Jesus Clears the Temple
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle B
We Offer Ourselves In The Spirit Of The Living Christ
Pastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Welcome to the third Sunday in Lent. What new truths have you learned so far? (Wait for a response; if none, express one of your own.) As we enter this worship, consider ways by which you will allow God to cleanse your temple, the temple of Holy Spirit.
P: Here we are again, Lord.
M: Thanks for inviting us, perhaps even urging us to be here.
P: Now that we're here, what next?
M: We are ready to hear, and to act on God's invitation, urging.
P: Good deal! Let's do it!
Hymn of Praise
"God of Grace and God of Glory." (Hymn for the first three Sundays of Lent.)
Prayer of Praise
Include the idea that wherever God's Spirit is working, cleansing occurs, within ourself, within the congregation.
We Receive New Life
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
It's easy for us to read the Gospel, and get angry with those people, while ignoring the fact that we are right there with them. In silence, write down those areas in your life that need cleansing. (Two minutes of silence.)
Response
Prayer of Confession: "God, we are aware that when the agnostic prays, 'O God, if there is one, save my soul, if I have one,' he/she is at least honest. We confess that often we who believe in you live as if you do not exist, and have no claim on our lives. We prefer to think that others need cleansing; and we are glad to point out the ones who, we are certain, need cleansing. By your spirit, make us aware of this contradiction; give us your integrity toward you and our fellow humans. In the name of the one who, by his spirit, cleanses every temple."
Introduction to the Word of Acceptance and New Life (Pastor and Ministers)
Have we noticed how easily we make value judgments about other people, while ignoring or neglecting or denying our own? Believe it or not, God promises cleansing from whatever stands in the way of our relationship between God, us, others. Receive this Good News. Christ has set us free to live responsible lives.
M: We know that the past is forgiven, the present is significant, the future is open.
P: I invite us to give thanks and to embrace life in Christ.
M: We seek a creative role in our world, in God's world.
P: Be it so!
M: So be it!
Response
"Seek Ye First," from Singing the Lord's Song. (See Appendix I for address.)
We Are Listening
Message with the Children of All Ages
Review the scripture briefly. Ask them if they see any difference between the Gospel lesson, and the violent movies and television programs of today. Point out the difference. We sometimes hear this scripture quoted to start wars. Jesus hurt no one physically, though emotionally, he jarred a few consciences.
Reading of the Scripture
Have your drama group illustrate Jesus' anger, perhaps by having set up a few tables in the chancel. Let the people hear his anger. The disciples and the Jews speak; Jesus answers; the Jews once again respond. The reader can conclude with the last two verses.
Proclamation of the Good News
You may want to point out that Jesus' anger was righteous, whereas most of our anger occurs when we fail to get our own way. In addition, we know that Jesus has risen from the dead. Have we allowed him to cleanse us, in order to raise us from the dead?
We Respond In Faithful Obedience
Stewardship Challenge
How will we allow the Spirit of God to cleanse our pocketbooks, bank accounts, and charge cards? Someone has said, "It is a good thing to have money and the things that money can buy, but it is a good thing to check up once in a while and make sure you have not lost the things that money cannot buy."
Hymn of Commitment
"My Song Is Love Unknown." (Hymn for the first three Sundays of Lent.)
Charge to the Congregation
Take a few moments of silence to check over the list of those areas in your life that need cleansing. (Silence.) Now, which of those will you allow God's Spirit to work on this week?
Meditation
"The most faithful Christians are those who allow God to cleanse them, rather than their going around trying to get God to cleanse others" (WHK).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Lenten hymns, or "All Beautiful the March of Days," Frances Whitmarsh Wile, 1911; alt., 1972. (Change "men" to "all.")
Hymn of Praise: "Heaven and Earth and Sea and Air," Joachim Neander, 1680; trans. composite: Church Book, 1868.
Response to the Word of Acceptance and New Life: "O Lord, Our Lord, in All the Earth," from Psalm 8, The Psalter, 1912; alt., 1972.
Response to the Proclamation: "O God, Beneath Your Guiding Hand," Leonard Bacon, 1833, 1845; alt., 1972.
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," chorus only. Thomas Obediah Chisholm, 1923; William Marion Runyan, 1923.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Lenten hymns (never ask if people like them or do not like them; simply present them at face value); or, "Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone?" Thomas Shepherd, 1693; alt.; George N. Allen (1812-1877).
Pastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Welcome to the third Sunday in Lent. What new truths have you learned so far? (Wait for a response; if none, express one of your own.) As we enter this worship, consider ways by which you will allow God to cleanse your temple, the temple of Holy Spirit.
P: Here we are again, Lord.
M: Thanks for inviting us, perhaps even urging us to be here.
P: Now that we're here, what next?
M: We are ready to hear, and to act on God's invitation, urging.
P: Good deal! Let's do it!
Hymn of Praise
"God of Grace and God of Glory." (Hymn for the first three Sundays of Lent.)
Prayer of Praise
Include the idea that wherever God's Spirit is working, cleansing occurs, within ourself, within the congregation.
We Receive New Life
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
It's easy for us to read the Gospel, and get angry with those people, while ignoring the fact that we are right there with them. In silence, write down those areas in your life that need cleansing. (Two minutes of silence.)
Response
Prayer of Confession: "God, we are aware that when the agnostic prays, 'O God, if there is one, save my soul, if I have one,' he/she is at least honest. We confess that often we who believe in you live as if you do not exist, and have no claim on our lives. We prefer to think that others need cleansing; and we are glad to point out the ones who, we are certain, need cleansing. By your spirit, make us aware of this contradiction; give us your integrity toward you and our fellow humans. In the name of the one who, by his spirit, cleanses every temple."
Introduction to the Word of Acceptance and New Life (Pastor and Ministers)
Have we noticed how easily we make value judgments about other people, while ignoring or neglecting or denying our own? Believe it or not, God promises cleansing from whatever stands in the way of our relationship between God, us, others. Receive this Good News. Christ has set us free to live responsible lives.
M: We know that the past is forgiven, the present is significant, the future is open.
P: I invite us to give thanks and to embrace life in Christ.
M: We seek a creative role in our world, in God's world.
P: Be it so!
M: So be it!
Response
"Seek Ye First," from Singing the Lord's Song. (See Appendix I for address.)
We Are Listening
Message with the Children of All Ages
Review the scripture briefly. Ask them if they see any difference between the Gospel lesson, and the violent movies and television programs of today. Point out the difference. We sometimes hear this scripture quoted to start wars. Jesus hurt no one physically, though emotionally, he jarred a few consciences.
Reading of the Scripture
Have your drama group illustrate Jesus' anger, perhaps by having set up a few tables in the chancel. Let the people hear his anger. The disciples and the Jews speak; Jesus answers; the Jews once again respond. The reader can conclude with the last two verses.
Proclamation of the Good News
You may want to point out that Jesus' anger was righteous, whereas most of our anger occurs when we fail to get our own way. In addition, we know that Jesus has risen from the dead. Have we allowed him to cleanse us, in order to raise us from the dead?
We Respond In Faithful Obedience
Stewardship Challenge
How will we allow the Spirit of God to cleanse our pocketbooks, bank accounts, and charge cards? Someone has said, "It is a good thing to have money and the things that money can buy, but it is a good thing to check up once in a while and make sure you have not lost the things that money cannot buy."
Hymn of Commitment
"My Song Is Love Unknown." (Hymn for the first three Sundays of Lent.)
Charge to the Congregation
Take a few moments of silence to check over the list of those areas in your life that need cleansing. (Silence.) Now, which of those will you allow God's Spirit to work on this week?
Meditation
"The most faithful Christians are those who allow God to cleanse them, rather than their going around trying to get God to cleanse others" (WHK).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Lenten hymns, or "All Beautiful the March of Days," Frances Whitmarsh Wile, 1911; alt., 1972. (Change "men" to "all.")
Hymn of Praise: "Heaven and Earth and Sea and Air," Joachim Neander, 1680; trans. composite: Church Book, 1868.
Response to the Word of Acceptance and New Life: "O Lord, Our Lord, in All the Earth," from Psalm 8, The Psalter, 1912; alt., 1972.
Response to the Proclamation: "O God, Beneath Your Guiding Hand," Leonard Bacon, 1833, 1845; alt., 1972.
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," chorus only. Thomas Obediah Chisholm, 1923; William Marion Runyan, 1923.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Lenten hymns (never ask if people like them or do not like them; simply present them at face value); or, "Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone?" Thomas Shepherd, 1693; alt.; George N. Allen (1812-1877).
