Pastoral Invitation to the Celebration
Try this: "Some of you who came today may wish that you hadn't; Some who didn't come today may be glad they didn't. Today, we deal with one of Jesus' difficult sayings. We can know that God promises Holy Spirit, no matter what's happening in our lives."

You may want to include this litany:
Pastor: From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the Lord's name is to be praised and praised.
Ministers: Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth and forevermore. (my translation)

Acts of Confession
Suggestion: Peter rebuked Christ. In the Cotton Patch Version. Clarence Jordan translated this passage, "Rock collared Jesus and began to take him to task." (Mark 8:33) Invite the people to think of ways they rebuke Jesus, most of which a…