Watchfulness
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle A Gospel Texts
The Community Gathers To Celebrate Its Expectations
Invitation to the Celebration
The choir or choirs enliven the beginning of worship with Avery and Marsh's "Hey! Hey! Anybody Listening?" Ask the choir members, in advance, to bring to worship the musical instruments suggested in the hymn: drum, harp, chime, mandolin, tambourine, cymbal, fireman's bell, and even "If I had a hummingbird, I'd hum it." If these are unavailable, bring your own creative substitutes. For next week, invite the congregation to sing the chorus only; ask the people today to bring their own instruments of praise, including the kazoo or tissue paper and comb. (Order through Hope Publishing Company. See Appendix I for address.)
Declaration of Joyful Expectations (Pastors and Ministers)
P: Come on! I invite us to watch what we're thinking, saying, doing by watching the activity of God on behalf of God's world.
M: We have watched -- sometimes. We do watch -- sometimes. We will watch -- sometimes. During this time, we focus our energies, resources, being, in order to hear and to respond to the old good news once again.
P: Welcome in the name of the coming, yet already present, Savior-Lord.
M: Thank you, pastor. We watch together in the name of the living Christ.
(Despite the congregational pressure, use Advent hymns during Advent; use Christmas carols during Christmas.)
The Community Faces Up To Itself
The Act of Recognizing Our Humanity (Pastor and Ministers)
What do you bring to the act of confession around the theme of watchfulness? Does it have anything to do with a new vision of the Savior? Before we pray this prayer together, pray it silently and let God's Spirit clean out those areas of life that we usually keep from our mate and children and parents, and yes, even from ourselves.
Ministers: Our God, we tend to minimize the importance of watchfulness and readiness. It makes so little difference, we seem to think, if we're ready or not. There is always tomorrow. We leave it to others in our household to do what we need to be doing to keep our faith alive. We alibi; we neglect; we do everything but live our faith. Through the indwelling Presence and Power of your Spirit, make us aflame with our obedience to You, no matter what the cost. Make our faith contagious, so that it will spread to others, until faith in the living Lord encircles the earth. And make us know, O Lord, that You call us daily, hourly, that the time for action is now. (Two minutes of silence.)
The Act of Receiving New Life (Pastor)
Pastor: Please stand and look at the cross. If we are Christians, we know that the past is forgiven, every minute of it up to this moment. Do we believe that, not only with our mind, but with our heart? So, receive again from God the life we considered alienated and lost. Share again, and always, that life with the whole universe, the truth of God's acceptance and liberation, a message that most of the world, and too much of the church, still waits to hear. (Now, ask the people to remain in silence for two minutes. During this time, ask them to look at their fellow church members, fellow cross-bearers, and give the sign that they believe in forgiveness -- a smile, a thumb's up, raised arms. After two minutes, say, with energy) And all the people said, "Yes, indeed; yes, indeed!"
The Community Responds To God's Watchfulness
Message with the Children of All Ages
For what are you watching? At school? At home? At play? "Watch out!" means, "Be on guard! Don't speak to strangers! Come straight home after school!" During this week, think about the things you're watching for. Write them down, and bring them with you next week.
Reading from the Newer Covenant
Invite a member of the church to read the Scripture out of sight of the worshipers. Use a microphone. Have that person practice in your presence, or in the presence of someone skilled in reading. The reading needs to be read dramatically, punctuating the theme of watchfulness.
Proclamation of the Good News
Encourage the people to respond verbally during the message. Begin by asking, "For what are you watching this Advent Season?" Give them time to respond. Continue with what you're watching for.
Stewardship Challenge
"Watch what you're giving!" Is that how we approach the offering? Or, would God be better served if we gave, not counting the cost?
Prayer after the Offering
Freely we have received; freely, though maybe reluctantly, we give of our money, time, being, because we have them to give, and because the world needs these gifts, beginning now.
Charge to the Congregation
The pessimist insists, "All roads lead nowhere." The optimist knows, "All roads lead. Know where." We know where the Advent road leads.
Response to the Blessing
Sing the chorus to "Hey! Hey! Anybody Listening?" It leads directly into next week.
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation (a.k.a. the Prelude): Medley of Advent Hymns. Print the hymn numbers and invite the people to sing, hum, whistle them as they prepare for worship. Or, "Come Now, Our Savior," J. S. Bach.
Choral Introit: Use these words, "Our King and Savior draws near; O come let us adore him." (The choir director puts notes to the words, and invites the congregation to sing it after the choir.)
Hymn of Invitation: "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," French Processional, 15th Century.
Response to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity: "You are the Lord, Giver of Mercy," Appalachian Folk Medley.
Response to the Proclamation: "Praise Ye The Lord Of Hosts," Saint-Saens.
Offertory: "In Dulci Jubilo," Dupré.
Doxology: "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow." Use different tunes for different seasons of the church year.
Hymn of Commitment: "O Word Made Flesh And Come To Dwell," Jane Parker Huber, 1981. Tune: Melita 88 88 88. (From Joy in Singing, Published by the Office of Women and the Joint Office of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. See Appendix I for address.)
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Advent Hymns. (Invite the people to remain throughout the postlude, and hum, whistle, sing the hymns.)
Invitation to the Celebration
The choir or choirs enliven the beginning of worship with Avery and Marsh's "Hey! Hey! Anybody Listening?" Ask the choir members, in advance, to bring to worship the musical instruments suggested in the hymn: drum, harp, chime, mandolin, tambourine, cymbal, fireman's bell, and even "If I had a hummingbird, I'd hum it." If these are unavailable, bring your own creative substitutes. For next week, invite the congregation to sing the chorus only; ask the people today to bring their own instruments of praise, including the kazoo or tissue paper and comb. (Order through Hope Publishing Company. See Appendix I for address.)
Declaration of Joyful Expectations (Pastors and Ministers)
P: Come on! I invite us to watch what we're thinking, saying, doing by watching the activity of God on behalf of God's world.
M: We have watched -- sometimes. We do watch -- sometimes. We will watch -- sometimes. During this time, we focus our energies, resources, being, in order to hear and to respond to the old good news once again.
P: Welcome in the name of the coming, yet already present, Savior-Lord.
M: Thank you, pastor. We watch together in the name of the living Christ.
(Despite the congregational pressure, use Advent hymns during Advent; use Christmas carols during Christmas.)
The Community Faces Up To Itself
The Act of Recognizing Our Humanity (Pastor and Ministers)
What do you bring to the act of confession around the theme of watchfulness? Does it have anything to do with a new vision of the Savior? Before we pray this prayer together, pray it silently and let God's Spirit clean out those areas of life that we usually keep from our mate and children and parents, and yes, even from ourselves.
Ministers: Our God, we tend to minimize the importance of watchfulness and readiness. It makes so little difference, we seem to think, if we're ready or not. There is always tomorrow. We leave it to others in our household to do what we need to be doing to keep our faith alive. We alibi; we neglect; we do everything but live our faith. Through the indwelling Presence and Power of your Spirit, make us aflame with our obedience to You, no matter what the cost. Make our faith contagious, so that it will spread to others, until faith in the living Lord encircles the earth. And make us know, O Lord, that You call us daily, hourly, that the time for action is now. (Two minutes of silence.)
The Act of Receiving New Life (Pastor)
Pastor: Please stand and look at the cross. If we are Christians, we know that the past is forgiven, every minute of it up to this moment. Do we believe that, not only with our mind, but with our heart? So, receive again from God the life we considered alienated and lost. Share again, and always, that life with the whole universe, the truth of God's acceptance and liberation, a message that most of the world, and too much of the church, still waits to hear. (Now, ask the people to remain in silence for two minutes. During this time, ask them to look at their fellow church members, fellow cross-bearers, and give the sign that they believe in forgiveness -- a smile, a thumb's up, raised arms. After two minutes, say, with energy) And all the people said, "Yes, indeed; yes, indeed!"
The Community Responds To God's Watchfulness
Message with the Children of All Ages
For what are you watching? At school? At home? At play? "Watch out!" means, "Be on guard! Don't speak to strangers! Come straight home after school!" During this week, think about the things you're watching for. Write them down, and bring them with you next week.
Reading from the Newer Covenant
Invite a member of the church to read the Scripture out of sight of the worshipers. Use a microphone. Have that person practice in your presence, or in the presence of someone skilled in reading. The reading needs to be read dramatically, punctuating the theme of watchfulness.
Proclamation of the Good News
Encourage the people to respond verbally during the message. Begin by asking, "For what are you watching this Advent Season?" Give them time to respond. Continue with what you're watching for.
Stewardship Challenge
"Watch what you're giving!" Is that how we approach the offering? Or, would God be better served if we gave, not counting the cost?
Prayer after the Offering
Freely we have received; freely, though maybe reluctantly, we give of our money, time, being, because we have them to give, and because the world needs these gifts, beginning now.
Charge to the Congregation
The pessimist insists, "All roads lead nowhere." The optimist knows, "All roads lead. Know where." We know where the Advent road leads.
Response to the Blessing
Sing the chorus to "Hey! Hey! Anybody Listening?" It leads directly into next week.
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation (a.k.a. the Prelude): Medley of Advent Hymns. Print the hymn numbers and invite the people to sing, hum, whistle them as they prepare for worship. Or, "Come Now, Our Savior," J. S. Bach.
Choral Introit: Use these words, "Our King and Savior draws near; O come let us adore him." (The choir director puts notes to the words, and invites the congregation to sing it after the choir.)
Hymn of Invitation: "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," French Processional, 15th Century.
Response to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity: "You are the Lord, Giver of Mercy," Appalachian Folk Medley.
Response to the Proclamation: "Praise Ye The Lord Of Hosts," Saint-Saens.
Offertory: "In Dulci Jubilo," Dupré.
Doxology: "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow." Use different tunes for different seasons of the church year.
Hymn of Commitment: "O Word Made Flesh And Come To Dwell," Jane Parker Huber, 1981. Tune: Melita 88 88 88. (From Joy in Singing, Published by the Office of Women and the Joint Office of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. See Appendix I for address.)
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Advent Hymns. (Invite the people to remain throughout the postlude, and hum, whistle, sing the hymns.)
