Wrestling with God
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series II
Exegetical note: The identity of Jacob's opponent is uncertain here, both to the patriarch and to the reader. But the names Israel ("he who strives with God") and Peniel ("the face of God") in the story suggest that the "man" with whom he wrestled throughout the night was actually God, and that what we therefore have here dramatized as a physical altercation is an internal, spiritual struggle. The implication is that, even for those with exemplary faith, encounters with God are not always easy.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 17)
Leader:
May God lend us an ear!
People:
MAY GOD HEAR OUR WORDS!
Leader:
May our Creator show us steadfast love!
People:
MAY OUR REDEEMER GIVE US A GLIMPSE OF GOD'S FACE!
Collect
Most holy God, you have given us in scripture examples of many faithful saints who nevertheless have wrestled with you. Make us willing to engage in such a struggle: that, having contended in faith with you, we may be stronger to face the world as your servants. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of abundant grace, we confess that, when it comes to matters of faith, we are cowardly and weak, unwilling to engage in the kind of spiritual struggle with doubts and misgivings that in fact strengthens faith and reinforces discipleship. Forgive us our timidity, O God, and set before us the example of all the great saints who, because they were willing to wrestle with you and your angels, as well as with themselves and their passions, were thus empowered as servants of you and disciples of the Christ. In his name we pray. Amen
Proper 8
Sunday between June 26 and July 2 inclusive
Second Lesson: Romans 6:3-11
Theme:
Death behind, life ahead
Exegetical note: In this passage Paul suggests a new perspective on death for the Christian on two grounds: (1) first, it is not a future prospect but a thing of the past, since Christians have died with Christ Jesus; and (2) it is not a grim reality, but a positive experience, for it has freed the believers from sin and opened them up to new life. The verb tenses throughout the passage indicate that death is behind, and life is ahead.
Call to Worship
Leader:
Let us praise God for allowing us to die to sin!
People:
LET US THANK GOD FOR MAKING SIN A THING OF THE PAST!
Leader:
Let us worship God, who has given us a new future!
People:
LET US GLORIFY GOD, WHO HAS GIVEN US NEW LIFE!
Collect
Great Spirit God, you have placed death behind us and life before us in Christ Jesus. Help us now to live accordingly: that, as ones resurrected by your grace, we may renew the world and revitalize its people with your holy gospel. In the name and spirit of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most understanding God, we confess that we live in mortal fear of death, even while we do the very things that sow death in our lives and the lives of others, and that even threaten to bring death upon the entire planet. We use our minds to destructive ends, and we live thoughtlessly for the moment, with little regard for the long-range fatal effects of our actions. Forgive us, we pray, and make us truly a people for whom death is a thing of the past, defeated in the resurrection of Jesus, and driven completely from your coming Reign. In Jesus' holy name we pray. Amen
Proper 8
Sunday between June 26 and July 2 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 10:34-42
Theme:
The downside of discipleship
Exegetical note: As he concludes his commissioning and instructing of his disciples, Jesus here issues a caveat: all will not be "sweetness and light" for them. Discipleship will require sacrifices (including familial relationships) and sufferings (including crosses), and even losses of life - which, paradoxically, will mean the finding of (new) life. In other words, the life of the Christian will be modeled after the life of the Christ, hardships and all.
Call to Worship
Leader:
Let us rejoice to be in God's house!
People:
LET US BE JOYFUL TO ENTER GOD'S SANCTUARY!
Leader:
Let us be glad to approach God's throne!
People:
LET US EXULT TO BEHOLD GOD'S FACE AND TO UTTER GOD'S NAME!
Collect
God of truth, you have warned us well that Christian discipleship will not be easy. Give us the courage to face its hardships: that, reinforced for the sacrifices that following Jesus must bring, we shall be effective servants and bold conveyors of your gracious Word for the world. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of tenderness, we are sad to say how much we have made Christian discipleship a way of comfort and ease rather than one of challenge and exertion. We have abandoned any notion of sacrifice, and put out of our minds any thought of crosses that might have to be borne or costs that might need to be paid. Forgive us, O God, and set before us again both the words and the way of Christ Jesus. Make us bold to accept willingly and to embrace gladly whatever hardships may come as we seek and strive to serve you. In the name of the Suffering Servant, Jesus, we pray. Amen
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 17)
Leader:
May God lend us an ear!
People:
MAY GOD HEAR OUR WORDS!
Leader:
May our Creator show us steadfast love!
People:
MAY OUR REDEEMER GIVE US A GLIMPSE OF GOD'S FACE!
Collect
Most holy God, you have given us in scripture examples of many faithful saints who nevertheless have wrestled with you. Make us willing to engage in such a struggle: that, having contended in faith with you, we may be stronger to face the world as your servants. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of abundant grace, we confess that, when it comes to matters of faith, we are cowardly and weak, unwilling to engage in the kind of spiritual struggle with doubts and misgivings that in fact strengthens faith and reinforces discipleship. Forgive us our timidity, O God, and set before us the example of all the great saints who, because they were willing to wrestle with you and your angels, as well as with themselves and their passions, were thus empowered as servants of you and disciples of the Christ. In his name we pray. Amen
Proper 8
Sunday between June 26 and July 2 inclusive
Second Lesson: Romans 6:3-11
Theme:
Death behind, life ahead
Exegetical note: In this passage Paul suggests a new perspective on death for the Christian on two grounds: (1) first, it is not a future prospect but a thing of the past, since Christians have died with Christ Jesus; and (2) it is not a grim reality, but a positive experience, for it has freed the believers from sin and opened them up to new life. The verb tenses throughout the passage indicate that death is behind, and life is ahead.
Call to Worship
Leader:
Let us praise God for allowing us to die to sin!
People:
LET US THANK GOD FOR MAKING SIN A THING OF THE PAST!
Leader:
Let us worship God, who has given us a new future!
People:
LET US GLORIFY GOD, WHO HAS GIVEN US NEW LIFE!
Collect
Great Spirit God, you have placed death behind us and life before us in Christ Jesus. Help us now to live accordingly: that, as ones resurrected by your grace, we may renew the world and revitalize its people with your holy gospel. In the name and spirit of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most understanding God, we confess that we live in mortal fear of death, even while we do the very things that sow death in our lives and the lives of others, and that even threaten to bring death upon the entire planet. We use our minds to destructive ends, and we live thoughtlessly for the moment, with little regard for the long-range fatal effects of our actions. Forgive us, we pray, and make us truly a people for whom death is a thing of the past, defeated in the resurrection of Jesus, and driven completely from your coming Reign. In Jesus' holy name we pray. Amen
Proper 8
Sunday between June 26 and July 2 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 10:34-42
Theme:
The downside of discipleship
Exegetical note: As he concludes his commissioning and instructing of his disciples, Jesus here issues a caveat: all will not be "sweetness and light" for them. Discipleship will require sacrifices (including familial relationships) and sufferings (including crosses), and even losses of life - which, paradoxically, will mean the finding of (new) life. In other words, the life of the Christian will be modeled after the life of the Christ, hardships and all.
Call to Worship
Leader:
Let us rejoice to be in God's house!
People:
LET US BE JOYFUL TO ENTER GOD'S SANCTUARY!
Leader:
Let us be glad to approach God's throne!
People:
LET US EXULT TO BEHOLD GOD'S FACE AND TO UTTER GOD'S NAME!
Collect
God of truth, you have warned us well that Christian discipleship will not be easy. Give us the courage to face its hardships: that, reinforced for the sacrifices that following Jesus must bring, we shall be effective servants and bold conveyors of your gracious Word for the world. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of tenderness, we are sad to say how much we have made Christian discipleship a way of comfort and ease rather than one of challenge and exertion. We have abandoned any notion of sacrifice, and put out of our minds any thought of crosses that might have to be borne or costs that might need to be paid. Forgive us, O God, and set before us again both the words and the way of Christ Jesus. Make us bold to accept willingly and to embrace gladly whatever hardships may come as we seek and strive to serve you. In the name of the Suffering Servant, Jesus, we pray. Amen
