Proper 26, Pentecost 24, Ordinary Time 31
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle C Gospel Texts
Liturgical Color: Green
Gospel: Luke 19:1-10
Theme: Jesus' Invitation to Zacchaeus. From what tree is Jesus asking you to come down? And how many times does he ask before you respond?
Recognizing Who God Is
Pastoral Invitation
Pastor and Ministers
P: In the name of the One who calls us from our favorite tree-perch. You are calling us from the tree of loneliness, that we might live in community. You are calling us from the tree of restlessness, that we might find rest in you. You are calling us from the tree of anxiety, that we might become centered in you. You are calling us from our frantic busyness, that we might focus on what we need to do. And, you are calling us from our dislikes, even hatreds, of certain people, that we might discover the essence of your kind of love. (Add your own.)
M: By your Spirit, Lord, help us to come down from our trees.
P: God will help us do that, if we really want to come down, rather than complaining that it's too scary.
M: We admit that we're scared, because we have no idea where this Jesus will lead us.
P: Despite your fear, Jesus the Christ, will lead you into life, the full, abundant, exciting, eternal life promised in Scripture, as he did with Zacchaeus. That's God's promise. Receive it, rejoice in it.
(Pastoral Invitation inspired by Frank D. Medsker; I have revised it slightly.)
Hymn of Praise
"O Lord, You Are My God and King," The Psalter, 1912; alt. C. Hubert H. Parry, 1916; harm. Richard Proulx, 1986.
Prayer of Praise
We praise you, God, no matter from which tree you call us. Some of us are rich, some are not. Some of us have many friends, some have few. Some of us are realizing our expectation, some are not. Some of us have found a few answers, some have only more and more questions. We thank you for accepting us as we are, and for calling us into new ministry, as you did Zacchaeus. For we know that where you are, there we are free to grow and to become responsible members of the world, which you created and which you love.
Invitation To Discover Who We Are And Who We Can Become
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
I invite us to consider how we would describe the tree that we're perched in. Write down your response. (Two minutes of silence.) Now, identify your reason for wanting to remain in the tree, rather than come down. Write down your response. (Two minutes of silence.) Silently, make this your confession of sin. (As pastor, you may or may not want to offer a corporate prayer.)
Response
"Breathe on Me, Breath of God." (See Advent 3.)
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life
Now, I invite us to return to the beginning of the Gospel lesson. Zacchaeus ran to climb the tree to get a better look at Jesus. In a sense, he ran to meet his salvation. God calls us to do whatever we need to do to receive and energize life in Christ. And God promises the presence, power, and perseverance of the Holy Spirit. So, receive and rejoice!
Response
"Let's Go Climb a Tree," words and music by Dave Farley, from New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Hearing The Truth Of The Good News
Message with the Children of All Ages
Pretend that you're Zacchaeus. (Update the story for them.) What do you children do to see a parade when the crowds get in the way? (Wait for their response.) You are important in the eyes of Jesus. Jesus sees you when no one else may. Jesus invites you to the party, even when no one else does.
Response
Sing "Let's Go Climb a Tree," again.
Dramatizing the Scripture
Dramatize the Scripture even without a tree; use a substitute for the tree. Have the actors memorize their parts.
Proclamation of the Good News
Emphasize these points: (1) Zacchaeus is intrigued, and goes to any length to have his curiosity satisfied. (2) The people (Luke says "they") murmured and mumbled about who Zacchaeus was. (3) Zacchaeus responds with his resources. (4) Jesus welcomes him into his community of faith.
Response
"Praise is Your Right, O God, in Zion," Stanley Wiersma, 1980; harm. Dale Grotenhuis, 1985.
Responding To What We Say We Believe
Stewardship Challenge
Once again, hear how Zacchaeus responded to his encounter with Jesus. "Look, half of what I owe, sir, I'm giving to the poor, and if I have ... er ... cheated anyone ... er ... anyone, that is, I'll pay back four times the amount" (From The Cotton Patch Version by Clarence Jordan). What difference does his response make in our giving habits?
Charge to the Congregation
Jules Feiffer, the cartoonist, has this fellow saying, "Change. Yes! I'm going to change! I need to change! My life will continue downhill until I change. All I think about day and night is change. I've got the willpower and strength of purpose to change. On the other hand, I am right and they're wrong. Let them change." I'm glad that Zacchaeus took the initiative. How about you, and you, and you?
Hymn of Obedience
"Your Faithfulness, O Lord, Is Sure," para. Joy F. Patterson, 1989; harm. William Henry Monk, 1847; alt.
Meditation
If we believe that what we give, and how we give, is between God and ourself only, we are washing our hands of the world, and of each other's accountability.
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "Chorale in E Major," Franck.
Hymn of Praise: "O Worship the King." (See Pentecost 3.)
Response to the Proclamation: (Adult Choir) "Joy in the Morning," Natalie Sleeth.
Offertory: "Lord, Be Present Now," J. S. Bach.
Hymn of Obedience: "Wherever I May Wander," Ann B. Snow, 1959; New England folk melody.
Response to the Benediction: "Allelu," words and music by Ray Repp, from Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.)
Music for Dismissal: "Let's Go Climb a Tree."
Gospel: Luke 19:1-10
Theme: Jesus' Invitation to Zacchaeus. From what tree is Jesus asking you to come down? And how many times does he ask before you respond?
Recognizing Who God Is
Pastoral Invitation
Pastor and Ministers
P: In the name of the One who calls us from our favorite tree-perch. You are calling us from the tree of loneliness, that we might live in community. You are calling us from the tree of restlessness, that we might find rest in you. You are calling us from the tree of anxiety, that we might become centered in you. You are calling us from our frantic busyness, that we might focus on what we need to do. And, you are calling us from our dislikes, even hatreds, of certain people, that we might discover the essence of your kind of love. (Add your own.)
M: By your Spirit, Lord, help us to come down from our trees.
P: God will help us do that, if we really want to come down, rather than complaining that it's too scary.
M: We admit that we're scared, because we have no idea where this Jesus will lead us.
P: Despite your fear, Jesus the Christ, will lead you into life, the full, abundant, exciting, eternal life promised in Scripture, as he did with Zacchaeus. That's God's promise. Receive it, rejoice in it.
(Pastoral Invitation inspired by Frank D. Medsker; I have revised it slightly.)
Hymn of Praise
"O Lord, You Are My God and King," The Psalter, 1912; alt. C. Hubert H. Parry, 1916; harm. Richard Proulx, 1986.
Prayer of Praise
We praise you, God, no matter from which tree you call us. Some of us are rich, some are not. Some of us have many friends, some have few. Some of us are realizing our expectation, some are not. Some of us have found a few answers, some have only more and more questions. We thank you for accepting us as we are, and for calling us into new ministry, as you did Zacchaeus. For we know that where you are, there we are free to grow and to become responsible members of the world, which you created and which you love.
Invitation To Discover Who We Are And Who We Can Become
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
I invite us to consider how we would describe the tree that we're perched in. Write down your response. (Two minutes of silence.) Now, identify your reason for wanting to remain in the tree, rather than come down. Write down your response. (Two minutes of silence.) Silently, make this your confession of sin. (As pastor, you may or may not want to offer a corporate prayer.)
Response
"Breathe on Me, Breath of God." (See Advent 3.)
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life
Now, I invite us to return to the beginning of the Gospel lesson. Zacchaeus ran to climb the tree to get a better look at Jesus. In a sense, he ran to meet his salvation. God calls us to do whatever we need to do to receive and energize life in Christ. And God promises the presence, power, and perseverance of the Holy Spirit. So, receive and rejoice!
Response
"Let's Go Climb a Tree," words and music by Dave Farley, from New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Hearing The Truth Of The Good News
Message with the Children of All Ages
Pretend that you're Zacchaeus. (Update the story for them.) What do you children do to see a parade when the crowds get in the way? (Wait for their response.) You are important in the eyes of Jesus. Jesus sees you when no one else may. Jesus invites you to the party, even when no one else does.
Response
Sing "Let's Go Climb a Tree," again.
Dramatizing the Scripture
Dramatize the Scripture even without a tree; use a substitute for the tree. Have the actors memorize their parts.
Proclamation of the Good News
Emphasize these points: (1) Zacchaeus is intrigued, and goes to any length to have his curiosity satisfied. (2) The people (Luke says "they") murmured and mumbled about who Zacchaeus was. (3) Zacchaeus responds with his resources. (4) Jesus welcomes him into his community of faith.
Response
"Praise is Your Right, O God, in Zion," Stanley Wiersma, 1980; harm. Dale Grotenhuis, 1985.
Responding To What We Say We Believe
Stewardship Challenge
Once again, hear how Zacchaeus responded to his encounter with Jesus. "Look, half of what I owe, sir, I'm giving to the poor, and if I have ... er ... cheated anyone ... er ... anyone, that is, I'll pay back four times the amount" (From The Cotton Patch Version by Clarence Jordan). What difference does his response make in our giving habits?
Charge to the Congregation
Jules Feiffer, the cartoonist, has this fellow saying, "Change. Yes! I'm going to change! I need to change! My life will continue downhill until I change. All I think about day and night is change. I've got the willpower and strength of purpose to change. On the other hand, I am right and they're wrong. Let them change." I'm glad that Zacchaeus took the initiative. How about you, and you, and you?
Hymn of Obedience
"Your Faithfulness, O Lord, Is Sure," para. Joy F. Patterson, 1989; harm. William Henry Monk, 1847; alt.
Meditation
If we believe that what we give, and how we give, is between God and ourself only, we are washing our hands of the world, and of each other's accountability.
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: "Chorale in E Major," Franck.
Hymn of Praise: "O Worship the King." (See Pentecost 3.)
Response to the Proclamation: (Adult Choir) "Joy in the Morning," Natalie Sleeth.
Offertory: "Lord, Be Present Now," J. S. Bach.
Hymn of Obedience: "Wherever I May Wander," Ann B. Snow, 1959; New England folk melody.
Response to the Benediction: "Allelu," words and music by Ray Repp, from Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.)
Music for Dismissal: "Let's Go Climb a Tree."
