Jeremiah 30:1--31:40, 2 Timothy 3:10--4:8, Luke 18:1-8, Psalm 119:1-176
Bulletin Aid
William E. Keeney
... Hints 1. The Insistent Widow. (v. 3) Use the character of the woman as a model for approaching prayer, not as a cantankerous person, but as steady seeking and searching for God's will. A. A Righteous Cause B. Persevering Against the Odds C. Justice Vindicated 2. Two Judges. (vv. 2, 7-8) Contrast a human judge who grants justice grudgingly with a righteous, caring, and compassionate God. A. An Unscrupulous Judge B. A Relenting Judge C. God the Caring Judge D. God the Scrupulous Judge 3. Delayed Justice. (vv ...
... Week. Call to Worship Leader: We meet in the name of a servant called of God. People: WE MEET IN THE NAME OF ONE WHO SUFFERED FOR HIS VOCATION. Leader: Though Christ suffered, yet was he resolute. People: FOR HE TRUSTED GOD AS HIS HELPER AND VINDICATOR. Collect Heavenly God, for whom and from whom there have been servants and a Servant, teach us also to serve you; that, despite the rejection and suffering at the hands of a fallen humanity that your Word inevitably brings, we may be strong in the assurance ...
Isaiah 50:1-11, Mark 15:16-20, Mark 15:21-32, Philippians 2:1-11
Bulletin Aid
Paul A. Laughlin
... contained here (15:20-39), perhaps his redaction of two earlier accounts, renders a portrait of utter humiliation and defeat: Jesus is stripped, mocked, and tortured to death in an execution that added insult to injustice and injury. Yet, upon his demise, he is vindicated, both divinely (by the rending of the temple curtain) and humanly (by the testimony of the centurion). Call to Worship Leader: Praise be to God for sending us salvation! People: THANKS BE TO GOD FOR SENDING US A SON! Leader: Let us worship ...
... of our love we give You our praise. In Christ we pray. Amen. Prayer of Confession Lord, so often we have lifted our voices in cries for help, yet we have failed to prepare our hearts to receive You. Too often we have called for Your justice and pleaded for vindication, but we would not hear Your personal call on our lives. We have not been obedient children, yet You love us still. Forgive us, Lord, and help us to prepare for You today. In Christ we pray. Amen. Hymns "There's A Song In The Air" "It Came Upon ...
... he has had to endure, ostensibly at the hands of his fellow exiled Israelites, to whom his message of faith and hope sounds ridiculous. Yet, the Servant expresses both his determination to convey the message and his certainty of God's sustenance and eventual vindication. Call to Worship (based on Psalm 31) Leader: Let us seek refuge in God! People: MAY GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS DELIVER US! Leader: May God hear us and rescue us! People: MAY GOD BE OUR ROCK AND OUR RETREAT! Collect Steadfast God, you have always ...
... Song" of Second Isaiah, the servant (apparently an individual here rather than the collective Israel as elsewhere) has suffered on account of his divine calling, and anticipates doing so in the future; still he exhibits certainty of receiving God's eventual help and vindication. Call to Worship Leader: Let us worship in the name of God's special servant! People: LET US WORSHIP IN THE NAME OF ONE WHO SUFFERED! Leader: Let us worship in the knowledge that service to God means suffering to follow! People: LET ...
... , for salvation belongs to our God! People: REJOICE, INDEED, FOR REDEMPTION IS IN GOD'S LAMB! Leader: Blessing and glory and thanksgiving to our God! People: HONOR AND POWER AND MIGHT TO OUR GOD FOREVER AND EVER! Collect Wondrous God, you have promised ultimate vindication for all your saints. Keep us faithful to your will: that, despite the trials and temptations that we encounter, we may meet your coming Reign as more than conquerors by your grace in Christ Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen Prayer of ...
... thanks that the message that Christ has been raised from death has been heard and believed by many, from the time of the apostles to this day. We live in joyful belief that it is not a delusion and that we are not lost in our sins. You have vindicated the Christ in resurrection, and received him into heaven to intercede for us. Glory be to you, O God, now and always. Amen. PRAYER OF DEDICATION Though our lives, O God, are not as fruitful as they will be, receive what we are, and what we will become, and ...
... . Trust in the LORD, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday. Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices. Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret ...
... and made known to us through the church of the apostles. Receive us as faithful witnesses to the Christian faith inspired by your Spirit and desiring to be found ready at the coming of the Son of humanity, Jesus Christ. Amen. Prayer of Confession Vindicator of your people, you listen to us patiently. We confess the same sins repetitiously. We trust your mercy but do not persevere in our prayer for help to overcome the faults which we confess. We have not allowed enough time for the study of scriptures ...
... with a deadly wound in my body, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me continually, "Where is your God?" Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people; from those who are deceitful and unjust deliver me! For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you cast me off? Why must I walk about mournfully because of the oppression of the enemy? O ...
... light shall shine on and the darkness never overwhelm it. Amen. PSALM 98 O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. The LORD has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and ...
Gospel Note There seems to be a discrepancy between this parable's original meaning in Jesus' teachings and its intent in Luke. For although the story itself and the concluding commentary by Jesus would seem to be focusing on God's speedy vindication of the elect (in contrast to that of the judge), Luke's introduction concentrates on the necessity that the faithful be persistent in prayer. Liturgical Color Green Suggested Hymns Forth In Thy Name, O Lord, I Go Father Eternal Ruler Of Creation God, Who ...
... The Lord's Prayer Hymn "Away In A Manger" Offering Doxology The Psalter L: O sing to the Lord a new song, for the Lord has done marvelous things! God's right hand and holy arm have gotten the victory. P: The Lord has declared victory, and has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. L: The Lord has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. P: All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. L: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; P: Break forth ...
Gospel Note The elderly Simeon and Anna, both models of patient faith in God and God's promises, here find their deepest hopes, not just for the vindication of Jerusalem but indeed for universal salvation, at last fulfilled in the person of the Christ-child. Liturgical Color White Suggested Hymns All praise To You, Eternal Lord The Only Son From Heaven I Leave, As You Have Promised, Lord Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence In This Temple Now ...
Isaiah 25:1-12, Psalm 24:1-10, Revelation 21:1-27, John 11:17-37, John 11:38-44
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... the rivers. Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully. They will receive blessing from the LORD, and vindication from the God of their salvation. Such is the company of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of ...
... which you gave your Son Jesus in life and resurrection. Amen. PSALM 98 O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. The LORD has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and ...
... forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever ...
... the rivers. Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully. They will receive blessing from the LORD,and vindication from the God of their salvation. Such is the company of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Lift up your heads, O gates!and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of ...
... the Gospel, we share the responsibility of spreading the Good News, with pastors and elders, evangelists and teachers, healers and nurses, identifying with all sorts and conditions of people in order to communicate the word of your grace in Jesus Christ. Amen. Psalm 26:1-12 Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and mind. For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you ...
Isaiah 51:17--52:12, Psalm 98:1-9, Hebrews 1:1-14, John 1:1-18
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... light shall shine on and the darkness never overwhelm it. Amen. Psalm 98 O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. The LORD has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and ...
... I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. I must bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he takes my side and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light; I shall see his vindication. (Light the second candle.) Narrator: As the faint spark of hope flickered in the hearts of the faithful, the people looked to the time when God would punish them no longer, but send a messiah to restore the nation. (Organ music begins at this point, playing softly one ...
Isaiah 61:1-11, Isaiah 62:1-12, Galatians 3:26--4:7, Luke 2:21-40
Bulletin Aid
Paul A. Laughlin
... ’ name we pray. Amen Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 Theme: Delayed hopes - devoutly trusted, divinely fulfilled Exegetical Note The elderly Simeon and Anna, both models of patient faith in God and God’s promises, here find their deepest hopes - not just for the vindication of Jerusalem but indeed for universal salvation - at last fulfilled in the person of the Christ-child. Call to Worship Leader: Lift up your hearts, people of God! For our hopes are fulfilled! People: THE ONE FOR WHOM WE HAVE BEEN WAITING AND ...
Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 4:14-5:10, John 19:17-27, John 19:28-37
Bulletin Aid
Paul A. Laughlin
... --53:12 Theme: Man of sorrows for the sins of many Exegetical Note In this fourth and final Servant Song, the description of the innocent servant’s vicarious and redemptive sufferings is "sandwiched" between the triumphant assurances of his ultimate vindication. The correspondence with the role and fate of Jesus has made this passage a favorite for Christological interpretation since the early church. Call to Worship Leader: Surely Christ has borne our griefs; truly he has carried our sorrows, People: FOR ...
... glory. You can't blame us. But mostly, we're faithful. We bear your gospel now to the world as we carry our cross in imitation of you. Thank you, Jesus. Amen. Prayer Of Confession Without any doubt the mystery of our religion is great: He was revealed in flesh, Vindicated in spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among Gentiles, Believed in throughout the world, Taken up in glory. Amen. (based on 1 Timothy 3:16) Hymns "Lord, I Lift Your Name On High" "Majesty" "Our God Is A Mighty God"