Worship - September 29, 2013

Call to Worship

Leader: O Lord, we hear the songs of larks and wrens as
morning dawns and the birds call us to a new day.

People: Praise the Lord, O my soul!

Leader: We see dew on the rose, each petal unfolding from the
heart of the flower and leaning toward the early sun.

People: Praise the Lord, O my soul!

Leader: In the garden, each seed nestled in brown soil and nur-
tured by the rain brings forth fruit in due time.

People: Praise the Lord, O my soul!

Leader:            Babies and boisterous youth spend their energy reach-
                        ing out to a broadening world, making new discoveries
                        and finding the wonder and challenge of relating to others.

People: Praise the Lord, O my soul!

Leader:            After a day of work and study and play, we take our
                        weary bodies to rest as the day draws to a close, and
                        we are restored by hours of sleep.

People: Praise the Lord, O my soul!

Leader:            When we stop our busyness to reflect on the meaning
                        of life and on experiences of forgiveness and grace,
                        we are restored to wholeness—in body and soul.

People: Praise the Lord, O my soul!

Leader: May your Spirit reign in us today and forever.

All: Praise the Lord, O my soul!

by Merle Crouse, Saint Cloud, Florida
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series

Opening Prayer

O Lord, you have broken into the darkness with your light, and given us a brand new day. Wonder and glory are seen in the rising of the sun, if only we open our eyes to behold! Grace and joy surround us if only we open our hearts and minds to receive! Through your Spirit open us this hour to what we too easily miss or take for granted. Shine your light upon our dark places, and nudge us to turn toward what is right and real. May your Word be truly heard by us, such that we put one foot in front of the other and follow your risen Son, Jesus Christ, through this day and week. In his name we pray. Amen.

Scripture Jam
1 Timothy 6:6-19

1 - A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God.

2 - Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough.

3 - But if it’s only money these leaders are after, they’ll self-destruct in no time.

1 - Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble.

2 - Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely

3 - and live to regret it bitterly ever after.

1 - But you, Timothy, man of God:

2 - Run for your life from all this.

3 - Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder,

1 - faith,

2 - love,

3 - steadiness,

1 - courtesy.

2 - Run hard and fast in the faith.

3 - Seize the eternal life,

1 - the life you were called to,

2 - the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses.

3 - I’m charging you before the life-giving God and before Christ,

1 - who took his stand before Pontius Pilate and didn’t give an inch:

2 - Keep this command to the letter, and don’t slack off.

3 - Our Master, Jesus Christ, is on his way.

1 - He’ll show up right on time,

2 - his arrival guaranteed by the Blessed and Undisputed Ruler,

3 - High King, High God.

1 - He’s the only one death can’t touch, his light so bright no one can get close.

2 - He’s never been seen by human eyes—human eyes can’t take him in!

3 - Honor to him, and eternal rule!

1 - Oh, yes.

2 - Yes.

3 - YES!

1 - Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves

2 - and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow.

3 - Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage –

1 - to do good,

2 - to be rich in helping others,

3 - to be extravagantly generous.

1 - If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last,

2 - gaining life that is truly life,

3 - life that is truly life.

from The Message.
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002.
Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Wealth, status, and success are uncertain, but we can trust God’s abundant provision, and God’s desire that we enjoy what we have. Let us respond by working for justice, living generously, and sharing with others. Pray with me.

Beloved God,
who richly provides for our needs and enjoyment,
thank you for your many gifts.
You have trusted us with our lives, with this world,
and with your love.
May the gifts we offer you today
be used for your service and your glory.
Help us store up for ourselves
the treasure of a good foundation for the future,
that we may take hold of the life
that really is life.
We offer these gifts,
trusting in our savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Ushers?

Curious about what God is doing here, part 3

An overview was given on Sept. 8 of our recent church board retreat, at which these persons whom we have call to lead us identified three themes emerging in our fellowship: Openness, Guidance, and Energy. On Sept. 15, the group that developed the Openness theme briefly shared of what they had discerned. (mp3) This morning, the next group spoke about Guidance.

Pastoral Prayer

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

Luke 16:19-31

Readers: 1
2
3

– starts out at the lectern
– starts out standing off to the left (piano side), leaning feebly against the wall
– speaks from pulpit

1 - There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.

2 - And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. (goes and stands beside 3)

3 – (wait until 2 has finished moving) The rich man also died and was buried. (pretend to die, really ham it up, and head over to where 1 had previously stood).

2 - (wait until 1 has finished moving) In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side.

1 - (turn and speak pleadingly to 3) He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’

3 - But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things,

2 - and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here,

3 - and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you

2 - and us

3 - a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’

1 - He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’

3 - Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’

1 - He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’

3 - He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced

2 - even if someone rises from the dead.’”

(pause to indicate scripture is complete, then read from where you are)

1 - In the quiet of the next few moments, ponder this:

2 - who are the “invisible people” in your life?

3 - They may not be desperately poor like Lazarus.

1 - They may, however, be hurting.

2 - They may be suffering from some trauma.

3 - They may be very near to you,

1 - at your school,

2 - in your neighborhood,

3 - where you work,

1 - or out there in the larger world.

2 - However, you don’t even think about them.

3 - They are invisible to you.

1 - In the next minute or so, make them visible.

2 - Write down something about them on your bulletin insert,

3 - under where it says, “Invisible People.”

1 - Later on, we will make them more visible through prayer.

2 - For now, however, just become more aware.

3 - Who are the “invisible people” in your life?

scripture text from The New Revised Standard Version,
copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved
ideas (both for dialog reading and "invisible people")
adapted from suggestions by Carolyn C. Brown in Worshiping with Children
a marvelous resource for actively including children in worship.

Moments of Prayer

Back to the question asked earlier: Who are the “invisible people” in your life? Perhaps, in response, you struggled to write something down in your bulletin. On the other hand, maybe there was not enough space on the page to contain all your thoughts. Regardless, let’s take a few moments to quietly pray, each of us in our own way, over these persons.

It could be, if the space is mostly blank, that your prayer might involve asking God to help you become more aware of these persons. Then, again, if you had a hard time limiting your list, with person after person coming to mind, yours may be a different sort of prayer. Maybe something like: “These are your precious children, Lord, each with their own story and song…” Go on to express sadness or gratitude for them, whatever your spirit longs to express. Be aware that God is there ahead of you with them. This may influence what you pray for them.

One more thing, be aware that you yourself might be on someone else’s “invisible people” list. Isn’t that an interesting thought? … Okay. Let’s enter into a minute or so of silence for our spirits and God’s Spirit to connect…

(silence)

Rise in body or spirit, and as you sing our final hymn, imagine standing at a busy intersection, amid the hustle and bustle of city life. Recall that earlier song we sang which drew our attention to the very first day of God’s creation. In your singing of this last hymn, seek to hear the same Voice ring out above, as well as within, the noise and confusion. Make this a song of joy.

Benediction

Go now and take hold of the life that really is life.
Shun the eagerness for money
but be rich in good works.
Pursue righteousness, godliness,
faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

And may God be your refuge and fortress;
May Christ Jesus free you from all that ensnares you;
And may the Holy Spirit provide you with everything
for godliness and contentment.