Feeding the Five Thousand
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle A Gospel Texts
Celebrating The Presence Of God
Invitation to the Celebration
Welcome in the Name of God, the Gift-giver. God rains gifts,innumerable gifts upon us. (Invite the people to name a few. You may want to ask several in advance to be ready to respond.) In light of these gifts, the important ones given freely to us, do you come today with expectation and excitement, or with wait-and-see drudgery? God is ready for us; are we ready for God? Ready or not, God is here!
P: You have heard that God is dead; I say to you, God is living and is here.
M: Praise be to the living God!
P: God is here. Do you hear God?
M: We hear God in the word, both spoken and sung: in Bible and hymns, in newspaper and popular songs, in laughter and shouts of joy, in weeping and sobs of anguish.
P: God is here. Do you see God?
M: We see God in sacrament and symbol: in Cross and table, in air and water, in bread and cup, in paintings and drawings, in sculpture and architecture, in drama and dance.
P: God is here. Do you feel God?
M: We feel God through the Holy Spirit: in fellowship around the table; in support and challenge from Scripture; in common unity of purpose and mission, in persons who love the unlovely, who love their enemies, who love those who persecute them, who love us ...
P: I invite us to celebrate with this God who is living and who is present with us.
Hymn of Praise
"God Created Heaven and Earth" (Taiwanese Hymn, Pi-po melody; trans. Boris and Clare Anderson, 1981; harm. I-to Loh, 1963; rev. 1982).
Prayer of Praise
Almighty God, we rejoice that we can come to One who is more concerned for our welfare, and others' welfare, than we are; more eager to give than we are to receive. We're grateful that we need not bully or cajole you. It is our capacity to take that which needs enlarging, our ambition to live off of you that which needs quickening. So we pray that today's encounter with the Christ may rebuke our piecemeal, hand-to- mouth, shoddy living and set us hungering for the life that is life indeed (source lost; slightly revised).
Response
"The Good News in Five Senses" (Avery and Marsh, from The Second Avery and Marsh Songbook, published by Hope Publishing Company. See Appendix I for address).
Celebrating The Act Of Forgiveness
The Act of Confession
Before this confession, read Peacemaking: On Dusting the Wind by David P. Young. He suggests, and rightfully so, that many of us sleep through life. We ignore justice issues, unless we want justice for ourselves. We passively accept military spending, corrupt business practices, world hunger. We close our eyes; we sleep our way through life. Develop the following litany to suit your situation. Have someone, or several someones, speak the part, "I was hungry." These persons can remain where they are seated. Then the pastor or layperson will respond with excuses. For example, first person says, "I was hungry" and someone says, "Don't worry; be happy." Or "I'm going out to dinner with my family." Or "God helps those who help themselves." Or "Jesus said that the poor are always with us." Or "You should get a job." You get the idea, I'm sure. After the litany, let the people sit in silence for four minutes, or at least until they feel uncomfortable, the most unfavorite position for many church members.
Response
"Lord, Have Mercy" (harm. Richard Proulx, 1984; found in The Presbyterian Hymnal).
The Assurance of Pardon
Invite the people to take out paper and pencil; I have an exam for you. Here it is: 1) I will not __________ my neighbor anymore; instead, I will __________. 2) I will not __________ to my enemy who is __________. Instead, I will __________. 3) I will not limit myself to __________ as I have done in the past; instead, I will __________. 4) I will not prejudge or limit my neighbor in this way __________ as I have done in the past; instead, I will __________.
Response
"Into My Heart" (words and music by Harry D. Clarke, from Let the People Sing, Hope Publishing Company).
Celebrating The Word
Message with the Children of All Ages
Ask if any have ever been hungry, even for a while. What was that like? Let them know that, every day, 40,000 children die from lack of food and pure water. Find out if they think that they can do anything about it. Offer one or two ideas.
Reading from the Newer Covenant
Invite the people to stand for the Gospel, a tradition which we need to recapture. The congregation represents the crowd. Ask them to mill around. Appoint, ahead of time, a disciple who will speak the words in the text. Jesus and the disciples get into a discussion about lunch. At the proper time, instead of giving bread to the people, make certain that the disciples reach out to touch each member present. Be careful about the touch; it must be nurturing, and respectful of each individual.
Proclamation of the Good News
Incorporate this idea about identifying with the hungry: For one week, or one day, live on the following: Breakfast, one glass of water; one cup of coffee or cocoa; one slice of toast with margarine. Lunch: One peanut butter and jelly sandwich, one glass of Kool-Aid. Dinner: One helping of collard greens and rice and one cup of tea; or one bowl of chili con carne, one cup of tea or one glass of Kool-Aid; or one helping of macaroni and cheese, one cup of tea. If this fits your thinking, say that you must talk about hunger because it's part of Scripture; "but I come with many tears, and few, if any, answers; with much frustration and little solutions."
Celebrating Our Gifts
Stewardship Challenge
Before receiving the offering, hand around a tea bag and a spoon of rice to represent what two-thirds of the world eats each day.
Dedication Prayer
We offer these gifts, and the gift of our lives, God, to and for a world that's dying to hear the Good News from someone.
Celebrating Our Departure
Charge to the Congregation
The setting is a congregational meeting. You hear reports on your charitable projects and learn, in the end, that your giving has done nothing to reverse the slide into more degradation and poverty. Finally, you hear the chairman saying, "Have we a second to the motion that we sell our building and entire grounds and use the proceeds as a first step in helping the poor?" How would you respond?
Meditation
"The only people who are sick and tired of hearing about hunger are those who are well fed" (WHK).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of hunger music or "Study on B. A. C. H.," Walter Piston.
Hymn of Praise: "O Worship the King, All Glorious Above,"Êbased on Psalm 104, Robert Grant, 1833; alt.
Response to the Newer Covenant: (Choir) "He Comes to Us,"ÊJane Marshall, text by Albert Schweitzer.
Offertory: "Reverie," by Vierne.
Hymn of Dedication: "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah," William Williams, 1745. Stanza 1, Peter Williams, trans. 1771; stanzas 2 and 3, William or John Williams, trans. c. 1772; or "External God, Whose Power Upholds," Henry Hallam Tweedy, 1929; alt., 1972.
Music for Dismissal: Popular song, "We Are the World," or "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go," George Matheson, 1882.
Invitation to the Celebration
Welcome in the Name of God, the Gift-giver. God rains gifts,innumerable gifts upon us. (Invite the people to name a few. You may want to ask several in advance to be ready to respond.) In light of these gifts, the important ones given freely to us, do you come today with expectation and excitement, or with wait-and-see drudgery? God is ready for us; are we ready for God? Ready or not, God is here!
P: You have heard that God is dead; I say to you, God is living and is here.
M: Praise be to the living God!
P: God is here. Do you hear God?
M: We hear God in the word, both spoken and sung: in Bible and hymns, in newspaper and popular songs, in laughter and shouts of joy, in weeping and sobs of anguish.
P: God is here. Do you see God?
M: We see God in sacrament and symbol: in Cross and table, in air and water, in bread and cup, in paintings and drawings, in sculpture and architecture, in drama and dance.
P: God is here. Do you feel God?
M: We feel God through the Holy Spirit: in fellowship around the table; in support and challenge from Scripture; in common unity of purpose and mission, in persons who love the unlovely, who love their enemies, who love those who persecute them, who love us ...
P: I invite us to celebrate with this God who is living and who is present with us.
Hymn of Praise
"God Created Heaven and Earth" (Taiwanese Hymn, Pi-po melody; trans. Boris and Clare Anderson, 1981; harm. I-to Loh, 1963; rev. 1982).
Prayer of Praise
Almighty God, we rejoice that we can come to One who is more concerned for our welfare, and others' welfare, than we are; more eager to give than we are to receive. We're grateful that we need not bully or cajole you. It is our capacity to take that which needs enlarging, our ambition to live off of you that which needs quickening. So we pray that today's encounter with the Christ may rebuke our piecemeal, hand-to- mouth, shoddy living and set us hungering for the life that is life indeed (source lost; slightly revised).
Response
"The Good News in Five Senses" (Avery and Marsh, from The Second Avery and Marsh Songbook, published by Hope Publishing Company. See Appendix I for address).
Celebrating The Act Of Forgiveness
The Act of Confession
Before this confession, read Peacemaking: On Dusting the Wind by David P. Young. He suggests, and rightfully so, that many of us sleep through life. We ignore justice issues, unless we want justice for ourselves. We passively accept military spending, corrupt business practices, world hunger. We close our eyes; we sleep our way through life. Develop the following litany to suit your situation. Have someone, or several someones, speak the part, "I was hungry." These persons can remain where they are seated. Then the pastor or layperson will respond with excuses. For example, first person says, "I was hungry" and someone says, "Don't worry; be happy." Or "I'm going out to dinner with my family." Or "God helps those who help themselves." Or "Jesus said that the poor are always with us." Or "You should get a job." You get the idea, I'm sure. After the litany, let the people sit in silence for four minutes, or at least until they feel uncomfortable, the most unfavorite position for many church members.
Response
"Lord, Have Mercy" (harm. Richard Proulx, 1984; found in The Presbyterian Hymnal).
The Assurance of Pardon
Invite the people to take out paper and pencil; I have an exam for you. Here it is: 1) I will not __________ my neighbor anymore; instead, I will __________. 2) I will not __________ to my enemy who is __________. Instead, I will __________. 3) I will not limit myself to __________ as I have done in the past; instead, I will __________. 4) I will not prejudge or limit my neighbor in this way __________ as I have done in the past; instead, I will __________.
Response
"Into My Heart" (words and music by Harry D. Clarke, from Let the People Sing, Hope Publishing Company).
Celebrating The Word
Message with the Children of All Ages
Ask if any have ever been hungry, even for a while. What was that like? Let them know that, every day, 40,000 children die from lack of food and pure water. Find out if they think that they can do anything about it. Offer one or two ideas.
Reading from the Newer Covenant
Invite the people to stand for the Gospel, a tradition which we need to recapture. The congregation represents the crowd. Ask them to mill around. Appoint, ahead of time, a disciple who will speak the words in the text. Jesus and the disciples get into a discussion about lunch. At the proper time, instead of giving bread to the people, make certain that the disciples reach out to touch each member present. Be careful about the touch; it must be nurturing, and respectful of each individual.
Proclamation of the Good News
Incorporate this idea about identifying with the hungry: For one week, or one day, live on the following: Breakfast, one glass of water; one cup of coffee or cocoa; one slice of toast with margarine. Lunch: One peanut butter and jelly sandwich, one glass of Kool-Aid. Dinner: One helping of collard greens and rice and one cup of tea; or one bowl of chili con carne, one cup of tea or one glass of Kool-Aid; or one helping of macaroni and cheese, one cup of tea. If this fits your thinking, say that you must talk about hunger because it's part of Scripture; "but I come with many tears, and few, if any, answers; with much frustration and little solutions."
Celebrating Our Gifts
Stewardship Challenge
Before receiving the offering, hand around a tea bag and a spoon of rice to represent what two-thirds of the world eats each day.
Dedication Prayer
We offer these gifts, and the gift of our lives, God, to and for a world that's dying to hear the Good News from someone.
Celebrating Our Departure
Charge to the Congregation
The setting is a congregational meeting. You hear reports on your charitable projects and learn, in the end, that your giving has done nothing to reverse the slide into more degradation and poverty. Finally, you hear the chairman saying, "Have we a second to the motion that we sell our building and entire grounds and use the proceeds as a first step in helping the poor?" How would you respond?
Meditation
"The only people who are sick and tired of hearing about hunger are those who are well fed" (WHK).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of hunger music or "Study on B. A. C. H.," Walter Piston.
Hymn of Praise: "O Worship the King, All Glorious Above,"Êbased on Psalm 104, Robert Grant, 1833; alt.
Response to the Newer Covenant: (Choir) "He Comes to Us,"ÊJane Marshall, text by Albert Schweitzer.
Offertory: "Reverie," by Vierne.
Hymn of Dedication: "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah," William Williams, 1745. Stanza 1, Peter Williams, trans. 1771; stanzas 2 and 3, William or John Williams, trans. c. 1772; or "External God, Whose Power Upholds," Henry Hallam Tweedy, 1929; alt., 1972.
Music for Dismissal: Popular song, "We Are the World," or "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go," George Matheson, 1882.
