narrative lectionary – Page 17

Liturgy Seeds: Narrative Lectionary for 6/2

This pericope is in RCL for Proper 7A/Ordinary 12A/Pentecost +3, where it is paired with—and overshadowed by—the story of Hagar and Ishmael. See http://www.textweek.com/pauline/rom6a.htm

NL pairs it with Matthew 6:24 (?)

The theme of newness is also found in 2 Corinthians 5:(14-15), 16-20; Revelation 21:1-5, and in the psalms referring to singing a new song: Psalm 33(:3); 40(:3); 96(:1); 98(:1); 144(:9); 149(:1).

My congregation has communion the first Sunday of each month, so I am thinking about the relationship between baptism (once and done new birth) and communion (ongoing renewal). This also dovetails with emphases on being born-again (think Saul->Paul) and being a lifelong Christian (think Timothy). Both are needed and helpful; it’s more both-and than either/or.

I am thinking of a bulletin cover with tags marked: new/renewed/renewal/revived etc. Also see (many copyrighted): https://www.google.com/search?safe=strict&q=romans+6:1-11+bulletin+cover&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjMiPLD97jiAhVOdt8KHWWbAXMQsAR6BAgJEAE&biw=1707&bih=821

Resources on Baptism/Renewal of Baptism in Worship

https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/washed-people-romans-6-1-corinthians-6-hcld-26-27/

Opening Prayer from Romans 6

https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/06/opening-prayer-romans-6.html

Call to Worship:

God calls his people together before him.
Our new life in Christ is celebrated and nourished
in the fellowship of congregations
where God’s name is praised,
his way taught;
where sins are confessed,
prayers and gifts are offered,
and sacraments are celebrated. (“Our World Belongs to God,” par.39)
Come, let us worship the Lord.
We come with praise and thanks!

To reprint the above Call to Worship for personal use, a ministry setting, or classroom use, include this credit line: © 1987, CRC Publications, Grand Rapids MI. http://www.crcna.org. Reprinted with permission.

CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 98, Good News Version) Reader [One] Sing a new song to the Lord

[Many] he has done wonderful things!
By his own power and holy strength
he has won the victory.
The Lord made his saving power known to the nations.
He kept his promise to his people, with loyalty and constant love for them.
All people everywhere can see the victory of our God. and so we gather to praise and give thanks. [ALL] LET US WORSHIP GOD TOGETHER. by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl (please give credit if using/adapting this resource)

Opening prayer: God of grace, you have brought us from slavery to freedom, from despair to hope, from death to life. May our words and music, our thoughts and our prayers and our very lives bring honor and glory to you. This we pray in the name of Jesus, whose death and resurrection have brought us new life. Amen. by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl (please give credit if using/adapting this resource)

*Call to Confession (Romans 6:10-11, Good News Version)

Because Christ died and rose again, death’s power to touch him is finished. He now lives for God forever. In the same way, we have died to the appeal and power of sin. We are alive and responsive to the call of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl (please give credit if using/adapting this resource):

*Prayer of Confession CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 98, Good News Version)

O God, when we hear your call to new life, sometimes we just feel old and tired. The pains and sorrows of this life weigh us down. We don’t know how things can ever change. We do not see how we can be renewed and revitalized. We forget that nothing is impossible with you. We find it hard to believe that you can and do grant more than all we can ask or imagine. Forgive us and renew us. (Silent confession) by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl (please give credit if using/adapting this resource):

*Assurance of Pardon (Romans 6:10-11 The Message) When Jesus died, he took sin down with him. Now, alive, he brings God down to us. From now on, sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to us. Instead, God speaks our mother tongue, and we hang on every word. We are dead to sin and alive to God. This is the Good News for which we give thanks be to God: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl (please give credit if using/adapting this resource)

Call to/Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Forgiveness from Romans https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/06/act-of-confession.html

COMMENTARIES/SERMONS

Romans was a very important book for the reformers

Calvin’s commentary https://biblehub.com/commentaries/calvin/romans/6.htm

Wesley’s commentary https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/wen/romans-6.html

Luther’s sermon https://oursaviormuscatine.org/sermons/luther-sermon-romans-6-3-11

Sermon about the “hole within” (Romans 6:1-11) Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Waterloo, IA https://1517.org/1517blog/edkillian/sermon-romans-6-1-11

Beyond the above resources, this text seems to be a topic mainly addressed from what is sometimes considered the “conservative” side of Christianity; see resources below:

Blue Letter Bible Commentary: https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Rom/Rom-6.cfm

Audio of sermon titled “Holiness: The Journey of God’s People” from an Evangelical Presbyterian Church

https://www.2pc.org/resources/audio-library/passage/romans-6:1-18/

Audio of sermon from the Village Church in Texas: “The Good Life Accomplished” https://www.tvcresources.net/resource-library/sermons/the-good-life-accomplished–2

Audio of sermon “A Call to Resurrected Thinking” from Baptist Church in Beach Haven (Long Beach Island), NJ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C3Q6J9N4tQ

HYMNS

https://www.sermonwriter.com/hymn-list/romans-61-11-hymns/

6/2 hymns	Newness/baptism/Lord’s Supper
PCUSA	Presbyterian Hymnal 1990 (The .x means the x verse is particularly relevant)
104.3	Christ is Risen! Sing Hosanna!
285.3	God, You Still the Whirling Planets
296	Walk On, O People of God
316	Breathe on Me, Breath of God
317.2	(Author of the New Creation)
353.5	Great God, Your Love Has Called Us Here
376.4	Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
442.1	The Church’s One Foundation
492	Baptized in Water
493.2	Dearest Jesus, We Are Here
495.4	We Know That Christ Is Raised
500	Become to Us the Living Bread
507	I Come with Joy
CCM type
https://worship-songs-resources.worshiptogether.com/music/Romans-6
Hope, 1984	Worship and Service Hymnal
201	Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Wretched

Liturgy Seeds: Narrative Lectionary 5/19/19

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 4^th 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

Seeds of Prayer: Liturgy Resource 4/28 Narrative Lectionary

www.gbcdecatur.org/files/GoTime.jpg

Prayer Pups

Source

For more bulletin-type art, go to https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?hspart=iba&hsimp=yhs-1&type=c2pr_8002_CHW_US_tid132w&p=great%20commission%20clipart

Original liturgical resources (please state © Barbara Hedges-Goettl or, if adapting: adapted from resource © Barbara Hedges-Goettl)

Call to Worship (from Psalm 40 Good News version)

One: In the assembly of all your people, Lord,

Many: We tell the good news that you save us.

You know that we will never stop telling it.

One: We have not kept the news of salvation to ourselves.

Many: We have always spoken of your faithfulness and help

We have not been silent about your loyalty and constant love

One: In the assembly of all your people., Lord.

Psalm 4 in multiple versions (you can pick which versions you want to see)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm40&version=NRSV;GNT;TLB;NIV;MSG

Opening prayer

Almighty and eternal God, you have called us together in this time and place. Call us again to disciple all peoples, baptizing them in your Triune name:

Father, Son and Holy Spirit; Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.

Call us again to teach all [peoples/communities/neighbors/neighborhoods/tribes/races/multitudes*]

to follow everything that Jesus has commanded us.

Call us again to follow Jesus, who holds all authority in heaven and earth.

In the name of the One who is always with us we pray, Amen.

*These choices are from possible translations of ethnos, Matthew 28:19;

see exegetical resources below.

Prayer of Confession

O God, although you call us to witness to all peoples,

we interact mostly with those who are like us.

Broaden our understanding of who our neighbor is.

Enlarge our community. Empower us to see and hear the “Other.”

Make us ready to teach and also humble—ready to be taught.

Remind us that all authority is not ours, but yours.

In the name of Jesus, who served all peoples, Amen.

Assurance (adapted from Zephaniah 3:17)

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who saves;

he rejoices over you with gladness; he quiets you by his love;

he exults over you with loud singing.

Thanks be to God for the Good News: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

Confession of Faith:

We have varieties of gifts, 1 Cor. 12/Matthew 28

but it is the same Spirit who gives them.

We have different ways of serving God,

but it is the same Lord who is served.

God works through each of us in a unique way,

but it is God’s purpose that is accomplished.

To each of us is given a gift of the Spirit

to be used for the common good.

The body is one and has many members.

All the members, though many, are one body

So it is with Christ. In the one Spirit,

we are all baptized into one body.

As Christ’s body, we are commissioned

to go and disciple all nations,

teaching what Jesus taught,

and knowing he is with us always, to the end of the age.

Interrogative Apostles’ Creed (Roman Catholic International Commission on English in the Liturgy, 1974)

Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth? “I do.”

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father? “I do.”

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting? “I do.”

This is our faith, the faith of the Church that we proclaim and share.

Offering prayer

By the presence of the risen Christ Jesus, empower this church and these gifts in discipleship to share and follow all that Jesus taught and did. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Prayer of Great Thanksgiving B

except as noted.

Brief portions of this Book of Common Worship may be reproduced without special permission

for one-time use only, for worship and educational purposes, in an order of service

for use by a congregation, or in a special program or lesson resource, provided that no part

of such reproduction is sold, directly or indirectly, and that the following acknowledgment

Westminster/John Knox Press.

You are holy, O God of majesty,

and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.

You sent your only-begotten,

in whom your fullness dwells,

to be for us the way, the truth, and the life.

Revealing your love,

Jesus taught those who would hear him,

healed those who believed in him,

received all who sought him

and lifted the burden of their sin.

We glorify you for your great power and love at work in Christ.

By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection,

you gave birth to your church,

delivered us from slavery to sin and death,

and made us a new people by water and the Spirit

Gracious God,

pour out your Holy Spirit upon us

and upon these your gifts of bread and wine,

that the bread we break

and the cup we bless

may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ.

By your Spirit unite us with the living Christ

and with all who are baptized in his name,

that we may be one in ministry in every place.

As this bread is Christ’s body for us,

send us out to be the body of Christ in the world.

Intercessions for the church and the world may be included here.

Help us, O God, to love as Christ loved.

Knowing our own weakness,

may we stand with all who stumble.

Sharing in his suffering,

may we remember all who suffer.

Held in his love,

may we embrace all whom the world denies.

Rejoicing in his forgiveness,

may we forgive all who sin against us.

Give us strength to serve you faithfully

until the promised day of resurrection,

when with the redeemed of all the ages

we will feast with you at your table in glory.

Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all glory and honor are yours, eternal God,

now and forever. Amen. [115]

Exegetical resources:

Matthew 28:16 This commentary contends that all the disciples both worshiped and doubted: http://dancingwiththeword.com/but-some-doubted/

BlueLetterBible interlinear word study; ones I found of interest are

v. 18: power https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1849&t=KJV

v. 19: teach; nations;

https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/mat/28/18/t_conc_957019 Click on Strong’s number for info on a particular word

v. 20: observe; commanded https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/mat/28/18/t_conc_957020 Click on Strong’s number for info on a particular word

What is the Great Commission and Why Is It So Controversial?

http://theconversation.com/what-is-the-great-commission-and-why-is-it-so-controversial-111138

Along these lines, see this book, which is all about the Great Commission and colonialism; as summarized here:

That Christian missionary efforts have long gone hand-in-hand with European colonization and American imperialist expansion in the 19th and 20th centuries is well recognized. The linchpin role played in those efforts by the “Great Commission”–the risen Christ’s command to “go into all the world” and “teach all nations”–has more often been observed than analyzed, however. With the rise of European colonialism, the Great Commission was suddenly taken up with an eschatological urgency, often explicit in the founding statements of missionary societies; the differentiation of “teachers” and “nations” waiting to be “taught” proved a ready-made sacred sanction for the racialized and androcentric logics of conquest and “civilization.”

https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-All-Nations-Interrogating-Commission/dp/1451470495

Preview at https://books.google.com/books?id=XbyZAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT2&lpg=PT2&dq=review+book+%22Teaching+all+nations%22&source=bl&ots=TWw-iD006A&sig=ACfU3U1vNE6hsTtJrxcog_APR9MHu5YAxQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiCh5ux3qjhAhUvnuAKHYYLDbIQ6AEwEXoECAgQAQ#v=onepage&q=review%20book%20%22Teaching%20all%20nations%22&f=false

Link from google.com/books to full Ebook for $37.72

A good foil for this could be various readings of the Ethiopian Eunuch story in which it is observed that the Eunuch’s questions revealed new things to Philip as well as vice-versa, and that their roles cannot be described unilaterally in terms of power/status, but only in terms of intersectionality. See https://wordpress.com/post/bjhlog.wordpress.com/168

Account of the guards blaming Jesus’ disappearance on the disciples (right before our passage) v. our passage as parallel narratives: https://www.onemansweb.org/theology/life-on-the-beach-matthew-24-36-44/trust-matthew-28-16-20-trinity-sunday.html.

Make disciples/discipling as the active verb in the passage; others are participles explaining/describing the making of disciples. See http://gluthermonson.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-great-calling-and-assurance.html

Wikipedia: The Great Commission. This description deals mostly with Matthew 28, but also discusses the other gospels (and Acts) versions of the Great Commission as well as other commissions given in Matthew. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Commission

The Great Commission: Ecclesiology

http://s3.amazonaws.com/tgc-documents/journal-issues/32.3_Castleman.pdf

This last addresses the role of the Trinity; this reading in the RCL is used on Trinity Sunday. For why, see http://www.textweek.com/mtlk/matt28b.htm

Commissioning v. Commandment; deals with passage from perspective of United Methodist mission statement: – “To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” https://www.pulpitfiction.com/notes/trinitya

Other ideas for themes/quotes

Preach the Gospel—Use Words When Necessary (attributed to St. Francis, but not substantiated)

Commission and Covenant: Go and I am with you always

Discipling v. Making Disciples (Calvinists, like me, would say the first is our job, the second is God’s job)

Music

Matthew 28:16-20
The great commissioning

http://lectionarysong.blogspot.com/2017/05/songs-hymns-music-for-trinity-sunday-11.html

“Go to the World,” is a new expression of the Great Commission set to a familiar Ralph Vaughn Williams tune (SINE NOMINE) often used in “For All the Saints.” Consider using this for the sending today. See https://hymnary.org/text/go_to_the_world_go_into_all_the_earth#media

Verses	Title	Presby-terian Hymnal (1990)
v.16-17	That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright	121
v. 18	Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!	144
	Rejoice, the Lord Is King!	155
v.19-20	Eternal God, Whose Power Upholds	412
	The Church of God in Every Age	421
	God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending	422
	Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak	426
	Lord, You Give the Great Commission	429
	Today We All Are Called to Be Disciples	434
	We All Are One in Mission	435
	O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing	466
	Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ	514
v.20	Abide with Me	543

	Command
	How Blest Are Those (Psalm 32)	184 v.4

Seeds Liturgy Crucifixion: Matthew #GoodFriday Fully Abundantly Human

Good Friday

Matthew 27:27-61

Psalm 22:1-2, 14-18

Tenebrae Order of Worship I (Extinguish Candles after singing)

Were You there when they crucified the Lord or Taize: Stay with Me

Crown of Thorns: Matthew 27:27-31

This is Jesus, King of the Jews Matthew 27:32-37

Crucifixion Matthew 27:38-44

Were You There when they nailed him to a tree

Communion

My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? Matthew 27:45-51

Were You There when they left him there to die or Taize O Lord Hear My Prayer

Earthquake Matthew 27:52-54

Nail Sins to the Cross

Tomb Matthew 27-55:61

Were You there when they laid him in the Tomb or Taize Kyrie Eleison

Tenebrae Order of Worship II (Extinguish during Silent Meditations or Hymns)

Matthew 27:27-29

Silent Meditation

Psalm 22:1-2

Silent Meditation

Matthew 27: 41-44

Silent Meditation

Psalm 22: 16-17

Silent Meditation

Matthew 27: 45-47

Silent Meditation

Communion

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (abruptly end with “cry” before the Alleluias)

Nail Sins to the Cross

Psalm 22:14-15

Silent Meditation

III. Full Liturgy available here

Communion

Jesus our teacher, our brother, our friend knowing he was going to be betrayed and die, he took the bread and broke it and said, this is my body broken for you

Then Jesus took the cup and said: “I am poured out like water, and my bones are out of joint”

And even though Jesus knew that he would feel alone, he knew he would call out “My God, my God, Elohim, Elohim why have you forsaken me?” He poured himself out, sacrificing his very self for our sins. Every time we remember Jesus’ death we do so as a proclamation of deliverance for generation upon generation.

Send your Holy Spirit, here, God, salve our wounds and help us, even today to taste your kingdom today. We pray this using the prayer your son taught us….

Further Hymn Ideas: Let US Break Bread Together v1 &2

Bread of the World in Mercy Broken

All of the suggestions within the Tenebrae

#Abundance of Presence: Seeds of Prayer #Lent Narrative Lectionary

Last Supper: Abundance of Presence

Matthew 26: 17-30 and Psalm 116: 12-15

Call to Worship

I love the Lord my God, who has heard my voice and supplications

Because God has inclined an ear to me, I will call out for God as long as I live.

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous, our God is merciful

Come, let us walk before the Lord.

Call to Worship

Come let us break bread together today

Come Let us drink the fruit of the vine together, on our knees.

Let us do this remembrance of Christ

Come, let us proclaim his death until he comes again.

Confession: Lord I confess sometimes I am Judas ready to betray, sometimes I’m Peter quick to deny what I’m going to do, sometimes I’m the disciples oblivious to the truth though I’ve been told over and over again. Forgive me, help my faith, save me Jesus I pray.

Confession: Lord I confess I feel the snares of death, O Lord, I pray, save my life. Help me, your servant, loose my bounds to sin I pray. Free me to love you.

Confession: Lord I confess that I have forgotten that you are present. I have forgotten the miracle of your bread and your cup. Forgive me and breathe life back into me I pray.

Assurance of Pardon: (Psalm 116: 8-9) Know this: Your soul has been delivered from death, and now you walk in the land of the living, In Jesus Christ you are forgiven.

Assurance of Pardon: The Lord has dealt bountifully with you, returning your soul to your rest, so know that you are deeply and fully forgiven in Christ.

Prayer of Dedication/Prayer of the Day: Lord, you poured out your blood for the forgiveness of sins, you have already sealed the new covenant with us. Hold that in our hearts so that we can dedicate all that we do to you.

Full List of Lenten Resources (Of course some prayers may be appropriate for other weeks)

#Seeds: #Prayer Resource for Narrative Lectionary Triumphal Entry or Palm Sunday

Triumphal Entry or Palm Sunday

Matthew 21:1-17 or Psalm 118:25-29

Call to Worship

Blessed be the One who Comes in the Name of the Lord

Lord save us!

Bind up the festal procession with branches, cry Hosanna!

Praise the Lord, Lord Save us, Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord

Call to Worship

This is the day that the Lord has made

Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

This is the day that the Lord has made

Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Call to Worship

How will the Lord Come? Upon a great chariot or a fine stallion?

Jesus rides in the back door, on the back of a mere donkey

Victory we cry!

Are you the one prophets foretold? (Is the question ringing in our ears)

Call to Confession: Who is this that we are confessing to? Who is this Son of David? The one who cleanses the temple?

Confession: Jesus we confess that we are still left with questions. After 2,000 years we still don’t know exactly who you are, or how it is you will save us. And yet, we will cry Hosanna, help us to know you and save us from our sin we pray.

Confession: Our temple is still unclean, we confess, for we are broken and do not know how to make things clean. So we confess our sins to you. Heal us as you healed the blind and the lame we pray.

Confession: Lord, we confess that we have trouble keeping our eyes on you. We cry Hosanna, save us, one minute and then turn you over to be killed the minute your justice offends us. Forgive us, and teach us the path to you, we pray.

Confession: Lord, we confess that when things are going our way, it is easy for us to celebrate one another, but when we are worried or in pain we lash out. We confess that sometimes we are the people of Palm Sunday and sometimes we are the mob by the cross. Forgive us when we lash out, we pray.

Assurance of Forgiveness: Whenever we ask, whenever we confess, wherever where we are, no matter what we’ve done, no matter when it is, we are always, always, through the grace of Jesus Christ, forgiven.

Prayer of Dedication/Prayer of the Day: Lord we often don’t know if we will exist as the Palm Sunday Parade or the Mob at the Cross, give us the help we need to be the body of Christ we pray.

Full List of Lenten Resources (Of course some prayers may be appropriate for other weeks)

Hymns

Hosana, Loud Hosana,

Ride On! Ride On Majesty!

What Wondrous Love is This?

God of Our Life

Amazing Grace

If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee

#Seeds of #Prayer: Narrative Lectionary #Lent and #Abundance of #Justice

Last Judgement Abundance of Justice

Matthew 25:31-46 and Psalm 98:7-9 (or all)

Isaiah 61

Call to Worship

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it.

The world and all those who live it.

Let the floods clap their hands, and the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord.

Jesus is coming judge the world with righteousness and peoples with equity, let us Praise God’s Holy Name.

Call to worship

Sing to the Lord a new Song.

God has done fiercely amazing things.

Remember, God thinks on us with steadfast love and faithfulness.

Praise the Lord, for all ends of the earth will see the victory in our God.

Call to Worship

Lord, as we approach you, as we look around the room

Help us to see your face

Lord as we feed the sick, and give relief to the thirsty and clothe the naked

Help us to see your face

Lord as we welcome the strange

Help us to see your face, today and everyday we pray

Call to Confession: The Lord hears us with steadfast love and faithfulness, so we know we can give our confession to God.

Confession: Lord we confess we cannot see your face. We are too busy look at the rich, influential and loud to see how power works. We confess that we forget that your power comes from servanthood. We forget to welcome those who are naked or lonely, we don’t do a good job of feeding and nourishing those who hunger and thirst. We confess that we would rather ignore those who are strange, than embrace them. Teach us to see your face, show us how to find you we pray.

Confession: Lord we confess we need to see your face. Remind us of those we need to see your face in we pray (Silent Confession) …..Open our eyes we pray. Amen.

Confession: Lord, we confess that we would rather be shepherds, we forget that we are are all a part of your flock. Help us to stop sorting and instead share what we have among the rest of the flock we pray. Amen.

Confession: Lord we confess that we think Justice means equality, we obsess with who has what, and why it is they have it. We forget that God’s justice is different: full of love and grace. We do not act like a Matthew 25 people, forgive us, we pray.

Assurance of Pardon: God has done a marvelous thing, showing the victory of Love through Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. Therefore know the truth, In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

Assurance of Pardon: Remember: God will judge the world with righteousness and equity, and he sent Jesus Christ to save the world and not to condemn it. Therefore you are forgiven!

Prayer of Dedication/Prayer of the Day: Lord, commit us to one another and to you so that we can be feel, taste and be the body of Christ!

Prayer of Dedication/Prayer of the Day: Remind us that your gift to us is each other. We are here to be in relationship with each other. Let us use our gifts to help one another, we pray.

Hymns

Joy to the world

God of the Sparrow

Lord make us partners in Christ’s Service

Full List of Lent Abundance Resources some prayers may work for more than one text this season

#Lent Seeds of #Prayer: #Liturgy Resource Abundance of Justice April 7th

Last Judgement: Abundance of Justice

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Sacred Quilt Exhibit:“Let Justice Roll Down Like Water” Kit Tossmann; Louisville, KY

Matthew 25:31-46

Psalm 98:7-9

Amos 5: 21-24

Call to the Worship:

Make a joyful to the Lord, all the earth.

Break forth into joyous son and sing praises.

Sing with the lyre and the sound of the melody

Let us make a joyful noise before the Kind, the Lord.

Call to Worship: Can you hear the good news? It’s contained within the roar of the ocean, its contained within the songs of the hills, it fills the earth and and those who live in it.

Now is the time to share the good news of Jesus Christ, passing it out as bread for the hungry, now is the time to show the love of God sharing it as free medicine for the sick. Now is the time to show the warmth of the Holy Spirit, wrapping the naked up with sturdy clothing. Now is the time to be the people of Matthew 25.

Prayer of Confession: Lord, how can we not feed the hungry, or visit the sick or clothe the naked. And yet, there are those who go without, and we fail to help them. Lord Jesus, help us to examine why we fail to live up to your standards of caring for each other and you. Help us to confess where the gaps are, and then help us to build the bridge of kindom care that is needed, we pray.

Prayer of Confession: God almighty, we do not treat our neighbors as we wish to be treat. Instead we differentiate between us and them, we look for reasons behind these differences, and we conclude that the others must be lacking. Forgive us, we pray, correct our mouths and our arms and our legs so that what we do and say represents your love. We pray this in your son’s most holy name.

Prayer of Confession: Lord we forget that every time we help someone, it is as if the waves clap their hands in praise of you. We ignore those in need, forgetting to make a joyful noise, forgetting to tell the good news of your open table, setting a feast before all those in need. Teach us to see your face, in whomever we encounter, we pray.

Assurance of Pardon: God has made known, already, God’s victory of salvation, with steadfast love and faithfulness, so know you are forgiven and be at peace.

Hymns:

Joy to the world

They Will Know We are Christians By Our Love

The Lord’s Prayer Hymn

Live Into Hope

Full List of Lenten Resources (Of course some prayers may be appropriate for other weeks)

#Seeds: #Prayer and #Liturgy #Lent Abundance of Preparation March 31

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Matthew 25:1-13 and/or Matt 25:14-30, and Psalm 43:3-4

Suggested Resource: Nicene Creed

Call to Worship

Lord, you teach us how to prepare,

Every valley shall be exalted

You remind us to gather the supplies we need light the fires & to risk and spend money for the kingdom

And every mountain and hill made low

You remind us to clothe the naked and care for the sick

And the crooked shall be made straight

You remind us to feed the hungry and give the thirst something to drink.

And the rough places plain,

Help us to make a preparation for you today we pray.

Call to Worship

Lord you tell us to prepare for you

Help us to plant the seeds, to do the work

We would rather be safe, but you teach us to trust and grow

Let us praise the Creator, the Gardener, the Tender of all Good today.

Call to Worship:

God you are my help and my hope.

Light us with your light.

Your truth shines on.

I shall again praise my creator today.

Confession: God, are wicks are not lit, we have no spare oil, sometimes we are not able to do the tasks you set before us. Send the Holy Spirit to us, so our fire will not go out we pray.

Confession: Lord, we confess we suck at waiting, its hard work, and it speaks to a maturity that we don’t often have. Teach us how to wait, lord give us patience, we pray.

Confession: Gardening God, sometimes we are afraid to invest, so we don’t plant the seeds that need to be planted. God of Growth Sometimes we don’t want risk, so we bury money instead of planting seeds; we don’t give the time, money or effort needed. Generous God, sometimes we just throw the extra your way, forgetting to make a real commitment Help to do the work and to make the right commitments in the right way we pray. (Silent Prayer)…Amen

Prayer of Dedication/Prayer of the Day: Lord, we are asking for your light and truth today. Send it out, we pray. Let it lead us to your holy hill, bring us to your dwelling place, loving God.

Prayer of Dedication/Prayer of the Day: God of God, Light of Light, Very God from Very God, encourage use to seek your light and truth, and help us to prepare for you we pray. Amen

Prayer of Dedication: God of God, Light of Light, Very God from Very God, help us to prepare for you by investing in your work, and help whatever seeds we plant, whatever money we invest, whatever faith we practice, to grow and flourish we pray in your most Holy Name. Amen.

Full List of Lent Abundance Resources some prayers may work for more than one text this season

Hymns

We Give Thee But Thine Own

Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord, almost any version/hymn 😉

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuUl522_8jQ

#Abundance of Invitation Seeds: #Lent #Liturgy & #Prayer Resource March 24

Scripture

Matthew 22:1-14 and Psalm 45:6-7 (or all of it, or Psalm 45:6-17)

Also Isaiah 61, particularly v. 10

Call to Worship:

Know this, God has anointed you, baptized you in the Holy Spirit.

We are called to love righteousness, and hate wickedness with God.

Let us cause God’s name to be celebrated for generations

Let the peoples praise God, our mother and father, forever and ever.

Call to Worship

God, you call us, the good and the bad forever

Clothe us in your love, so we might be worthy of your banquet

Let us remember to invite one another to partake in the feast

Come, let us accept our invitation to spend time with God together.

Call to Worship:

The Lord says: I love justice

My whole being shall exult my God,

God promised to make a covenant with us, and the covenant will be fulfilled.

God has clothed me, like a mother clothes her children, in the garments of salvation, protecting us from the elements, dressing us in love.

Remember that what is sown in the garden will spring up. The promise of resurrection comes with the winter of Lent.

God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations, come let us plant the seeds of praise today.

Confession: Lord, we confess that sometimes we come into your presence, thinking we are dressed in love, but then realize that we are wearing judgement or shame instead. It is so easy to forget the worst of ourselves or other. It is so easy to disclude people from your invitation. We can feel unworthy, or be convinced of others’ unworthiness. Forgive our prejudice, and teach us to extend the invitation again and again, we pray.

Confession: Lord, sometimes I love wickedness. Sometimes I like to gossip about or ignore those who are need . Sometimes I spend all my day complaining and forget to practice gratitude for the invitations you put forth. Forgive me, and teach me to pray and confess in such a way that my words are a love song, and my tongue becomes like the pen of a writer. Teach me I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Confession: Lord, we confess here together, because we are each and every one of us invited to your party. Though we are each uniquely made, and though our circumstances are different, you call us each here to experience your love, hope and grace. We are invited here to confess our true selves, and to honor one another’s stories, help us when we forget to do justice in either the confession or the honoring, we pray.

Prayer of Dedication/of the Day: Lord we enter back into the world where people look and sound different from us. We enter a world where we are afraid to invite people, for whatever reason, to join us in your banquet. Encourage us to go into the world and to make that invitation we pray.

Prayer of Dedication/of the Day: Let us begin again to prepare for the feast together, with invitations and appropriate garments, with words of prayer and praise, we pray.

Prayer of Dedication/of the Day: Lord, remind me that I am here for you. You are the host of the feast, and you have anointed me as a beloved child of God. Please don’t let me forget that today or any day, I pray.

Hymns: I’ve Got Peace Like a River

God be the Glory

Christ is made the sure Foundation

Crown him with Many Crowns

Praise My Soul the King of Heaven

He is King of Kings

(Look in your Christ the King/Ascension hymns)

Food for Thought:

Those who think they should be invited to God will take that gift for granted.

2. We think we need to clothe ourselves in the appropriate garments, but really we have to depend on God for the right clothing.

3. Justice is God’s and is not in being productive (or too busy or too important) for God.

4. Human’s often think looking right is more important than acting right, how might that play in here?

More Thoughts https://wp.me/p2rhxZ-2iI

Full List of Lenten Resources (Of course some prayers may be appropriate for other weeks)