Faithful obedience to God's call
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series II
Exegetical note: What is most striking about this account of God's call and Abraham's response is the lack of haggling or hesitation on the part of the latter. Rather, Abraham breaks all ties to land and most to family in order to do God's bidding, and thus becomes a model of faithful obedience to God's call for all time.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 33)
Leader:
Behold, God's eye is upon those who fear God,
People:
UPON THOSE WHOSE HOPE IS IN GOD'S STEADFAST LOVE!
Leader:
May God deliver us from death!
People:
MAY GOD PRESERVE US IN TIMES OF WANT!
Collect
Holy God, you called Abraham to father your people, and us to be your people. Help us to respond in faith as he did: that, obedient to your call, we may be worthy children and effective carriers of your holy word for the world. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Everlasting God, it pains us to confess how unresponsive to your bidding we really are and how faithless to our callings we can be. We do your work, if at all, half-heartedly and act according to your will, at best, when it is convenient for us. Forgive us, we pray, and inspire us with the example of your servants like Abraham, who though they were unworthy and felt unprepared, answered your summons with faith and performed their appointed tasks with grace. In the name of Christ Jesus we pray. Amen
Proper 4
Sunday between May 29 and June 4 inclusive
(If after Trinity Sunday)
Second Lesson: Romans 3:21-28
Theme:
True justification versus self-justification
Exegetical note: This selection contains the heart of Paul's theology: (1) all have sinned; (2) God alone is righteous; (3) God manifested that righteousness in Christ Jesus rather than the Law; (4) God justifies believers by grace (a gift) through (5) the redemption/expiation effected. The "bottom line" is that self-justification doesn't work and true justification requires God's agency.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 33)
Leader:
Let our souls wait upon God!
People:
GOD IS OUR HELP AND OUR SHIELD!
Leader:
Let our hearts be glad in God!
People:
LET US TRUST IN GOD'S HOLY NAME!
Collect
Most holy God, only you are truly righteous and only by your grace in Christ Jesus are we righteous at all. Help us to take to heart the redemption that we have in him: that, the goodness that we were unable to achieve on our own merits, we may by your grace not only realize but reflect. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Merciful and loving God, we confess that we often fall into the trap of trying to justify ourselves and to make ourselves righteous on our own merits and by our own efforts; and we admit that, because of our sinfulness, we fail miserably and wind up only feeling more guilty and worthless than before. Forgive us, we pray, and help us to seek and find the only true justification, which you have made available to us in Christ Jesus, and in which alone there is righteousness. In his holy name we pray. Amen
Proper 4
Sunday between May 29 and June 4 inclusive
(If after Trinity Sunday)
Gospel:
Matthew 7:21-28
Theme:
Lip-service versus true service
Exegetical note: This selection from the Sermon on the Mount gives biblical substantiation to the dictum "deeds not words." For Jesus here contrasts those who pay lip service to God with those who actually do God's will, comparing the former to foolish builders on foundations of sand, and the latter to a wise builder who constructs on a solid base.
Call to Worship
Leader:
Blessed are those whose faith is in God!
People:
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO DO GOD'S WILL!
Leader:
Blessed are those who build upon the Rock!
People: THEY ARE THE ONES LIFE'S STORMS CANNOT MOVE!
Collect
Eternal God, you have given us in Jesus a firm foundation on which to build our faith. Give us the wisdom to use it: that, rejecting all the unsure ground that the world offers, we may construct by your grace for ourselves and others a building not made with hands: a firm and lasting trust in you. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, it shames us to confess how often we piay the fool by paying mere lip-service to you, your Christ, and your coming Reign, all the while putting our true allegiance in the world, its standards and its values; and we acknowledge that we always wind up suffering ourselves and bringing shame upon your gospel. Forgive us, we pray, and teach us once and for all that deeds rather han words reveal the true place of the heart and provide the firmest evidence for faith. In the name of Jesus we trust and pray. Amen
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 33)
Leader:
Behold, God's eye is upon those who fear God,
People:
UPON THOSE WHOSE HOPE IS IN GOD'S STEADFAST LOVE!
Leader:
May God deliver us from death!
People:
MAY GOD PRESERVE US IN TIMES OF WANT!
Collect
Holy God, you called Abraham to father your people, and us to be your people. Help us to respond in faith as he did: that, obedient to your call, we may be worthy children and effective carriers of your holy word for the world. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Everlasting God, it pains us to confess how unresponsive to your bidding we really are and how faithless to our callings we can be. We do your work, if at all, half-heartedly and act according to your will, at best, when it is convenient for us. Forgive us, we pray, and inspire us with the example of your servants like Abraham, who though they were unworthy and felt unprepared, answered your summons with faith and performed their appointed tasks with grace. In the name of Christ Jesus we pray. Amen
Proper 4
Sunday between May 29 and June 4 inclusive
(If after Trinity Sunday)
Second Lesson: Romans 3:21-28
Theme:
True justification versus self-justification
Exegetical note: This selection contains the heart of Paul's theology: (1) all have sinned; (2) God alone is righteous; (3) God manifested that righteousness in Christ Jesus rather than the Law; (4) God justifies believers by grace (a gift) through (5) the redemption/expiation effected. The "bottom line" is that self-justification doesn't work and true justification requires God's agency.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 33)
Leader:
Let our souls wait upon God!
People:
GOD IS OUR HELP AND OUR SHIELD!
Leader:
Let our hearts be glad in God!
People:
LET US TRUST IN GOD'S HOLY NAME!
Collect
Most holy God, only you are truly righteous and only by your grace in Christ Jesus are we righteous at all. Help us to take to heart the redemption that we have in him: that, the goodness that we were unable to achieve on our own merits, we may by your grace not only realize but reflect. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Merciful and loving God, we confess that we often fall into the trap of trying to justify ourselves and to make ourselves righteous on our own merits and by our own efforts; and we admit that, because of our sinfulness, we fail miserably and wind up only feeling more guilty and worthless than before. Forgive us, we pray, and help us to seek and find the only true justification, which you have made available to us in Christ Jesus, and in which alone there is righteousness. In his holy name we pray. Amen
Proper 4
Sunday between May 29 and June 4 inclusive
(If after Trinity Sunday)
Gospel:
Matthew 7:21-28
Theme:
Lip-service versus true service
Exegetical note: This selection from the Sermon on the Mount gives biblical substantiation to the dictum "deeds not words." For Jesus here contrasts those who pay lip service to God with those who actually do God's will, comparing the former to foolish builders on foundations of sand, and the latter to a wise builder who constructs on a solid base.
Call to Worship
Leader:
Blessed are those whose faith is in God!
People:
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO DO GOD'S WILL!
Leader:
Blessed are those who build upon the Rock!
People: THEY ARE THE ONES LIFE'S STORMS CANNOT MOVE!
Collect
Eternal God, you have given us in Jesus a firm foundation on which to build our faith. Give us the wisdom to use it: that, rejecting all the unsure ground that the world offers, we may construct by your grace for ourselves and others a building not made with hands: a firm and lasting trust in you. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, it shames us to confess how often we piay the fool by paying mere lip-service to you, your Christ, and your coming Reign, all the while putting our true allegiance in the world, its standards and its values; and we acknowledge that we always wind up suffering ourselves and bringing shame upon your gospel. Forgive us, we pray, and teach us once and for all that deeds rather han words reveal the true place of the heart and provide the firmest evidence for faith. In the name of Jesus we trust and pray. Amen
