The Communion of the Saints with the Beatitudes
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle A Gospel Texts
The Source Of Our Sainthood
Invitation to the Celebration
In the Name of the Living God who calls us to our sainthood, welcome. Continue by welcoming some of the saints by name; for example, "Welcome to saint Bill, saint Carol, saint Joseph, saint Julie, and so forth." Select people whom you know could accept such a designation. Then, ask the rest of the saints to stand. You may need to invite them several times before everyone is standing.
P: The Lord be with you saints.
M: And the Lord be with you, also, saint (pastor's name).
P: Praise the Lord for his gift of sainthood.
M: The Lord's Name be praised for his gift of sainthood to us.
Response
"Glory to God" (words and music by Jim Strathdee, from New Wine. See Appendix I for address). Update the sexist language as you sing.
Prayer of Praise
Center it around the fact that God is the Author of our sainthood. Many church members continue to believe that saints are special people who have done something special to achieve their sainthood. Refrain from giving the whole story away this early in worship.
Hymn of Praise
"Rejoice, the Lord Is King" (Charles Wesley, 1746; John Darwell, 1770; desc. Sidney Hugo Nicholson, 1875-1947).
The Source Of Our Joylessness And Our Joy
The Source of Our Joylessness
When we live "off-center," one New Testament definition of sin, we miss the joy of our relationship with God, others, and our best self. And when we live "off-center," demanding our own way, we discover the pain of the human condition. How do you see yourself living off-center; and what does that do to your relationships? (Two minutes of silence; write down what you learn about yourself.)
Prayer
Make us uncomfortable, Lord. Make us uncomfortable about what we do with our sainthood. Disturb us, God, until we sense that our true calling is to grow into the broadest, deepest, most vital person possible; to seize now this awesome opportunity for searching out wisdom; to find joy in reading and grappling and growing; to live richly and responsibly; to do our part to help create a better world; to be constantly grateful for the capacity, creativity, and courage that are given to us saints ... freely ... by you.
Response
"It's Me, O Lord" (Traditional Spiritual).
The Source of Our Joy
Where do you experience joy? (Ask for responses. Then after a few moments ask:) Are you aware that the saints of God experience the joy of Christ? Malcolm Muggeridge, in his book Jesus Rediscovered, points out that when Dietrich Bonhoeffer was led away by the Nazi guards to be executed, his face was shining with joy, to the point that even the guards noticed it. In that place of darkest evil, he was the joyful one, he the executed.
P: Jesus said, "Be of good cheer, (you saints), your living off-center is forgiven. Did you hear that? Forgiven! Forgiven! Forgiven! Breathe more easily, you saints!
M: Lord, we believe. Help us when we have a hard time believing that we are forgiven, when we fall into the trap of thinking that we must earn our sainthood, rather than receiving it as your gift to us.
Response
"Blessed Be the Name," Ralph E. Hudson, from Let the People Sing, published by Hope Publishing Company.
We Learn About Joy
Message with the Children of All Ages
If you could have anything in the world to "make you happy," what would you choose? Ask the same of the adults who did not come forward. If they say something similar to "Jesus in my heart," ask them if they are only trying to impress the rest of us. Today we will look at the Beatitudes, which often are translated "blessed" or "happy." One day, Linus said to Charlie Brown, "What would you say you want most out of life, Charlie Brown, to be happy?" Charlie responds, "Oh, no ... I don't really expect happiness; I really don't. I just don't want to be unhappy." No wonder C.B. dreads only one day at a time. I want you to understand that having a good time, or getting what you want, does not bring happiness. The Beatitudes tell us that serving God brings true joy. Sometimes, even parents think that their main goal in life is to make their children happy. Not so!
Reading from the Newer Covenant
With the children still present, have two people read the Gospel, from two versions. One person will stand in the chancel; the other will be at the rear of the sanctuary. Take turns reading slowly and deliberately. Read from Phillips and The Cotton Patch translations for some new insights into the passage.
Proclamation of the Good News
Incorporate these ideas: L. P. Jacks said that "I regard the quest for happiness as the most unfortunate enterprise upon which the human race has ever embarked. Most of the miseries of humanity are attributed to it." And Thomas Carlyle was even more emphatic. "Happiness! Bah, that's for pigs." Literally, the word "blessed" means "how fulfilled, how complete, how satisfied are ..." Because of the connotations of the word "happiness," I prefer the word "joy." The Beatitudes reflect and refract the life of the saint.
Response
"What Signs Has God Revealed to Us" (Jane Parker Huber, 1982; English melody, probably sixteenth century).
We Respond As Saints
Stewardship Challenge
According to William Barclay, "A saint is someone whose life makes it easier to believe in God." How will that happen through what we give and how we live?
Dedication Prayer
God, we are mindful that you ask all from us; we are grateful that you give all to us. Lord, now that you've given so much, give us two more things, a grateful heart and an obedient body.
We Take Our Sainthood Into The World
Charge to the Congregation
As the saints of God, the saints in communion, our joy comes from the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk openly, to be needed intimately ... and all the people said, "Tah-dah!" (Storm Jameson, slightly revised).
Meditation
Jack Paar once said that "happiness can be found in the yellow pages of your telephone book, under saloon." What a contrast with a statement by William A. Ward, Meadowbrook (Texas) Herald: "Happiness [though I would use the word "joy"] comes not from having much to live on but from having much to live for."
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "From God I Ne'er Will Turn," Bach.
Hymn of Praise: "You Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim," Charles Wesley, 1744; alt.
Response to the Act of Forgiveness: (Choir) "Now Sing We Joyfully Unto God," Gordon Young.
Response to the Proclamation: "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go," George Matheson, 1882.
Offertory: "In Thee I Trust," Peeters.
Hymn of Commitment: "There Is a New Wind Blowin'," words and music by David Yantis, from New Wine, Hope Publishing Company.
Music for Dismissal: Version of the Beatitudes, for all of the instruments.
Invitation to the Celebration
In the Name of the Living God who calls us to our sainthood, welcome. Continue by welcoming some of the saints by name; for example, "Welcome to saint Bill, saint Carol, saint Joseph, saint Julie, and so forth." Select people whom you know could accept such a designation. Then, ask the rest of the saints to stand. You may need to invite them several times before everyone is standing.
P: The Lord be with you saints.
M: And the Lord be with you, also, saint (pastor's name).
P: Praise the Lord for his gift of sainthood.
M: The Lord's Name be praised for his gift of sainthood to us.
Response
"Glory to God" (words and music by Jim Strathdee, from New Wine. See Appendix I for address). Update the sexist language as you sing.
Prayer of Praise
Center it around the fact that God is the Author of our sainthood. Many church members continue to believe that saints are special people who have done something special to achieve their sainthood. Refrain from giving the whole story away this early in worship.
Hymn of Praise
"Rejoice, the Lord Is King" (Charles Wesley, 1746; John Darwell, 1770; desc. Sidney Hugo Nicholson, 1875-1947).
The Source Of Our Joylessness And Our Joy
The Source of Our Joylessness
When we live "off-center," one New Testament definition of sin, we miss the joy of our relationship with God, others, and our best self. And when we live "off-center," demanding our own way, we discover the pain of the human condition. How do you see yourself living off-center; and what does that do to your relationships? (Two minutes of silence; write down what you learn about yourself.)
Prayer
Make us uncomfortable, Lord. Make us uncomfortable about what we do with our sainthood. Disturb us, God, until we sense that our true calling is to grow into the broadest, deepest, most vital person possible; to seize now this awesome opportunity for searching out wisdom; to find joy in reading and grappling and growing; to live richly and responsibly; to do our part to help create a better world; to be constantly grateful for the capacity, creativity, and courage that are given to us saints ... freely ... by you.
Response
"It's Me, O Lord" (Traditional Spiritual).
The Source of Our Joy
Where do you experience joy? (Ask for responses. Then after a few moments ask:) Are you aware that the saints of God experience the joy of Christ? Malcolm Muggeridge, in his book Jesus Rediscovered, points out that when Dietrich Bonhoeffer was led away by the Nazi guards to be executed, his face was shining with joy, to the point that even the guards noticed it. In that place of darkest evil, he was the joyful one, he the executed.
P: Jesus said, "Be of good cheer, (you saints), your living off-center is forgiven. Did you hear that? Forgiven! Forgiven! Forgiven! Breathe more easily, you saints!
M: Lord, we believe. Help us when we have a hard time believing that we are forgiven, when we fall into the trap of thinking that we must earn our sainthood, rather than receiving it as your gift to us.
Response
"Blessed Be the Name," Ralph E. Hudson, from Let the People Sing, published by Hope Publishing Company.
We Learn About Joy
Message with the Children of All Ages
If you could have anything in the world to "make you happy," what would you choose? Ask the same of the adults who did not come forward. If they say something similar to "Jesus in my heart," ask them if they are only trying to impress the rest of us. Today we will look at the Beatitudes, which often are translated "blessed" or "happy." One day, Linus said to Charlie Brown, "What would you say you want most out of life, Charlie Brown, to be happy?" Charlie responds, "Oh, no ... I don't really expect happiness; I really don't. I just don't want to be unhappy." No wonder C.B. dreads only one day at a time. I want you to understand that having a good time, or getting what you want, does not bring happiness. The Beatitudes tell us that serving God brings true joy. Sometimes, even parents think that their main goal in life is to make their children happy. Not so!
Reading from the Newer Covenant
With the children still present, have two people read the Gospel, from two versions. One person will stand in the chancel; the other will be at the rear of the sanctuary. Take turns reading slowly and deliberately. Read from Phillips and The Cotton Patch translations for some new insights into the passage.
Proclamation of the Good News
Incorporate these ideas: L. P. Jacks said that "I regard the quest for happiness as the most unfortunate enterprise upon which the human race has ever embarked. Most of the miseries of humanity are attributed to it." And Thomas Carlyle was even more emphatic. "Happiness! Bah, that's for pigs." Literally, the word "blessed" means "how fulfilled, how complete, how satisfied are ..." Because of the connotations of the word "happiness," I prefer the word "joy." The Beatitudes reflect and refract the life of the saint.
Response
"What Signs Has God Revealed to Us" (Jane Parker Huber, 1982; English melody, probably sixteenth century).
We Respond As Saints
Stewardship Challenge
According to William Barclay, "A saint is someone whose life makes it easier to believe in God." How will that happen through what we give and how we live?
Dedication Prayer
God, we are mindful that you ask all from us; we are grateful that you give all to us. Lord, now that you've given so much, give us two more things, a grateful heart and an obedient body.
We Take Our Sainthood Into The World
Charge to the Congregation
As the saints of God, the saints in communion, our joy comes from the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk openly, to be needed intimately ... and all the people said, "Tah-dah!" (Storm Jameson, slightly revised).
Meditation
Jack Paar once said that "happiness can be found in the yellow pages of your telephone book, under saloon." What a contrast with a statement by William A. Ward, Meadowbrook (Texas) Herald: "Happiness [though I would use the word "joy"] comes not from having much to live on but from having much to live for."
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "From God I Ne'er Will Turn," Bach.
Hymn of Praise: "You Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim," Charles Wesley, 1744; alt.
Response to the Act of Forgiveness: (Choir) "Now Sing We Joyfully Unto God," Gordon Young.
Response to the Proclamation: "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go," George Matheson, 1882.
Offertory: "In Thee I Trust," Peeters.
Hymn of Commitment: "There Is a New Wind Blowin'," words and music by David Yantis, from New Wine, Hope Publishing Company.
Music for Dismissal: Version of the Beatitudes, for all of the instruments.
