Peter's Confession of Christ
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle B
The Community Gathers To Celebrate
Pastoral Invitation
Because this scripture was used in Lent 2, consider beginning worship this way: I invite us to take a fantasy trip. (Use a word other than fantasy if you think that might offend some.) Get as comfortable as possible. Somewhat difficult in pews. (Take at least fifteen minutes to take this trip.) (1) How did you enter the sanctuary today? Expectantly? Fearfully? Angrily? Bored? Tired? Depressed? With sadness or joy or both? (One minute of silence.) (2) As you arrived, whom did you see? Friends? Strangers? To whom did you speak? Who spoke to you? What did you see? Which people? Furniture? Cross? Artwork? (One minute of silence.) (3) How well do you listen to the words, music, hymns, scripture, silences? Were you waiting for someone to do something to you or for you? How much do you allow God's Spirit to speak to you? (One minute of silence.) Now, would anyone be willing to respond? If not, let them know about you, your thoughts and feelings.
Hymn of Adoration
"O God of Vision," Jane Parker Huber. (Used in Proper 12.)
Taking Responsibility For Our Attitudes And Actions
Introduction to the Act of Confession
Return to our fantasy trip. What image, or what thoughts, do you have when you hear the word "sin"? Do you automatically shift your thinking to sins? And if so, do those sins have more to do with the actions of others or you? (One minute of silence.) Today, I invite us to think about sin as illustrated in Genesis 3, the fall of Adam and Eve, who represent you and me. Notice what they said, "It's not my fault; it was that woman." "It's not my fault; it's that Sneaky Snake that Tom T. Hall sings about." "It's not our fault, God. You created us." From that story, sin is defined as the "attempt to justify our thoughts, words, feelings, and behaviors." (Thirty seconds of silence.) Now, I invite us to think about and write down our justifications, rationalizations, excuses we gave for ourselves this past week. And in all of that, who became our scapegoats? (Two minutes of silence.) Pray for the forgiveness of our justifications.
Response
Any of the "Lord, Have Mercy" responses. Sing it four or five times, until the people integrate it at the feeling and commitment level.
Introduction to the Act of Pardon
We have asked for God's mercy for our justifications. Repentance means to rethink and to reorient our lives in the power of the risen Christ. So, in this coming week, and from now on, are we willing to take responsibility for our thoughts, words, feelings, and actions? Write down how you will do that. And does this also mean that you need to go to anyone to seek forgiveness? Who? When will you go? (One minute of silence.)
Response
"The Spirit of the Lord," Richard Avery and Don Marsh. (Used in Proper 18.)
The Community Responds To God's Truth
Message with the Children of All Ages
Dramatize Peter's confession, verses 27-30. Then ask the children and the whole congregation, "Who is Jesus to you? And how does that make a difference in your life?"
Response
"Heleluyan/Alleluia," Native American (Muscogee); transcribed by Charles Webb, 1989.
Dramatize the Last Half of the Gospel
Needed: a reader, "Jesus," and Peter. Following that interaction, have Jesus turn toward the crowd (congregation) and speak verses 34-38. Encourage "Jesus" to memorize the lines.
Proclamation of the Good News
Focus on the words in the theme.
The Community Becomes Responsible To God's World
Stewardship Challenge
What do you usually do, say, think, feel, during the stewardship challenge and offering: something to get through with the least amount of pain; or an opportunity to respond to God's acceptance of you and your call to obedience?
Hymn of Commitment
"Creator God, Creating Still," Jane Parker Huber, 1977; ascribed to William Croft, Supplement to the New Version, 1708.
Charge to the Congregation
As we prepare to leave worship, how do you respond to Christ's ministry through you after worship? Never give another thought? Leave without speaking to anyone, or only to those whom you know? Do you, during the week, share your self and your witness with others, select friends, new visitors? (One minute of silence.)
Meditation
"Let the Beauty of Jesus," Albert Osborn. (Used in Proper 18.)
Before the Benediction
What do you usually think and feel by the time of the benediction? Glad worship's over; joyfully expectant? Ready to move out as Christ's disciple and apostle, as Christ's minister, priest, saint?
Meditation
"Today's obedience to God offered tomorrow may well be too late" (Joost de Blank). "The Christ we will not share, we will not keep" (Author unknown).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "Trumpet Voluntary,"ÊStanley.
Hymn of Adoration: "God Is Here!" Fred Pratt Green, 1979; rev. 1988; Cyril Vincent Taylor, 1941.
Response to the Scripture or Sermon: "How Excellent Is Thy Name," Eugene Butler.
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: "Have Mercy, Lord," J. S. Bach.
Hymn of Commitment: "O Day of God, Draw Nigh," Robert B. Y. Scott, 1937, 1939; alt. 1972; Genevan Psalter, 1551; adapt. William Crotch, 1836.
Response to the Benediction: Disney's "It's a Small World, After All." Substitute "Christ's" for "small."
Music for Dismissal: Use music from one of the Psalms for today.
Pastoral Invitation
Because this scripture was used in Lent 2, consider beginning worship this way: I invite us to take a fantasy trip. (Use a word other than fantasy if you think that might offend some.) Get as comfortable as possible. Somewhat difficult in pews. (Take at least fifteen minutes to take this trip.) (1) How did you enter the sanctuary today? Expectantly? Fearfully? Angrily? Bored? Tired? Depressed? With sadness or joy or both? (One minute of silence.) (2) As you arrived, whom did you see? Friends? Strangers? To whom did you speak? Who spoke to you? What did you see? Which people? Furniture? Cross? Artwork? (One minute of silence.) (3) How well do you listen to the words, music, hymns, scripture, silences? Were you waiting for someone to do something to you or for you? How much do you allow God's Spirit to speak to you? (One minute of silence.) Now, would anyone be willing to respond? If not, let them know about you, your thoughts and feelings.
Hymn of Adoration
"O God of Vision," Jane Parker Huber. (Used in Proper 12.)
Taking Responsibility For Our Attitudes And Actions
Introduction to the Act of Confession
Return to our fantasy trip. What image, or what thoughts, do you have when you hear the word "sin"? Do you automatically shift your thinking to sins? And if so, do those sins have more to do with the actions of others or you? (One minute of silence.) Today, I invite us to think about sin as illustrated in Genesis 3, the fall of Adam and Eve, who represent you and me. Notice what they said, "It's not my fault; it was that woman." "It's not my fault; it's that Sneaky Snake that Tom T. Hall sings about." "It's not our fault, God. You created us." From that story, sin is defined as the "attempt to justify our thoughts, words, feelings, and behaviors." (Thirty seconds of silence.) Now, I invite us to think about and write down our justifications, rationalizations, excuses we gave for ourselves this past week. And in all of that, who became our scapegoats? (Two minutes of silence.) Pray for the forgiveness of our justifications.
Response
Any of the "Lord, Have Mercy" responses. Sing it four or five times, until the people integrate it at the feeling and commitment level.
Introduction to the Act of Pardon
We have asked for God's mercy for our justifications. Repentance means to rethink and to reorient our lives in the power of the risen Christ. So, in this coming week, and from now on, are we willing to take responsibility for our thoughts, words, feelings, and actions? Write down how you will do that. And does this also mean that you need to go to anyone to seek forgiveness? Who? When will you go? (One minute of silence.)
Response
"The Spirit of the Lord," Richard Avery and Don Marsh. (Used in Proper 18.)
The Community Responds To God's Truth
Message with the Children of All Ages
Dramatize Peter's confession, verses 27-30. Then ask the children and the whole congregation, "Who is Jesus to you? And how does that make a difference in your life?"
Response
"Heleluyan/Alleluia," Native American (Muscogee); transcribed by Charles Webb, 1989.
Dramatize the Last Half of the Gospel
Needed: a reader, "Jesus," and Peter. Following that interaction, have Jesus turn toward the crowd (congregation) and speak verses 34-38. Encourage "Jesus" to memorize the lines.
Proclamation of the Good News
Focus on the words in the theme.
The Community Becomes Responsible To God's World
Stewardship Challenge
What do you usually do, say, think, feel, during the stewardship challenge and offering: something to get through with the least amount of pain; or an opportunity to respond to God's acceptance of you and your call to obedience?
Hymn of Commitment
"Creator God, Creating Still," Jane Parker Huber, 1977; ascribed to William Croft, Supplement to the New Version, 1708.
Charge to the Congregation
As we prepare to leave worship, how do you respond to Christ's ministry through you after worship? Never give another thought? Leave without speaking to anyone, or only to those whom you know? Do you, during the week, share your self and your witness with others, select friends, new visitors? (One minute of silence.)
Meditation
"Let the Beauty of Jesus," Albert Osborn. (Used in Proper 18.)
Before the Benediction
What do you usually think and feel by the time of the benediction? Glad worship's over; joyfully expectant? Ready to move out as Christ's disciple and apostle, as Christ's minister, priest, saint?
Meditation
"Today's obedience to God offered tomorrow may well be too late" (Joost de Blank). "The Christ we will not share, we will not keep" (Author unknown).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "Trumpet Voluntary,"ÊStanley.
Hymn of Adoration: "God Is Here!" Fred Pratt Green, 1979; rev. 1988; Cyril Vincent Taylor, 1941.
Response to the Scripture or Sermon: "How Excellent Is Thy Name," Eugene Butler.
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: "Have Mercy, Lord," J. S. Bach.
Hymn of Commitment: "O Day of God, Draw Nigh," Robert B. Y. Scott, 1937, 1939; alt. 1972; Genevan Psalter, 1551; adapt. William Crotch, 1836.
Response to the Benediction: Disney's "It's a Small World, After All." Substitute "Christ's" for "small."
Music for Dismissal: Use music from one of the Psalms for today.
