Epiphany 7
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle C Gospel Texts
Liturgical Color: Green
Gospel: Luke 6:27-38
Theme: Some Hard Sayings of Jesus about Loving One's Enemies, and Refusing to Judge Others. Are these admonitions really practical? If so, how do we practice them when we often have difficulty loving our family and friends?
The Gathering
Choral Invitation
"Welcome Song," Paul Graham. (See Epiphany 5.)
Pastoral Invitation
Pastor and Ministers
In the name of the God of love (we like that) and the God of justice (we're not so sure about that), welcome to the seventh Sunday of Epiphany. Be ready for another rough ride as we hear some Scriptures, which we would like to believe apply only to others. The question is simple and profound: "Are we willing to listen to, and act upon, the whole gospel, not only in our worship, but also in our response to worship?"
M: You're scaring us, pastor.
P: If so, then listen carefully to the good news behind the bad news.
Hymn of Praise
"O My Soul, Bless Your Redeemer," stanzas 1 and 6 only. Para. in The Book of Psalms, 1871; alt. 1972, 1988; Witt's Psalmodia Sacra, 1715; as in Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1861.
Prayer of Praise
Incorporate both the qualities of love and justice, or holiness of God. Many congregations focus exclusively on God's love and ignore God's justice. That is both unhealthy and unbiblical.
The Introspection
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
(This is for the bravest of clergy only.) I invite you to write down the names of five people who you wish would confess their sin and sins. (Two minutes of silence.) Now, I invite you, after each name, to write down the sin or sins that you wish they would confess. (Three minutes of silence.) I invite you to think about what was going on inside of you as you did this exercise. (Silence.) Would anyone be willing to respond? (Wait.) It's easy and convenient to begin with others' behavior. Isaiah, in chapter 6, began with the confession of his own sin before he had the courage to confess the sins of his people. So now, I invite you to confess, not only your sins, but your sin. (Two minutes of silence. Conclude with a brief, pregnant prayer.)
Response
"O My Soul, Bless Your Redeemer," stanzas 2, 3, 4, and 5. Remind them that this hymn is based on Psalm 103.
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life
Our need to be in control, to have power over others, which we think we do by making judgmental statements about them, usually behind their backs, will keep us from loving both friends and enemies. The only way to stop blaming is to stop blaming. We are all in the same boat, if we agree or disagree. We are called by God to see each other at eye level. Nowhere does God insist that we look down on another, or up at another. Sheldon Kopp has said, in one of his 937 Eternal Truths, "No one is any stronger or any weaker than anybody else." Scott Peck defines sin as "standing in the way of one's own or another person's growth." (Two minutes of silence.)
Response
"Hope of the World," Georgia Harkness, 1954; Genevan Psalter, 1551.
The Teaching
Message with the Children of All Ages
"I don't like you!" Has anyone ever said that to you? Have you ever said that to anyone? What did you think would happen, if you heard or said that remark? (Wait for a response; if none, share your own.) It's very easy to dislike, even hate, someone, especially if we don't get our own way. Jesus gave us a hard message, to love those who are out to do us in. Have you ever been able to do that? I'll bet you have, maybe toward your parents, or even with a former friend. Remember, not only did Jesus say those words, he gave his life, even for those who hated him. And, also, remember, that when we fail to love, we are his enemy. And he wants us to be friends.
Response
"Love Is the Greatest Gift," words and music by Jodie Howarth, New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Reading from the Scripture
I encourage you to use the Cotton Patch Version by Clarence Jordan. Assign one verse to people throughout the sanctuary. Have each one read, and have fifteen seconds of silence between each reading.
Proclamation of the Good News
Begin: What a whopper of an assignment this passage is! Especially when I, your pastor, am part of the problem. Thomas Graham, writing in The Christian Union Herald, tells of a time when he chaired a nominating committee of Synod. One of the members cautioned him, "Do not nominate Dr. So-and-So to the board; for the president and he hate each other as no two Christians should ever hate each other." Good grief. Then, Dr. Graham offers some practical suggestions for this passage: Don't fight back. Smother your persecutors with kindness. Pray for their conversion. Send flowers to their homes when they, the cursers, are ill. Offer your other cheek. Give to everyone who asks. Be merciful. (Add your own list. And ask the people how they will put this passage into practice this coming week.)
Response
"Fret Not for Those Who Do Wrong Things," Christopher L. Webber, 1986; Scottish Psalter, 1635.
The Dedication
Stewardship Challenge
The money we give never buys God's love. It simply determines how much we love God. We give because we have received.
Response
"Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me," Paul Gerhardt, 1653; trans. John Wesley, c. 1739; alt.; Henri Frederick Hemy, 1864; alt. James George Walton, 1874.
Charge to the Congregation
Bishop Mark K. Carroll has said, "Common to all Christians and Jews and any one created by God is the commandment of love. True charity admits of no substitute. If we prostitute our love by admitting some and excluding others from our affections because they differ from us in race, religion, color, political beliefs, then we are counterfeit religionists and traitorous Americans." Therefore, as Katherine Anne Porter insists, "Love must be learned, and learned again and again; there is no end to it. Hate needs no instruction, but waits only to be provoked."
Meditation
From an article, "Love Without Measure," Deborah Kerr, from This Week (March 23, 1958). She tells about her four-year-old daughter who became aware that numbers are useful to express quantity. One day, she turned to her mother to express her love. "Mummy, I love you ten times," and then, "I love you twenty times." Then, "I love you 600 times." Her mother hugged and kissed her. But she frowned, concentrated once again, and gave a sigh of relief in her final outburst, "Mummy, I love you outside the line of the numbers."
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "Agnus Dei," J. S. Bach.
Response to the Prayer of Praise: "Now Let Every Tongue Adore Thee," J. S. Bach.
Response to the Message with Children: "Have Thine Own Way, Lord," Adelaide A. Pollard.
Offertory: "Pastorale," Purvis.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Epiphany hymns; or, "Con Spirito," Handel.
Gospel: Luke 6:27-38
Theme: Some Hard Sayings of Jesus about Loving One's Enemies, and Refusing to Judge Others. Are these admonitions really practical? If so, how do we practice them when we often have difficulty loving our family and friends?
The Gathering
Choral Invitation
"Welcome Song," Paul Graham. (See Epiphany 5.)
Pastoral Invitation
Pastor and Ministers
In the name of the God of love (we like that) and the God of justice (we're not so sure about that), welcome to the seventh Sunday of Epiphany. Be ready for another rough ride as we hear some Scriptures, which we would like to believe apply only to others. The question is simple and profound: "Are we willing to listen to, and act upon, the whole gospel, not only in our worship, but also in our response to worship?"
M: You're scaring us, pastor.
P: If so, then listen carefully to the good news behind the bad news.
Hymn of Praise
"O My Soul, Bless Your Redeemer," stanzas 1 and 6 only. Para. in The Book of Psalms, 1871; alt. 1972, 1988; Witt's Psalmodia Sacra, 1715; as in Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1861.
Prayer of Praise
Incorporate both the qualities of love and justice, or holiness of God. Many congregations focus exclusively on God's love and ignore God's justice. That is both unhealthy and unbiblical.
The Introspection
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
(This is for the bravest of clergy only.) I invite you to write down the names of five people who you wish would confess their sin and sins. (Two minutes of silence.) Now, I invite you, after each name, to write down the sin or sins that you wish they would confess. (Three minutes of silence.) I invite you to think about what was going on inside of you as you did this exercise. (Silence.) Would anyone be willing to respond? (Wait.) It's easy and convenient to begin with others' behavior. Isaiah, in chapter 6, began with the confession of his own sin before he had the courage to confess the sins of his people. So now, I invite you to confess, not only your sins, but your sin. (Two minutes of silence. Conclude with a brief, pregnant prayer.)
Response
"O My Soul, Bless Your Redeemer," stanzas 2, 3, 4, and 5. Remind them that this hymn is based on Psalm 103.
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life
Our need to be in control, to have power over others, which we think we do by making judgmental statements about them, usually behind their backs, will keep us from loving both friends and enemies. The only way to stop blaming is to stop blaming. We are all in the same boat, if we agree or disagree. We are called by God to see each other at eye level. Nowhere does God insist that we look down on another, or up at another. Sheldon Kopp has said, in one of his 937 Eternal Truths, "No one is any stronger or any weaker than anybody else." Scott Peck defines sin as "standing in the way of one's own or another person's growth." (Two minutes of silence.)
Response
"Hope of the World," Georgia Harkness, 1954; Genevan Psalter, 1551.
The Teaching
Message with the Children of All Ages
"I don't like you!" Has anyone ever said that to you? Have you ever said that to anyone? What did you think would happen, if you heard or said that remark? (Wait for a response; if none, share your own.) It's very easy to dislike, even hate, someone, especially if we don't get our own way. Jesus gave us a hard message, to love those who are out to do us in. Have you ever been able to do that? I'll bet you have, maybe toward your parents, or even with a former friend. Remember, not only did Jesus say those words, he gave his life, even for those who hated him. And, also, remember, that when we fail to love, we are his enemy. And he wants us to be friends.
Response
"Love Is the Greatest Gift," words and music by Jodie Howarth, New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Reading from the Scripture
I encourage you to use the Cotton Patch Version by Clarence Jordan. Assign one verse to people throughout the sanctuary. Have each one read, and have fifteen seconds of silence between each reading.
Proclamation of the Good News
Begin: What a whopper of an assignment this passage is! Especially when I, your pastor, am part of the problem. Thomas Graham, writing in The Christian Union Herald, tells of a time when he chaired a nominating committee of Synod. One of the members cautioned him, "Do not nominate Dr. So-and-So to the board; for the president and he hate each other as no two Christians should ever hate each other." Good grief. Then, Dr. Graham offers some practical suggestions for this passage: Don't fight back. Smother your persecutors with kindness. Pray for their conversion. Send flowers to their homes when they, the cursers, are ill. Offer your other cheek. Give to everyone who asks. Be merciful. (Add your own list. And ask the people how they will put this passage into practice this coming week.)
Response
"Fret Not for Those Who Do Wrong Things," Christopher L. Webber, 1986; Scottish Psalter, 1635.
The Dedication
Stewardship Challenge
The money we give never buys God's love. It simply determines how much we love God. We give because we have received.
Response
"Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me," Paul Gerhardt, 1653; trans. John Wesley, c. 1739; alt.; Henri Frederick Hemy, 1864; alt. James George Walton, 1874.
Charge to the Congregation
Bishop Mark K. Carroll has said, "Common to all Christians and Jews and any one created by God is the commandment of love. True charity admits of no substitute. If we prostitute our love by admitting some and excluding others from our affections because they differ from us in race, religion, color, political beliefs, then we are counterfeit religionists and traitorous Americans." Therefore, as Katherine Anne Porter insists, "Love must be learned, and learned again and again; there is no end to it. Hate needs no instruction, but waits only to be provoked."
Meditation
From an article, "Love Without Measure," Deborah Kerr, from This Week (March 23, 1958). She tells about her four-year-old daughter who became aware that numbers are useful to express quantity. One day, she turned to her mother to express her love. "Mummy, I love you ten times," and then, "I love you twenty times." Then, "I love you 600 times." Her mother hugged and kissed her. But she frowned, concentrated once again, and gave a sigh of relief in her final outburst, "Mummy, I love you outside the line of the numbers."
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "Agnus Dei," J. S. Bach.
Response to the Prayer of Praise: "Now Let Every Tongue Adore Thee," J. S. Bach.
Response to the Message with Children: "Have Thine Own Way, Lord," Adelaide A. Pollard.
Offertory: "Pastorale," Purvis.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Epiphany hymns; or, "Con Spirito," Handel.
