The Beatitudes
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle A Gospel Texts
Adoration And Praise
Invitation to the Celebration
In advance ask three people to introduce worship by describing what they perceive the world considers "happiness." Then, the pastor says, "Well, isn't everybody happy? Isn't happiness the goal of everyone, every Christian? Isn't life to go up and up when we say 'yes' to Christ? When the Son shines in our lives, then the sun shines over all of life -- well, doesn't it? Today, in the name of Jesus who spoke the Beatitudes, we explore the meaning of happiness. Our beginning clue is this: The Bible's understanding of happiness contrasts radically with the approach that many of us use to find happiness." (R.S. = Right Side; L.S. - Left Side),
P: Make a happy, no, make that a joyful celebration to the Lord, all of you. Serve the Lord with happiness, no, make that gladness!
M: We come into God's presence, some of us happy, some of us sad, some of us angry; and all of us come with joy!
P: Know that the Lord is God!
R.S.: God made us, and we are God's people, no matter how we feel.
L.S.: We, too, are God's people, no matter how we feel!
R.S.: We enter God's gates with thanksgiving, and God's courts with praise!
L.S.: We give thanks to God; we praise God's name!
All: For the Lord is good; God's strength endures forever, and God's faithfulness to all generations! Amen to that! It's a fact! (Repeat this last response until the people give it some energy and enthusiasm.)
Confession And Forgiveness
The Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Read slowly, and deliberately J. B. Phillips' "Beatitudes of Modern Man (Persons)" from his book Is God At Home? (copyright 1957 by Abingdon Press). Have the organist, pianist, guitarist play a "happy song" during the reading, perhaps "Don't Worry; Be Happy." Offer two minutes of silence for the people to absorb the reading.
The Act of Receiving New Life
Happiness in the dictionary means "lucky, fortunate; having, showing, or causing great pleasure or joy; suitable and clever." Happiness in the Beatitudes means "how satisfied, how complete, how fulfilled are those who ..." What satisfies, completes, fulfills us? Consider joy for happiness. At this point, ask the congregation if any need clarification. Give several minutes of silence if no one responds; they may process the information internally during worship, and externalize it only later.
Response
"Happy the Man" (change "man" to "one" as you sing). (Words and music by Sebastian Temple, copyright 1967. Franciscan Communications Center, Los Angeles, CA.)
Listening And Proclaiming
Message with the Children of All Ages
Ask them what makes them happy. Did they receive any Christmas gifts which did that for them? Maybe you have had the Christmas morning experience that I did. My son ripped through his gifts, tossing paper and ribbons all over the living room. When he finished, he said, "Is that all there is?" Perhaps you will want to integrate a conversation between Charlie Brown and Lucy. Charlie says, "Does it really make you happy to tear me down, Lucy? Does it really make you happy to know that all your insults are hurting me?" Lucy turns to him, with a smirk on her face, and says, "Do I look happy?" Charlie, sadly, responds, "I couldn't deny it." Apply these ideas that best fit your situation.
Reading from the Newer Covenant
Use Clarence Jordan's Cotton Patch version of the Beatitudes. Have someone play quietly in the background, "Don't Worry; Be Happy" (Association Press/New York).
Proclamation of the Good News
Consider the sermon theme, "Happiness Doesn't Come in Pills."ÊIn the April 7, 1957, issue of Quote magazine, a Harvard psychologist predicted that eventually pills will control all of our emotions; in honor of this prediction, the editors of Quote compiled a poem about pills. Here is the first verse: "A pill will rid my soul of hate. My pistol now is notchy. I'll think that everyone is great, And beam like Liberace." (If you want the poem and/or sermon, please send $1.00 and SASE to author.)
Stewardship Challenge
1. Hand out Epiphany stars only to those who have not yet received them.
2. Ask two people, in advance, to share their experience about the message on their stars.
Charge to the Congregation
Has your understanding of happiness changed during worship? In what way? Give people an opportunity to respond. Never rush through worship. People need time to integrate new ideas and images. I hope that you know by now that "the pursuit of happiness is a most ridiculous phrase; if you pursue happiness, you will never find it" (C. P. Snow).
Meditation
"Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling" (Margaret Lee Runbeck).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Epiphany hymns, or "Adagio" (Sonata II), by Mendelssohn.
Hymn of Praise: "Rejoice and Be Merry," Old Scotch gallery book.
Response to the Prayer of Praise: "Happiness Is thy Lord," words and music by Ira F. Stanphill, copyright 1968 by Singspiration, Inc.
Response to the Proclamation: Select a "joy" anthem from your choir's repertoire; "All My Heart Today Rejoices," by Paul Gerhardt, 1653.
Offertory: "Antiphon," by Dupré.
Hymn of Commitment: "Joy to the World" by Isaac Watts, 1719.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Epiphany hymns, or "Fanfare"Êby Dubois.
Invitation to the Celebration
In advance ask three people to introduce worship by describing what they perceive the world considers "happiness." Then, the pastor says, "Well, isn't everybody happy? Isn't happiness the goal of everyone, every Christian? Isn't life to go up and up when we say 'yes' to Christ? When the Son shines in our lives, then the sun shines over all of life -- well, doesn't it? Today, in the name of Jesus who spoke the Beatitudes, we explore the meaning of happiness. Our beginning clue is this: The Bible's understanding of happiness contrasts radically with the approach that many of us use to find happiness." (R.S. = Right Side; L.S. - Left Side),
P: Make a happy, no, make that a joyful celebration to the Lord, all of you. Serve the Lord with happiness, no, make that gladness!
M: We come into God's presence, some of us happy, some of us sad, some of us angry; and all of us come with joy!
P: Know that the Lord is God!
R.S.: God made us, and we are God's people, no matter how we feel.
L.S.: We, too, are God's people, no matter how we feel!
R.S.: We enter God's gates with thanksgiving, and God's courts with praise!
L.S.: We give thanks to God; we praise God's name!
All: For the Lord is good; God's strength endures forever, and God's faithfulness to all generations! Amen to that! It's a fact! (Repeat this last response until the people give it some energy and enthusiasm.)
Confession And Forgiveness
The Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Read slowly, and deliberately J. B. Phillips' "Beatitudes of Modern Man (Persons)" from his book Is God At Home? (copyright 1957 by Abingdon Press). Have the organist, pianist, guitarist play a "happy song" during the reading, perhaps "Don't Worry; Be Happy." Offer two minutes of silence for the people to absorb the reading.
The Act of Receiving New Life
Happiness in the dictionary means "lucky, fortunate; having, showing, or causing great pleasure or joy; suitable and clever." Happiness in the Beatitudes means "how satisfied, how complete, how fulfilled are those who ..." What satisfies, completes, fulfills us? Consider joy for happiness. At this point, ask the congregation if any need clarification. Give several minutes of silence if no one responds; they may process the information internally during worship, and externalize it only later.
Response
"Happy the Man" (change "man" to "one" as you sing). (Words and music by Sebastian Temple, copyright 1967. Franciscan Communications Center, Los Angeles, CA.)
Listening And Proclaiming
Message with the Children of All Ages
Ask them what makes them happy. Did they receive any Christmas gifts which did that for them? Maybe you have had the Christmas morning experience that I did. My son ripped through his gifts, tossing paper and ribbons all over the living room. When he finished, he said, "Is that all there is?" Perhaps you will want to integrate a conversation between Charlie Brown and Lucy. Charlie says, "Does it really make you happy to tear me down, Lucy? Does it really make you happy to know that all your insults are hurting me?" Lucy turns to him, with a smirk on her face, and says, "Do I look happy?" Charlie, sadly, responds, "I couldn't deny it." Apply these ideas that best fit your situation.
Reading from the Newer Covenant
Use Clarence Jordan's Cotton Patch version of the Beatitudes. Have someone play quietly in the background, "Don't Worry; Be Happy" (Association Press/New York).
Proclamation of the Good News
Consider the sermon theme, "Happiness Doesn't Come in Pills."ÊIn the April 7, 1957, issue of Quote magazine, a Harvard psychologist predicted that eventually pills will control all of our emotions; in honor of this prediction, the editors of Quote compiled a poem about pills. Here is the first verse: "A pill will rid my soul of hate. My pistol now is notchy. I'll think that everyone is great, And beam like Liberace." (If you want the poem and/or sermon, please send $1.00 and SASE to author.)
Stewardship Challenge
1. Hand out Epiphany stars only to those who have not yet received them.
2. Ask two people, in advance, to share their experience about the message on their stars.
Charge to the Congregation
Has your understanding of happiness changed during worship? In what way? Give people an opportunity to respond. Never rush through worship. People need time to integrate new ideas and images. I hope that you know by now that "the pursuit of happiness is a most ridiculous phrase; if you pursue happiness, you will never find it" (C. P. Snow).
Meditation
"Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling" (Margaret Lee Runbeck).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Epiphany hymns, or "Adagio" (Sonata II), by Mendelssohn.
Hymn of Praise: "Rejoice and Be Merry," Old Scotch gallery book.
Response to the Prayer of Praise: "Happiness Is thy Lord," words and music by Ira F. Stanphill, copyright 1968 by Singspiration, Inc.
Response to the Proclamation: Select a "joy" anthem from your choir's repertoire; "All My Heart Today Rejoices," by Paul Gerhardt, 1653.
Offertory: "Antiphon," by Dupré.
Hymn of Commitment: "Joy to the World" by Isaac Watts, 1719.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Epiphany hymns, or "Fanfare"Êby Dubois.
