Forgiveness and the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle A Gospel Texts
Remembering Whose We Are
Invitation to the Celebration
In the Name of the vibrant Christ, welcome! What do we need more than anything to give us a refreshing and cleansing way to begin a new day, a day anew? A new relationship, a relationship anew? A new experience, an experience anew? Especially when the day, relationship, experience become broken and alienated? What do we need most when that happens in our home, with close friends, in the church with people we thought were on our side? (Wait a few seconds; ask if anyone wants to respond. If no one responds, invite them to think about forgiveness for a few moments in silence.) Offer to them your guess: What we need is forgiveness, the greatest healer of all time.
Response
"Great God, We Sing That Mighty Hand" (Philip Dodridge, 1702-1751; William Knapp, 1738).
Prayer of Praise
Gracious and Holy God, we thank you for creating us as your children, with all its joys, despite its risks. We praise you that you are here with us, and were here long before we arrived today, with love and justice and forgiveness, so that we may draw near to you with childlike openness to receive you. Today, give us some new insights and resolve into forgiveness.
Hymn of Praise
"God Created Heaven and Earth" (Taiwanese hymn, Pi-po melody; trans. Boris and Clare Anderson, 1981; harm. I-to Loh, 1963; rev. 1982).
Facing Up To Ourselves
Introduction to Our Reluctance to Forgive
Slowly and deliberately: Where and with whom do we experience our "living off-center"? Between us and someone in the congregation/sanctuary? (Pause.) In our home? (Pause.) In our job or at school? (Pause.) In our neighborhood? (Pause.) Name those persons silently. (Pause.) Notice if we picked someone on whom we lay the blame; or, do we recognize the barrier in ourself? (Pause.) La Rochefoucauld has said, "Almost all your faults are more pardonable than the methods you think up to hide them."
Response
"Lord, Have Mercy" (harm. Richard Proulx, 1984).
The Act of Receiving Forgiveness
Only God knows the extent of our dishonesty; for God alone has paid the price for such knowledge. God has done what God can do about the broken relationship; what will we do about it? Forgiveness begins with ourself, not the other.
P: The Word of Christ is Good News!
M: God's love never changes. Against all who oppose God, or ignore God, or patronize God, God expresses love in wrath. In that same love, God took on judgment and death in Jesus the Christ, to bring forgiveness, liberation, and new life.
P: I declare to you who mean business with God, that in the Name of Jesus the Christ, you are forgiven. Do you hear that? Do you believe that? Do you practice that?
M: We hear you; help us when we forget. We receive your gift; help us to keep receiving it.
Response
"Day By Day" (Stephen Schwartz; alt., Richard of Chichester, copyright 1971 by Valando Music, Inc., and New Cadenza Music Corp.; found in The Genesis Songbook, published by Hope Publishing Company).
Looking Out To Others
Message with the Children of All Ages
Perhaps you can use a story similar to this: One day my son, looking very sad, came home from school. I asked him what happened. "My best friends wouldn't let me play football with them at lunchtime today, and I had to sit alone." "No wonder you feel sad," I empathized. Steve went off to do his thing. I boiled, "How could those rotten kids treat my son that way?" The next day, I dropped him off at school; then I sat in my car and wept, and wondered how I could get even. I wrote an article for the local newspaper telling of my experience. Several weeks later, I asked Steve about the episode. "Do you remember?" He did not remember. I reminded him. "Oh, yes," he said, "we solved that the next day." You children often do better about forgiveness than we adults.
Response
Say, we bring death to our spirits when we refuse to forgive. So,let's sing this stanza to the tune, "I'm Gonna Sing": "I'm gonna live when the Spirit says live." Sing it several times; sing it as a round, as different age groups.
Reading from the Newer Covenant
Divide the scripture into two parts: the conversation between Jesus and Peter, and the parable of the unforgiving servant.
Proclamation of the Good News
This may in some ways appear as bad news. I invite you to take two extreme cautions: Never counsel a physically and sexually abused spouse to go back into that home and act "more Christian," thinking that will resolve the problem. It will not! Never ask or expect a person who has been raped, especially by a counselor or clergyperson, to forgive without repentance on part of the perpetrator. Remember that Jesus did not forgive from the Cross; he asked his Father in heaven to do so. Before speaking on this theme, write for information from the Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence, 936 North 34th St., Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98103; 206-634-1903. E-mail: cpsdv@cpsdv.Seanet.com
Response
Introduce the hymn with the biblical idea that justice needs to occur before forgiveness is possible for some people, especially for those who have been physically and sexually brutalized. Then sing "Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive" (Rosamond E. Herklots, 1969, 1983; harm. Margaret W. Mealy, b. 1922).
Remembering Our Reason For Being The Church
Stewardship Challenge
Stewardship of Forgiveness: "Pride and fear, which keep us from forgiving, are the same pride and fear which keep us from accepting forgiveness; and will you, God, please help us to do something about it? What are we willing to let God do about it, before and after we offer our gifts this morning?" (WHK).
Acting On Our Faith
Charge to the Congregation
The only way that we can even begin to think about forgiving some of our choicer enemies is to think about how God must see them, and us. So, in Christ we are free to live! In Christ, we are free to forgive! Therefore, if you know someone who needs your forgiveness, go to him/her today. If you need to ask for forgiveness from someone, go to that person today. If you know someone who no longer believes that forgiveness is even an option, spend some time with that individual.
Meditation
"Forgiveness means that I will not get even, in word, thought, or deed." And, as George Herbert reflects the New Testament truth, "The person who cannot (will not) forgive breaks the bridge over which he/she must pass."
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "All Beautiful the March of Days," Frances Whitman Wile, 1911; alt., 1972.
Response to the Prayer of Praise: "Heaven and Earth and Sea and Air," Joachim Neander, 1680.
Response to the Assurance of Pardon: "Lord Jesus, Think on Me," Synesius of Cyrene (375-430); para. Allen W. Chatfield, 1876.
Offertory: "Be Thou But Near," Bach.
Hymn of Commitment: "O Lord of Every Shining Constellation," Albert F. Bayly, 1950; alt.; Vicar Earle Copes, 1963.
Music for Dismissal: "Fairest Lord Jesus," Crusader's hymn.
Invitation to the Celebration
In the Name of the vibrant Christ, welcome! What do we need more than anything to give us a refreshing and cleansing way to begin a new day, a day anew? A new relationship, a relationship anew? A new experience, an experience anew? Especially when the day, relationship, experience become broken and alienated? What do we need most when that happens in our home, with close friends, in the church with people we thought were on our side? (Wait a few seconds; ask if anyone wants to respond. If no one responds, invite them to think about forgiveness for a few moments in silence.) Offer to them your guess: What we need is forgiveness, the greatest healer of all time.
Response
"Great God, We Sing That Mighty Hand" (Philip Dodridge, 1702-1751; William Knapp, 1738).
Prayer of Praise
Gracious and Holy God, we thank you for creating us as your children, with all its joys, despite its risks. We praise you that you are here with us, and were here long before we arrived today, with love and justice and forgiveness, so that we may draw near to you with childlike openness to receive you. Today, give us some new insights and resolve into forgiveness.
Hymn of Praise
"God Created Heaven and Earth" (Taiwanese hymn, Pi-po melody; trans. Boris and Clare Anderson, 1981; harm. I-to Loh, 1963; rev. 1982).
Facing Up To Ourselves
Introduction to Our Reluctance to Forgive
Slowly and deliberately: Where and with whom do we experience our "living off-center"? Between us and someone in the congregation/sanctuary? (Pause.) In our home? (Pause.) In our job or at school? (Pause.) In our neighborhood? (Pause.) Name those persons silently. (Pause.) Notice if we picked someone on whom we lay the blame; or, do we recognize the barrier in ourself? (Pause.) La Rochefoucauld has said, "Almost all your faults are more pardonable than the methods you think up to hide them."
Response
"Lord, Have Mercy" (harm. Richard Proulx, 1984).
The Act of Receiving Forgiveness
Only God knows the extent of our dishonesty; for God alone has paid the price for such knowledge. God has done what God can do about the broken relationship; what will we do about it? Forgiveness begins with ourself, not the other.
P: The Word of Christ is Good News!
M: God's love never changes. Against all who oppose God, or ignore God, or patronize God, God expresses love in wrath. In that same love, God took on judgment and death in Jesus the Christ, to bring forgiveness, liberation, and new life.
P: I declare to you who mean business with God, that in the Name of Jesus the Christ, you are forgiven. Do you hear that? Do you believe that? Do you practice that?
M: We hear you; help us when we forget. We receive your gift; help us to keep receiving it.
Response
"Day By Day" (Stephen Schwartz; alt., Richard of Chichester, copyright 1971 by Valando Music, Inc., and New Cadenza Music Corp.; found in The Genesis Songbook, published by Hope Publishing Company).
Looking Out To Others
Message with the Children of All Ages
Perhaps you can use a story similar to this: One day my son, looking very sad, came home from school. I asked him what happened. "My best friends wouldn't let me play football with them at lunchtime today, and I had to sit alone." "No wonder you feel sad," I empathized. Steve went off to do his thing. I boiled, "How could those rotten kids treat my son that way?" The next day, I dropped him off at school; then I sat in my car and wept, and wondered how I could get even. I wrote an article for the local newspaper telling of my experience. Several weeks later, I asked Steve about the episode. "Do you remember?" He did not remember. I reminded him. "Oh, yes," he said, "we solved that the next day." You children often do better about forgiveness than we adults.
Response
Say, we bring death to our spirits when we refuse to forgive. So,let's sing this stanza to the tune, "I'm Gonna Sing": "I'm gonna live when the Spirit says live." Sing it several times; sing it as a round, as different age groups.
Reading from the Newer Covenant
Divide the scripture into two parts: the conversation between Jesus and Peter, and the parable of the unforgiving servant.
Proclamation of the Good News
This may in some ways appear as bad news. I invite you to take two extreme cautions: Never counsel a physically and sexually abused spouse to go back into that home and act "more Christian," thinking that will resolve the problem. It will not! Never ask or expect a person who has been raped, especially by a counselor or clergyperson, to forgive without repentance on part of the perpetrator. Remember that Jesus did not forgive from the Cross; he asked his Father in heaven to do so. Before speaking on this theme, write for information from the Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence, 936 North 34th St., Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98103; 206-634-1903. E-mail: cpsdv@cpsdv.Seanet.com
Response
Introduce the hymn with the biblical idea that justice needs to occur before forgiveness is possible for some people, especially for those who have been physically and sexually brutalized. Then sing "Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive" (Rosamond E. Herklots, 1969, 1983; harm. Margaret W. Mealy, b. 1922).
Remembering Our Reason For Being The Church
Stewardship Challenge
Stewardship of Forgiveness: "Pride and fear, which keep us from forgiving, are the same pride and fear which keep us from accepting forgiveness; and will you, God, please help us to do something about it? What are we willing to let God do about it, before and after we offer our gifts this morning?" (WHK).
Acting On Our Faith
Charge to the Congregation
The only way that we can even begin to think about forgiving some of our choicer enemies is to think about how God must see them, and us. So, in Christ we are free to live! In Christ, we are free to forgive! Therefore, if you know someone who needs your forgiveness, go to him/her today. If you need to ask for forgiveness from someone, go to that person today. If you know someone who no longer believes that forgiveness is even an option, spend some time with that individual.
Meditation
"Forgiveness means that I will not get even, in word, thought, or deed." And, as George Herbert reflects the New Testament truth, "The person who cannot (will not) forgive breaks the bridge over which he/she must pass."
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "All Beautiful the March of Days," Frances Whitman Wile, 1911; alt., 1972.
Response to the Prayer of Praise: "Heaven and Earth and Sea and Air," Joachim Neander, 1680.
Response to the Assurance of Pardon: "Lord Jesus, Think on Me," Synesius of Cyrene (375-430); para. Allen W. Chatfield, 1876.
Offertory: "Be Thou But Near," Bach.
Hymn of Commitment: "O Lord of Every Shining Constellation," Albert F. Bayly, 1950; alt.; Vicar Earle Copes, 1963.
Music for Dismissal: "Fairest Lord Jesus," Crusader's hymn.
