Cycle ABC Reformation

10/25/2015 Confession

Sunday Title: Reformation Sunday

Sermon Title: “Independence Day?”

Previously:

Sunday Title: New Sunday

Sermon Title: “From faithfulness to religion and back”

Sunday Title: Heritage Sunday

Sermon Title: What is Your Favorite Passage in Scripture?

Sunday Title: Reformation Sunday

Sermon Title: God and God Alone

Sunday Title: Reformation Sunday

Sermon Title: dismembering

Sunday Title:  Reformation Sunday

Sermon Title: Freedom.

Sunday Title:  Affirmation Sunday

Sermon Title: What is next?

Sunday Title:  Reformation Sunday

Sermon Title: "Grace is that hard to believe"

Sermon Title: "Free to Choose Freedom"

Sermon Title: "Inner Bondage"

Sermon Title: "Slave or Free"

Sermon Title: “Why Reform”

Sermon Title: “Know the Lord!- Compliance or Confidence”

Scripture Cuttings:

Jeremiah 31:31-34 I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Psalm 46 The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Romans 3:19-28 For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus....

John 8:31-36 Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.

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 aside our good works

  and remember that we do sin and fall short of the glory of God.

    (silence is a good way to end a public boast

      confession is a good way to end a private boast)

  Lord of all,

C: the demands of your righteousness

are too hard for us to fulfill alone,

  so we rush off with this excuse

    and ignore your law.

You forgive our iniquity and remember our sin no more,

  and we abuse this freedom

    as if it were a license to selfishness,

      self-indulgence and self-righteousness.

You give us the gift of grace: atonement in the blood your Son,

  yet we make it cheap without serious repentance.

We fail to see the power of your faithfulness.

We are your people, but do we know you as our God?

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

Save us Lord from the sins we hide.

  (pause for reflection and self-examination)

P:  God of our refuge and strength...

C: have mercy on us, write on our hearts. Amen

P:  God does show us God’s own righteousness, and divine forbearance. Through the work of the Holy Spirit given to us, we may come to know the truth and be made free. Jesus Christ the Son of God sets us free from our slavery to sin. Our sins are forgiven. Through his death and resurrection a place is made for us in the household, and we may be know as children of 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!

-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:  We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

  before we worship we should prepare our hearts...

      (pause for self-examination)

P:  Faithful Lord...

C: we are slaves to our sin,

  we choose this bondage each day.

Sometimes we plot a wicked deed,

  or use our status for personal gain.

    We follow through with an unfair advantage,

      and always remain oblivious in small offenses.

Whatever our sin is we justify it to ourselves,

  ignore our conscience,

    rationalize it to the authorities

      and boast of it to our friends.

This remains our habit, our way

  because we do not tend to our relationship with you.

Rather we consider ourselves all right with you.

  We treat your forgiveness like permission.

Lord, forgive the sin we confront.

Lord, save us from the sin we evade in heart and mind. (Pause for reflection)

P:  God's righteousness is shown to us. We are now justified- that is brought into right relationship- with God by God's grace, as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. For Christ's sake our sins are forgiven. In this state of grace we may recognize God is writing on our hearts, and live as faithful people of God. To the glory of the Father, Son, + and Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

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

C: And also with you!

Cycle B Lectionary 30 Proper 25

10/25/2015 Confession 

Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday Title: Sight Sunday

Sermon Title: A cross the distance.

Scripture Cuttings:

Jeremiah 31:7-9 "Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel."

Psalm 126 Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing,

shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.

Hebrews 7:23-28 Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. 

Mark 10:46-52 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly,

"Son of David, have mercy on me!" 

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 mortals approach God who is holy, blameless, undefiled,

for the forgiveness of our sins. (pause to remember God calls us to be holy, blameless, and undefiled)

P:  Lord God...

C: we do not respect you as a loving parent.

  we do not rejoice with our distant kindred

    especially when you gather us together.

We do not cry out for your mercy,

  nor insist on your righteousness.

Perhaps because we are not ready to retrun to you,

  and follow you on the way.

For us the sins we name:

  have mercy upon us,

From the sins we hide:

  save us, save, O Lord, your people. (Pause for reflection)

P:  It is Christ Jesus who is able make intercession on behalf of us mortals. It is in Christ Jesus’ faithfulness, once and for all, that our sins are forgiven. Now shall our witness be that the Lord has done great things for us? And will we walk in straight path and not stumble? All too 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 B Lectionary 29 Proper 24

10/18/2015 Confession 

Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday Title: Ransom Sunday

Sermon Title: The Lesson of the Cross.

Previously:

Sunday Title: Cost Sunday

Sermon Title: Discipleship on the way to the cross.

Sunday Title: Position Sunday

Sermon Title: What can I do for you?

Sunday Title: Service Sunday

Sermon Title: "Lip Service"

Sunday Title: Career Advancement Sunday,

Sermon Title: "Movin' on Up"

Scripture Cuttings:

Isaiah 53:4-12 ...upon him was the punishment that made us whole.

Psalm 91:9-16 With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.

Hebrews 5:1-10 ...he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him....

Mark 10:35-45 ...but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant....

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 offer our confession before God,

  in reverent submission. (pause to remember submission can be ok)

P:  Lord God...

C: it is hard for us to be modest, even in your presence.

We are concerned with rank and position,

  and putting forward a most confident image,

    but we remain truant from the school of service.

We resent loftiness in our leaders,

  but then think too much of ourselves.

    We like your salvation,

      but this humility; it just isn’t for us.

Forgive us the sins we name,

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

P:  The Lord is our refuge, and we shall not be plagued with evil, even of our own making. God has appointed Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son, our high priest. In his obedient suffering and death, Christ has become the source of eternal salvation. For his sake our sins are forgiven. With clean hearts we my follow and serve him. 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 28 Proper 23

10/11/2015 Confession

Sunday Title: Muscle Memory Sunday

Sermon Title: “Practice, Practice, Practice”

Previously:

Sunday Title: Rich Sunday

Sermon Title: Welcome Pastor Edward Ulseth

Sunday Title: Relinquish Sunday

Sermon Title: What to give up to follow Jesus

Sunday Title: Rich Man Sunday,

Sermon Title: "Thank God I'm not a rich man!"

Scripture Cuttings:

Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you.

Psalm 90:12-17 So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.

Hebrews 4:12-16 Indeed the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword....

Mark 10:17-31 For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.

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, for God knows the number of our transgressions,

and how great are our sins. (pause for self-examination)

P:  Lord God...

C: what do we lack in being righteous?

We kept the commandments... ...mostly.

  We are good Christians... ...we tell everybody that!

And we follow you, see we are here today... ...this morning.

  Look at us, we are not even like those rich people.

    When is it, tell us again, when will we be rewarded?

Save us, save us, save us Lord from our sins. (Pause for reflection)

P:  God who demands righteousness, who divides soul from spirit, who judges all, sends for our sake a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God. For Christ's sake our sins are forgiven. We receive mercy and grace finds us. Now through the Holy Spirit, let us make our confession honest and live that grace and mercy throughout our whole lives. 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 27 Proper 22

10/4/2015 Confession 

Sunday Title: Indignant Sunday

Sermon Title: “Is God; who made us for relationship, pleased with us?”

Previously:

Sunday Title: Scripture Sunday

Sermon Title: “How do you interpret scripture?”

Sunday Title: Relationship Sunday

Sermon Title: Relationship- it get’s around.

Sunday Title: Little Child Sunday,

Sermon Title: "A Second Childhood?"

Scripture Cuttings:

Genesis 2:18-24 This at last is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman for out of Man this one was taken.

Psalm 8 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son....

Mark 10:2-16 Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.

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 soften our hearts, so that we may approach our Lord.

    (pause for self-examination)

P:  Lord God...

C: how complicated we want to make your world.

We hunt for ways to satisfy our desires,

  and bypass your intention in creation.

We convolute the reasons for our actions,

  trying to justify ourselves and persuade you.

Still we ignore the call to your kingdom.

For the sins we can name, forgive us Lord.

For the sins we hide, save us Lord. (Pause for reflection)

P:  Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these days God speaks to us by a Son. Jesus Christ is the pioneer of our salvation, made perfect through suffering. It is for Christ's sake our sins are forgiven. It is Christ who calls us brothers and sisters and children of the one Heavenly Father. In the Holy Spirit we may become honest in our repentance and children in the Kingdom of 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 B Lectionary 26 Proper 21

9/27/2015 Confession

Sunday Title: Little Child Sunday

Sermon Title: “Which weighs more a millstone or a cup of water?”

Previously:

Sunday Title: Inside Sunday

Sermon Title: “Take them in, let them out.”

Sunday Title: Serious Sunday

Sermon Title: "How short is the Lord's Hand"

Sunday Title: Little Child Sunday,

Sermon Title: "A Second Childhood?"

Scripture Cuttings:

Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 But Moses said... "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!"

Psalm 19:7-14 Moreover by [your instructions] is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

James 5:13-20 The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.

Mark 9:38-50 Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you restore its saltiness? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."

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 set aside our grumbling,

  confessing our sins to one another, and praying for one another.

 (pause to reflect: what would we be afraid to confess to one another?

pause to reflect: why would we be afraid to confess to one another?)

P:  Lord God...

C: you see all that we do.

You know all that we fail to do.

  We do not pray when we suffer

    because we do not trust your timetable.

We do not sing praises when we are cheerful

  because we want even more.

We do not confess our sin to one another

  because we do not trust each other-

    and for good reason:

we wander from the truth

  and do not hold each other accountable,

    except to make ourselves look good.

Hard is our confession: forgive us Lord.

Deep are the consequences of our sin: save us Lord.

    (Pause for reflection)

P:  Though we kindle the Lord's anger, strong is our God's faithfulness. Our sins are forgiven for the sake of our Lord and Savior: Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is poured out upon us, and we are invited to live all our days, well seasoned in the grace of God, and in peace with one another. Then more will see 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-

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

Psalm 19:7-14

Leader:    The law of the Lord is perfect,

Women:    reviving the soul;

Men:    the decrees of the Lord are sure,

Women:    making wise the simple;

Men:    the precepts of the Lord are right,

Women:    rejoicing the heart;

Men:    the commandment of the Lord is clear,

Women:    enlightening the eyes;

Men:    the fear of the Lord is pure,

Women:    enduring forever;

Men:    the ordinances of the Lord are true

Women:    and righteous altogether.

Men:    More to be desired are they than gold,

Women:    even much fine gold;

Men:    sweeter also than honey,

Women:    and drippings of the honeycomb.

Men:    Moreover by them is your servant warned;

Women:    in keeping them there is great reward.

Men:    But who can detect their errors?

Women:    Clear me from hidden faults.

Men:    Keep back your servant also from proud thoughts;

Women:    do not let them have dominion over me.

Men:    Then I shall be blameless,

Women:    and innocent of great transgression.

Men:    Let the words of my mouth

Women:    and the meditation of my heart

Men:    be acceptable to you,

All:    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. -New Revised Standard Version

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

C: And also with you!

Cycle B Lectionary 25 Proper 20

9/20/2015 Confession

Sunday Title: Greatest Sunday

Sermon Title: How to succeed in Christianity without really caring.

Previously:

Sunday Title: Success Sunday

Sermon Title: How does Christianity thrive in a success driven culture?

Sunday Title: Greatest Sunday

Sermon Title: In the Centers

Sunday Title: Last Sunday

Sermon Title: "Vindication from Our Prosecution"

Scripture Cuttings:

Jeremiah 11:18-20 But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. And I did not know it was against me that they devised schemes, saying, "Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name will no longer be remembered!"

Psalm 54 But surely, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.

James 3:13-4:3,7-8a For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.

Mark 9:30-37 "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."

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 draw near to God

  so that God may draw near to us.

      (pause to reflect: how near to God would be comfortable)

P:  Lord God...

C: we are reluctant to look to you for right and wrong

  except of course when we are right

    and can prove it by quoting scripture- or tradition,

      or we conspire to do wrong, but it is for your glory.

We consider ourselves leaders in the faith,

  yet we never lead by being last.

While we may not call ourselves great,

  we do identify and shun the least among us.

We become false witnesses:

  welcoming our children's children

    but only some of your children.

Lord if these are the sins we name for your forgiveness...

what are the sins we hide?

Forgive us Lord. Save us Lord. (Pause for reflection)

P:  Our God knows good from evil, and will judge righteously. God calls to trial our hearts and minds. But for our sakes, the Son of Man is betrayed, killed, and rises again. For Christ's sake our sins are forgiven. By the power of the Holy Spirit we may know and live in the wisdom that comes from above: pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. 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!

Cycle B Lectionary 24 Proper 19

9/13/2015 Confession

Sunday Title: Rally Day  Servant Sunday

Sermon Title: What does Service require?

Previously:

Sunday Title: Identity Sunday

Sermon Title: Who do you say that I am?

Sunday Title: Suffering Sunday

Sermon Title: Suffering- you gotta be kiddin me!

Sunday Title: Cross Sunday

Sermon Title: "Who will teach of the cross....... by example?"

Sunday Title: Tongue Sunday,

Sermon Title: "What will you say?"

Scripture Cuttings:

Isaiah 50:4-9a The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward.

Psalm 116:1-9 O Lord, I pray you, save my life

James 3:1-12 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire!

Mark 8:27-38 But who do you say that I am?.... If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

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 know we can not pretend to be deaf to God's call.

(pause to examine what noise keeps us from being a "listener")

P:  Lord God...

C: we set our minds on human things, not on divine things.

Usually it is our own things we set our minds upon.

  We confess to be your disciples,

but if it involves carrying a burden,

  or rejection, or suffering, or discomfort,

    we are not so quick to deny ourselves, take our cross and follow.

You put the word in our ears and in our hands,

  but we do not strive to become listeners and learners,

    how can we think to become followers and disciples?

For the sins we can name, forgive us Lord.

For the sins we hide, save us Lord. (Pause for reflection)

P:  Our God desires to teach us, to open our ears, to call us to true repentance. To this end God sends the Messiah, the Christ, to undergo great suffering, be rejected and killed, and after three days rise again. It is for Christ's sake that our sins are forgiven. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we may become followers, giving our very lives into the hands of God all for the good news in Jesus Christ. 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!