Cycle C Lectionary 24 Proper 19

9/15/2013 Confession

Sunday Title: Lost and Found Sunday

Sermon Title: What are we looking for?

Previously:

Sunday Title: Repentance Sunday

Sermon Title: “Rejoicing at Repentance”

Sunday Title: Until Sunday

Sermon Title: "How long do we look for the lost?"

Scripture Cuttings:

Exodus 32:7-14 ... they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them....

Psalm 51:1-10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.

1 Timothy 1:12-17 …even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me.

Luke 15:1-10 ... and go after the one that is lost until he finds it.... and search carefully until she finds it

Confession:

All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism

as the presiding minister begins:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  We are lost Lord and we need your help to come home.

     (pause)

  Lord God,

C: we make idols out of our desires,

we seek security instead of peace.

  Our justice turns out to be prejudice,

    and we rationalize our hate with our fears.

We forget the lost,

  and our quest for wholeness ends,

    when our kin and clan are safe.

      But aren't all people your children?

You have mercy on us,

  then we stop short

    the intent of your grace,

      at the warmth of our own hearts,

        and do not search until all the lost are found.

Forgive us Lord for the sins we know.

Save us Lord from our incomplete repentance.

    (pause for reflection and self-examination)

P:  People of God, believe, take heart, this is true, and worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus comes into the world to save sinners. He searches for us when we are lost and will search until we are found. For Christ's sake our sins are forgiven. We are invited to live new in the hope that God's mercy brings. And confidently walk in the wilderness of unbelief, all to the glory of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!

-or-

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  Let us talk straight with God as our faithful fore bearers have done. (pause)

    Psalm 51

Make a Litany of Psalm 51 v1-10 L:    C:    

    (pause for reflection and self-examination)

P:  There is much joy in heaven when sinners repent. Our confession and repentance has been heard by the God who labors to save us. For the God who searches our hearts there are no acceptable losses. And so we have been sent the Son: Jesus Christ. It is for Christ’s sake that our sins are forgiven, that we are not cast away from God’s presence, that we are keep in the Holy Spirit. In the name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!

Cycle C Lectionary 23 Proper 18

9/8/2013 Confession

Sunday Title: Follow Sunday

Sermon Title: Please Welcome Pastor Richard Bowen

Previously:

Sunday Title: Choice Sunday

Sermon Title: “How do we get out of this one.”

Sunday Title: Choice & Cost Sunday

Sermon Title: "Can’t afford not to choose?"

Sunday Title: Choice Sunday

Sermon Title: "Who would choose to choose?"

Scripture Cuttings:

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live....

Psalm 1 They are like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season.

Philemon 1-21 Refresh my heart in Christ

Luke 14:25-33 So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions

All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism

as the presiding minister begins:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  Let us put down our defenses and be honest with God. (pause)  

  God most high,

C: everyday you set before me, my choices:

  follow you?  <--------------------------> follow me?

All around I see examples:

  the wicked, the sinners, the scornful and how they perish.

Yet I do not take delight in your instructions.

  You give instructions in the commandments,

    in the law,

      in the word and I listen

        without hearing.

Without counting the cost, I let the world teach me,

  and give to you only my leftovers.

Save me Lord from the sins I know in my heart.

Save me Lord from the sins I hide.

(pause for reflection and self-examination)

P:  Living Lord...

C: turn me back to you, forgive me my sins. Amen

P:  Our Lord does live!  The Lord lives to set us free from the burdens we lay on our own backs. Christ Jesus carries all of our sins onto the cross and dies with them there. And he is risen, and in his resurrection we are given new life!  We are baptized into this new life and promised the Holy Spirit so that we may choose to walk again with the God of creation and redemption. In the name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!

Cycle C Lectionary 22 Proper 17

9/1/2013 Confession (s) 

Sunday Title: Reward Sunday

Sermon Title: Wanted Dead or Alive

Previously:

Sunday Title: Guest Sunday

Sermon Title: Come Lord Jesus

Sunday Title: Faithful Sunday

Sermon Title: “Rules vs. Relationship”

Sunday Title: Resume Sunday 

Sermon Title: "Taking the Proper Place"

Scripture Cuttings:

Proverbs 25:6-7 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence....

Psalm 112 Happy are those who fear the Lord.

Hebrews 13:1-8 & 15-16 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.... Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.

Luke 14:1&7-14 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Confession:

All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism

as the presiding minister begins:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  Let us take this time and be honest with God. (pause)

  Almighty and Everlasting God,

C: you give us life itself

  and we ignore even common sense

    in pursuit of our selfish desires.

You offer us wisdom and commandments

  as instructions for life,

    yet we find only burden in following your will.

You sent your Son

  who gave us the example of humility and servant hood,

    and we still jockey for the best positions.

Forgive us Lord for the sins we know in our heart.

Save us Lord from the sins we hide.

  (pause for reflection and self-examination)

P:  Lord...

C: forgive my sins and turn me to be of service to you. Amen

P:  Hear the good news! Our God who should condemn, does not forsake us, indeed God sends a Son: Christ Jesus. For Christ’s sake our sins are forgiven and our lives redeemed. Through our baptism we have received the Holy Spirit and been invited once more into the inspired discipleship of our Lord. In the name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!

-or-

All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism

as the presiding minister begins:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  Let us prepare to come into the King's presence.

  Let us repent and turn to the Lord who loves us.

    (pause for self-examination)

P:  Our Lord God...

C: allow us to tell what good Christians we are.

We know that our behavior

  is so much better than those others....

Our service in your kingdom fills the day

  and we use the night for study and prayer.

Certainly we deserve a place of honor at your table.

  Call us up higher so our example will be seen.

We will host a banquet for the poor, crippled, lame and blind

  as soon as we can find an open date in our schedule.

Forgive us Lord for our self-promotion

Save us Lord from our self-importance. (Pause for reflection)

P:  God's love and mercy has overcome all things, even us, especially us. For Christ's sake our sins are forgiven. Through Jesus Christ, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, becoming humble ourselves, and giving honor to the Father, Son, + and Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

Cycle C Lectionary 21 Proper 16

8/25/2013 Confession (s)

Sunday Title: Unbound Sunday

Sermon Title: What Binds Us?

Previously:

Sunday Title: Worship Sunday

Sermon Title: First in the Basic Themes

Sunday Title: Everyday Sabbath

Sermon Title: You have taken yourself too seriously.

Sunday Title: Sabbath Sunday

Sermon Title: What a Change the Resurrection Makes

Scripture Cuttings:

Isaiah 58:9b-14 If you refrain from trampling the sabbath... then you shall take delight in the Lord.

Psalm 103:1-8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Hebrews 12:18-29 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe....

Luke 13:10-17 Now [Jesus] was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath....

Confession:

All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism

as the presiding minister begins:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

  Let us repent and turn to the Lord who loves us.

    (pause for self-examination)

P:  O God...

C: we do not find time to honor you,

  we consider you a distraction.

We go our own ways

  instead of following your way.

We pursue our own affairs,

  pointing fingers and speaking evil of those

    who do not have their act together: like us.

We serve our own interest,

  instead of helping the ones you ask us to help.

We call to you with a formula,

    without devotion to your mission,

and we fail to see the mighty works of your hand,

  outside our narrow traditions.

Lord, forgive us in our shortcomings.

Lord, save us from self-assurance.

    (Pause for reflection)

P:  The Lord is merciful and gracious, and sends Jesus Christ as a mediator of a new covenant. For Christ's sake our sins are forgiven. Through the inspiring work of the Holy Spirit we may see the mighty acts of God in Christ and take our delight in the Lord, telling everyone of Jesus' love, to the glory of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!

-or-

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  Let us take this time and be honest with God. (pause)

  Oh Blessed Lord,

C: we quickly forget all your benefits to us,

  so we strap on the yoke of our sin.

You satisfy us with good things,

  yet we are never satisfied.

You are our healer,

  and still we will not be healed.

You are full of compassion and mercy,

  and we openly speak evil and point fingers.

Your faithfulness does not rest,

  and we are ready to trample over the day of rest.

Forgive us Lord for the sins we know in our heart.

Save us Lord from the sins we hide.

    (pause for reflection and self-examination)

P:  Lord...

C: help me to put aside my selfish interests

  and turn back to you. Amen.

P:  There is good news! Our God sends a son: Jesus Christ. He is the mediator of a new covenant, a lasting covenant. He forgives our sins and redeems us from the grave. Through our baptism we have been brought into a kingdom which cannot be shaken. The Holy Spirit gives us yet once more the opportunity to live in that kingdom, to offer to God our lives as an acceptable worship. In the name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!

Cycle C Lectionary 20 Proper 15

8/18/2013 Confession (s)

Sunday Title: Division Sunday

Sermon Title: God fits into our world, right? or Interpreting the present time.

Previously:

Sunday Title: Frustration Sunday

Sermon Title: Heat and Light.

Sunday Title: Living Sunday  

Sermon Title: “Live like you are forgiven”

Sunday Title: Hammer Sunday

Sermon Title: "Broken"

Scripture Cuttings:

Jeremiah 23:23-29 Is not my word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

Psalm 82 I say, "You are gods, children of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, you shall die like mortals,"

Hebrews 11:29-12:2 ...and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith....

Luke 12:49-56 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!

All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism

as the presiding minister begins:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  Knowing there are no secret places to hide from God,

  let us be honest in our confession. (honest pause)

    Almighty God,

C: you fill heaven and earth,

  yet we are constantly distracted from your presence, 

you give to us your word,

  and we remain undisciplined in study and use,

you put before us the heritage

  of a great cloud of faithful witnesses, 

    still we stumble again and again back into sin.

Save us Lord from the sins we know in our heart.

Save us Lord from the sins we hide.

    (pause for reflection and self-examination)

P:  Before your judgment Lord...

C: know my heart and know that I am deeply sorry

  and wish to turn from my sins. Amen

P:  Our Lord gives us hope. The hope of the Gospel. Christ secures our heritage by enduring the cross and perfecting our faith. The weight of our sin is laid aside. We are forgiven. Through the Holy Spirit we are made children of the Most High God, and are inspired to know God in our heart. and given the perseverance to live faithfully in our time. In the name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!

-or-

All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism

as the presiding minister begins:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  God is not far off, but near by,

  who can have a secret hiding place from God? 

    (pause for self-examination)

P:  Lord God...

C: we strut our lives before each other,

  as examples of virtue,

    and we present ourselves before you proudly.

We do the things we wouldn't be caught dead doing,

  applying our efforts to not getting caught,

    instead of not doing.

We know your word is a hammer to break us,

  and a fire to cleanse us…

    so we stay far away,

      unwilling to cleave our pride,

        and let you purify our souls.

We know we are unfaithful, forgive us Lord.

But, we don't know the depth of our deceit, save us Lord.

    (Pause for reflection)

P:  God's time is now!  Christ comes and dies for our sins. His faithfulness is what God promises. For Christ's sake our sins are forgiven. Since Christ is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith we may lay aside the sin that clings so closely to us, and run our race with perseverance. To the Glory of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!