Proper 10, Pentecost 8, Ordinary Time 15
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle C Gospel Texts
Liturgical Color: Green
Gospel: Luke 10-25-37
Theme: The Parable of the Good Samaritan. How do you read this parable: As victim, as rescuer, or in some other way?
Celebrating God's Activity
Pastoral Invitation, With Help
About ten minutes before worship formally begins, have a group of people lying "asleep" on the chancel floor. The musicians could play some "sleepy time" popular music as the people gather. At the beginning of formal worship, the "sleeping" people begin to awaken slowly, stretch, breathe deeply, and then greet each other. Following this, they move out into the sanctuary to greet the congregation. Pastor then says, "Now that we are wide awake, are you ready to hear this old message in some new ways? If we are awake, God will surprise us with new insights into this story of the Good Samaritan." And all the people said, "We're ready!"
Declaration of Joyful Expectations
Pastor and Ministers
M: We are the people of God, called by the love of Christ while we were lying along the freeway, obviously not because we are worthy or adequate, but because of God's grace and mercy.
P: Welcome. Now that you're here, what do you need?
M: Power to live authentic lives; freedom to be honest and open, released to love; joy to communicate to others along the freeway; hope to begin again and again and again; and courage to become involved in the wounds of the world.
P: These gifts we discover in the Giver of Life. God in Christ is here as promised. Come on, celebrate the presence and power of God. And all the people said, (you choose the word of praise).
Hymn of Praise
"Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee," Henry van Dyke, 1907; alt. Ludwig van Beethoven, 1824; adapt. Edward Hodges (1796-1867); alt.
Prayer of Praise
Holy and Loving God, we are astonished both with the wonder of your love, and our grudging response to your love. You offer us a basket of gifts. You wait for us to receive them. Lord, teach us to open our lives to your generous gifts. Enlarge our capacity to receive, for the right reasons, so that we will know how to share, for the right reasons.
Response
"Allelu," words and music by Ray Repp, from Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.) Use chorus only; sing as a round.
Examining Our Behavior
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Have you ever said, silently or out loud, "I couldn't care less." Take one minute to write down your response to "I couldn't care less about...." Does our response reflect the attitude and behavior of the priest or Levite? In what ways? (One minute of silence.)
The Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Loving and Holy God, you have called us to be vehicles of your love and care. Forgive us when we fail to live up to our creed. We, sometimes deliberately, sometimes because of our busyness, fail to speak the kind word, the compliments and the affirmations of love and appreciation. We allow ourselves to become preoccupied with things, events, places, even good stuff; we fail to see or to hear the cry for help dramatized at our doorstep, or even within our own home. Sometimes we love only those who love us, and thereby live the lie that you love only those who love you. Teach us to be better examples of good news. (One minute of silence.)
Response
"Look All Around You." (See Advent 3.)
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life
Have you ever said, "I couldn't care more?" If so, in what context? And what happened to your attitude when you responded with such behavior? (One minute of silence.)
The Act of Receiving New Life
Pastor and Ministers
P: Christ gives both hope of change and courage to bring change.
M: We rejoice that Christ has accepted us, and declared our self-worth. What more can we ask?
P: Christ gives the present new meaning; the future, beginning now, is filled with possibilities of caring and healing, even among those we do not know or like.
M: As Christ's people, we live fully and responsibly. That's our decision.
P: Great decision! In the name of the risen Christ!
Response
"Amen" chorus from Lilies of the Field.
Allowing The Word To Examine Us
Message with the Children of All Ages
Of all the parables, we, as pastors and parents, probably use this one more than any others, to get people to do what they're told. We can use it to produce extreme guilt; or, we can speak about the true essence of the story: Our need for others, our recognition that we are the person lying along the freeway; we need assistance if we are to make it. Ask the children to name the persons who have been with them in their need; for example, parents, siblings, teachers, clerks, doctors, and so on.
Response
"O Fear the Lord, Ye His Saints," Woods.
Reading from the Scripture
Use Clarence Jordan's translation of this passage (order from Koinonia Records, Route 2, Americus, Georgia 31709). If you do not have the recording, read it from the Cotton Patch Version by Clarence Jordan.
Proclamation of the Good News
Consider the following outline: (1) The philosophy of the thieves -- "What's yours is mine, I'll take it." (2) The philosophy of the Priest and Levite -- "What's mine is mine, I'll keep it." (3) The philosophy of the Good Samaritan -- "What's mine is yours, I'll share it." Spend one-half of the sermon on all three. Spend one-half of the sermon on the person alongside the freeway. (4) The philosophy of the injured person -- "I am here. I cannot help myself; I need you." The parable makes sense, and removes us from a work's doctrine when we recognize ourselves as the wounded, battered person; and that we will receive help from a least-expected source, maybe even from someone we hate, ignore or ridicule when we are healthy. The crucial point of the parable is our neediness; and that help may come when we least expect it, from someone we least expect. Title the sermon: "The Joy of Being Needy." (The first three philosophies come from an unknown source; the last is mine.)
Responding To God's Activity In The World And Church
Stewardship Challenge
Christ calls us to respond out of our neediness, not our wealth, because we plead that we are not wealthy. I read years ago that if our yearly income is 25,000 dollars, we are in the top twenty percent of the world's population. (One minute of silence before the offering.)
Hymn of Thanksgiving and Obedience
"I Will Give Thanks with My Whole Heart," Christopher L. Webber, 1986; 1988; Cantionale Germanicum, 1628; arr. J. S. Bach, c. 1708.
Charge to the Congregation
Christianity begins with an act of receiving, and continues with millions of acts of receiving. Saint Augustine once said, "It is more blessed to be one of the poor, instead of ministering to the poor." We never will minister to the poor, until we admit that we are one of the poor. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they shall inherit the Kingdom of God."
Meditation
The greatest gift we can ever give to another is our gift of neediness. For when we share our neediness, we enter into the new life promised by the Lord of the manger, cross, empty tomb, and Day of Pentecost.
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "Chaconne," Buxtehude.
Doxology: "O Lamb of God," Dupr .
Music for Dismissal: "Tollete Hostias," Saint-Saens.
Gospel: Luke 10-25-37
Theme: The Parable of the Good Samaritan. How do you read this parable: As victim, as rescuer, or in some other way?
Celebrating God's Activity
Pastoral Invitation, With Help
About ten minutes before worship formally begins, have a group of people lying "asleep" on the chancel floor. The musicians could play some "sleepy time" popular music as the people gather. At the beginning of formal worship, the "sleeping" people begin to awaken slowly, stretch, breathe deeply, and then greet each other. Following this, they move out into the sanctuary to greet the congregation. Pastor then says, "Now that we are wide awake, are you ready to hear this old message in some new ways? If we are awake, God will surprise us with new insights into this story of the Good Samaritan." And all the people said, "We're ready!"
Declaration of Joyful Expectations
Pastor and Ministers
M: We are the people of God, called by the love of Christ while we were lying along the freeway, obviously not because we are worthy or adequate, but because of God's grace and mercy.
P: Welcome. Now that you're here, what do you need?
M: Power to live authentic lives; freedom to be honest and open, released to love; joy to communicate to others along the freeway; hope to begin again and again and again; and courage to become involved in the wounds of the world.
P: These gifts we discover in the Giver of Life. God in Christ is here as promised. Come on, celebrate the presence and power of God. And all the people said, (you choose the word of praise).
Hymn of Praise
"Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee," Henry van Dyke, 1907; alt. Ludwig van Beethoven, 1824; adapt. Edward Hodges (1796-1867); alt.
Prayer of Praise
Holy and Loving God, we are astonished both with the wonder of your love, and our grudging response to your love. You offer us a basket of gifts. You wait for us to receive them. Lord, teach us to open our lives to your generous gifts. Enlarge our capacity to receive, for the right reasons, so that we will know how to share, for the right reasons.
Response
"Allelu," words and music by Ray Repp, from Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.) Use chorus only; sing as a round.
Examining Our Behavior
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Have you ever said, silently or out loud, "I couldn't care less." Take one minute to write down your response to "I couldn't care less about...." Does our response reflect the attitude and behavior of the priest or Levite? In what ways? (One minute of silence.)
The Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Loving and Holy God, you have called us to be vehicles of your love and care. Forgive us when we fail to live up to our creed. We, sometimes deliberately, sometimes because of our busyness, fail to speak the kind word, the compliments and the affirmations of love and appreciation. We allow ourselves to become preoccupied with things, events, places, even good stuff; we fail to see or to hear the cry for help dramatized at our doorstep, or even within our own home. Sometimes we love only those who love us, and thereby live the lie that you love only those who love you. Teach us to be better examples of good news. (One minute of silence.)
Response
"Look All Around You." (See Advent 3.)
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life
Have you ever said, "I couldn't care more?" If so, in what context? And what happened to your attitude when you responded with such behavior? (One minute of silence.)
The Act of Receiving New Life
Pastor and Ministers
P: Christ gives both hope of change and courage to bring change.
M: We rejoice that Christ has accepted us, and declared our self-worth. What more can we ask?
P: Christ gives the present new meaning; the future, beginning now, is filled with possibilities of caring and healing, even among those we do not know or like.
M: As Christ's people, we live fully and responsibly. That's our decision.
P: Great decision! In the name of the risen Christ!
Response
"Amen" chorus from Lilies of the Field.
Allowing The Word To Examine Us
Message with the Children of All Ages
Of all the parables, we, as pastors and parents, probably use this one more than any others, to get people to do what they're told. We can use it to produce extreme guilt; or, we can speak about the true essence of the story: Our need for others, our recognition that we are the person lying along the freeway; we need assistance if we are to make it. Ask the children to name the persons who have been with them in their need; for example, parents, siblings, teachers, clerks, doctors, and so on.
Response
"O Fear the Lord, Ye His Saints," Woods.
Reading from the Scripture
Use Clarence Jordan's translation of this passage (order from Koinonia Records, Route 2, Americus, Georgia 31709). If you do not have the recording, read it from the Cotton Patch Version by Clarence Jordan.
Proclamation of the Good News
Consider the following outline: (1) The philosophy of the thieves -- "What's yours is mine, I'll take it." (2) The philosophy of the Priest and Levite -- "What's mine is mine, I'll keep it." (3) The philosophy of the Good Samaritan -- "What's mine is yours, I'll share it." Spend one-half of the sermon on all three. Spend one-half of the sermon on the person alongside the freeway. (4) The philosophy of the injured person -- "I am here. I cannot help myself; I need you." The parable makes sense, and removes us from a work's doctrine when we recognize ourselves as the wounded, battered person; and that we will receive help from a least-expected source, maybe even from someone we hate, ignore or ridicule when we are healthy. The crucial point of the parable is our neediness; and that help may come when we least expect it, from someone we least expect. Title the sermon: "The Joy of Being Needy." (The first three philosophies come from an unknown source; the last is mine.)
Responding To God's Activity In The World And Church
Stewardship Challenge
Christ calls us to respond out of our neediness, not our wealth, because we plead that we are not wealthy. I read years ago that if our yearly income is 25,000 dollars, we are in the top twenty percent of the world's population. (One minute of silence before the offering.)
Hymn of Thanksgiving and Obedience
"I Will Give Thanks with My Whole Heart," Christopher L. Webber, 1986; 1988; Cantionale Germanicum, 1628; arr. J. S. Bach, c. 1708.
Charge to the Congregation
Christianity begins with an act of receiving, and continues with millions of acts of receiving. Saint Augustine once said, "It is more blessed to be one of the poor, instead of ministering to the poor." We never will minister to the poor, until we admit that we are one of the poor. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they shall inherit the Kingdom of God."
Meditation
The greatest gift we can ever give to another is our gift of neediness. For when we share our neediness, we enter into the new life promised by the Lord of the manger, cross, empty tomb, and Day of Pentecost.
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "Chaconne," Buxtehude.
Doxology: "O Lamb of God," Dupr .
Music for Dismissal: "Tollete Hostias," Saint-Saens.
