Other gods
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series II
Exegetical note: The commandments of the so-called "First Table," i.e., those dealing directly with God (vv. 2-4) actually reflect, not monotheism, but henotheism, i.e., the allegiance to one god without denying the existence of others, in this case the nature gods of the agricultural peoples with whom the Israelites came into contact. Far from reflecting a dated problem, however, the injunctions remind modern people of the many god-like concerns that claim ultimate allegiance.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 19)
Leader:
The heavens declare God's glory!
People:
THE FIRMAMENT PROCLAIMS GOD'S HANDIWORK!
Leader:
If days and nights we poured forth words,
People:
OUR TONGUES WOULD FAIL TO TELL OF GOD'S GRANDEUR!
Collect
Most holy One, you have told us to have no other gods before us. Place this commandment in our hearts: that, in the midst of all the things that demand our allegiance, we may devote ourselves only and completely to you. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of Israel Old and New, we confess that we often allow ourselves to submit ourselves to the god-like claims and demands of modern life, and to allow them to compete with you as objects for our faith and devotion. Forgive us this idolatry, we pray, and remind us that the first of your commandments is that we have no other gods before us. Teach us to make you the axis of our lives, around which all other concerns and commitments revolve, and without which our lives turn into confusion and chaos. In the name of Jesus the Christ we pray. Amen
Proper 19
Sunday between September 11 and September 17 inclusive
Second Lesson: Romans 14:5-12
Theme:
Christian tolerance
Exegetical note: Paul recognizes here, probably for the rectification of a problem of intolerance among the Roman Christians, that religious practices do not have to be uniform or universal. If Paul is to be taken at his word, then anything done or not done in good faith in the Christ is honorable, and works finally to the good of all.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 19)
Leader:
May the words of our mouths be acceptable in God's sight!
People:
MAY THE MEDITATIONS OF OUR HEARTS BE PLEASING TO GOD!
Leader:
Let us strive to be blameless before God!
People: LET US YEARN TO BE INNOCENT AND FAULTLESS!
Collect
God of all people, you have taught us to be tolerant of one another, especially in matters of faith. Instill in us your Spirit of openness: that, seeing our religious expressions as relative, we may take only our faith in you and the Christ as absolute. In his name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of all patience, we confess with great shame that we are not as tolerant of one another in religious matters as we should be, but create and perpetuate hostilities with one another over the rich variety of ways that people express their relationships to you. Forgive us such pettiness, O God, and encourage in us a deep appreciation for the depth of the human spirit and the richness of the human imagination. Convince us once and for all that there is no one right way to worship or serve you and that anything done in good faith in the Christ does honor to you, your Church, and your coming Reign. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Proper 19
Sunday between September 11 and September 17 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 18:21-35
Theme:
Limitless forgiveness
Exegetical note: The saying of Jesus about forgiveness and the loosely connected parable of the unforgiving, forgiven servant work together in this setting to suggest that forgiveness should be both limitless and contagious. Not only should one forgive without ceasing, but one who is forgiven should multiply the mercy by forgiving as well.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 19)
Leader:
Let us bless the God of mercy!
People:
LET US PRAISE THE GOD OF GRACE!
Leader:
For to do wrong is human!
People:
BUT TO FORGIVE IS THE WAY OF GOD!
Collect
God of absolute love, you have taught us in the words and life of Jesus to be forgiving without limit. Enable us to live according: that, our human passions turned into compassion, we may reflect the very grace that you have shown to us in Christ Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of all compassion, we admit that we find forgiveness in any degree difficult, and unlimited pardon impossible because of our sin and the selfishness that it produces in us. Instead, we take offense easily, cultivate it carefully, and perpetuate it endlessly. Forgive us, we pray, and fill us with your Spirit of mercy and grace, which alone can help us to overcome the obstacles of heart, mind, and spirit that prevent us from exhibiting in even the most trivial situation the kind of forgiveness that Jesus showed to his torturers on Calvary. In his holy name we pray. Amen
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 19)
Leader:
The heavens declare God's glory!
People:
THE FIRMAMENT PROCLAIMS GOD'S HANDIWORK!
Leader:
If days and nights we poured forth words,
People:
OUR TONGUES WOULD FAIL TO TELL OF GOD'S GRANDEUR!
Collect
Most holy One, you have told us to have no other gods before us. Place this commandment in our hearts: that, in the midst of all the things that demand our allegiance, we may devote ourselves only and completely to you. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of Israel Old and New, we confess that we often allow ourselves to submit ourselves to the god-like claims and demands of modern life, and to allow them to compete with you as objects for our faith and devotion. Forgive us this idolatry, we pray, and remind us that the first of your commandments is that we have no other gods before us. Teach us to make you the axis of our lives, around which all other concerns and commitments revolve, and without which our lives turn into confusion and chaos. In the name of Jesus the Christ we pray. Amen
Proper 19
Sunday between September 11 and September 17 inclusive
Second Lesson: Romans 14:5-12
Theme:
Christian tolerance
Exegetical note: Paul recognizes here, probably for the rectification of a problem of intolerance among the Roman Christians, that religious practices do not have to be uniform or universal. If Paul is to be taken at his word, then anything done or not done in good faith in the Christ is honorable, and works finally to the good of all.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 19)
Leader:
May the words of our mouths be acceptable in God's sight!
People:
MAY THE MEDITATIONS OF OUR HEARTS BE PLEASING TO GOD!
Leader:
Let us strive to be blameless before God!
People: LET US YEARN TO BE INNOCENT AND FAULTLESS!
Collect
God of all people, you have taught us to be tolerant of one another, especially in matters of faith. Instill in us your Spirit of openness: that, seeing our religious expressions as relative, we may take only our faith in you and the Christ as absolute. In his name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of all patience, we confess with great shame that we are not as tolerant of one another in religious matters as we should be, but create and perpetuate hostilities with one another over the rich variety of ways that people express their relationships to you. Forgive us such pettiness, O God, and encourage in us a deep appreciation for the depth of the human spirit and the richness of the human imagination. Convince us once and for all that there is no one right way to worship or serve you and that anything done in good faith in the Christ does honor to you, your Church, and your coming Reign. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Proper 19
Sunday between September 11 and September 17 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 18:21-35
Theme:
Limitless forgiveness
Exegetical note: The saying of Jesus about forgiveness and the loosely connected parable of the unforgiving, forgiven servant work together in this setting to suggest that forgiveness should be both limitless and contagious. Not only should one forgive without ceasing, but one who is forgiven should multiply the mercy by forgiving as well.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 19)
Leader:
Let us bless the God of mercy!
People:
LET US PRAISE THE GOD OF GRACE!
Leader:
For to do wrong is human!
People:
BUT TO FORGIVE IS THE WAY OF GOD!
Collect
God of absolute love, you have taught us in the words and life of Jesus to be forgiving without limit. Enable us to live according: that, our human passions turned into compassion, we may reflect the very grace that you have shown to us in Christ Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of all compassion, we admit that we find forgiveness in any degree difficult, and unlimited pardon impossible because of our sin and the selfishness that it produces in us. Instead, we take offense easily, cultivate it carefully, and perpetuate it endlessly. Forgive us, we pray, and fill us with your Spirit of mercy and grace, which alone can help us to overcome the obstacles of heart, mind, and spirit that prevent us from exhibiting in even the most trivial situation the kind of forgiveness that Jesus showed to his torturers on Calvary. In his holy name we pray. Amen
