Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle B
Celebration Through Praise
Pastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Welcome, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to the second Sunday in Pentecost, during which time we will consider the Lordship of our Sabbath/Sunday. Be ready for some surprises; for God also is the Author of Surprises.
P: For what purpose have you come to worship today?
M: We have come to allow the Risen Christ, through his Spirit, to challenge us intellectually, to receive his love for emotional strength, and to gain courage to choose to do God's will in the tensions and opportunities of our time.
P: We are God's people every day of the week, people whom God has called and appointed to live as servants in the world.
M: We have come to discover once again what this means, and to receive the grace we need to remain faithful, even when, especially when, the world, including some of the church, insists that we give in to the demands of the culture.
P: God will provide what we need, not necessarily what we want or expect, beyond our imagining. Therefore, surprised by joy, and amazed by grace, I invite us to celebrate the good news. And all the people said ... (your favorite praise word).
Response
"Holy, Holy, Holy Lord," Joseph Roff, 1980. Reminder: Use all of the instruments available. Keep reminding the people to bring their own instruments, including hand instruments, to be used throughout worship.
Prayer of Praise
Incorporate the theme of the Lord's Day, and our involvement in it as people of faith.
Hymn of Praise
"All Creatures of Our God and King," Francis of Assisi, 1225; trans. and para. William Henry Draper, c. 1910; alt.; harm. Ralph Vaughn Williams, 1906.
Celebration Through Confession And Forgiveness
Introduction to the Act of Confession
Invite the people to take two, maybe even three, minutes to consider how they generally use their time, money, and energy on Sunday. Encourage them to write down their awareness. (Wait the full time; never rush through this act of worship.) Now ask them to check out how much of their Sunday revolves around serving themselves, and serving others. Be aware of how we rationalize and justify using it for ourselves. No, we have no zeal to return to the Old Testament version of Sabbath observance. Consider ways that we will allow Christ to be the Lord of our Sunday. (One minute of silence.)
Response
"Seek Ye (You) First," text from Matthew 6:33; music by Karen Lafferty, from Let the People Sing. (See Appendix I for address.)
Introduction to the Act of Forgiveness
Do we ever ask for forgiveness for the way we observe Sunday; or do we never give it a second thought? Or do we think that so long as we attend worship, that is all that's required of us? God has called us as servants. Prayer: "By your Spirit, living Christ, reveal to us what your observance of the Lord's Day can mean to us." Now, I invite you to identify two ways by which you will commit yourselves to be servants on Sunday.
Response
"Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service," Albert F. Bayly, 1961; alt.; Welsh melody.
Celebration Through The Word
Message with the Children of All Ages
Identify some ways that the Old Testament people observed the Sabbath; and then, give an insight about verses 23 and 24. Ask, "How would you like to have lived then?" Invite them to share ways they observe Sunday, and finally, some ways that they can use Sunday to help others.
Response
Use again this week, "Nobody Said It Was Going to Be Easy," by Avery and Marsh.
Reading of the Gospel
Enact the passage in the midst of the congregation for the first part. Then, enact the healing in the chancel.
Proclamation of the Good News
Someone has said, "Most of us don't know what Sabbath/Sunday observance is; and if we did know, we wouldn't like it." Consider these possibilities: (1) We have no ironclad rules, as did the Older Testament folks. (2) We do need a day of rest, and for worship; weekends often leave us more exhausted than refreshed. (3) God, throughout scripture, takes the Sabbath extremely seriously.
Celebration Through Thanksgiving And Intercession
Continue to invite people to share their joys and concerns; and encourage them to consider the theme for the day.
Celebration Through Commitment
Stewardship Challenge
The important question is not, "Do I want to attend worship, to use the Lord's Day as a holy day?" but rather, "What is required of me as a responsible Christian? What is my response to keep alive the Good News that Christ lives, and lives in me?" We present our whole selves as we present our time, money, energy.
Charge to the Congregation
If we want to become and remain free, responsible people, then we need to remember the rhythms upon which the universe is constructed -- work and rest -- and keep them consecrated to God. For every Sunday is Easter; every Sunday is Resurrection Day!
Meditation
"What do you call, how do you respond, to the first day of the week? As the Sabbath? As the Lord's Day? As Sunday? As the weekend? Whichever way will determine our life and destiny" (WHK).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Pentecost hymns; or Praise hymns; or, "Praeludium," Lemmens.
Hymn of Praise: "When Morning Gilds the Skies," German hymn, c. 1800; trans. Edward Caswall, 1853, 1858; alt. Joseph Barnby, 1868.
Response to the Message with Children: "Rejoice, the Lord is King," words by Charles Wesley; music by Ivan Mitchell, from New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Response to the Scripture: "O Be Joyful in the Lord," Don Muro.
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: "O God, Thou Good God," Karg-Elert.
Hymn of Commitment: "Go with Us, Lord," Mary Jackson Cathey, 1986; Thomas Tallis; adapt. Parker's Whole Psalter, c. 1561.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Pentecost or Servant or Obedient hymns.
Pastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Welcome, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to the second Sunday in Pentecost, during which time we will consider the Lordship of our Sabbath/Sunday. Be ready for some surprises; for God also is the Author of Surprises.
P: For what purpose have you come to worship today?
M: We have come to allow the Risen Christ, through his Spirit, to challenge us intellectually, to receive his love for emotional strength, and to gain courage to choose to do God's will in the tensions and opportunities of our time.
P: We are God's people every day of the week, people whom God has called and appointed to live as servants in the world.
M: We have come to discover once again what this means, and to receive the grace we need to remain faithful, even when, especially when, the world, including some of the church, insists that we give in to the demands of the culture.
P: God will provide what we need, not necessarily what we want or expect, beyond our imagining. Therefore, surprised by joy, and amazed by grace, I invite us to celebrate the good news. And all the people said ... (your favorite praise word).
Response
"Holy, Holy, Holy Lord," Joseph Roff, 1980. Reminder: Use all of the instruments available. Keep reminding the people to bring their own instruments, including hand instruments, to be used throughout worship.
Prayer of Praise
Incorporate the theme of the Lord's Day, and our involvement in it as people of faith.
Hymn of Praise
"All Creatures of Our God and King," Francis of Assisi, 1225; trans. and para. William Henry Draper, c. 1910; alt.; harm. Ralph Vaughn Williams, 1906.
Celebration Through Confession And Forgiveness
Introduction to the Act of Confession
Invite the people to take two, maybe even three, minutes to consider how they generally use their time, money, and energy on Sunday. Encourage them to write down their awareness. (Wait the full time; never rush through this act of worship.) Now ask them to check out how much of their Sunday revolves around serving themselves, and serving others. Be aware of how we rationalize and justify using it for ourselves. No, we have no zeal to return to the Old Testament version of Sabbath observance. Consider ways that we will allow Christ to be the Lord of our Sunday. (One minute of silence.)
Response
"Seek Ye (You) First," text from Matthew 6:33; music by Karen Lafferty, from Let the People Sing. (See Appendix I for address.)
Introduction to the Act of Forgiveness
Do we ever ask for forgiveness for the way we observe Sunday; or do we never give it a second thought? Or do we think that so long as we attend worship, that is all that's required of us? God has called us as servants. Prayer: "By your Spirit, living Christ, reveal to us what your observance of the Lord's Day can mean to us." Now, I invite you to identify two ways by which you will commit yourselves to be servants on Sunday.
Response
"Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service," Albert F. Bayly, 1961; alt.; Welsh melody.
Celebration Through The Word
Message with the Children of All Ages
Identify some ways that the Old Testament people observed the Sabbath; and then, give an insight about verses 23 and 24. Ask, "How would you like to have lived then?" Invite them to share ways they observe Sunday, and finally, some ways that they can use Sunday to help others.
Response
Use again this week, "Nobody Said It Was Going to Be Easy," by Avery and Marsh.
Reading of the Gospel
Enact the passage in the midst of the congregation for the first part. Then, enact the healing in the chancel.
Proclamation of the Good News
Someone has said, "Most of us don't know what Sabbath/Sunday observance is; and if we did know, we wouldn't like it." Consider these possibilities: (1) We have no ironclad rules, as did the Older Testament folks. (2) We do need a day of rest, and for worship; weekends often leave us more exhausted than refreshed. (3) God, throughout scripture, takes the Sabbath extremely seriously.
Celebration Through Thanksgiving And Intercession
Continue to invite people to share their joys and concerns; and encourage them to consider the theme for the day.
Celebration Through Commitment
Stewardship Challenge
The important question is not, "Do I want to attend worship, to use the Lord's Day as a holy day?" but rather, "What is required of me as a responsible Christian? What is my response to keep alive the Good News that Christ lives, and lives in me?" We present our whole selves as we present our time, money, energy.
Charge to the Congregation
If we want to become and remain free, responsible people, then we need to remember the rhythms upon which the universe is constructed -- work and rest -- and keep them consecrated to God. For every Sunday is Easter; every Sunday is Resurrection Day!
Meditation
"What do you call, how do you respond, to the first day of the week? As the Sabbath? As the Lord's Day? As Sunday? As the weekend? Whichever way will determine our life and destiny" (WHK).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Pentecost hymns; or Praise hymns; or, "Praeludium," Lemmens.
Hymn of Praise: "When Morning Gilds the Skies," German hymn, c. 1800; trans. Edward Caswall, 1853, 1858; alt. Joseph Barnby, 1868.
Response to the Message with Children: "Rejoice, the Lord is King," words by Charles Wesley; music by Ivan Mitchell, from New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Response to the Scripture: "O Be Joyful in the Lord," Don Muro.
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: "O God, Thou Good God," Karg-Elert.
Hymn of Commitment: "Go with Us, Lord," Mary Jackson Cathey, 1986; Thomas Tallis; adapt. Parker's Whole Psalter, c. 1561.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Pentecost or Servant or Obedient hymns.
