Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: investing, speculation, venture, risk, gamble, stake, share, portion, interest, money/capital invested, sacrifice, surrender, foregoing, loss, relinquishment, forfeiture

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1. Prayers for the Sundays After Easter

Bulletin Aid

Rolland R. Reece

... we are being punished for something we did or didn't do. Have we consciously mistreated our brothers and sisters of this world? Or is it that we have chosen to care for ourselves, while ignoring the needs of others? Have we turned away from you? We speculate that these horrendous natural disasters just may happen by chance -- that there is no rhyme or reason for such calamities. A hurricane may appear this week, but a similar event may not occur in the same place for 25 to fifty years. Can it be that our ...

2. Proper 12

Psalm 105:1-45, Exodus 3:1-22

Bulletin Aid

... name is "to be," but is so ambiguous in form that it may mean "I am who I am," "I wili be what I will be," or "He causes to be." The first two of these suggest a more Greek, philosophical, abstract "Being," an appropriate object of speculation. The third seems more Hebraic, for it bespeaks activity and action, which is exactly what God promises (and delivers!) on behalf of the captive Israelites. Call to Worship Leader: Give thanks to God! Call upon God's name! People: MAKE KNOWN GOD'S DEEDS TO ALL PEOPLES ...

3. Proper 28

1 Thessalonians 4:13--5:11

Bulletin Aid

... the seasons." In response, Paul reminds them of the words of Jesus about that day coming "like a thief in the night," an image that he uses to contrast them as "day people," who should remain wakeful and sober, and who should - instead of engaging in idle speculation - give each other moral support. Call to Worship Leader: Let the household of faith be glad! People: LET THE PEOPLE OF GOD REJOICE! Leader: For God's coming Reign is at hand! People: GOD'S SAVING RULE IS IN OUR MIDST! Collect God of promise and ...

4. Advent 1

1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Mark 13:32-37, Isaiah 63:7--64:12

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

... other things, watchfulness. Amen Prayer of Confession Most gracious God, we admit with sorrow that we do not always remain attuned to your presence in the world, and that when we think about your coming at all, it is often with abstract and remote speculations about clouds and catastrophes, which cause us to overlook your "little advents" in the least of our brothers and sisters. Forgive us, we pray, that whenever we see you, even in the least likely places and persons, we may be ready and responsive. In ...

5. Advent 2

Isaiah 12:2-6, Zephaniah 3:14-20, Luke 3:7-18, Philippians 4:4-7

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... gracious, whatever is excellent and admirable--fill all your thoughts with these things. PRAYER OF THE DAY God of wisdom, God-in-action, Spirit of inquiry, prompt us to ask not only what we should believe but what should we do? Save us from fruitless speculation that does not issue in obedient action to fulfill our vocation to serve you in the serving of others. Amen. PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Magnanimous God, to the cries for help we have made in anxious moments, and the petitions we have offered in times of ...

6. Easter 6

John 14:15-31, Psalm 67:1-7

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... and not that we were made for the law. Forgive us. We have made commandments for others to follow where you have not made any. Excuse any zeal that commands what he taught rather than teaching what he commands. Recall us from any thoughtless talk and speculation, without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that disturbs the faith and peace of mind of others. Prevent us from adding unnecessary burdens to ourselves and others when Jesus calls us to bear an easy yoke and carry a light burden, for his sake. Amen ...

7. Proper 16

Luke 13:22-30

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

Gospel Note Luke uses the rather speculative question about the number to be saved as an opportunity for Jesus to answer with an expanded version of the parable of the feast from which some late comers are excluded by the owner of the house. What is intended here is the apocalyptic messianic feast, and a warning that ...

8. Advent 1

Mark 13:32-37, Mark 13:1-31

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

Gospel Note Having uttered two parables that urge watchfulness, Jesus here issues an explicit exhortation on behalf of that same virtue. In so doing, he emphasizes the uncertainty of the time of cataclysmic eschatological events, and counsels, not speculation, but preparedness. Liturgical Color Blue or purple Suggested Hymns Wake, Awake, For The Night Is Flying The Lord Will Come And Not Be Slow O Day Full Of Grace O God, Our Help In Ages Past Greet, Now The Swiftly Changing Year Herald, Sound The Note Of ...

9. Proper 27

Amos 5:18-27

Bulletin Aid

... : Let us call upon God in the day of trouble! People: FOR GOD WILL DELIVER US, AND WE SHALL GLORIFY GOD! (Based on Psalm 50) Collect God of redemption, you have instilled in us a hope for your final consummation of history. Keep us now from idle speculation: that, trusting you to act in good time, we may make every moment count in your service and to your glory. In Jesus' holy name we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession God of reconciliation, we confess that we are guilty of using the expectation of your end ...

10. Easter 6

Psalm 67:1-7, John 5:1-9, John 14:23-29, Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... and not that we were made for the law. Forgive us if we have made commandments for others to follow where you have not made any. Excuse any zeal that commands what he taught rather than teaches what he commands. Recall us from any thoughtless talk and speculation, without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that disturbs the faith and peace of mind of others. Prevent us from adding unnecessary burdens to ourselves and others when Jesus calls us to bear an easy yoke and carry a light burden, for his sake. Amen ...

11. Advent 3

Isaiah 12:1-6, Zephaniah 3:1-20, Luke 3:7-18, Philippians 4:2-9

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... gracious, whatever is excellent and admirable—fill all your thoughts with these things. PRAYER OF THE DAY God of wisdom, God-in-action, Spirit of inquiry, prompt us to ask not only what we should believe but what we should do. Save us from fruitless speculation that does not issue in obedient action to fulfill our vocation to serve you in the serving of others. Amen. PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Magnanimous God, to the cries for help we have made in anxious moments, and the petitions we have offered in times of ...

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