Religious leaders accusing Jesus in league with the demons
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Planning Ideas And Resources For The Entire Church Year
Pastoral Invitation to the Celebration
One pastor did this:
"I am the greatest!" Are you, also, the greatest? Does this seem a self-centered way to begin worship? Probably for some. So, hold on to that thought as we proceed.
Continue with this litany between pastor and ministers:
Pastor:
God says of me, "(your first name), you are the greatest!"
Ministers: We say "amen" to that!
Pastor:
God also says of you, "(first name), you are the greatest!"
Ministers: We say "alleluia" to that!
The Act of Recognizing our Humanness and The Act of Receiving New Life
Try this:
Greatness doesn't come automatically for most of us. Many of us believe, instead, "I am the lousiest, dumbest, nothingest." Such a belief system often depends on the way we perceive that we are raised. This negative belief system takes many forms, one of which we can identify in the song, "Games People Play," made popular by Petula Clark. You may want to play the record, produced by Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records, Inc., 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, Ca. After playing the record, ask the people to sit silently for several minutes.
Introduce the confession with words similar to these: It's easy to hear the confession, and feel guilty and angry. It's not so easy to hear the declaration that God in Christ has forgiven and continues to forgive. Failure to receive forgiveness and failure to seek forgiveness is to sin against Holy Spirit. So, for the assurance of pardon, invite the people to sing, "The Lord's Prayer," West Indies Version, and to integrate the prayer, rather than only recite the words.
Message with the Children of All Ages
Consider this:
Sometimes Jesus said some things hard for people to understand. In today's Scripture, he says that only those who do God's will are his people. How do you suppose his family felt when he said that? What do you think they might have said. It's something like your parents saying, "You can be a member of this family only if you keep your room clean, feed your pet, take a bath at least once a week." I know of someone who said to her family, "Keep your money; I'm no longer a member of this family." (P.S., not all children's messages need to have a "happy" ending.)
Proclamation of the Word
Consider this:
You may want to pick and choose from the passage, a particular emphasis.
or,
You may want to build the message around what it means to be the family of God.
Suggested Outline:
I. Barriers to understand the church as family.
A. A harmful family experience.
B. An idealistic view of family.
C. A rejection within family.
D. A lack of family loyalty.
II. Realistic view of church and family.
III. Identification with a small group of accepting persons within the family.
Stewardship Challenge
Consider this:
Ask, why do you give, and why do you give what you give?
To appease God? For services rendered? To fulfill an obligation?
To do your parts? To stay on the church roll?
We give for one reason. To thank God for new life.
Charge to the Congregation
Consider this:
According to Paul Tillich, Jesus said, "You are accepted." Those who say "yes" to the Spirit, accept God's acceptance of them, are counted as family in the Kingdom of God. When we receive this amazing gift, God sends us back into God's world to bring healing, wholeness to a broken, frightened world.
Planning for Your Congregation
Suggestions
Your Situation
I. Other Scriptures
Liturgist:
Psalm 57
Psalm 61:1-5, 8
Psalm 130
1 Samuel 16:14-23
Genesis 3:9-15
2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1
II. Suggested Hymns
Coordinator:
"I Sing As I Arise Today"
Attr. to St. Patrick (389-461)
"I Sing the Mighty Power of God"
Isaac Watts, 1709; stanza 3 alt.
"Tis the Gift to Be Simple"
Shaker song
Harm. by Richard D. Wetzel, 1972
"We Believe in One True God"
Tobias Clausnitzer, 1668 Trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1863; alt.
"On Our Way Rejoicing"
John S. B. Monsell, 1863, 1873 Stanza 1 alt.
(reminder: Change the sexist words as you sing.)
III. Other Music Possibilities
Organist/Choir director:
Music for Preparation
"Psalm Prelude" Howells
Response to the Old Testament Adult Choir
"God Eternal Is My Refuge" Peninger
Response to the New Testament Adult Choir
"Build Thee More Stately Mansions" Gordon Young
Response to the Stewardship Challenge
"Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest" Teleman
Response to the Benediction
"I Am the Light of the World"
Words by Howard Thurman and Jim Strathdee from New Wine, United Methodist Church
Music for Dismissal
"Holy God, We Praise Thy Name"
Wyton
IV. Bulletin Cover
Church secretary:
V. Bulletin Symbols
VI. Miscellaneous Details (Assignments:)
Ushers
Candlelighters
Hosts/Hostesses
Banners
Flowers
Greeters
Posters
Name-tags
Others
One pastor did this:
"I am the greatest!" Are you, also, the greatest? Does this seem a self-centered way to begin worship? Probably for some. So, hold on to that thought as we proceed.
Continue with this litany between pastor and ministers:
Pastor:
God says of me, "(your first name), you are the greatest!"
Ministers: We say "amen" to that!
Pastor:
God also says of you, "(first name), you are the greatest!"
Ministers: We say "alleluia" to that!
The Act of Recognizing our Humanness and The Act of Receiving New Life
Try this:
Greatness doesn't come automatically for most of us. Many of us believe, instead, "I am the lousiest, dumbest, nothingest." Such a belief system often depends on the way we perceive that we are raised. This negative belief system takes many forms, one of which we can identify in the song, "Games People Play," made popular by Petula Clark. You may want to play the record, produced by Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records, Inc., 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, Ca. After playing the record, ask the people to sit silently for several minutes.
Introduce the confession with words similar to these: It's easy to hear the confession, and feel guilty and angry. It's not so easy to hear the declaration that God in Christ has forgiven and continues to forgive. Failure to receive forgiveness and failure to seek forgiveness is to sin against Holy Spirit. So, for the assurance of pardon, invite the people to sing, "The Lord's Prayer," West Indies Version, and to integrate the prayer, rather than only recite the words.
Message with the Children of All Ages
Consider this:
Sometimes Jesus said some things hard for people to understand. In today's Scripture, he says that only those who do God's will are his people. How do you suppose his family felt when he said that? What do you think they might have said. It's something like your parents saying, "You can be a member of this family only if you keep your room clean, feed your pet, take a bath at least once a week." I know of someone who said to her family, "Keep your money; I'm no longer a member of this family." (P.S., not all children's messages need to have a "happy" ending.)
Proclamation of the Word
Consider this:
You may want to pick and choose from the passage, a particular emphasis.
or,
You may want to build the message around what it means to be the family of God.
Suggested Outline:
I. Barriers to understand the church as family.
A. A harmful family experience.
B. An idealistic view of family.
C. A rejection within family.
D. A lack of family loyalty.
II. Realistic view of church and family.
III. Identification with a small group of accepting persons within the family.
Stewardship Challenge
Consider this:
Ask, why do you give, and why do you give what you give?
To appease God? For services rendered? To fulfill an obligation?
To do your parts? To stay on the church roll?
We give for one reason. To thank God for new life.
Charge to the Congregation
Consider this:
According to Paul Tillich, Jesus said, "You are accepted." Those who say "yes" to the Spirit, accept God's acceptance of them, are counted as family in the Kingdom of God. When we receive this amazing gift, God sends us back into God's world to bring healing, wholeness to a broken, frightened world.
Planning for Your Congregation
Suggestions
Your Situation
I. Other Scriptures
Liturgist:
Psalm 57
Psalm 61:1-5, 8
Psalm 130
1 Samuel 16:14-23
Genesis 3:9-15
2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1
II. Suggested Hymns
Coordinator:
"I Sing As I Arise Today"
Attr. to St. Patrick (389-461)
"I Sing the Mighty Power of God"
Isaac Watts, 1709; stanza 3 alt.
"Tis the Gift to Be Simple"
Shaker song
Harm. by Richard D. Wetzel, 1972
"We Believe in One True God"
Tobias Clausnitzer, 1668 Trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1863; alt.
"On Our Way Rejoicing"
John S. B. Monsell, 1863, 1873 Stanza 1 alt.
(reminder: Change the sexist words as you sing.)
III. Other Music Possibilities
Organist/Choir director:
Music for Preparation
"Psalm Prelude" Howells
Response to the Old Testament Adult Choir
"God Eternal Is My Refuge" Peninger
Response to the New Testament Adult Choir
"Build Thee More Stately Mansions" Gordon Young
Response to the Stewardship Challenge
"Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest" Teleman
Response to the Benediction
"I Am the Light of the World"
Words by Howard Thurman and Jim Strathdee from New Wine, United Methodist Church
Music for Dismissal
"Holy God, We Praise Thy Name"
Wyton
IV. Bulletin Cover
Church secretary:
V. Bulletin Symbols
VI. Miscellaneous Details (Assignments:)
Ushers
Candlelighters
Hosts/Hostesses
Banners
Flowers
Greeters
Posters
Name-tags
Others
