CELEBRATING THE PRESENCE OF GOD
Pastoral Invitation
For the second time, in the name of the newborn one, welcome to the ____ day of Christmas, when my true love gave to me __________. Now that we are well past the culture's celebration of Christmas day, we can celebrate the biblical version of the event. Someone (author unknown) has said, "In despair we cry, 'Look at what the world has come to!' In joy we shout, 'Look at what has come to the world!' " Ask the people to stand and reverently shout, "Look at what has come to the world!" Repeat until they shout it with enthusiasm and energy.
Response
Develop a litany based on John 1:1-18, using selected passages to drive home the reality of Christ, the living Word.
Response
"O Come, All Ye Faithful," John Francis Wade (c. 1740-1743); trans. Frederick Oakeley, 1841; harm. The English Hymnal, 1906.
CELEBRATING THE ACT OF FORGIVENESS
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
From W. H. Auden's Christmas Oratorio, "For the Time Being," is this remark of one of the characters: "I like committing crimes (sins). God likes forgiving them. Really, the world is admirably arranged." True for us? Identify, silently, which sins you enjoy committing. (One minute of silence.) Now, which of those are you willing to bring into God's light, realizing, of course, that God knows all about them already?
Response
Gracious and Holy God, we dare to come to you, only because you have invited us to come. We bring our brokenness, our secrets, our false pride, and everything else that drags us down, even though we pretend that we have it all together. You know all about the wrongs we have done and the good that we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart, nor have we loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as you have forgiven us. We confess that in all these things, and in countless other ways, we have sinned against you. Pastor: Take one minute to identify three specific sins that get in the way of you and God. Lord, have mercy on us. (Pray this five times, with an emphasis on each word.)
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life
It is one thing to confess our sin before God; it is quite another to believe that God, specifically, forgives us. It is one thing to confess our sin before God; it is quite another to confess that same sin to the person whom we have offended, or hurt, or ignored. Confession in worship is the first step only. What resolve are we willing to make to go to the other, beginning in our own home:
The Act of Receiving New Life (Pastor and Ministers)
P: In Jesus the Christ, God offers forgiveness, wholeness, peace.
M: Our lives have been received, and given hope for the present and future.
P: I invite us, in the Spirit of the Newborn One, to bring this same hope to those whom we have alienated.
M: Despite our fear, indeed we shall! We affirm that promise in God's presence and in God's power.
Response
"Pass It On," words and music by Kurt Kaiser, from Let the People Sing. (See Appendix 1 for the address).
CELEBRATING THE WORD
Message with the Children of All Ages
Are you aware that this is still the Christmas season? (Remind them of the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," and which day we are celebrating today.) On Christmas Day, we spend a lot of time wondering what we are going to get. Some of those things are probably broken by this time. Today, I want us to think about what we have been giving these past days. (This may be a new idea, so give a few minutes of silence; if no one says anything, offer some possibilities, as for example: Cleaning your room without your parents nagging you; offering to do the dishes; taking care of your dog; and so forth.) Now, this coming week, what would you be willing to do to let others know that you care about them, at home, at school, at play?
Reading from the Scripture
Jesus comments about the sheep and the goats. Introduce the scripture briefly. Ask, "How many of you consider this a strange text for today's worship? Why do you think so?" Reserve the sermon for your response. Perhaps you would like to use this free-verse poem which I wrote, and which appears in a book, Your Peacemaking Heart, edited by Ruth Greenslade, Verity Publications, P. O. Box 346, Tarpon Springs, Florida 34688.
Matthew 25:31-46 Revisited
I was hungry -- and you had a sixteen-ounce T-bone for dinner.I was thirsty -- and you had another six pack.I was a stranger -- and you stayed close to your friends.I was naked -- and you bought another sports jacket.I was sick -- and you had a ball game to attend.I was in prison -- and you decided to go to a party.
And then again,
I was hungry -- and you did more than provide me with food stamps.I was thirsty -- and you worked to preserve clean water.I was a stranger -- and you included me in your group.I was naked -- and you shared your best clothing with me.I was sick -- and you took me to a physician.I was in prison -- and you sought to change the penal system.(Used by permission of author)
Proclamation of the Good News
You may want to incorporate some of these ideas: (1) Only the comfortable and secure get tired of hearing this passage. (2) Use Georgia Harkness' poem, "I Listen to the Agony of God." (3) We have heard all of the statistics and numbers; we have our biases and prejudices about people on welfare, food stamps, food banks. Are we willing to look at the issues through scripture; and God's concern for the least, last, lost, and lowest of the earth? (4) Identify specific ways that people who love in Christ's name can respond. (5) We cannot escape responsibility toward these issues; for either we contribute negatively to the problems by doing nothing, or positively by becoming part of the solution. Which choice will you and I make?
CELEBRATING OUR GIFTS
Stewardship Challenge
Either reread the scripture or the poem. Have the pianist or organist or guitarist play appropriate background music, perhaps one of Bob Dylan's songs. Read slowly and deliberately.
CELEBRATING OUR DEPARTURE
Hymn of Commitment
"Here I Am, Lord," Daniel L. Schutte, 1981; alt. Harm. Michael Pope, Daniel Schutte, and John Weissrock, 1983. This hymn will serve as the conclusion of Christmas and the beginning of Epiphany. Let the people know of the translation. Tell them the significance of Epiphany, the neglected season.
Charge to the Congregation
We celebrate Advent, Christmas, and next week, the season of Epiphany (one event); because something has happened for us; and therefore, something has happened in us; so something will happen through us. God promises us Christ's presence and power to make this happen!
Response
"For Your Gracious Blessings," source unknown, harm. by David Smart, found in Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.)
Meditation
"Jesus the Christ is intolerant because he loves. Some of us may tolerate anything and everything (it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you're sincere) because we do not love, even though we may say we do. When love steps in (see the scripture once more), toleration ceases. The love that bears all things will not allow harm to rest on the beloved, if we know that person or do not know him/her. The Cross speaks most profoundly of that love" (Author unknown; revised).
MUSIC POSSIBILITIES (In Addition To Those Already Suggested)
Music for Preparation and Dismissal
Christmas carols and one Epiphany hymn. Make the people aware of the Epiphany hymn, and the Epiphany season.
Response to the Scripture
"Hark! the Herald Angels Sing," Charles Wesley, 1739; alt. Felix Mendelssohn, 1840; arr. William Hayman Cummings, 1855.
Response to the Stewardship Challenge
"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring."
Response to the Benediction
"I'm Gonna Sing When The Spirit Says Sing," Spiritual from Let the People Sing. (See Appendix I for address.)