Whom to Fear; Not Peace, But a Sword
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle A Gospel Texts
The Community Gathers To Celebrate The Season Of The Holy Spirit
Invitation to the Celebration
How (not why) did we come today?
1. As spectators waiting for someone to do something for, to, with us; or as participants making something happen?
2. As people ready to say "yes" to God and fellow humans; or as people who say, "No, maybe, later"?
3. As humble ones who have more questions than answers; or as self-righteous ones who pretend to have all of the answers? (Pause.) Do we come breezing in, or dragging in? With openness, or with calculation? Joyfully or morosely? Do we come broken or whole, or a mixture?
Response
(Choir) "O Come, Let Us Celebrate" (Richard Gerig, 1975).
Affirmation of Joyful Expectations (Pastors and Ministers)
P: Come on! Let's celebrate the Presence and Power of God, the God who Creates, Sustains, Liberates, Energizes; the God who came in Jesus the Christ to transform the world and begin the new creation!
M: We come to celebrate God's Presence and Power. We are the people of God, new persons in the new creation made possible by the death and resurrection of the Christ. We come to affirm that the old has passed away; and behold, the new has come!
P: Jesus the Christ is Lord! Yes, he is!
M: And we are new persons through him. As transformed, renewed, released people, we celebrate with adoration and praise!
Hymn of Praise
(with drums and any other available instruments) "O God the Creator" (music by Joy F. Patterson, 1989; text, c. 1977, Elizabeth Haile and Cecil Corbett).
The Community Takes Responsibility For Itself
The Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Jim Crane, in his book On Edge, has a contemporary man, cigarette in mouth, briefcase in hand, speaking to the prophet Amos. "I enjoyed your talk, Mr. Amos, but I would like to hear more of what's right with Israel." True of us? If so, then we will do our best to silence the messenger, if not by outright killing him/her, then by gossip to destroy character; or by ignoring the person, even during the social hour (even though we're such a friendly church); or by ridiculing behind a person's back; or by ... what's your favorite way? (Three minutes of silence.) Then, a summary prayer of confession.
The Act of Receiving New Life
Only the Spirit of God transforms us from excuse-making, "I just couldn't help myself!" to obedient decision-making, "I am responsible for myself!" So, if it's true that God is, that God refuses to lie, then, believe me, we are forgiven of the past, reconciled to the present, equipped for the future --Êwith no excuses, no barriers -- in the Name of the One who inspired and energized that first Pentecost, and everyone since!
Response
Liturgical dance to Acts 2:1-4. If you have no children liturgical dancers, take this opportunity to invite the children who come forward, and the adults who remain in their seats, to act out the passage.
The Community Responds To God's Truth
Message with the Children of All Ages
See above.
Reading from the Older Covenant
Whenever possible, have the Scripture signed, even if you have no deaf person in the congregation. Perhaps you will have deaf persons, if you are known as a congregation which reaches out to all conditions.
Reading from the Newer Covenant
Again, have someone memorize the words of Jesus and speak them, as the person walks around the sanctuary.
Stewardship Challenge
The church exists, not for our enjoyment, comfort, security. It exists for the doing of God's work in God's Spirit for the fulfilling of God's purpose. So, notice the meditation at the beginning of the order of worship. The church is the only institution in society that exists primarily for those outside of it. (Ask people to raise their hands if they believe that.) Remember that we believe, not what we say, but what we practice. So, this week, how will we put into practice what we say we believe?
Charge to the Congregation and Receiving the Invitation
God invites, calls, urges us to grapple courageously, to cooperate creatively, to venture cooperatively, for the sake of the way, the truth, and the life.
Hymn of Dedication
"Be Thou My Vision" (Irish Ballad).
Meditation
The purpose of life is not, "Don't worry; be happy!" but rather to make a difference, even when we seem alone, forsaken by family and friends and fellow church members. Christ's spirit transforms the merely or drearily routine into the dearly routine. The routine of life, penetrated by God's vision, though perhaps frustrating us, will never destroy us, not if we allow the Christ to take it, and us, in order to make both the routine and us responsible citizens of the Kingdom (WHK).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Holy Spirit hymns or "Before Thy Throne"Êby Bach.
Hymn of Praise: "God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand," Daniel C. Roberts, 1876.
Response to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity: "Eleanor Rigby," Lennon/McCartney, copyright 1966, Northern Songs, Ltd., 71-75 New Oxford Street, London, W. C. 1, England.
Response to the Newer Covenant: "Blessed Are You," Emma Lou Diemer.
Offertory: "Pastorale," McKay.
Response to the Offering: Change the tune occasionally as, for example, traditional words to the tune of "Lasst Uns Erfreuen L.M. with Alleluias."
Hymn of Commitment: "Call Jehovah Thy Salvation," James Montgomery, 1822; Rowland Hugh Prichard, 1855. (Update sexist language as you sing.)
Music for Dismissal: "Put Your Hand in the Hand," words and music by Gene MacLellan. (Ask the congregation to sing as they leave and to grasp each other's hands.)
Invitation to the Celebration
How (not why) did we come today?
1. As spectators waiting for someone to do something for, to, with us; or as participants making something happen?
2. As people ready to say "yes" to God and fellow humans; or as people who say, "No, maybe, later"?
3. As humble ones who have more questions than answers; or as self-righteous ones who pretend to have all of the answers? (Pause.) Do we come breezing in, or dragging in? With openness, or with calculation? Joyfully or morosely? Do we come broken or whole, or a mixture?
Response
(Choir) "O Come, Let Us Celebrate" (Richard Gerig, 1975).
Affirmation of Joyful Expectations (Pastors and Ministers)
P: Come on! Let's celebrate the Presence and Power of God, the God who Creates, Sustains, Liberates, Energizes; the God who came in Jesus the Christ to transform the world and begin the new creation!
M: We come to celebrate God's Presence and Power. We are the people of God, new persons in the new creation made possible by the death and resurrection of the Christ. We come to affirm that the old has passed away; and behold, the new has come!
P: Jesus the Christ is Lord! Yes, he is!
M: And we are new persons through him. As transformed, renewed, released people, we celebrate with adoration and praise!
Hymn of Praise
(with drums and any other available instruments) "O God the Creator" (music by Joy F. Patterson, 1989; text, c. 1977, Elizabeth Haile and Cecil Corbett).
The Community Takes Responsibility For Itself
The Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Jim Crane, in his book On Edge, has a contemporary man, cigarette in mouth, briefcase in hand, speaking to the prophet Amos. "I enjoyed your talk, Mr. Amos, but I would like to hear more of what's right with Israel." True of us? If so, then we will do our best to silence the messenger, if not by outright killing him/her, then by gossip to destroy character; or by ignoring the person, even during the social hour (even though we're such a friendly church); or by ridiculing behind a person's back; or by ... what's your favorite way? (Three minutes of silence.) Then, a summary prayer of confession.
The Act of Receiving New Life
Only the Spirit of God transforms us from excuse-making, "I just couldn't help myself!" to obedient decision-making, "I am responsible for myself!" So, if it's true that God is, that God refuses to lie, then, believe me, we are forgiven of the past, reconciled to the present, equipped for the future --Êwith no excuses, no barriers -- in the Name of the One who inspired and energized that first Pentecost, and everyone since!
Response
Liturgical dance to Acts 2:1-4. If you have no children liturgical dancers, take this opportunity to invite the children who come forward, and the adults who remain in their seats, to act out the passage.
The Community Responds To God's Truth
Message with the Children of All Ages
See above.
Reading from the Older Covenant
Whenever possible, have the Scripture signed, even if you have no deaf person in the congregation. Perhaps you will have deaf persons, if you are known as a congregation which reaches out to all conditions.
Reading from the Newer Covenant
Again, have someone memorize the words of Jesus and speak them, as the person walks around the sanctuary.
Stewardship Challenge
The church exists, not for our enjoyment, comfort, security. It exists for the doing of God's work in God's Spirit for the fulfilling of God's purpose. So, notice the meditation at the beginning of the order of worship. The church is the only institution in society that exists primarily for those outside of it. (Ask people to raise their hands if they believe that.) Remember that we believe, not what we say, but what we practice. So, this week, how will we put into practice what we say we believe?
Charge to the Congregation and Receiving the Invitation
God invites, calls, urges us to grapple courageously, to cooperate creatively, to venture cooperatively, for the sake of the way, the truth, and the life.
Hymn of Dedication
"Be Thou My Vision" (Irish Ballad).
Meditation
The purpose of life is not, "Don't worry; be happy!" but rather to make a difference, even when we seem alone, forsaken by family and friends and fellow church members. Christ's spirit transforms the merely or drearily routine into the dearly routine. The routine of life, penetrated by God's vision, though perhaps frustrating us, will never destroy us, not if we allow the Christ to take it, and us, in order to make both the routine and us responsible citizens of the Kingdom (WHK).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Holy Spirit hymns or "Before Thy Throne"Êby Bach.
Hymn of Praise: "God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand," Daniel C. Roberts, 1876.
Response to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity: "Eleanor Rigby," Lennon/McCartney, copyright 1966, Northern Songs, Ltd., 71-75 New Oxford Street, London, W. C. 1, England.
Response to the Newer Covenant: "Blessed Are You," Emma Lou Diemer.
Offertory: "Pastorale," McKay.
Response to the Offering: Change the tune occasionally as, for example, traditional words to the tune of "Lasst Uns Erfreuen L.M. with Alleluias."
Hymn of Commitment: "Call Jehovah Thy Salvation," James Montgomery, 1822; Rowland Hugh Prichard, 1855. (Update sexist language as you sing.)
Music for Dismissal: "Put Your Hand in the Hand," words and music by Gene MacLellan. (Ask the congregation to sing as they leave and to grasp each other's hands.)
