Isaiah’s Vineyard: Prophecies & Power, the Shoot of Jesse (extended Advent?) see

Isaiah’s Vineyard Song: Prophecy & Power of the Shoot of Jesse (Extended Advent?) Isaiah 5:1-7, 11:1-5, Mark 12:1-3, Psalm 107: 28-43

More Narrative Lectionary Resources here

Harvest and the Promise of Resurrection/Jesus

Call to Worship

God is coming, this I promise a shoot shall come out of the stock of Jesse

The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him.

The spirit of wisdom and understanding. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord

Let us worship our God who is coming

Prayer of the Day/Dedication: Let us go forth praising the Lord for God’s wonderful works for humankind. God satisfies the thirsty and the hungry he fills with good things. Let us offer a thanksgiving and tell of God’s deeds wherever we go, we pray. Amen. 

Prayer of Confession:

God we do not always see you. So we forget to forgive debts, heal the sick and free the prisoner. We spend so little time working to make your kingdom come. Forgive us for our lack of vision, give us eyes to see and ears to hear your word we pray. (Silent Prayer).

Prayer of Confession: Lord, we forget to tend the vineyard, and so often hurt the messenger when they call our our neglect to foster love and understanding. We flinch when we hear the words racism or bigotry or sexual misconduct, and verbally thrash any who might dare to point out injustice, because we are afraid to admit complicity or ignorance. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear injustice so we might weed it out and successfully tend the vineyard, we pray. 

Assurance of Pardon: God is the vine and we are branches, whenever we abide in God we flourish in grace. Let us renew our relationship knowing that truth:: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

Prayer of Eucharist: Lord, you give us the vine and invite us to drink deeply in your love. You provide us meal after meal until we are filled to the brim, and you have us celebrate your covenant with a meal. Let us celebrate you today, so that we might make a sacrifice of praise to you today, we pray.

 

With Children: Eat Grape & Discuss vine and branches. Play throw a ball of string to make a web of interdependence, Plant seeds/pluck harvest and talk about the abundance of God, Have a thanksgiving celebration meal

The couple in the face masks at a California vineyard wedding represent the love song that went amiss in the Song of the Vineyard in Isaiah 5

Narrative Lectionary: Isaiah 5:1-7; 11:1-5 (November 17, 2019?) Peaceable kingdom is 11;6-9; some resource below focus more on these additional verses. For another take on God as the vintner, see Psalm 80.

https://thebibleproject.com/videos/isaiah-1-39/

Overview of Isaiah focusing on judgement and hope; doesn’t deal directly with Isaiah 5 but applicable nonetheless; does deal with Isaiah 11’s burned stump’s new branch.

 

https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=4217 The triangle of the poet, the vintner and the vineyard; what one expects vs. what one gets; word plays and metaphors.

 

http://download.luthersem.edu/media/working_preacher/narrative/197WPNarrative.mp3   Podcast on the two passages.

 

https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2948

Isaiah 5:1-7 suggests that the establishment of a just society in which people do right by those in need was the single desired outcome of God’s relationship with Israel and Judah. By failing to achieve this, they have both angered and grieved God.

https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=646

https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3437

Crying out in the face of injustice; for me these two raise the question of how the relationship between God and government/country should be understood in light of the judgment of Isaiah 5–not an easy question in these polarized days.

 

https://cep.calvinseminary.edu/sermon-starters/proper-15c/?type=old_testament_lectionary

Maybe one way to deal with the God/government question is to take up the passage’s cry to help the underdog and then talk about who that might be. (I’m thinking of starting with a Phils/Cubs illustration!) This exegetical take on the passage is from the Lutheran Seminary folks but from the RCL context. It deals with word play, justice for the underdogs, and God singing the blues.(The peaceable kingdom from Isaiah 11:6-9 caouldhelp with this two—who are unlikely companions/friends? How can we make these friendships happen?)

 

https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=832 Answering the fear of Assyria with the fear of God.

 

RCL context on Isaiah 5 https://episcopalchurch.org/library/sermon/when-we-read-contemporary-proper-15-c-2004 The call to do justice is rooted in God’s love and Christians’ mission to the world.

 

https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2567  Peaceable Kingdom 11: 6-9  God as gardener and what the Isaiah 11 prophecy means in relationship to Jesus

 

https://biologos.org/articles/o-radix Peaceable Kingdom 11: 6-9 Reflection on Isaiah 11’s root of Jesse/stump image in light of (upcoming) Advent

 

https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3117 Peaceable Kingdom 11: 6-9

 

Leading and living with lions (Isaiah 11 incl. 6-9 from NL folks but from RCL context)

https://day1.org/weekly-broadcast/5d9b820ef71918cdf2002b98/not_much_but_enough_for_me  Sermon proclaiming the word of Isaiah: Even though the world has become a living nightmare and even though there is no sign anywhere that peace will ever come, the promise of God is more powerful than the destructiveness of humanity.

 

http://collections.carli.illinois.edu/cdm/ref/collection/uni_sermons/id/620 Sermon (c. 1993) on Isaiah 11:1-10 addressing what it can mean to “set things right.” Lots of illustrations.

 

https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3 The Peaceable Kingdom

 

https://day1.org/articles/5d9b820ef71918cdf20037bf/lillian_daniel_a_savior_in_work_boots Repentance (Isaiah 11) in Advent

 

https://www.americamagazine.org/content/the-word/gods-vineyard Vineyard texts in the Bible

 

LITURGICAL RESOURCES

 

Call to Worship from Isaiah 11 (from The Message translation)

Original resource by Barb Hedges-Goettl; please give credit if using/adapting

 

God send your life-giving Spirit over us–

the Spirit that brings wisdom and understanding.

God send your life-giving Spirit over us–

the Spirit that gives direction and builds strength.

God send your life-giving Spirit over us–

The Spirit that instills knowledge and Fear-of-God.

God send your life-giving Spirit over us—

this day and throughout our lives.

 

 

 

Call to Worship: Advent 2A

Here’s a responsive call to worship inspired by the suggested scripture readings for the second Sunday of Advent, Year A (Isaiah 11: 1-10, Psalm 72: 1-7, 18-19 and Matthew 3: 1-12).  It comes from the Ministry Matters website.

 

Call to Worship for Advent 2 A

(inspired by Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72, Matthew 3:1-12)

 

In this season of prophecy, promise, and preparation,

we come to be renewed and refreshed.
We come to be inspired by stories of a messiah
who will change the world—and change us.
We come to listen for words of hope and joy,
promise and challenge.
We come with open ears, open minds, and open hearts.

We come to receive the blessings God has in store for us
in this season of waiting.
Come! Let us worship our God—
the One who brings all things to fulfillment.

 

~ posted on the Ministry Matters website. http://www.ministrymatters.com/worship/article/entry/4431/worship-elements-december-8-2013 reposted on https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2013/11/call-to-worship-advent-2a.html

 

Rite of Confession

Original resource by Barb Hedges-Goettl; please give credit if using/adapting.

*Call to Confession***                                                                                  Reader
Faith rooted deeply in God reflect God’s justice and righteousness—but we know that this is not always how we live. Let us ask for God’s forgiveness and renewal.

*Prayer of Confession-unison***                                                                  Reader

 

O God, sometimes we are led more by what we hear and see than by your ways.                     We get caught up in how someone looks, or what we have heard.                                      We forget that appearances can be deceiving and that some voices are silenced.                   Help us to look deep within your word and deep within ourselves.                                 Reveal to us the places where our judgments are faulty and our hands are dirty,                       so that we may repent and be made clean. [Silent Confession]
Assurance of Forgiveness While all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, God continues to re-make us. God brings new life out of the death. Thanks be to God for God’s continual righteousness and faithfulness: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

 

Confession: Advent 2A

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by the suggested scripture readings for the second Sunday of Advent, Year A.  It was written by Jane Stranz.

 

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Isaiah 11: 1-10, Psalm 72, Matthew 3:1-12)
When our faith is rooted deeply in you, O God,

our lives reflect your kingdom values of justice and righteousness,

but sometimes our lives become so entangled with the values of the world,

that your values take second place.

Forgive us, O God,
and reconnect us to the Holy Spirit,

source of power and life.

Merciful God, strip our hearts and minds

of all that prevents our lives being firmly rooted in you.
May our lives bear fruit worthy of our faith in you,

as we watch and wait for your breaking into our world once more,

in the person of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Amen

Assurance of Forgiveness

Blessed be the Lord our God, who does wondrous things. (Psalm 72: 8)
The most wondrous of all being God’s entry into our world in Jesus Christ,
“not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”
“Those who believe in him are not condemned.” (John 3:17,18)
Thanks be to God!

 

Isaiah 11 prayer (Advent context)

https://day1.org/weekly-broadcast/5d9b820ef71918cdf2002b98/not_much_but_enough_for_me  Lord, you know all too well that to be human–to be able to feel joy and delight–is also to be able to feel pain and sadness.  So come to us all this Advent, O God, bringing glad tidings and good cheer, comfort and hope, for we celebrate that marvelous mystery we call incarnation–when you became one of us, born a baby, who grew up and lived and breathed, seated and cried, ate and drank, lived and died.

Through him, bring us hope, bring us joy, bring us healing and wholeness, bring us a sure refuge in the darkness as we await for something new to be born in us, something small and bright, a tiny flame that will carry us into the future.  In the name of that light which sure came to save us, even Jesus the Christ, Amen.

 

Isaiah 11 offering prayer

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/offertory-prayers-and-invitation-for-december-2016 Gracious God, we lift our voices to glorify you! You sent your Son Jesus to lead us in wisdom and mercy. His kindness to the poor and meek reveals the harmony of your heavenly kingdom. Help our church’s ministries to demonstrate your love for the world. We dedicate our tithes and offerings to bless people in our community who are searching for Christ’s abiding peace. We pray in his name. Amen. From Discipleship Ministries, an agency of The United Methodist Church

Opening Litany: Return of the King

 

Here’s an opening litany for Advent from the Wellsprings website.  It is inspired by verses from Psalm 72 and Isaiah 11.

 

https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/11/opening-litany-return-of-king.htmlOpening Litany: The Return of the King

(inspired by Psalm 72 and Isaiah 11)

 

In his days justice shall flourish and peace till the moon fails

In his days, justice shall flourish

and the voice of those who are oppressed will be heard.

The poor will receive enough on which to live

and the rich will share gladly

the abundance they have received at the hand of God.

 

In his days justice shall flourish and peace till the moon fails.

The wolf lies down with the lamb:

the fierce gives way to the tame,

the weak protect the strong,

the powerless contain the power of the mighty.

 

In his day justice shall flourish and peace till the moon fades.

God will give judgment to the King,

to the One who comes in the name of the Lord,

to establish peace and justice

with integrity and with mercy.

 

~ from the Wellsprings website. http://wellsprings.org.uk/

 

Call to Worship Based on Isaiah 11:1-10

We come to worship the coming King. The One who was and is and is to come!
Robed in Justice, carrying equity in his heart,
Righteousness is a belt around his waist, faithfulness in the clasps of his sandals.

We have prepared ourselves for worship.
We intend to do no harm; to love our neighbors and to stay in love with God!

We look forward to the Reign of the coming King!
The wolves will walk with the lambs; the leopards skip with the kids;
and the calves will be friends with the lion cubs.
Peace will come through the root of Jesse, and we will abide with the King!

The Rev. Nathan Decker is the pastor of the South Sussex Charge of the Petersburg District of the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Nathan has great love for the diversity and inspiration of God’s creative nature in worship. https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/call-to-worship-based-on-isaiah-111-10

Prayer of Intercession: Advent 2A

Here’s a prayer of petition and intercession inspired by Isaiah 11:2 and Matthew 3: 1-12, two of the suggested scripture readings for Advent 2, Year A.  It was written by Terri.

 

Prayer of Intercession

(inspired by Isaiah 11: 1-10, Matthew 3: 1-12)

 

Let us pray for the Spirit of Wisdom to rest upon us

A spirit of understanding and knowledge

Grant us to live in harmony

God’s mercy prevail

 

Let us pray for God’s steadfastness to gird our spirit

May peace prevail like lamb and wolf

Grant us to live in harmony

God’s mercy prevail

 

Let us pray, for voices crying out in the wilderness

Women living in fear, children hiding

Grant all a place of harmony

God’s mercy prevail

 

Let us pray, repent of harm done to the innocent

Clear the chaff of abuse and hurt

Bear the Spirit of harmony

God’s mercy prevail

 

Let us pray for the God of hope, joy and peace to fill

All hearts, one voice glorify

God, prepare the way

God’s mercy prevail

 

~ written by Terri, and posted on RevGalPrayerPals. http://revgalblogpals.org/2010/12/05/sunday-prayer-advent-2a-sixteen-days-of-prayer-advocating-for-the-end-of-domestic-violence/  Reposted at

https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2013/11/prayer-of-intercession-advent-2a.html

 

Gathering Words for Advent

Here’s a gathering rite or opening litany inspired by Isaiah 11:1-10: “Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot….”  It was written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Mucky Paws.

 

Gathering Words

(inspired by Isaiah 11: 1-10)

 

From the bulb there comes a flower
from the desert rock a flow of water
from the rainbow there come the hope of life
from the bible there comes the word of truth
from the cross there comes the love of God
from the tomb there comes the resurrection
from the prophet comes the vision of new earth

 

but from the stump
from this dried out log
from a family tree that has lost all integrity…

 

…there comes the shoot of David
the lifeline of salvation
the promise of justice
the longing for transformation
the word of life
the expectation of Messiah

 

from the stump of Jesse
comes a covenant
reborn

 

~ written by Roddy Hamilton, copyright © Mucky Paws. http://www.nkchurch.org.uk/index.php/mucky-paw Reposted at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2015/11/gathering-words-for-advent.html

 

https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2013/11/isaiah-11-creed.html

Isaiah 11: A Creed

Here’s an affirmation of faith inspired by Isaiah 11: 1-10, the suggested scripture reading for the second Sunday of Advent, Year A.

 

We Believe

(inspired by Isaiah 11: 1-10)

 

In that day, the wolf and lamb will live together….  Isaiah 11:6

 

Jesus has taught us to speak of hope as the coming of God’s Kingdom.

We believe that God is at work in our world

turning hopeless and evil situations into good.

We believe that goodness and justice and love will triumph in the end,

and that tyranny and oppression cannot fast forever.

One day ‘all tears will be wiped away’

and ‘the lamb will lie down with the lion.’

True peace and true reconciliation are not only desirable,

they are assured and guaranteed.

This is our faith, and our hope.

 

~ from Third World Solidarity Day, from the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, 1987.  Posted in Liturgy, Justice and the Reign of God Integrating Vision and Practice http://www.jfrankhenderson.com/pdf/LJRG.pdf

Prayer: Isaiah 11: 1-10

Here’s a prayer inspired by Isaiah 11: 1-10. It comes from the Vanderbilt Divinity Library website.

Clear a Holy Space

(inspired by Isaiah 11: 1-10)

Laboring God,

with axe and winnowing fork

you clear a holy space

where hurt and destruction have no place,

and a little child holds sway.

Clear our lives of hatred and despair,

sow seeds of joy and peace,

that shoots of hope may spring forth

and we may live in harmony

with one another. Amen.

 

~ from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.  Posted on Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

 

 

HYMNS

Isaiah 5.1-7

6.2 Jesus Comes with Clouds Descending

7 Lord Christ, When First You Came to Earth

76.2-4 My Song Is Love Unknown

158 The One Is Blest

161.2 As Morning Dawns

400.2 When We Are Living

409 Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice

418.2 God, Bless Your Church with Strength!frankh

538.2 Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing

551.3 Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

Isaiah 5.7

405 What Does the Lord Require

421 The Church of Christ in Every Age

Isaiah 11:1-10

1 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

2 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

9.3 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

13 Prepare the Way

40 Joy to the World!

204 Psalm 72

205 All Hail to God’s Anointed

230 This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made

332 Live Into Hope

337 Isaiah the Prophet Has Written of Old *

386 O for a World

423 Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun

431 O Lord, You Gave Your Servant John

452 O Day of God, Draw Nigh

453 O Holy City, Seen of John

601 Song of Zechariah (Benedictus)

602 Song of Zechariah (Benedictus)

Isaiah 11.1,10

Isaiah 11:1-10

1 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

2 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

9.3 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

13 Prepare the Way

40 Joy to the World!

204 Psalm 72

205 All Hail to God’s Anointed

230 This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made

332 Live Into Hope

337 Isaiah the Prophet Has Written of Old *

386 O for a World

423 Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun

431 O Lord, You Gave Your Servant John

452 O Day of God, Draw Nigh

453 O Holy City, Seen of John

601 Song of Zechariah (Benedictus)

602 Song of Zechariah (Benedictus)

Isaiah 11.1,10

48 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming *

58 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

59 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

69 O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright

95.2 He Never Said a Mumbalin’ Word

99 Throned Upon the Awful Tree

102.2 Were You There?

104.1 Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna!

Isaiah 11.2-3a

70 Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized

Isaiah 11.3b-5

3 Comfort, Comfort You My People

5 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

10 On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry

14 Savior of the Nations, Come

161.2 As Morning Dawns

194 Peoples, Clap Your Hands!

202 Psalm 67

217.6 O Sing a New Song

219.6 To God Compose a Song of Joy

222.6 Psalm 103

225.3 Praise the Lord!

254 Psalm 146

409 Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice

413 All Who Love and Serve Your City

442.3+4 The Church’s One Foundation

449 My Lord! What a Morning

483.2 Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above

551 Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

Isaiah 11.4b

159.4 Why Are Nations Raging

260.3 A Mighty Fortress is Our God

 

“O God Among Us, Come” is on pp. 64-65 of Advent Ethics. A version with the melody only is available online at http://www.ChristianEthics.ws.

 

ORACLES
music and lyric by Steve Bell
lyrics adapted from the four advent oracles of Isaiah:
2:1-5, 7:10-16, 11:1-10, 35:1-10

 

Isaiah 11 verse: And it will surely come to pass
Justice will reign on earth at last
The wolf will lie down with the lamb
No beast destroy, no serpant strike the child’s hand

 

The Vineyard of the Lord, two versions of the same contemporary setting of Psalm 80

 

Another setting of Psalm 80

 

O come, green shoot of Jesse, free

your people from despair and apathy;

Forge justice for the poor and the meek,

Grant safety for the young ones and the weak.

 

Rejoice, rejoice! Take heart and do not fear,

God’s chosen one, Immanuel, draws near.

 

A verse for/from O Come, O Come Emmauel

Barbara Lundblad https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1940

More Narrative Lectionary Resources here