ways do we resemble J. B.? Think of the things about which we wonder: Why do the innocent suffer? Why am I not rich and famous? Why does my income run out before the end of the month? In silence, consider this theme. Write down your responses. I will give you an opportunity to respond in two minutes. (Be sure to wait two full minutes.) Invite a few to respond. Remain calm if no one does. Interactive worship takes time to get used to. Set the example by sharing your own wonderings.
The Act of Receiving New Life
Remember the hymn which begins, "I wonder as I wander ..."? I invite us today to make our wanderings full of healthy wonderings. Through God's Spirit, we can transform our unhealthy wonderings -- that is, "I wonder what life would be if I had married someone else ... if I had been born in a different place at a different time to different parents ... if I had had no children, or children later, or children earlier ... if only I had gone to college ..." to healthy wonderings, "I wonder how I can change the world around me by seeing people, animals, the environment, through the eyes of God?" In silence, for two minutes, write down your healthy wonderings. Invite several people to respond at the appropriate time.
Response
"Day By Day" (words and music by Stephen Schwartz; copyright by Valendo Music, Inc., and New Cadenza Music Corp., 1700 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10019, from the production Godspell).
The Community Responds To God's Wondering
Message with the Children of All Ages
I'd like to know what you're wondering about Christmas. (Probably, some wonder what they will get. Have them share their guesses.) Do you ever wonder about other things? (Give them time to respond.) Maybe they're wondering about friendships, school, parents, vacation, the future. Tell them about J. B., how he announced the coming of the Messiah, Jesus, and how, now, he's wondering, "If this Jesus is the one God had sent to bring peace to the world, why didn't he, John, see the results? Maybe we should look for someone else." As part of the message, acknowledge that doubting is okay for Christians. God accepts us, even when we doubt and wonder about who Jesus is and why he came.
Reading from the Newer Covenant
Use your drama group. Characters will include J. B., a small band of disciples, and Jesus. Follow the dialogue in the text. Practice.
Proclamation of the Good News
Invite the people to interrupt at any time if they are confused about the message. (You may need to give them permission many times before they respond. My wife needed only one invitation. She comes from a non-church background, minus "churchly inhibitions." Her willingness to risk encouraged others to do so.)
Stewardship Challenge
When you put money in the offering plate, do you ever wonder what others give and why? Do you think that they're thinking the same about you? Do you envy what they give, or what you think they give? Do you get angry because you think that they could give more if only they were more dedicated than you? What is your motivation for placing your money in the offering plate?
Prayer after the Offering
By your Spirit, Lord, keep on cleaning up my motives for my "churchly" stewardship.
Charge to the Congregation
No matter what we wonder about God's plan, God's timetable, as people of faith, hope, love, God calls, invites, urges us to share these qualities, not only with our fellow church members but also with the neighbor down the street, or across the desk, or in need, whatever form it takes; with whom we go bowling or fishing, play cards, have barbecues, attend ball games; with whom we share just about everything else.
Meditation
To those who wish to travel with him, no matter how reluctantly, no matter how cautiously, no matter how discreetly, Jesus says, "Give up your Linus blanket -- NOW!"
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Advent Hymns (see Advent 1) or, "Come, Now, Savior of Our Race," Bach.
Advent Hymn of Praise: "Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates," George Weissel, 1642. Translated by Catherine Winkworth; 1855, alt.
Response to the Proclamation: "I Wonder as I Wander," Author unknown.
Offertory: Music to Psalm 146.
Hymn of Commitment: "O Day of God, Draw Nigh," R. B. Y. Scott, 1937, 1939; alt. 1972.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Advent Hymns (see Advent 1).
