Cycle A Lectionary 24 Proper 19

9/14/2014 Confession(s)

Sunday Title:  Rally Day - Homecoming Sunday

Sermon Title: Welcome Pastor Jim Brandis

Previously:

Sunday Title:  Discipleship Sunday

Sermon Title: Forgiveness- what a great concept.

Sunday Title:  Catch Sunday

Sermon Title: “Here’s Your Sign”

Sunday Title:  God's Sunday  

Sermon Title: “What Does God Intend?”

Scripture Cuttings:

Genesis 50:15-21 But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear....

Psalm 103:1-13 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him....

Romans 14:1-12 Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

Matthew 18:21-35 Then Peter came and said to Jesus, "Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?"

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 approach the Lord with reverence and awe

and present repentant hearts. (listen for the sound of repentant heartbeats)

  God...

C: our sins are fully in your view

yet you do not punish as we deserve.

  We are foolish to think that you don't notice.

    We are blind to miss your steadfast love.

      We are ungratefully living without regard to forgiveness.

Still when we are wronged, we seek vengeance,

  even from you.

We are heartless with our double standards.

  We are ruthless with our retribution.

    We are ridiculous to think you don't care

Again forgive us Lord for the sins we name.

Save us Lord from the sins we hide. (pause for reflection and self-examination)

P:  The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord does not deal with us according to our sins, or repay us in proportion to our iniquities. God's loving ways are so great and good that they astound us. Love sends our Savior. For the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord our sins are forgiven. By the power of the Holy Spirit we may come to understand and live in that mercy. 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:  What if God paid us back in full for all the wrong we have done? (pause)

  O Lord we seek your mercy...

C: yet we ourselves look for payback when we are wronged.

We think it “only fair” and “what is right” when we retaliate

  and use harsh words

    and withdraw from relationship.

The forgiveness you offer on our account

  is larger than we can comprehend,

    still we withhold forgiveness

      and carry the grudge over petty items.

We are eager to do your judging.

And the worst: we conspire our inner thoughts

  to secure your forgiveness

    while avoiding honest repentance.

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

Save us Lord from the sins we hide. (pause for reflection and self-examination)

P:  The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and does not deal with us according to our sins. Instead God chooses the sacrifice of God’s own son on our account. Because Jesus Christ pays the last full measure: our sins are forgiven. This gift of forgiveness, makes us able, with the power of Holy Spirit to choose to forgive, renew and live again in right relationship with each other, and with our God. 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!

Cycle A Lectionary 23 Proper 18

9/7/2014 Confession

Sunday Title:  Instructions Sunday

Sermon Title: What? More Instructions.

Previously:

Sunday Title:  Discipleship Sunday

Sermon Title: Outsiders in- interpreting the Law and Gospel.

Sunday Title:  Turn Sunday

Sermon Title: “The Law minimizes while Love maximizes”

Sunday Title:  Remembering Sunday

Sermon Title: “Remembering Who We Are” 

Scripture Cuttings:

Ezekiel 33:7-11 ...As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways;

Psalm 119:33-40 Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways.

Romans 13:8-14 Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day,

Matthew 18:15-20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.

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  Our transgressions and our sins weigh upon us. (wait for the weight)

  O Lord...

C: you call us always from the depth of our sin,

  but we see our own wickedness, not.

You teach us your statutes, law, commandments,

  decrees, ordinances, and precepts,

    and we stick with selfish gain and vanity.

You show us love,

  and sum all the commandments in love,

    still we cling to the works of darkness.

We are sentinels of our neighbors sin,

  and waste away because of our own transgressions.

How can we live? (pause for reflection and self-examination)

P:  The Lord has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, rather that the wicked turn from their evil ways and live. To that end God sends Jesus the Christ, more that a teacher, more than a prophet: the Savior. It is by his blood that our sins are forgiven and we might have new life. It is by his love that we may gather together and renew ourselves as brothers and sisters and a holy community; fulfilling the law in 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!

Cycle A Lectionary 22 Proper 17

8/31/2014 Confession

Sunday Title:  Follow Sunday

Sermon Title: Crossing Over

Previously:

Sunday Title:  Discipleship Sunday

Sermon Title: God’s way’s are not our ways. Thank God!

Sunday Title:  Behind Sunday

Sermon Title: “What is in a preposition?”

Sunday Title:  Labor Day- Our Way Sunday 

Sermon Title: “My way or the High-Way”

Scripture Cuttings:

Jeremiah 15:15-21 I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.

Psalm 26:1-8 ...I walk in your faithfulness I do not sit with the worthless, nor do I consort with hypocrites; I hate the company of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked.

Romans 12:9-21 ..."if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 16:21-26 "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."  Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

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:  If we turn back, we will be taken back,

let us stand before the Lord with our confession.

    (now quiet contemplation)  O Lord...

C: we do not deny ourselves

  and take up our cross

    and follow you.

We do fill ourselves

  and take up our cause

    and drive for easy street.

We embarrass ourselves as disciples:

  we wear the cross

    but do not bear the cross.

We claim you as savior

  but forfeit our lives for profit and gain.

We are distracted Lord

  by our own selves.

Forgive us Lord the sins we name.

Save us Lord from the sins we hide.

    (now earnest self-examination)

P:  The Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of the Heavenly Father. We know the Son of Man as Jesus the Christ, whose coming brings us mercy and redemption. For Christ's sake our sins are forgiven. By the power of the Holy Spirit we may put our sin behind us, bear the cross given us, and faithfully follow Our Savior. 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-

use Psalm 26:1-8

Cycle A Lectionary 21 Proper 16

8/24/2014 Confession

Sunday Title:  Image Sunday

Sermon Title: Who do you say that I am? Call ‘em like you see ‘em

Previously:

Sunday Title:  Discipleship Sunday

Sermon Title: Responsibility Discipleship

Sunday Title:  Promise Sunday

Sermon Title: “The Purpose of the Promise”

Sunday Title:  Blessed Sunday

Sermon Title: “Blessed to do What?”

Scripture Cuttings:

Isaiah 51:1-6 Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness, you that seek the Lord. Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug.

Psalm 138 On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul. All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth.

Romans 12:1-8 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Matthew 16:13-20 Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven....

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 seek the Lord

  and pursue right relationship with our God (pause)

  O Lord...

C: we seek our own way in life,

  and ignore our roots in your faithfulness.

We conform ourselves to the ways of the world,

  and make feeble attempts to discern your will.

We think justice is how to keep what is ours safe,

  yet we ourselves, must be transform

    to do what is good, acceptable and perfect.

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

Save us Lord from the sins we hide.

  (pause for reflection and self-examination)

P:  God sends the Messiah, a Savior, the Son of the living God. He is Jesus the Christ. And it is for Christ’s sake our sins are forgiven. Furthermore we are blessed by our heavenly Father to know grace, and we are now as Christ’s church; charged to proclaim it. With the presence of the Holy Spirit and by God’s mercy, we are able to present our own selves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. In the name of 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 A Lectionary 20 Proper 15

8/17/2014 Confession

Sunday Title:  Mercy Sunday

Sermon Title: Mercy - Who is the Intended Target

Previously:  

Sunday Title:  Discipleship Sunday

Sermon Title: Inside Outside Discipleship Sunday Title:  New Turf Sunday

Sermon Title: “Just how big id the Mission Field?”

Sunday Title:  All Peoples Sunday

Sermon Title: “Who do you get along with?”

Scripture Cuttings:

Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it, and hold fast my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer.

Psalm 67 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means!

Matthew 15:[10-20] 21-28 "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

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 return to the Lord and confess our sin (pause)

  O Lord...

C: we are so ready to do what is right... for us,

  but you ask for justice.

We make easy to keep rules about good behavior

  and forget the purpose you have in mind.

Lord you pursue us relentlessly,

  but we hedge our faithfulness.

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

Save us Lord from the sins we hide.

  (pause for reflection and self-examination)

P:  God does not reject God’s people. The gift of right relationship is irrevocable. God sends Jesus Christ so that we may receive God’s mercy. For Christ’s sake our sins are forgiven. Furthermore we are called by this mercy out of our disobedience and into covenant with God. In the name of 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 A Lectionary 19 Proper 14

8/10/2014 Confession

Sunday Title: Worship Sunday

Sermon Title: Back in the boat.

Previously:  

Sunday Title:  Discipleship Sunday

Sermon Title: Peter! Get back in the boat!

Sunday Title:  Surface Tension Sunday

Sermon Title: “Should Faithful Disciples Walk on Water”

Sunday Title:  Deep Water Sunday

Sermon Title: “Surface Tension”

Scripture Cuttings:

1 Kings 19:9-18 Then there came a voice to him that said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Psalm 85:8-13 Mercy and truth have met. Righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth sprouts from the ground, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will certainly give us what is good,

Romans 10:5-15 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Matthew 14:22-33 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"

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:  With our heart’s faith, let us call upon the name of the Lord and confess our sins. (pause)

  O Lord...

C: we fill our lives with noise

  and we do not keep our eyes focused on you.

We think we are the last faithful people,

  yet we act in unfaithful ways.

We preserve our religion for ourselves,

  and doubt you when we notice that courage is necessary.

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

Save us Lord from the sins we hide.

          (pause for reflection and self-examination)

P:  Our God saves. Jesus Christ, God’s own Son saves us. Christ secures salvation and justification. Christ forgives our sins. Glorious and powerful life is available in the Holy Spirit for those who believe and confess. 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!