Cycle ABC Nativity of Our Lord Christmas Eve Set 1

12/24/2015 Confession

Worship Title: Nativity of Our Lord

Sermon Title: Ready?

Previously:

Sunday Title: Nativity of Our Lord

Sermon Title: Binding Love.

Scripture Cuttings:

Isaiah 9:2-7 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually…. He will establish and uphold [His kingdom] with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.

Psalm 96  Sing to the Lord, all the whole earth. Sing to the Lord and bless his name, proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations and his wonders among all peoples.

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all….

Luke 2:1-20 “Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news  of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord….”

Confession:

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

C: Amen

P:  The birth of our Lord is upon us,

and we are not ready.

        (decorations, dinner, wraping, traveling, is not the ready God needs.)

P:  Mighty God, Everlasting Father...

C: We think we are enlightened,

  yet we walk in great darkness,

    and live in a land of deep darkness.

All together we think joy is getting what we want.

  And we exault in having the spoils of our petty wins.

We ignore your zeal for the redemption of all peoples,

  while we zelously defend for ourselves our traditions.

You come as the Prince of Peace with good will to all,

  and we fight over the reason for the season,

    instead of seasoning our faithfulnes

      with your Wonderful Counsel.

With the good news of great joy in our hearing,

  we do not seek your salvation,

    we do not speak what has been told us. Instead;

we muffel, shade and hold down justice and righteousness.

Together our sins are many: we blame others.

  And in the quiet of our heart we think our sins few.

We are not ready.

Save us, forgove us, prepare us.

    (Pause for reflection)

P:  Fear not! The grace of God appears: bringing salvation to all! Our sins are forgiven! It is the will of our great God and Savior: Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, to redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own, zelous for good deeds; all to the Glory of the Father and to the Son, + and to the Holy Spirit.

C: Glory to God in the highest heaven,

  and on earth peace and goodwill to all. Amen. -wjw

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

C: And also with you!

Cycle C Advent 4

12/20/2015 Confession

Sunday Title: Trust Sunday

Sermon Title: No; really, trust.

Previously:

Sunday Title: Love Sunday

Sermon Title: "A Nice Place to Be From"

Scripture Cuttings:

Micah 5:2-5a But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.

Luke 1:46-55 My soul magnifies the Lord

Psalm 80:1-7 Stir up your might, and come to save us! Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Hebrews 10:5-10 [Christ] abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Luke 1:39-45 [46-55] When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women…."

Confession:

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

C: Amen

P:  The Lord's righteousness is a witness against us,

    let us open our hearts and trust in his mercy.

        (repentance is trusting God's mercy in the face of judgment)

P:  Lord...

C: our faithfulness is weak,

we do not seek your strength

  in our relationship with you or each other.

We rely on our power and our pride in success.

  We overlook the lonely and the lowly,

Our hearts are too full of confidence in our faithfulness,

  to receive with joy your faithfulness.

Forgive us the sins we may see

Save us from the sins we refuse to see.

    (Pause for reflection)

P:  The ever faithful God, with promises of old, comes again and anew. We have been sanctified- made holy- through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ- once for all. Our sins are forgiven! Christ was born for this! Through the filling of the Holy Spirit we leap with joy as our souls proclaim the greatness of the Lord. Glory to the Father and to the Son, + and to the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

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

C: And also with you!

Cycle C Advent 3

12/13/2015 Confession

Sunday Title: Joy Sunday

Sermon Title: What if God really does want us to repent?

Previously:

Sunday Title: Really Repentance Sunday

Sermon Title: Now, Fear Repentance or would you rather Love Repentance?

Sunday Title: Joy Sunday

Sermon Title: "Fear or Peace or Fear or Peace"

Scripture Cuttings:

Zephaniah 3:14-20 The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more.

Isaiah 12:2-6 I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.

Philippians 4:4-7 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Luke 3:7-18 And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?"

Confession:

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

C: Amen

P:  Surely God is our salvation; let us trust and be not afraid.

        (repentance is trusting God's mercy in the face of judgment)

P:  Lord...

C: we do not begin to live in right relationship.

We do not offer you prayer and supplication.

  We worry about things of this world,

    and make ourselves the focus.

Sometimes we are at "peace"

  if we have what we want,

    yet our sisters and brothers are in need.

Still we are neither ready nor concerned with judgment

  and so do not ask "what then should we do?"

    rather foolishly we rely on our "Christian" affiliation.

Our sin is before you Lord

save us.

    (Pause for reflection)

P:  Sing and shout, rejoice and exult with all your heart. The Lord takes  away the judgment against us. God gives the Son: Jesus Christ to take away the sin of the world. Our sins are forgiven, we shall no longer fear evil or disaster. Our lives may now carry the worthy fruit of our honest repentance for 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 C Advent 2

12/6/2015 Confession

Sunday Title: Peace Sunday

Sermon Title: Prelude to a New Creation.

Previously:

Sunday Title: Repentance Sunday

Sermon Title: Fear Repentance or Love Repentance?

Sunday Title: Peace Sunday

Sermon Title: "Straight Paths"

Sunday Title: Ready Sunday,

Sermon Title: "Who Could be Ready?"

Scripture Cuttings:

Malachi 3:1-4 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me....

Luke 1:68-79 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways....

Philippians 1:3-11 ...that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best....

Luke 3:1-6 [John] went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins....

Confession:

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

C: Amen

P:  Let us prepare for the Lord’s coming by repenting of our sins.

        (contemplate turning to God's ways)

P:  Lord...

C: we know you want us to be pure,

  and to commit our very best to you,

    but for now we want to keep you at arms length.

Of course we are prepared to hear the wonderful news.

  We are ready for Christmas and Jesus' birth.

    We know the coming baby is Lord and Savior.

      Still we don't act saved,

        nor serve under you our Lord.

Forgive us for the sins we recognize,

Save us from the sins we conceal. (Pause for reflection)

P:  Our God is producing a harvest of righteousness. In the gift of his Son, salvation comes to God's people through the forgiveness of sins. Our sins are forgiven. We can live in salvation today with lives of right relationship with 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 C Advent 1

11/29/2015 Confession

Sunday Title: Alert Sunday

Sermon Title: Ready Faithfulness

Previously:

Sunday Title: Awaking Sunday

Sermon Title: Paying Attention

Sunday Title: Hope Sunday

Scripture Cuttings:

Jeremiah 33:14-16 The days are surely coming, says the Lord....

Psalm 25:1-10 I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust....

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Luke 21:25-36 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

Confession:

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

C: Amen

P:  Let us prepare for the Lord’s coming by repenting of our sins.

   (pause to reflect how to prepare for Jesus' actual coming?)

P:  Lord God...

C: how long do we wait for you to save your people?

You must hurry O Lord before we are distracted,

  before our attention is dissipated,

    before we are consumed with the worries of life.

We need you to execute justice,

  and bring righteousness to the land.

    because we are unwilling to act like saved children.

We are slow to strengthen our hearts,

  reluctant to let your love in us increase,

    until it abounds for one another and for all.

We hide our unready, unworthy sinfulness

  behind your coming Glory.

Forgive us Lord for the sins we name.

Save us Lord from the sins we hide. (Pause for reflection)

P:  Lift up your heads faithful people for our redemption is drawing near. God fulfills the promises made through the prophets. God sends the Son for our salvation and we are made right. For Christ's sake our sins are forgiven. Christ strengthen our hearts in holiness that we may be blameless before our God and Heavenly Father. We too may declare:

C: The Lord is our righteousness. Amen. -wjw

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

C: And also with you!

Cycle B Christ the King (Lectionary 34)

11/22/2015 Confession

Sunday Title: Subject Sunday

Sermon Title: If Christ is King who is Subject?

Previously:

Sunday Title: Royal Sunday

Sermon Title: You’re the One!

Sunday Title: Christ the King- Loyal Sunday 

Sermon Title: "Who's in Charge Here?"

Scripture Cuttings:

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 To [one like a human being] was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.

Psalm 93 The Lord is king, he is robed in majesty

Revelation 1:4b-8 Grace to you and peace... from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

John 18:33-37 My kingdom is not from this world… For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.

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:  Together we appear before our King.

                       (pause to examine our loyalty)

P:  Lord God King of the Universe...

C: we appreciate your creation

we are impressed with the gift of life

  and moved by redemption.

    We do plan a "thank you" in the Kingdom Come.

But for now we would rather go our own way.

  We make our rules rather than study your instructions.

    We'll take convenience over discipleship.

      We'll talk of the game, or argue our point,

        without ever making your witness.

Our hearts are on local things,

  our plans: short term,

    our vision: nearsighted.

You have the glory forever and ever,

  just give us the other stuff here and now. (Pause for reflection)

P:  Forgive us

C: Forgive us the sins we can name,

  Open to us the truth we do not see.

P:  The King of the Universe is making a state visit. He brings us the truth: Jesus Christ the firstborn of the dead, frees us from our sin by his blood! We are forgiven! Christ is our King! Now Jesus is recruiting you and me to be faithful priests in his service. Everyone who belongs to the truth will listen to him.

C: Glory to the Father and to the Son

        and to the Holy Spirit! Amen. -wjw

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

C: And also with you!

Cycle B Lectionary 33 Proper 28

11/15/2015 Confession

Sunday Title: Women's Thank Offering Sunday

Sermon Title: A “little” Apocalypse.

Previously:

Sunday Title: Alarm Sunday

Sermon Title: Sound the Alarm!: Don’t be Alarmed!

Sunday Title: Women's Thank Offering Sunday

Sermon Title: "What are we struggling towards?"

Sunday Title: "Last" Call Sunday, 

Sermon Title: "Imminent and Immediate"

Scripture Cuttings:

Daniel 12:1-3 Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Psalm 16 Your boundary lines mark out pleasant places for me.

Hebrews 10:11-25 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.

Mark 13:1-8 Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?

Confession:

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

C: Amen

P:  Let us confidently enter the sanctuary of God.

            (pause- did we check our worthiness at the door?)

P:  Lord God...

C: when will be the end of things?

You know, so tell us, tell us, we want to know!

  How much longer will we suffer?

    How much longer do we have to work so hard?

How much longer must we serve others without our reward?

  When will you show us your Glory? 

    When do we get to retire?

      How long till we get there?

Forgive us the sins we can name,

Save us from the sins we don't see. (Pause for reflection)

P:  Jesus Christ has offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins. Our sins are forgiven!  Because of this we can enter the sanctuary of our Lord, we may approach God with a true heart in full assurance of faith, and spur ourselves and one another to love and to good deeds, encouraging one another for the Day approaching. 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 B Lectionary 32 Proper 27

11/8/2015 Confession

Sunday Title: Women’s Thankoffering.

Sermon Title: Don’t be Alarmed! Sound the Alarm!

Previously:

Sunday Title: Less Sunday

Sermon Title: "Less is More"

Sunday Title: Copper Sunday, 

Sermon Title: "Faithfulness and Abundance"

Scripture Cuttings:

1 Kings 17:8-16, She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days.

Psalm 146 Hallelujah, Praise the Lord, O my soul!

Hebrews 9:24-28 ...he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Mark 12:38-44 ...all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty....

Confession:

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

C: Amen

P:  Let us turn our hearts back over to God.

          (pause to question who owns our hearts instead of God)

P:  Lord God...

C: we are afraid we will run out,

we won't have enough,

  we won't be happy,

    we won't be respected,

      we won't be good enough,

        we won't be loved,

          we won't be remembered.

We want to fix this ourselves:

  we want to buy all these things.

Forgive us the sins we name today,

Save us from the sins we hoard for tomorrow. (Pause for reflection)

P:  The Lord provides for all things. To the glory of our Heavenly Father, Jesus the Christ appeared once, for all, to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. Our sins are forgiven. By the Holy Spirit, in our baptism, we are made children of God. We are invited to live in the love God pours upon us. 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 B Lectionary 31 Proper 26

11/1/2015 Confession 

Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday Title: Instruction Sunday

Sermon Title: When all is more than all.

Scripture Cuttings:

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. 

Psalm 119:1-8 Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord…. How can young people keep their way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

Hebrews 9:11-14 …how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God! 

Mark 12:28-34 The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."    

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 worship the living God! (pause for reflection)

    (heart, soul, mind and strength are required now)

P:  O Lord, our God...

C: we are not close to your words,

  nor do we listen to your statutes, decrees, laws or ordinaces.

We don’t even like to read the instructions

  for our own longevity or prosperity

    if it means giving up the pleasures of the moment.

We do not take satisfaction in faithfulness,

  but only see it as an obedient burden.

How could we ever consider to love to you

  with all our heart, mind, soul and strength?

    And then what could be left for our neighbor?

      For oursleves?

We have many allegances.

  We wear them on foreheads,

    and argue them in our conversations,

      and fly their banners on our homes,

        we give them our resources, time, and passion.

But you have gone missing among them.

How could we teach our children well?

Our works are dead!

For the sins we name, forgiove us.

From the sins we hide, save us. (pause for reflection)

P:  When Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come, he obtained eternal redemption through his blood. For Christs’ sake our sins are forgiven. Now through the eternal Spirit our conscience may be purfied and we may turn our heart, soul, mind and strength to the Lord our God. And learning from God’s words we may love our neighbor as ourself. All this 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!