The God of action
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series II
Exegetical note: God's revelation of the divine name, YHWH (or JHWH or JeHoWaH) to Moses is almost a tease. The basis of the name is "to be," but is so ambiguous in form that it may mean "I am who I am," "I wili be what I will be," or "He causes to be." The first two of these suggest a more Greek, philosophical, abstract "Being," an appropriate object of speculation. The third seems more Hebraic, for it bespeaks activity and action, which is exactly what God promises (and delivers!) on behalf of the captive Israelites.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 105)
Leader:
Give thanks to God! Call upon God's name!
People:
MAKE KNOWN GOD'S DEEDS TO ALL PEOPLES!
Leader:
Sing praises to God! Tell of God's works!
People:
GLORY AND REJOICE IN GOD'S NAME!
Collect
God of providence and action, you have brought into being all that is. Move among us now in creative ways: that, touched by your divine presence, we also may become agents of your redemptive grace. In the name of Christ Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of promise and assurance, we confess that we are prone to turn you into a mere premise or abstraction, an object of thought and speculation, or a mere element in a formula for explaining whatever puzzles us about the universe or life. Forgive us, we pray, and remind us again that you are a God, not just of dynamic being in nature, but of redemptive action in history, at work in your creation for the well-being of all of your creatures. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Proper 12
Sunday between July 24 and July 30 inclusive
Second Lesson: Romans 8:26-30
Theme:
A sighing Spirit for dumbfounded saints
Exegetical note: The picture of the Spirit presented in the first two verses here is a powerful one, best illustrated by the defense-advocate in the courtroom, who speaks on behalf of a helpless client. The latter here are saints who are dumbfounded by their weakness (i.e., sin), and who therefore require the kind of profound intercession before God that only God's Spirit itself can provide, and that in unspeakable sighs!
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 105)
Leader:
Seek God and God's strength!
People:
SEEK GOD'S PRESENCE WITHOUT CEASING!
Leader:
Remember God's wonderful works!
People:
REMEMBER GOD'S EVERLASTING WORDS!
Collect
Most benevolent God, you have provided your Spirit as an able spokesperson for a humanity dumbfounded by sin. Continue to stand by us: that, despite our guilt at failing to meet the demands of your Law, your gracious advocacy will acquit us in the high court of your holy justice. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most gracious God, we confess that we consistently try to justify ourselves with explanations, excuses, rationalizations, and other empty words of self-justification, when in fact we know that we are guilty of sin and deserving of your divine retribution. Forgive us, we pray, and teach us to rely upon the advocacy of your own Holy Spirit, whose gracious intercession alone can bring us unmerited righteousness and undeserved release. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Proper 12
Sunday between July 24 and July 30 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 13:44-52
Theme:
A Reign worth any sacrifice
Exegetical note: The first two parables in this selection form a pair and say essentially the same thing from two perspectives: God's coming Reign is like a treasure or rare jewel that is so invaluable that it is worth total sacrifice. Matthew's message in recording these two parables was probably an indirect exhortation to his contemporary Church to accept self-sacrifice willingly.
Call to Worship
Leader:
Let us worship the God of hidden treasures!
People:
LET US PRAISE THE GOD OF UNTOLD RICHES!
Leader:
Let us pledge ourselves to seek God's coming Reign!
People:
LET US SACRIFICE ALL FOR A PORTION OF GOD'S PROMISED BLESSINGS!
Collect
Holy God, you have promised us in scripture a coming Reign more precious than a buried treasure. Convince us of its exceeding value: that, forsaking the desire for the false riches of this world, we may willingly sacrifice all to possess your gracious gift. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most compassionate God, we confess our attraction to the earthly treasures that please the flesh for a while, but pass and fade away, and to ignore the promised riches of your coming Reign, whose value is limitless and whose worth is beyond comparison. Forgive us, we pray, and alter our desires and attachments by the power of your Spirit. Make us long for the timeless spiritual wealth that you so graciously have offered us, before which the possessions of this world pale, and for which we should be willing to pay any price, were it not so freely given. In the name of Christ Jesus we pray. Amen
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 105)
Leader:
Give thanks to God! Call upon God's name!
People:
MAKE KNOWN GOD'S DEEDS TO ALL PEOPLES!
Leader:
Sing praises to God! Tell of God's works!
People:
GLORY AND REJOICE IN GOD'S NAME!
Collect
God of providence and action, you have brought into being all that is. Move among us now in creative ways: that, touched by your divine presence, we also may become agents of your redemptive grace. In the name of Christ Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of promise and assurance, we confess that we are prone to turn you into a mere premise or abstraction, an object of thought and speculation, or a mere element in a formula for explaining whatever puzzles us about the universe or life. Forgive us, we pray, and remind us again that you are a God, not just of dynamic being in nature, but of redemptive action in history, at work in your creation for the well-being of all of your creatures. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Proper 12
Sunday between July 24 and July 30 inclusive
Second Lesson: Romans 8:26-30
Theme:
A sighing Spirit for dumbfounded saints
Exegetical note: The picture of the Spirit presented in the first two verses here is a powerful one, best illustrated by the defense-advocate in the courtroom, who speaks on behalf of a helpless client. The latter here are saints who are dumbfounded by their weakness (i.e., sin), and who therefore require the kind of profound intercession before God that only God's Spirit itself can provide, and that in unspeakable sighs!
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 105)
Leader:
Seek God and God's strength!
People:
SEEK GOD'S PRESENCE WITHOUT CEASING!
Leader:
Remember God's wonderful works!
People:
REMEMBER GOD'S EVERLASTING WORDS!
Collect
Most benevolent God, you have provided your Spirit as an able spokesperson for a humanity dumbfounded by sin. Continue to stand by us: that, despite our guilt at failing to meet the demands of your Law, your gracious advocacy will acquit us in the high court of your holy justice. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most gracious God, we confess that we consistently try to justify ourselves with explanations, excuses, rationalizations, and other empty words of self-justification, when in fact we know that we are guilty of sin and deserving of your divine retribution. Forgive us, we pray, and teach us to rely upon the advocacy of your own Holy Spirit, whose gracious intercession alone can bring us unmerited righteousness and undeserved release. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Proper 12
Sunday between July 24 and July 30 inclusive
Gospel:
Matthew 13:44-52
Theme:
A Reign worth any sacrifice
Exegetical note: The first two parables in this selection form a pair and say essentially the same thing from two perspectives: God's coming Reign is like a treasure or rare jewel that is so invaluable that it is worth total sacrifice. Matthew's message in recording these two parables was probably an indirect exhortation to his contemporary Church to accept self-sacrifice willingly.
Call to Worship
Leader:
Let us worship the God of hidden treasures!
People:
LET US PRAISE THE GOD OF UNTOLD RICHES!
Leader:
Let us pledge ourselves to seek God's coming Reign!
People:
LET US SACRIFICE ALL FOR A PORTION OF GOD'S PROMISED BLESSINGS!
Collect
Holy God, you have promised us in scripture a coming Reign more precious than a buried treasure. Convince us of its exceeding value: that, forsaking the desire for the false riches of this world, we may willingly sacrifice all to possess your gracious gift. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most compassionate God, we confess our attraction to the earthly treasures that please the flesh for a while, but pass and fade away, and to ignore the promised riches of your coming Reign, whose value is limitless and whose worth is beyond comparison. Forgive us, we pray, and alter our desires and attachments by the power of your Spirit. Make us long for the timeless spiritual wealth that you so graciously have offered us, before which the possessions of this world pale, and for which we should be willing to pay any price, were it not so freely given. In the name of Christ Jesus we pray. Amen
