Epiphany 4
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle C Gospel Texts
Liturgical Color: Green
Gospel: Luke 4:21-30
Theme: Jesus Taught in the Synagogues, Claiming He Was Fulfilling Isaiah's Prophecy. He said what the people wanted to hear and they cheered; he said what they had no intention of hearing and they jeered. Somehow, he escapes in their midst. Which part of Jesus' truth do you want to hear; and which part do you teach to the people?
The Gathering
Choral Invitation
"Let's Go!" Avery and Marsh. (See Epiphany 1.)
Pastoral Invitation
Pastor and Ministers
In the name of the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, welcome to the fourth Sunday of Epiphany. As we begin worship, consider this question: When do we praise God? Only when we agree with the biblical message, or also when we disagree? Only when life goes well, or also when it's not going well at all? Only when we focus on God's love, or also when we are confronted by God's holiness? (One minute to think about these questions.) Would anyone care to respond? (Wait an uncomfortable amount of time.) Now, are we ready to continue?
M: Despite our discomfort, we move on.
P: Great! No one has promised that life is a bed of roses.
Hymn of Praise
"When the Morning Stars Together," Albert F. Bayly, 1969; alt.; as in Tochter Sion, Cologne, 1741.
Prayer of Praise
Pastor and Ministers
Begin with this response:
P: The Lord be with you, friends.
M: The Lord be with you too, pastor.
P: Praise the Lord!
M: The Lord's name be praised!
P: We praise you, we hope not for what we have, but for who we are, your people, not by our efforts, but by your unconditional acceptance of us, even when we do not "feel" accepted. Teach us, each day, to accept you for who you are, rather than what we want you to be.
The Introspection
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
The Gospel lesson today reminds us of Palm Sunday and Good Friday, when the crowd's cheers changed to jeers. In a brief time, the crowd spoke well of Jesus, and then ran him out of town. Listen carefully to the passage. (Read Luke 4:21-30; read slowly and deliberately with much passion. Wait thirty seconds after reading.) When do we welcome the Christ into our lives; and when do we want him to keep hands off? Take two minutes to write down your responses. (After two minutes, ask) What did you discover? If you're too embarrassed to share in worship, share with your family or a group of trusted friends. We're in this together. Besides, none of our sins is original. (Perhaps you will risk sharing one of your own discoveries.)
Response
"My Faith Looks Up To Thee," Ray Palmer, 1830; Lowell Mason, 1831.
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life
God loves us even when we hate, ignore, trivialize God. Did we hear that? Did we? God seeks our healing and wholeness more than we do. Did we hear that? Did we? God offers the Holy Spirit to integrate and transform us, even when we would rather spend our time, money, and energy involved in everything except the things of God. Did we hear that? Did we? If you heard that good news, reverently shout your favorite praise or thanksgiving word.
Response
"Spirit of the Living God," words and music by Daniel Iverson, from Let the People Sing. (See Appendix I for address.) Sing this as a round.
The Teaching
Message with the Children of All Ages
Has anyone ever been mad or angry with you? Are you willing to tell us why? (Wait. If no response, suggest some possibilities.) You forgot to put away your clothes. You took something that belonged to somebody else. You watched television instead of doing your homework ... You get the idea. Please understand that anger does not mean that the person doesn't love you. The person loves you, or wouldn't care what you did or didn't do. You've probably never been treated the way the people treated Jesus that day. He said something the people chose not to hear. Do you know what they tried to do to him? (Wait.) The crowds often treated Jesus this way: They cheered when they liked what he said; they jeered when they didn't. Does that remind you of you?
Response
"The Bond of Love," words and music by Otis Skillings, from Let the People Sing. (See Appendix I for address.)
Reading from the Scripture
Yes, use it once again. Have "Jesus" memorize his part if possible. As he speaks, urge the congregation to cheer him when it agrees, and to jeer him when it doesn't. Ask someone at the end to ask, "Where did he go?"
Proclamation of the Good News
Focus on our faith-attitude when we agree with the Scripture (and the pastor, and those with a different theology than ours). And when we disagree. What form does our disagreement take, personal confrontation or gossip?
Response
Conclude with a prayer which urges us to deal with the truth about ourselves before we start making value judgments about others.
The Dedication
Stewardship Challenge
Someone has said that if we were honest as the human race, there would not be four friends in the world. I have had a few folks walk out of worship in protest; I have had a group of power people force me out of a congregation, through the use of gossip, innuendo, lies. So far as I know, no one has tried to kill me. Maybe you've had similar experiences. How do we deal with the stewardship of truth?
Prayer
Focus on the theme of truth.
Charge to the Congregation
One day a woman called me. She said that she had been a former church member of mine, though she refused to give her name. She came to worship that day. After worship, she told me her story. About ten years before, the session of the church I served placed her on the inactive role because of her lack of participation. She told me what that did to her and for her. First, she became hostile that a session would dare do such a thing. Secondly, the more she thought about it, the more she appreciated its action. She decided to stop pouting, and to do something about her neglected commitment to Christ and the church. Since that time, she has continued to grow as a Christian. She needed to hear the truth about herself.
Hymn of Obedience
"Lord, Make Us More Holy," African-American spiritual.
Meditation
"To be, or not to be, in the world -- that is not the question. The question is whether to be involved up to the ankles or ears. How we face the truth about ourselves will determine how we answer that question" (first part, author unknown; second part, Wayne Keller).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Epiphany hymns; or "Carillon," J. S. Bach.
Offertory: "The Old Year Now Has Passed," J. S. Bach.
Response to the Scripture: "Awake My Heart," Marshall.
Choral Response Following the Benediction: "Christ Is the World's True Light," George Briggs, 1931; alt., 1972. (Replace the sexist language as you sing.)
Gospel: Luke 4:21-30
Theme: Jesus Taught in the Synagogues, Claiming He Was Fulfilling Isaiah's Prophecy. He said what the people wanted to hear and they cheered; he said what they had no intention of hearing and they jeered. Somehow, he escapes in their midst. Which part of Jesus' truth do you want to hear; and which part do you teach to the people?
The Gathering
Choral Invitation
"Let's Go!" Avery and Marsh. (See Epiphany 1.)
Pastoral Invitation
Pastor and Ministers
In the name of the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, welcome to the fourth Sunday of Epiphany. As we begin worship, consider this question: When do we praise God? Only when we agree with the biblical message, or also when we disagree? Only when life goes well, or also when it's not going well at all? Only when we focus on God's love, or also when we are confronted by God's holiness? (One minute to think about these questions.) Would anyone care to respond? (Wait an uncomfortable amount of time.) Now, are we ready to continue?
M: Despite our discomfort, we move on.
P: Great! No one has promised that life is a bed of roses.
Hymn of Praise
"When the Morning Stars Together," Albert F. Bayly, 1969; alt.; as in Tochter Sion, Cologne, 1741.
Prayer of Praise
Pastor and Ministers
Begin with this response:
P: The Lord be with you, friends.
M: The Lord be with you too, pastor.
P: Praise the Lord!
M: The Lord's name be praised!
P: We praise you, we hope not for what we have, but for who we are, your people, not by our efforts, but by your unconditional acceptance of us, even when we do not "feel" accepted. Teach us, each day, to accept you for who you are, rather than what we want you to be.
The Introspection
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
The Gospel lesson today reminds us of Palm Sunday and Good Friday, when the crowd's cheers changed to jeers. In a brief time, the crowd spoke well of Jesus, and then ran him out of town. Listen carefully to the passage. (Read Luke 4:21-30; read slowly and deliberately with much passion. Wait thirty seconds after reading.) When do we welcome the Christ into our lives; and when do we want him to keep hands off? Take two minutes to write down your responses. (After two minutes, ask) What did you discover? If you're too embarrassed to share in worship, share with your family or a group of trusted friends. We're in this together. Besides, none of our sins is original. (Perhaps you will risk sharing one of your own discoveries.)
Response
"My Faith Looks Up To Thee," Ray Palmer, 1830; Lowell Mason, 1831.
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life
God loves us even when we hate, ignore, trivialize God. Did we hear that? Did we? God seeks our healing and wholeness more than we do. Did we hear that? Did we? God offers the Holy Spirit to integrate and transform us, even when we would rather spend our time, money, and energy involved in everything except the things of God. Did we hear that? Did we? If you heard that good news, reverently shout your favorite praise or thanksgiving word.
Response
"Spirit of the Living God," words and music by Daniel Iverson, from Let the People Sing. (See Appendix I for address.) Sing this as a round.
The Teaching
Message with the Children of All Ages
Has anyone ever been mad or angry with you? Are you willing to tell us why? (Wait. If no response, suggest some possibilities.) You forgot to put away your clothes. You took something that belonged to somebody else. You watched television instead of doing your homework ... You get the idea. Please understand that anger does not mean that the person doesn't love you. The person loves you, or wouldn't care what you did or didn't do. You've probably never been treated the way the people treated Jesus that day. He said something the people chose not to hear. Do you know what they tried to do to him? (Wait.) The crowds often treated Jesus this way: They cheered when they liked what he said; they jeered when they didn't. Does that remind you of you?
Response
"The Bond of Love," words and music by Otis Skillings, from Let the People Sing. (See Appendix I for address.)
Reading from the Scripture
Yes, use it once again. Have "Jesus" memorize his part if possible. As he speaks, urge the congregation to cheer him when it agrees, and to jeer him when it doesn't. Ask someone at the end to ask, "Where did he go?"
Proclamation of the Good News
Focus on our faith-attitude when we agree with the Scripture (and the pastor, and those with a different theology than ours). And when we disagree. What form does our disagreement take, personal confrontation or gossip?
Response
Conclude with a prayer which urges us to deal with the truth about ourselves before we start making value judgments about others.
The Dedication
Stewardship Challenge
Someone has said that if we were honest as the human race, there would not be four friends in the world. I have had a few folks walk out of worship in protest; I have had a group of power people force me out of a congregation, through the use of gossip, innuendo, lies. So far as I know, no one has tried to kill me. Maybe you've had similar experiences. How do we deal with the stewardship of truth?
Prayer
Focus on the theme of truth.
Charge to the Congregation
One day a woman called me. She said that she had been a former church member of mine, though she refused to give her name. She came to worship that day. After worship, she told me her story. About ten years before, the session of the church I served placed her on the inactive role because of her lack of participation. She told me what that did to her and for her. First, she became hostile that a session would dare do such a thing. Secondly, the more she thought about it, the more she appreciated its action. She decided to stop pouting, and to do something about her neglected commitment to Christ and the church. Since that time, she has continued to grow as a Christian. She needed to hear the truth about herself.
Hymn of Obedience
"Lord, Make Us More Holy," African-American spiritual.
Meditation
"To be, or not to be, in the world -- that is not the question. The question is whether to be involved up to the ankles or ears. How we face the truth about ourselves will determine how we answer that question" (first part, author unknown; second part, Wayne Keller).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Epiphany hymns; or "Carillon," J. S. Bach.
Offertory: "The Old Year Now Has Passed," J. S. Bach.
Response to the Scripture: "Awake My Heart," Marshall.
Choral Response Following the Benediction: "Christ Is the World's True Light," George Briggs, 1931; alt., 1972. (Replace the sexist language as you sing.)
