Divine commission and human ordination
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series II
Exegetical note: In anticipation of his death, Moses asks God to select a successor for him, lest the Israelites be leaderless and therefore aimless. The "spirit" that God attributes to his appointee, Joshua, is ambiguous, but probably means an innate charisma, which nevertheless has to be supplemented by a measure of Moses' authority as well as the priest Eleazar's examination and (ostensibly) approval.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 81)
Leader:
Sing aloud to God, our strength!
People:
SHOUT FOR JOY TO JACOB'S GOD!
Leader:
Raise a song! Sound the harp!
People:
BLOW THE HORN! FOR THIS IS GOD'S DAY!
Collect
Eternal God, you have commissioned in every age individuals to carry on your work. Lay your hands upon us as well: that, as each generation of your servants rests from its labors, we may rise to take up the task of doing your work. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, we confess that we too often try to rely upon our own gifts when it comes to ministry and missions in your holy name, and seek neither your divine commission nor the ordination of our fellow Christians to strengthen us in our endeavors; and we know that our efforts in your service suffer as a result. Forgive us our prideful independence, O God, and teach us to seek always the power that comes from you and the strength in numbers that resides in your Church. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
Proper 22
Sunday between October 2 and October 8 inclusive
Second Lesson: Philippians 3:12-21
Theme:
Perfection pursued, glory given
Exegetical note: Paul is apparently countering the contention of some among the Philippians who are claiming to have attained perfection and who, ironically, are living libertine lives as a result. Against them, Paul admits his own lack of, but hope for, perfection and his determination to press on toward it, knowing full well that his future glory lies not in his own effort, but the eschatological action of Christ Jesus.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 81)
Leader:
May God lift our burdens!
People:
MAY GOD LIGHTEN OUR LOADS!
Leader:
May God answer us in the thunder!
People:
MAY GOD TEST US AND FIND US WORTHY!
Collect
Most holy God, you have set before us in scripture the ideal of perfection. Propel us now toward that goal: that, whatever righteousness we are unable to achieve on our own, you will supplement with the action of your sustaining Spirit. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Forgiving God, it is unfortunately true that, since we do not expect to achieve perfection in this life, we quietly reject it as a goal, and aim for mere decency toward others as our best claim to holiness and godliness. Forgive us, O God, and remind us that whatever righteousness we are unable to attain through our own efforts will be graciously supplemented by you and your Holy Spirit, to the end that we shall be sanctified and glorified after the image and likeness of Christ Jesus. In his precious name we pray. Amen
Proper 22
Sunday between October 2 and October 8 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 21:33-43
Theme:
Claiming God's coming Reign
Exegetical note: Form-critical analysis of this passage in light of the other versions of the parable in the Synoptics and the Gospel of Thomas reveals that the original point of the story was not Christological; nor was it primarily allegorical. Rather, it was a simple, if shocking, "Kingdom" parable, whose point was the value of the coming Reign of God and the extraordinary, even desperate measures that the lowly should take in claiming it as their own.
Call to Worship
Leader:
Brothers and sisters, let us renew our faith in God!
People:
LET US GIVE OURSELVES TO GOD FROM THE DEPTHS OF OUR HEARTS!
Leader:
Let us dedicate our very lives to God's coming Reign!
People:
AND LET US VOW TO SACRIFICE ALL TO CLAIM IT AS OUR OWN!
Collect
Sovereign God, you have promised us your glorious Reign for the future. Help us now to claim it as our own: that, preparing for its coming glories, we may become participants in its present gifts, which abound even now in our imperfect world. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Righteous God, we confess that we do not consistently keep your promised coming Reign before us as our goal, and that we settle all too eagerly for the world as it is, as if there were nothing else to look forward to; and we admit that such complacency and contentedness on our part denies your word and weakens our discipleship on behalf of you and your Christ. Forgive us, we pray, and inspire us anew with the parables of Jesus, which tell us of the glorious image of the wonderful future that you have in store for this suffering and sorrowful world. In his name we hope and pray. Amen
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 81)
Leader:
Sing aloud to God, our strength!
People:
SHOUT FOR JOY TO JACOB'S GOD!
Leader:
Raise a song! Sound the harp!
People:
BLOW THE HORN! FOR THIS IS GOD'S DAY!
Collect
Eternal God, you have commissioned in every age individuals to carry on your work. Lay your hands upon us as well: that, as each generation of your servants rests from its labors, we may rise to take up the task of doing your work. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, we confess that we too often try to rely upon our own gifts when it comes to ministry and missions in your holy name, and seek neither your divine commission nor the ordination of our fellow Christians to strengthen us in our endeavors; and we know that our efforts in your service suffer as a result. Forgive us our prideful independence, O God, and teach us to seek always the power that comes from you and the strength in numbers that resides in your Church. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
Proper 22
Sunday between October 2 and October 8 inclusive
Second Lesson: Philippians 3:12-21
Theme:
Perfection pursued, glory given
Exegetical note: Paul is apparently countering the contention of some among the Philippians who are claiming to have attained perfection and who, ironically, are living libertine lives as a result. Against them, Paul admits his own lack of, but hope for, perfection and his determination to press on toward it, knowing full well that his future glory lies not in his own effort, but the eschatological action of Christ Jesus.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 81)
Leader:
May God lift our burdens!
People:
MAY GOD LIGHTEN OUR LOADS!
Leader:
May God answer us in the thunder!
People:
MAY GOD TEST US AND FIND US WORTHY!
Collect
Most holy God, you have set before us in scripture the ideal of perfection. Propel us now toward that goal: that, whatever righteousness we are unable to achieve on our own, you will supplement with the action of your sustaining Spirit. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Forgiving God, it is unfortunately true that, since we do not expect to achieve perfection in this life, we quietly reject it as a goal, and aim for mere decency toward others as our best claim to holiness and godliness. Forgive us, O God, and remind us that whatever righteousness we are unable to attain through our own efforts will be graciously supplemented by you and your Holy Spirit, to the end that we shall be sanctified and glorified after the image and likeness of Christ Jesus. In his precious name we pray. Amen
Proper 22
Sunday between October 2 and October 8 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 21:33-43
Theme:
Claiming God's coming Reign
Exegetical note: Form-critical analysis of this passage in light of the other versions of the parable in the Synoptics and the Gospel of Thomas reveals that the original point of the story was not Christological; nor was it primarily allegorical. Rather, it was a simple, if shocking, "Kingdom" parable, whose point was the value of the coming Reign of God and the extraordinary, even desperate measures that the lowly should take in claiming it as their own.
Call to Worship
Leader:
Brothers and sisters, let us renew our faith in God!
People:
LET US GIVE OURSELVES TO GOD FROM THE DEPTHS OF OUR HEARTS!
Leader:
Let us dedicate our very lives to God's coming Reign!
People:
AND LET US VOW TO SACRIFICE ALL TO CLAIM IT AS OUR OWN!
Collect
Sovereign God, you have promised us your glorious Reign for the future. Help us now to claim it as our own: that, preparing for its coming glories, we may become participants in its present gifts, which abound even now in our imperfect world. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Righteous God, we confess that we do not consistently keep your promised coming Reign before us as our goal, and that we settle all too eagerly for the world as it is, as if there were nothing else to look forward to; and we admit that such complacency and contentedness on our part denies your word and weakens our discipleship on behalf of you and your Christ. Forgive us, we pray, and inspire us anew with the parables of Jesus, which tell us of the glorious image of the wonderful future that you have in store for this suffering and sorrowful world. In his name we hope and pray. Amen
