Welcome & Announcements Call to Worship (based on Psalm 146)
Praise the Lord, O my soul.
I will praise the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God all my life long.
Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, there is no help.
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the oLd their God.
God made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, God who keeps faith forever .
The Lord will reign forever, for all generations, praise the Lord!
*Hymn #288 “I Sing the Might Power of God”
I sing the mighty power of God that made the mountains rise;
that spread the flowing seas abroad and built the lofty skies
I sing the wisdom that ordained The sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God’s command, And all the stars obey.
I sing the goodness of the Lord That filled the earth with food;
God formed the creatures with a word, And then pronounced them good,
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, Where’er I turn my eyes;
If I survey the ground I tread, Or gaze upon the skies!
There’s not a plant or flower below, But makes Thy glories known;
And clouds arise and tempests blow, By order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care,
And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God, art present there.
Prayer of Confession: (unison): God, I confess that sometimes I do not want to see your blessings spread afar. At times, I am selfish and think that blessings are like pie and may run out. I think that I must hoard my blessings, or earn them or somehow win them by being a better person. Remind us that this is not how God works, Jesus comes to the ones most in need, first. God calls us to help those the most in need first. Teach us the true nature of blessings, we pray. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: Happy are those who put their trust in the God of Jacob, for he sends us the power of the resurrection and the life, hear the good news: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
HEARING THE WORD
Children’s Time : Telling God’s Story
(All children are invited to the front)
Prayer for Illumination
1st Scripture Reading Psalm 146
2nd Scripture Reading Luke 4:14-30
“Blessed to be a Blessing” Pastor Katy Stenta
Reflection Roger Held
Joys & Concerns & The Lord’s Prayer (p. 16 in the blue hymnal)
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
Offering
*Doxology (#592 in Blue Hymnal) Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Amen.
SENDING THE WORD
Prayer of Dedication: God, help us to do the work of Jesus! Let go forth proclaiming the good news to the poor. Help us to release the captives and let the oppressed go free! Let us go forward working to recover the sight of the blind, and to proclaim the year of God’s favor. Anoint us to tell the good news we pray. Amen.
Hymn # 525 “Here I am Lord”
I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have hear My people cry,
All who dwell in deepest sin, My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them? Whom shall I send?
Here I am Lord, Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if you lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them, They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone. Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak My word to them. Whom shall I send?
I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them, My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide, Till their hearts be satisfied,
Welcome & Announcements Call to Worship (based on Psalm 90)
God, be a dwelling place for us, we pray.
Lord you have been a dwelling place for all generations
Before the mountains were brought forth, or even you had formed the earth, you are present
From everlasting to everlasting you are are God
For a thousand years in your sight, are like yesterday when it is past.
So let us praise God from yesterday to tomorrow.
*Hymn #343 “Called as Partners in Christ’s Service”
Called as partners in Christ’s service, Called to ministries of grace
We respond with eep commitment Fresh new lines of faith to trace
May we learn the art of sharing, Side by side and friend with friend,
Equal partners in our caring To fulfill God’s chosen end.
Christ’s example, Christ’s inspiring, Christ’s clear call to work and worth,
Let us follow, never faltering, Reconciling folk on earth.
Men and women, richer, poorer, All God’s people, young and old.
Blending human skills together Gracious gifts from God unfold.
Thus new patterns for Christ’s mission, In a small or global sense,
Help us bear each other’s burdens, Breaking down each wall or fence. Words of comfort, words of vision, Words of challenge, said with care,
Bring new power and strength for action, are us colleagues, free and fair.
Prayer of Confession: (unison): God, I confess that sometimes I am like Simon Peter, and all I have to say is “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful person.” We have seen evil, yet you are good all the time. All the time God is good. So you teach me to count my days and my blessings. Let your work manifest in your servants, we pray. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: God satisfies us in the morning with God’s steadfast ove, so that we may rejoice and be glad all of our days in the good news: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
HEARING THE WORD
Children’s Time : Telling God’s Story
(All children are invited to the front)
Prayer for Illumination
1st Scripture Reading Psalm 90:14-17
2nd Scripture Reading Luke 5:1-11
“Feed My Sheep” Pastor Katy Stenta
Reflection Roger Held
Joys & Concerns & The Lord’s Prayer (p. 16 in the blue hymnal)
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
Offering
*Doxology (#592 in Blue Hymnal) Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Amen.
SENDING THE WORD
Prayer of Dedication: God, let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us. Give us the gifts we need to let your work be manifest to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Prosper for us the work of our hands we pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Hymn # 370 “Just as I am, Without One Plea”
Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou baddest me come to Thee
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am though tossed about, With many a conflict, Many a doubt
Fightings and fears within, without.
Just as I am Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse relieve
During this journey to Jerusalem, Jesus practices the grace that is found within his death and resurrection, twice. First he is rejected by Samaria, the shorter way to Jerusalem (Lent 1) and then he reclaims them as his neighbor (Lent 2), he reclaims them even as he journeys onward. Then we get los (and found), die and see ghost, and then, finally are reclaimed and found with Zaccheus. Journeying to Jerusalem is an exercise in getting lost, dying and resurrecting together.
Feel free to use/adapt with credit to Pastor Katy Stenta
Feel free to use/adapt with credit to Pastor Katy Stenta
If you need a doc version of all of this for easier formatting, email me at katyandtheword at gmail with the topic line “Lent” and I will send you a copy
If you appreciate my work and want to support me, please contribute to my Doctorate in Divinity in Creative Writing. I have a stretch goal of $2500 by June. and am more than 80% there! Any Amount is appreciated, and I am so thankful where they have gotten me so far!
All: Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed by Thy Name
Arrest
Then Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered, “You say so.” Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.” But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. 24So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. 26As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus Luke 23:3-4,23,26
All: Give us this day our Daily Bread
Mourning
A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. 28But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ Luke 23: 27-29
Communion (Celebrate appropriate to your context)
Confession
All: Forgive Us Our Debts as we Forgive Our Debtors
(Silence for Confession)
Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23: 32-34
Option: To Nail Sins to the Cross or Blow out candles now
Assurance of Pardon
All: Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver us from Evil
The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:36-43
Optional Taize: Jesus Remember Me, When You Come Into Your Kingdom or Were You There When They Crucified the Lord
Darkness
All: For Thine is the Kingdom and The Glory and The Power Forever, Amen.
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.” Luke 23:44-47
Amen
Option: To Blow Out all of the rest of the Candles
Music is optional to add wherever, since everyone is handling it differently, suggestions below
Hymns: Take Up Your Cross the Savior Said, Precious Lord Take My Hand, Why Has God Forsaken Me, Alas And Did My Savior Bleed
Taize: Jesus Remember Me When You Come into your Kingdom, Per Crucem
For the Complete List of Narrative Lectionary Lent Resources can be found here including a way to receive a doc copy
Lord, you bring glad tidings to the poor. Let us hear.
You heal the brokenhearted. Heal us too.
You free the prisoners from their jails. Free us from ourselves.
Loving God, please come to us, and send us out, forgiven, to the poor, the brokenhearted the imprisoned.
Hymn Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.” Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies, With th’angelic host proclaim: “Christ is born in Bethlehem.” Hark! The herald angels sing,“Glory to the newborn King!”
Christ by highest heav’n adored, Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the Virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate Deity, Pleased as man with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” (interlude)
Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that we no more may die, Born to raise us from the earth, Born to give us second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
Call to Worship (Isaiah 9:2, John 8:12, Malachi 4:20)
One: The people who walk in darkness will see a great light
ALL: O Lord, be our light!
Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.
O Lord, be our light!
Jesus said “I am the Light of the world; those who follow Me
will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
O Lord, be our light!
For you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise
with healing in its wings.
O Lord, be our light!
Call to Confession Jesus did not worry about what others thought.
He did not avoid conflict, but confronted head-on what needed to be changed. Let us confess how hard it is to do the same.
Prayer of Confession
God, sometimes we are more interested in the approval of others than in what you want us to do and be. Forgive us, Lord.
Sometimes we play nice, avoiding conflict even when your gospel of love would call us to speak out. Forgive us, Lord.
Sometimes we substitute a different kind of preaching for the preaching of good news that you offer the poor. Forgive us, Lord.
Sometimes we preach a gospel of self-reliance instead of the freedom offered by your grace. Forgive us, Lord.
Sometimes we want the blind to see the same way we do,
instead of taking the log out of our own eyes. Forgive us, Lord.
Sometimes we want the oppressed to just be a little more patient,
instead of letting them go free. Forgive us, Lord.
(Silent Confession)
Assurance of Pardon
God offers us God’s very self, granting us grace and new life.
Thanks be to God for the Good News: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
Holy One, this Advent season we come with joy, and we give in love: Love in return for you loving us first,
Love experienced through your presence with us. Receive and use these gifts and our very lives
to share your love with the world.Amen.
Prayer for Illumination Joy to the World
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n, and heav’n, and nature sing.
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 61:1-11
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. 4 They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.
5 Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, foreigners shall till your land and dress your vines; 6 but you shall be called priests of the Lord, you shall be named ministers of our God; you shall enjoy the wealth of the nations, and in their riches you shall glory. 7 Because theirshame was double, and dishonor was proclaimed as their lot, therefore they shall possess a double portion; everlasting joy shall be theirs.
8 For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. 10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
New Testament Lesson: Luke 4:16-21
16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Sermon: What Do You Do While You’re Waiting?
Affirmation of Faith(John 1, NRSV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life,
and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines
in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
Closing HymnGo Tell It On the Mountain
Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born! (repeat chorus)
While shepherds kept their watching O’er silent flocks by night Behold throughout the heavens There shone a holy light
Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born!
The shepherds feared and trembled When lo! Above the Earth Rang out the angel chorus That hailed our Savior’s birth
Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born!
Barb’s sister Beth started posting numbers in decreasing order on her facebook without explanation. Eventually it became clear that she was counting down to the beginning of Advent. It is not unusual for people to count down to Christmas, which is a big event, but Advent is typically considered a time of waiting… waiting and anticipating Christmas. So I asked, rather incredulously, “So are you waiting for when you will start waiting?” And she laughingly said “That’s right.”
But now that we are in the midst of Advent, is it a time of waiting and anticipating? Or is it something more than waiting and anticipating? Mr. Rogers used to sing a song on his TV show “What do you DO while you’re waiting…while you’re waiting for something else to do?” The scriptures today lead me to believe he was actually saying something profound about Advent, because it was not sufficient to say we are just “waiting.” Just waiting is boring and difficult. Barb and I stood outside in a line with masks on six feet away from others waiting to be allowed into an outdoor market where the number of buyers were strictly limited. We were anticipating what we would find and could not leave the line or we would lose our place. It reminded me of when I work with young children who have a terrible time waiting and I tell them “waiting is hard, but it is part of growing up.” But Mr. Rogers points to an important difference between waiting while doing nothing, and DOING something while waiting. For him, and in the scriptures today, waiting is a time to DO something. A time perhaps, to truly prepare for the event we are waiting for.
The Isaiah passage was likely written upon the return of the Israelites from exile. They faced the rebuilding of a crumbled society. They needed to rethink how government was done, how education was done, how gatherings were done, how family was done. 2020 was also a year of exile, a year of crumbling infrastructure. So, first in Isaiah, and then in Luke we hear a challenge for what we could do while we’re waiting… waiting for Christmas, waiting for a vaccine, waiting for a New Year, waiting for a new, reconstituted life together to begin.
This Advent, this waiting time is an opportunity to DO while we wait and anticipate all these new events. In Isaiah, the power to DO comes from the Spirit that falls upon him. In Luke, Jesus proclaims that “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” And indeed, we believe that the Spirit of God has already fallen upon all the people God claims as God’s own… that includes you and me.
So the Scripture begins by telling us that we have the power, and the responsibility to DO the work we are called to do while we wait for Christmas, while we wait for a vaccine, while we wait for a new reconstituted life together, while we wait for the New Year. What do WE DO while WE are waiting?
TODAY this scripture is fulfilled in our hearing! The Spirit of the Lord is upon us, because the Lord has anointed us…eventually it specifies that this anointing of the Lord has “named ministers of our God.” We are ALL anointed by the Spirit and we are ALL ministers of our God, so we have a ministry to DO while we’re waiting.
The ministry we are called to is a ministry that captures and embodies the Spirit of Christmas. We are anointed to preach GOOD NEWS to the poor. But this is not empty preaching that smiles and says things will be fine, this is GOOD NEWS accompanied by action, by what we ministers are DOING while we are waiting. It is the work we are challenged to DO now, and it’s a pretty tall order (good thing we are all named ministers so “many hands can make light work).
We are to reach out to the brokenhearted and bind them up with our support. The brokenhearted whose lives have been crushed, whose losses have been so great, who were so ravaged by this past year of exile. Can we think of at least one person whose heart has been broken by this past year? Can we accept the challenge to reach out and help bind up their broken heart while we are waiting?
We are to offer a release from darkness to those imprisoned by the circumstances of their lives. Poverty imprisons some, hunger imprisons some, addiction imprisons some, bondage to sin imprisons some. Can we offer the light of Christ as we provide tangible help instead of feeling repulsed or judgmental to those whose life prisons have shrouded them in darkness? Can we contribute tangible help for some imprisoned person while we are waiting?
We are to comfort those who mourn. We don’t need to force a “merry” happiness on those who are grieving. Can we reach out to someone who just can’t celebrate this Christmas and offer a listening ear, a loving heart, and comfort for them in their mourning while we are waiting?
We are called to rebuild the ruins of our society and restore the gatherings long devasted. Do we dare to look beyond individuals and extend the work of our shared ministry to acknowledge the brokenness and devastation all around us? Brokenness caused by greed, devastation caused by bigotry, racism, and injustice. Can we reach out in even one small way to rebuild and restore a society that rejects the devastation while we are waiting?
We are waiting but we are not waiting alone. We are waiting with so many other ministers anointed by God. And we are waiting and ABLE TO DO because the Spirit of the Lord, the true Spirit of Christmas is upon us while we are waiting.
And the hope that is promised is a hope fulfilled by the work of God through our meager actions as God’s ministers. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the hope is that God’s faithfulness WILL reward us with an everlasting covenant. And together we will proclaim the New Year, the year we are waiting for, a year of God’s favor!
Prelude Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates Gramophone Ghana Chorus
Opening Prayer1
The coming of our Lord is near, And we wait in joyful expectation, Draw close, Lord Jesus Christ, Shed your light on all that is filled with darkness. The coming of our Lord is near, And we wait with hope filled hearts, Draw close, God’s beloved son, Teach us the wonder of your all-embracing love. Amen.
Call to Worship and Advent Candle-lighting2
O God, in this season of waiting, of longing, of looking for you to come into our world. We are seeking light
In our own lives We are seeking light
In our neighborhoods We are seeking light
In our families We are seeking light
In our work and in our homes We are seeking light
In Grace We are seeking light
In our nation We are seeking light
In our world We are seeking light
We seek, Lord, that we may find
We knock, Lord, that you will open the door
We ask, Lord, that it may be given
Light of the world, lighten our darkness. Amen
Hymn Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne. (interlude)
by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.
Call to Confession (Joel 12:13-14, The Message)
God’s personal Message is that it is not too late. “Come back to me and really mean it! Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins!”
13-14 Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God.
Prayer of Confession
Spirit, you are alive in me.
And sometimes I’m afraid.
Spirit, you nudge me. You whisper in my ear. You blow around me, Urging me to action.
And sometimes I’m afraid.
Spirit, you are alive in me. And you are always here. Always moving, always calling. And I am unaware.
And sometimes I’m afraid.
Afraid of the task. Afraid of caring. Afraid of responsibility. Afraid of myself.
(Silent Confession)
Assurance of Pardon
The Spirit will lead you. You will hear the Spirit call. You will journey with the Spirit, even when you are afraid.
The Spirit is alive in you, and you are alive in the Spirit.
Thanks be to God for the Good News: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
Gloria Patri: (Blue #579) Glory Be to the Father
Prayers of the People/Lord’s Prayer (traditional)
Hymn of Dedication O Little Town of Bethlehem Kaleb Brassee
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth. And praises sing to God the king, and peace to all on earth.
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by (pause) Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
Holy One, this Advent season we wait in hope. And we give in hope: Hope for your coming reign, Hope because of your presence with us even now. Receive and use these gifts and our very lives for your work
of healing and hope in our world.Amen.
Prayer for Illumination Break Thou the Bread of Life
Break Thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me, As Thou didst break the loaves beside the sea; Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord; My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word!
Old Testament Reading Joel 2:1-3,12-13, 28-29 (NRSV)
1Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near— 2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness spread upon the mountains a great and powerful army comes; their like has never been from of old, nor will be again after them in ages to come.
3 Fire devours in front of them, and behind them a flame burns. Before them the land is like the garden of Eden, but after them a desolate wilderness, and nothing escapes them.
12 Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13 rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.
28 Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. 29 Even on the male and female slaves,
in those days, I will pour out my spirit.
New Testament Reading Luke 11:5-13
5 And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ 7 And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.
9 “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks fora fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spiritto those who ask him!”
Sermon
Affirmation of Faith(John 1, NRSV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life,
and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines
in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
Closing HymnIt Came Upon a Midnight Clear
It came upon the midnight clear That glorious song of old From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold Peace on the earth, good will to men From heaven’s all gracious king The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing
Still through the cloven skies they come With peaceful wings unfurled
And still their heavenly music floats O’er all the weary world Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on hovering wing And ever o’er its Babel sounds The blessed angels sing
All ye, beneath life’s crushing load Whose forms are bending low Who toil along the climbing way With painful steps and slow Look, now for glad and golden hours Come swiftly on the wing O rest beside the weary road And hear the angels sing
Charge and Benediction
PostludeIt Came Upon a Midnight Clear Josh Groban
1 Prayer by Christine Sine (2012), posted on GodSpace.
All Original Prayers by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl, permission to use with credit
Prelude Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Fernando Ortega
Opening Prayer (1)
O Holy God,
like Isaiah the prophet, we stand in awe of Your glory,
feeling tremendously small and polluted by our sin,
and the sin of our society.
Even so, You touch us with Your burning presence,
and we are made clean and whole.
O God, our Creator,
continue to build this household of faith into what You want us to be.
O Christ, our Savior,
lead us to do as You will.
O Spirit, our Power,
strengthen us for the work of the Kingdom.
Amen.
Call to Worship (Response is Isaiah 6:3) (2)
Glory in God’s holy name. Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
99:9Exalt the Lord our God. Worship at his holy hill,
for the Lord our God is holy.
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
145:17The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
145:21My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord.
Let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.
Call to Confession
John Calvin, whose work and theology are the basis for the Reformed tradition, including our Presbyterian faith, notes that when we compare ourselves to others, we may think highly of ourselves. But when we compare ourselves to God’s absolute holiness and goodness, we see how far we fall short of who God created us to be. Let us be reminded of God’s holiness and our need for forgiveness.
Prayer of Confession (from Isaiah 6:1-7)
O Holy Lord, when we see that just the hem of your robe fills the whole temple, we know we are a people of unclean lips.
When the six-winged seraphim attend you, we know we are a people of unclean lips.
As the angels proclaim that the whole earth is full of your glory, we know we are a people of unclean lips.
When the thresholds shake and the place is filled with smoke, we know we are a people of unclean lips.
Woe to us! When we see you, O King and Lord of hosts, we know we are lost because we know we are a people of unclean lips.
(Silent confession)
Assurance of Pardon
God touches us with burning coal,
and our guilt departs, our sin is blotted out.
Thanks be to God for the Good News: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Gloria Patri: (Blue #579) Glory Be to the Father
Prayers of the People/Lord’s Prayer (traditional)
Celebration of Birthdays and Anniversaries
Hymn of Dedication Just As I Am, Without One Plea
Just as I am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee O Lamb of God, I come! I come
Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot O Lamb of God, I come, I come
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind Sight, riches, healing of the mind Yea, all I need, in Thee to find O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve Because Thy promise I believe O Lamb of God, I come, I come
Doxology (Blue, #592) Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
(1) From prayer based on Isaiah 6 from My Redeemer Lives website.
(2) 1 Chronicles 16:10; Psalm 99:9; Psalm 145:17, 21. King James Version.
Prayer of DedicationBlessed are you, God of all creation;
through your goodness we have these gifts to share.
Accept and use all that we give and all that we are
for your glory and for the service of your kingdom. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination Take Thou Our Minds, Dear Lord
Take thou our minds, dear Lord, we humbly pray; give us the mind of Christ each passing day; teach us to know the truth that sets us free; grant us in all our thoughts to honor thee.
Old Testament Reading (NRSV) Isaiah 6:1-8
6 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. 2 Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 33 And one called to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
4 The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.” 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”
What comes before “Here I Am”? Rev. Barb Hedges-Goettl
Affirmation of Faithfrom the Westminster Confession of Faith
God alone is the Holy One.
There is but one only living and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection.
God alone is the Holy One.
God is a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, immutable, immense, eternal, and incomprehensible.
God alone is the Holy One.
God is almighty; most wise, most holy, most free, and most absolute,
God alone is the Holy One.
God works all things according to the counsel of his own immutable
and most righteous will for his own glory,
God alone is the Holy One.
God is most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness
and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin.
God alone is the Holy One.
God is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom,
are all things.
God alone is the Holy One.
God is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works, and in all his commands.
God alone is the Holy One.
To him is due from angels and from human beings, and every other creature, worship, service, and obedience for
Prelude Lord, I Want to be a Christian Joslin Grove Choral Society
Opening Prayer (adapted from Jonah 2:7-9 NRSV)
O Lord, we remember you. Our prayers come to you, in your holy temple. Those who worship vain idols forsake their true loyalty. But we, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you; what we have vowed we will offer. Deliverance belongs to you, O Lord. Amen.
Call to Worship (adapted from Psalm 145)
The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger
and abounding in steadfast love.
All God’s works shall give thanks to the Lord and all God’s faithful shall bless the Lord.
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and tell of your power
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger
and abounding in steadfast love. God’s works make known to all people God’s mighty deeds
and the glorious splendor of God’skingdom.
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger
and abounding in steadfast love. God’s kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and God’s dominion endures throughout all generations.
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart. In my heart, in my heart, Lord,
I want to be a Christian in my heart.
Lord, I want to be more loving…. Lord, I want to like Jesus…
Call to Confession
God calls us to love those who are against us, and to pray for them.
God calls us not to rejoice in wrong, but to rejoice in the right.
This is a very tall order, and we often fall short.
Prayer of Confession
Lord, the hardest thing you asked was that we love our enemies. We know how we’d like to love them:
We’d love our enemies to be far away. We’d love them not to compromise our security.
Forgive us and change us, O God. We’d love them not to scare us or change the way we live. We’d love them to be lovable.
Forgive us and change us, O God. You know, God, We’d love it to be popular to love enemies. We’d love our neighbors to respect us for this good deed. We’d love the people on the news to provide examples of how to love.
Forgive us and change us, O God. If loving enemies were easy, Jesus wouldn’t have told us about the tax collectors and gentiles, Who love only their friends. (Matthew 5:46-47)
Forgive us and change us, O God. If loving enemies were easy, we know We wouldn’t need your strong arms to bear us up in difficult times. We wouldn’t need the blood of your Son to save us from human sin. We wouldn’t need your Spirit flowing among us, wiping our tears. We wouldn’t need the Bible to tell us what the world does not.
Forgive us and change us, O God. Give us the strength to stop hating
And halt the cycles of violence and revenge. Teach us forgiveness,
which we know is suffering love through piercing tears. Forgive us and change us, O God. When our community looks at our congregation, Hears our words and sees our deeds, Help them to know that you, the God of love, live among us And that they can come to us to learn about Christian love of enemies.
Forgive us and change us, O God.
(Silent confession)
Assurance of Pardon
God loves us when we are yet God’s sinful enemies,
God saves us through God’s immeasurable grace, God gives us a gift we did not deserve,
Thanks be to God for the Good News: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Gloria Patri: (Blue #579) Glory Be to the Father
Prayers of the People/Lord’s Prayer (traditional)
Hymn of Dedication O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee (no intro)
O Master, let me walk with Thee In lowly paths of service free
Tell me Thy secret; help me bear The strain of toil, the fret of care
Help me the slow of heart to move By some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay, And guide them in the homeward way.
Teach me Thy patience; still with Thee In closer, dearer company
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong, In trust that triumphs over wrong.
In hope that send a shining ray Far down the future’s broadening way;
In peace that only Thou canst give, With Thee, O Master, let me live.
Doxology (Blue, #592) Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
Prayer of Dedication
Blessed are you, God of all creation;
through your goodness we have these gifts to share.
Accept and use all that we give and all that we are
for your glory and for the service of your kingdom. Amen.
Jesus calls us: by Thy mercies, Savior, may we hear Thy call.
Give our hearts to Thine obedience, Serve and love Thee best of all.
Old Testament Reading Jonah summary with selected verses (NRSV)
1:4 But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a mighty storm came upon the sea that the ship threatened to break up.
3:10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it. (NRSV 3:10)
4:2-11 “O Lord! Is not this what I said while I was still in my own country? That is why I fled to Tarshish at the beginning; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing.”
The Lord God appointed a bush, and made it come up over Jonah, to give shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort; so Jonah was very happy about the bush. But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the bush, so that it withered.
8 When the sun rose, God prepared a sultry east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint and asked that he might die. He said, “It is better for me to die than to live.9 But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the bush?” And he said, “Yes, angry enough to die.” 10 Then the Lord said, “You are concerned about the bush, for which you did not labor and which you did not grow; it came into being in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should I not be concerned about Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also many animals?”
Message Whaddyaknow? Rev. Barb Hedges-Goettl
Affirmation of Faithfrom the Confession of 1967
We believe that God’s redeeming work in Jesus Christ embraces the whole of human life. God’s redeeming work includes the social and the cultural, the economic and the political, the scientific and the technological, the individual and the corporate.
We believe that God’s redeeming work in Jesus Christ embraces the whole of human life. God’s redeeming work includes the natural environment as exploited and despoiled by sin.
We believe that God’s redeeming work in Jesus Christ embraces the whole of human life. God’s redeeming work fulfills the divine purpose for human life under the rule of Christ and all evil be banished from creation.
We believe that God’s redeeming work in Jesus Christ embraces the whole of human life. God’s redeeming work brings about the rule of Christ, the heavenly city, the household of God, a new heaven and earth, a marriage feast, and an unending day culminate in the image of the kingdom.
We believe that God’s redeeming work in Jesus Christ embraces the whole of human life. God’s redeeming work brings about God’s triumph over all that resists the divine will and disrupts God’s creation.
We believe that God’s redeeming work in Jesus Christ embraces the whole of human life. God’s redeeming work is already present as a ferment in the world, stirring hope in all people and preparing the world to receive its ultimate judgment and redemption
We believe that God’s redeeming work in Jesus Christ embraces the whole of human life. God’s redeeming work provides an urgency to present tasks and our striving for a better world. It does not identify
We believe that God’s redeeming work in Jesus Christ embraces the whole of human life. In steadfast hope, we look beyond all partial achievement to the final triumph of God.
Lord, speak to me, that I may speak In living echoes of thy tone
As Thou hast sought, so let me seek Thy erring children lost and lone
O lead me, Lord, that I may lead The wandering and the wavering feet
O feed me, Lord, that I may feed Thy hungering ones with manna sweet
O fill me with Thy Fulness, Lord, Until my very heart o’erflow
In kindling thought and glowing word Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show
Charge and Benediction
PostludeCalled as Partners in Christ’s Service
Called as partners in Christ’s service Called to ministries of grace We respond with deep commitment Fresh new lines of faith to trace May we learn the art of sharing Side by side and friend with friend Equal partners in our caring To fulfil God’s chosen end
Christ’s example Christ’s inspiring Christ’s clear call to work and worth Let us follow never faltering Reconciling folk on earth Men and women richer poorer All God’s people young and old Blending human skills together Gracious gifts from God unfold
Thus new patterns for Christ’s mission In a small or global sense Help us bear each other’s burdens Breaking down each wall or fence Words of comfort words of vision Words of challenge said with care Bring new power and strength for action Make us colleagues free and fair
So God grant us for tomorrow Ways to order human life That surround each person’s sorrow With a calm that conquers strife Make us partners in our living Our compassion to increase Messengers of faith thus giving Hope and confidence and peace
The steadfast love of the Lord never changes, God’s mercies never come to an end
Deliverance is the Lord’s, Let us praise God together!
Praise Ye the the Lord, The Almighty 482
Praise ye the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation
All ye who hear, Now to his temple draw near. Join me in great adoration
Praise ye the Lord, Who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yeah so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen How thy desires e’er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?
Praise ye the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come not with praises before Him!
Let the Amen, Sound from His people again; Gladly for aye we adore Him.
Jonah 1:1-3, 7, 17, 2:1, 10, 17, 4:6-8, 10-11
(1 Finger) Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, ‘Go at once to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before me.’
(2 Fingers) But Jonah set out to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish;
(3 Fingers) so he paid his fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.
(4 Fingers) The sailors* said to one another, ‘Come, let us cast lots, so that we may know on whose account this calamity has come upon us.’ So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah
(5 FingersO But the Lord provided a large fish to swallow up Jonah; and Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights
(6 Fingers) Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, Then the Lord spoke to the fish, and it spewed Jonah out upon the dry land.
(Pastor Katy) Jonah went to Ninevah, and all the people repented with fasting and rending of clothes, and God saw and changed God’s mind about punishing them, and Jonah was angry at God’s mercy and said let me die!
(7 Fingers) And the Lord said, ‘Is it right for you to be angry?’ 5Then Jonah went out of the city and sat down east of the city, and made a booth for himself there.
(8 Fingers) The Lord God appointed a bush, and made it come up over Jonah, to give shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort; so Jonah was very happy about the bush.
(9 Fingers) But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the bush, so that it withered. 8When the sun rose, God prepared a sultry east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint and asked that he might die. He said, ‘It is better for me to die than to live.’
(10 Fingers) Then the Lord said, ‘You are concerned about the bush, for which you did not labour and which you did not grow; it came into being in a night and perished in a night. 11And should I not be concerned about Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who do not know their right hand from their left, and also many animals?’
Children’s Sermon
Sermon “God Among the Sinners” Pastor Katy Stenta sermon video
Communion: Invitation
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift our hearts to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord
It is right to give our thanks and praise ..
Dear God, you are our creator. You keep track of us when we are hot or tired or complaining. You are among us, and give us the shade from the sun, and the whale in the floods. You come to us when we are sad and bitter, you cleanse us and give us rest. You welcome each of us into the communion of saints. Send your Holy Spirit here today, so that we may celebrate this meal with you, Jesus! Help us we pray…
(prayer continues…) as your son taught us to pray. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and Power and the Glory Forever. Amen.
For All the Saints 526
For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus,
be forever blest. Alleluia, Alleluia
Thou was their rock, their fortress and their might,
Thous, Lord their captain, in the well fought fight
Call to Worship (Luke 1: 47-49) My Soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior For the Holy One has done great things for me, Holy is His name, Holy is the Lord God Almighty
Hymn Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
(Luke 1: 51-53) Prayer of Confession: Lord, we confess that we look for strength in power and money, instead of in the lifegiving practices that you model. So often your Holy Spirit is at work renewing and creating and we confess we spend too much time worrying about the structures being ruined, instead of looking for opportunities to learn and grow. Remind us that you bring down the powerful, and lift up the lowly. Help us to preach the good news of how you fill the hungry with good things and send the rich away empty, we pray.
(Luke 1: 50) Assurance of Pardon: God’s mercy is for all who fear him, from generation to generation. Hear the Good News: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
1 Samuel 1:12-17, 2:1-8 (Note we read at home or in our drive in at the same time, and we do so by Pastor Katy indicating what we should read by holding up a finger) (1 Finger) Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. (2 Fingers) So Eli said to her, ‘How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.’ (Pastor Katy) But Hannah answered, ‘No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.’ (3 Fingers) Then Eli answered, ‘Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.’ (4 Fingers) Hannah prayed and said, ’My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in my victory. (5 Fingers) There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. (6 Fingers) Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. (7 Fingers) The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. (Pastor Katy) Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. (8 Fingers) The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. (9 Fingers) The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts. (10 Fingers) He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world.
Children’s Sermon
Sermon “Power & Prayer”
Hymn: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
The Lord’s Prayer
Passing of the Peace
Feel free to use/adapt/share with credit to Pastor Katy Stenta
katyandtheword 