Peter's confession
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Planning Ideas And Resources For The Entire Church Year
Pastoral Invitation to the Celebration
One pastor began this way:
God has created us with body, emotions, intelligence, created us in God's own image and likeness with the ability to think, know, love, and to be in a whole and wholesome relationship with God and each other. Today, I invite us to recognize and affirm our whole being, and to allow God's Spirit to integrate our person and this congregation as God's people.
so,
listen, Israel; listen (your congregation), the Lord our God is One and calls us to oneness, to unity within diversity. You shall love God with heart, mind, will, that is, with all your strength, intellect, affection, will, being; and you shall love your neighbor, as much as you love yourself.
Follow with this, or a similar, litany:
Pastor:
Christ's joy belongs to us.
Choir:
Alleluia. Amen.
People:
Christ's joy belongs to us.
Choir:
Alleluia. Amen.
Pastor:
Sing to the Lord with gratitude.
People:
Glorious things God has done for us, to us, with us.
Pastor:
Hills, plains.
Choir:
Rock, sand.
People:
Grass, trees, fields.
Pastor:
Clouds, sky.
Choir:
Moon, stars.
People:
Rain, wind, sun.
Pastor:
Christ's joy belongs to us. Alleluia. Amen.
Choir:
Christ's joy belongs to us. Alleluia. Amen.
People:
Christ's joy belongs to us. Alleluia. Amen.
All:
Christ's joy belongs to us. Alleluia. Amen.
(Idea inspired by lost source.)
The Act of Recognizing our Humanness and The Act of Receiving New Life
Consider this:
Begin by printing this statement: How many of our personal actions do we excuse or rationalize as "sick" behavior, rather than decisional behavior? For "sick" behavior, we need take no responsibility; for decisional behavior, we are responsible.
You may want to continue with this prayer: It's so easy for us, God, to talk a good faith; it's so hard for us to live it in the midst of the things which we hear and see, and in which we often participate. But we're grateful, God, for your Spirit's presence and power to keep on, even when we'd like to quit, throw in the towel, and forget the whole blessed thing, or whole cursed thing. We need you, God, in our midst; we need each other in our midst, as together, we seek to build your kingdom here in (your city). Fill us to overflowing, as you promised to do, with your love, patience, grace, possibilities for our lives; enrich us together as the people of Christ, as we seek to be real, human, gracious, forgiving, tender and positive, in the name of the living Christ. (Give several moments of silence.)
For the assurance, remind the people that Jesus calls us to be whole persons, and provides his spirit to make us whole persons.
Print this response:
Pastor:
We have made confession of our rationalizations and excuses about our "sicknesses." For those who take God's promises seriously, in the name of Jesus Christ, I declare the forgiveness of your I-centeredness, your brokenness.
Ministers: Christ, we thank you for your promises; we believe you. And now, we are better equipped, through body, mind, spirit, to seek forgiveness and reconciliation.
Message with the Children of All Ages
Try this:
One day, a church school was asked how the church (which is you and me) is like a peanut butter sandwich. One child answered peanut butter is stuck to the bread, but the congregation doesas it wishes and is not stuck to anything. Jesus had the same problem with his disciples. You may want to ask ahead of time to have the children write down their responses around this particular Scripture.
Proclamation of the Word
Consider this:
Topic:
The Peril of Looking Back.
You may want to begin with the story of Lot's wife.
You may want to use the old country-western song which begins, "I was looking back to see if you were looking back to see if I was looking back to see if you were looking at me ..." All of us know people, maybe we are the kind of people, who play "if and if only, and what if" games. So we get stuck living in the past, the "good old days." Jesus nailed Peter on this issue.
These words of Jesus are basically ignored by most of the church, especially in the United States. We want comfort and security and peace at all costs. Drive home the message of Jesus about denying oneself, taking up one's cross (as opposed to one's burden), and following Christ. You may want to re-read Bonhoeffer's Cost of Discipleship in preparation. And be ready for some resistance.
Stewardship Challenge
Consider this:
The need to live in the precious present moment as contrasted with the desire to live in a projected, unrealistic perception of the past. How many of you are willing to discover God's will and mission for us today, rather than wishing we could return to the past, or hoping that we will have a glorious, bright future? Put your name on a card and place it in the offering plate. The pastor will call a meeting to find out ways that we will take Christ's word seriously.
Charge to the Congregation
Suggestion:
We like to think that we know better for others than they do for themselves. Peter used this approach with Jesus, and felt the sting of Jesus' rebuke. Instead of using this approach, I invite us to ask ourselves the question many times this week, "Lord, how do you want me to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow you this week?"
Planning for Your Congregation
Suggestions
Your Situation
I. Other Scriptures
Liturgist:
Psalm 125
Psalm 116:1-9
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
Isaiah 50:4-10
James 2:1-5, 8-10, 14-18
II. Suggested Hymns
Coordinator:
"O Worship the King All-glorious Above"
Based on Psalm 104 Robert Grant, 1833; alt.
"Whate'er Our God Ordains Is Right"
Samuel Rodigast, 1674 Trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1858, 1863; alt., 1972
"He Who Would Valiant Be" John Bunyan, 1684
Adapted by Percy Dearmer, 1906 (Ask the women to use female pronouns.)
"Great Ruler Over Time and Space"
Tune: "O Day of God, Draw Nigh" (author unknown) St. Michael S.M.
III. Other Music Possibilities
Organist/Choir director:
Music for Preparation
"Trumpet Voluntary" Stanely
Response to the Scripture or Sermon Adult Choir
"How Excellent Is Thy Name" Eugene Butler
Response to the Stewardship Challenge
"Have Mercy, Lord" Bach
Response to the Benediction Chorus only:
"It's a Small World After All"
Change "small" to "Christ's."
Music for Dismissal
Use music from one of the Psalms for today.
IV. Bulletin Cover
Church secretary:
V. Bulletin Symbols
VI. Miscellaneous Details (Assignments:)
Ushers
Candlelighters
Hosts/Hostesses
Banners
Flowers
Greeters
Posters
Name-tags
Others
One pastor began this way:
God has created us with body, emotions, intelligence, created us in God's own image and likeness with the ability to think, know, love, and to be in a whole and wholesome relationship with God and each other. Today, I invite us to recognize and affirm our whole being, and to allow God's Spirit to integrate our person and this congregation as God's people.
so,
listen, Israel; listen (your congregation), the Lord our God is One and calls us to oneness, to unity within diversity. You shall love God with heart, mind, will, that is, with all your strength, intellect, affection, will, being; and you shall love your neighbor, as much as you love yourself.
Follow with this, or a similar, litany:
Pastor:
Christ's joy belongs to us.
Choir:
Alleluia. Amen.
People:
Christ's joy belongs to us.
Choir:
Alleluia. Amen.
Pastor:
Sing to the Lord with gratitude.
People:
Glorious things God has done for us, to us, with us.
Pastor:
Hills, plains.
Choir:
Rock, sand.
People:
Grass, trees, fields.
Pastor:
Clouds, sky.
Choir:
Moon, stars.
People:
Rain, wind, sun.
Pastor:
Christ's joy belongs to us. Alleluia. Amen.
Choir:
Christ's joy belongs to us. Alleluia. Amen.
People:
Christ's joy belongs to us. Alleluia. Amen.
All:
Christ's joy belongs to us. Alleluia. Amen.
(Idea inspired by lost source.)
The Act of Recognizing our Humanness and The Act of Receiving New Life
Consider this:
Begin by printing this statement: How many of our personal actions do we excuse or rationalize as "sick" behavior, rather than decisional behavior? For "sick" behavior, we need take no responsibility; for decisional behavior, we are responsible.
You may want to continue with this prayer: It's so easy for us, God, to talk a good faith; it's so hard for us to live it in the midst of the things which we hear and see, and in which we often participate. But we're grateful, God, for your Spirit's presence and power to keep on, even when we'd like to quit, throw in the towel, and forget the whole blessed thing, or whole cursed thing. We need you, God, in our midst; we need each other in our midst, as together, we seek to build your kingdom here in (your city). Fill us to overflowing, as you promised to do, with your love, patience, grace, possibilities for our lives; enrich us together as the people of Christ, as we seek to be real, human, gracious, forgiving, tender and positive, in the name of the living Christ. (Give several moments of silence.)
For the assurance, remind the people that Jesus calls us to be whole persons, and provides his spirit to make us whole persons.
Print this response:
Pastor:
We have made confession of our rationalizations and excuses about our "sicknesses." For those who take God's promises seriously, in the name of Jesus Christ, I declare the forgiveness of your I-centeredness, your brokenness.
Ministers: Christ, we thank you for your promises; we believe you. And now, we are better equipped, through body, mind, spirit, to seek forgiveness and reconciliation.
Message with the Children of All Ages
Try this:
One day, a church school was asked how the church (which is you and me) is like a peanut butter sandwich. One child answered peanut butter is stuck to the bread, but the congregation doesas it wishes and is not stuck to anything. Jesus had the same problem with his disciples. You may want to ask ahead of time to have the children write down their responses around this particular Scripture.
Proclamation of the Word
Consider this:
Topic:
The Peril of Looking Back.
You may want to begin with the story of Lot's wife.
You may want to use the old country-western song which begins, "I was looking back to see if you were looking back to see if I was looking back to see if you were looking at me ..." All of us know people, maybe we are the kind of people, who play "if and if only, and what if" games. So we get stuck living in the past, the "good old days." Jesus nailed Peter on this issue.
These words of Jesus are basically ignored by most of the church, especially in the United States. We want comfort and security and peace at all costs. Drive home the message of Jesus about denying oneself, taking up one's cross (as opposed to one's burden), and following Christ. You may want to re-read Bonhoeffer's Cost of Discipleship in preparation. And be ready for some resistance.
Stewardship Challenge
Consider this:
The need to live in the precious present moment as contrasted with the desire to live in a projected, unrealistic perception of the past. How many of you are willing to discover God's will and mission for us today, rather than wishing we could return to the past, or hoping that we will have a glorious, bright future? Put your name on a card and place it in the offering plate. The pastor will call a meeting to find out ways that we will take Christ's word seriously.
Charge to the Congregation
Suggestion:
We like to think that we know better for others than they do for themselves. Peter used this approach with Jesus, and felt the sting of Jesus' rebuke. Instead of using this approach, I invite us to ask ourselves the question many times this week, "Lord, how do you want me to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow you this week?"
Planning for Your Congregation
Suggestions
Your Situation
I. Other Scriptures
Liturgist:
Psalm 125
Psalm 116:1-9
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
Isaiah 50:4-10
James 2:1-5, 8-10, 14-18
II. Suggested Hymns
Coordinator:
"O Worship the King All-glorious Above"
Based on Psalm 104 Robert Grant, 1833; alt.
"Whate'er Our God Ordains Is Right"
Samuel Rodigast, 1674 Trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1858, 1863; alt., 1972
"He Who Would Valiant Be" John Bunyan, 1684
Adapted by Percy Dearmer, 1906 (Ask the women to use female pronouns.)
"Great Ruler Over Time and Space"
Tune: "O Day of God, Draw Nigh" (author unknown) St. Michael S.M.
III. Other Music Possibilities
Organist/Choir director:
Music for Preparation
"Trumpet Voluntary" Stanely
Response to the Scripture or Sermon Adult Choir
"How Excellent Is Thy Name" Eugene Butler
Response to the Stewardship Challenge
"Have Mercy, Lord" Bach
Response to the Benediction Chorus only:
"It's a Small World After All"
Change "small" to "Christ's."
Music for Dismissal
Use music from one of the Psalms for today.
IV. Bulletin Cover
Church secretary:
V. Bulletin Symbols
VI. Miscellaneous Details (Assignments:)
Ushers
Candlelighters
Hosts/Hostesses
Banners
Flowers
Greeters
Posters
Name-tags
Others
