https://wordpress.com/post/bjhlog.wordpress.com/186
NL 5/19/19: Romans 1:1-17
SUMMARY/THEMES
Verses 1-6 carry forth the theme of the gospel for all nations/the Gentiles that the NL has been addressing since Easter. Verses 7-15 address the mutuality to be found among Christians (see Barmen Declaration resources from 5/5). Note Paul starts out as describing himself as leader/giver and then notes that he is also recipient. (This was the theme found on 5/5 in Acts 10:1-17, 34-48 about Peter and Cornelius swapping out their roles as host and guest.) Verses 16-17 refer the Romans back to God—a theme found in the 5/12 passage (Acts 13:1-3, 14:8-18), where the people want to worship Paul and Barnabas instead of God.
My congregation has had four hospitalizations in this last week (in a church where Sunday attendance is usually less than 20!); therefore, thanking God for one another, praying for each other & mutual upbuilding of the faith is especially fitting right now. Themes I am thinking about include: (1) the grace and peace Paul directs to them from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ is for “all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people.” (2) the Romans’ faith redounds around the world! (3) this faith is shown by praying for one another, (in our case, especially when the one being prayed for finds him/herself unable to pray); and (4) Paul wants something that has been prevented (coming to the Romans) but still has hope.
TRANSLATIONS
For a variety of translations, see: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans1:1-17&version=NRSV;GNT;TLB;NIV;MSG
The Message translation is particularly helpful if you are focusing on the way the Paul explains the gospel here (v.2-7). I have not included the NKJV; you can change which versions are included for your perusal.
LITURGICAL PIECES
CALL TO WORSHIP (from Romans 1:1-6)
One: Servants of Jesus Christ, called to be apostles,
Many: we are set apart for the gospel of God.
One: God promised this gospel through his prophets in the holy scriptures.
Many: This gospel concerns God’s Son.
One: He was was descended from David according to the flesh
Many: He was declared the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead.
One: Through Jesus Christ our Lord, we have received grace and apostleship,
Many: and are called t.
One: This morning God also calls us to believe and obey.
ALL: Thanks, worship and praise be to God!
OPENING PRAYER/COLLECT
O God, you love us and call us to be your own holy people.
Reveal to us our need to share one another’s joys and burdens,
to gather together to encourage one another in faith,
and to always pray for one another with thanksgiving,
so that we may know your grace and your peace.
In the name of God, and of the Son of God, and of the Spirit of God, Amen.
PRAYER OF GREAT THANKSGIVING/EUCHARISTIC PRAYER:
God, we offer you our thanks and praise.
From the beginning of human history,
you have called people to yourself as Creator and Lord,
teaching and leading them in the way of life.
Through the prophets recorded in Scripture,
you promised your Gospel.
Through the lineage of David,
you rooted Christ Jesus in history.
Through his resurrection from the dead,
you identified him as your Son.
Through him we receive
the generous gift of his life
and the joyous task of sharing that life
with one another and with the whole world.
By eating this bread and drinking this cup,
we witness to Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension.
Through Jesus’ body and blood,
assure us that we are your people.
Renew us in our commitment
to inviting others to eat and drink
the joyful feast that you set for all.
United us in our thankfulness for one another.
Empower us to help one another.
Humble us to accept help from one another.
And always point us to yourself
and the Good News of the Gospel
as the source of all that we have,
all that we are, and all that we do.
Through the gracious gift of God
we are enabled to give thanks and pray,
to witness, and to receive.
Thanks be to God, Amen.
HYMNS
https://hymnary.org/search?page=2&qu=scripture%3Aromans%201%3A1-17%20in%3Atext
PC(USA) Glory to God
Romans
1.1-6 (Chapter.verse)
364 I Sing a Song of the Saints of God
410 When I Had Not Yet Learned of Jesus
1.1, 5
377 Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore
1.2-3
74.2 (Hymn #.verse) Jesus on the Mountain Peak
75.2+3 O Wondrous Sight, O Vision Fair
327 O Word of God Incarnate
330 Deep in the Shadows of the Past
331 Thanks to God Whose Word Was Written
601.1-3 Song of Zechariah (Benedictus) (Hymns taken most directly from the listed scripture are in bold type)
602 Song of Zechariah (Benedictus)
1.3-4
83 O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High
148 At the Name of Jesus
299 Amen, Amen
302 I Danced in the Morning
569 Christ Has Died (Memorial Acclamation)
598 This Is the Good News
1.3
48 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
58.3 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
59.3 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
69.1 O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright
88.1 All Glory, Laud, and Honor
205 All Hail to God’s Anointed
230.2 This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made
1.4-5
14 Savior of the Nations, Come
106 Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks
107 Celebrate with Joy and Singing
109 Christ Is Risen
112 Christ the Lord Is Risen Again
113 Christ the Lord Is Risen Today!
117 O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing!
118 The Day of Resurrection!
120 Hail Thee, Festival Day!
133.2+3 All Glory Be to God on High
137.2 We All Believe in One True God
142 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!
143 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!
302.5 I Danced in the Morning
308.4 O Sing a Song of Bethlehem
309 Of the Father’s Love Begotten
474.4 O Splendor of God’s Glory Bright
1.5-6
1.2 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
133.1 All Glory Be to God on High
202.1+2 Psalm 67
212.5 Within Your Shelter, Loving God
216 O Sing a New Song to the Lord
217 O Sing a New Song
218 New Songs of Celebration Render
219 To God Compose a Song of Joy
300.1 Down to Earth, as a Dove
603.2 Song of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis)
604 Song of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis)
605.2 Song of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis)
1.6-7a
144.1 Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!
149.3 The Head That Once Was Crowned
153.1 He Is King of Kings
156.2 You, Living Christ, Our Eyes Behold
220.2 All People That on Earth Do Dwell
255.4 Now Praise the Lord
323 Loving Spirit
353 Great God, Your Love Has Called Us Here
392.4 Take Thou Our Minds, Dear Lord
402.1 Now Praise the Hidden God of Love
442.1+2 The Church’s One Foundation
443.2 O Christ, the Great Foundation
491.1 Stand Up and Bless the Lord
499.1 Wonder of Wonders, Here Revealed
516 Lord, We Have Come at Your Own Invitation
522 Lord, When I Came Into This Life
553.3 For the Fruit of All Creation
1.7-15
435 We All Are One in Mission
438 Blest Be the Tie That Binds
441 I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord
473.5 For the Beauty of the Earth
552 Give Thanks, O Christian People
1.7a
364 I Sing a Song of the Saints of God
1.7b
242.2 Come, All You Servants of the Lord
280 Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound
345.4 Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
356 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
529.4 Lord of the Living
537 Farewell, Good Friends (Shalom, Chaverim!)
538 Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing
596 May the Lord, Mighty God
1.16-17
1.2+4 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
2 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
117.6 O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing!
240 Out of the Depths
250.1 When Morning Lights the Eastern Skies
307 Fight the Good Fight
370.3 Just as I Am, Without One Plea
373.3 Lonely the Boat
379 My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
390.6 O Savior, in This Quiet Place
399 We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight
457.5 I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art
462.3 Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies
463.3 Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies
471 O Praise the Gracious Power
522.3+4 Lord, When I Came Into This Life
1.16a
84 In the Cross of Christ I Glory
86 When We Are Tempted to Deny Your Son
100 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
101 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
149.4+5 The Head That Once Was Crowned
384.4 O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go
1.16b
355 Hear the Good News of Salvation
485 To God Be the Glory
569 Christ Has Died (Memorial Acclamation)
598 This Is the Good News
1.16c
1.2 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
2.1 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
1.17a
376.2 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
412.5 Eternal God, Whose Power Upholds
EXEGETICAL RESOURCES
This full text is not in the RCL. Romans 1:1-7 is part of the RCL on the 4th Sunday in Advent, so resources related to the RCL are very differently oriented than what we’re likely to be preaching in May between Easter and Pentecost. In addition, the resources available at textweek.com focus more on the other readings. See http://www.textweek.com/pauline/rom1.htm
Romans 1:16-17 is paired with 3:22b-28 (29-31) on Proper 4A and Epiphany 9A.
See http://www.textweek.com/pauline/rom1_3.htm
For resources dealing more broadly with Romans 1, try
https://preachingandworship.org/search/romans%201%3A1-17
Also see Charles Spurgeon’s sermon on Romans 1 (although he takes the opening verse to counsel against any political involvement by Christians/pastors)
http://www.romans45.org/spurgeon/sermons/2257.htm#expo
CHILDREN’S SERMON: Saving starfish one at a time
https://www.sermons4kids.com/one-at-a-time.html
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