Dear Friends,
Greetings! I do hope you are well.
For the past ten years or so I have been blessed to serve on behalf of the church as a regular contributor of sermons to the Biblical Preaching Journal and original liturgies for the Journal of Worship Resources (Deerhaven Press). Sadly, like many fine magazines, the Biblical Preaching Journal is no longer in publication; happily the Journal of Worship Resources continues to publish seasonal issues for congregations around the world.
Below is a “free sample” of liturgies I wrote for the Lent and Easter 2011 issue of JWR for this upcoming Sunday, May 22. The central Bible text is Acts 7: 55-60 (the stoning of Stephen). You are welcome to participate in this Sunday’s services as we contemplate in the context of worship what the Christian faith has to say to victims, assailants, and the human condition. The sermon is entitled “Stones.” Please stay afterward and be our guest for a church and community potluck meal. Come, and be fed body and soul.
As always, First Christian Church of Decatur, I am delighted to be your pastor. Shalom, James Brewer-Calvert
Call to Worship (Adapted from Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16)
One: In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.
Many: Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.
One: You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me, take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.
Many: Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
One: My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
Many: Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love. Amen!
Unison Prayer of Invocation
Lord, into your hand we commit our spirits. Accept us as we are and make of us disciples of your Son and our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen!
Call to Confession
Stephen looked up into the heavens and saw God. Excitedly he told those near him what he witnessed. “’Look,’ Stephen said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him.” (Acts 7: 56-57) Ever had your own enthusiasm thwarted by someone else’s anger? Or have you covered your ears and refused to listen to someone else’s excitement and joy in seeing God? Has anyone prejudged you and hurt your feelings? Ever rush to judgment? How about shouting down or striking out at someone whom you think opposes you? Let us confess our sins of hastiness. Let us apologize for when we’ve used loud words or raised fists or weapons to dominate without concern for the harm we cause. Let us turn to the one who receives and reconciles our spirits with an eye toward justice and mercy.
Prayer of Confession
Lord, do not hold this sin against us. Forgive us, we beseech you. Cleanse our souls and send us forth with a clearer sense of our connectedness with you and one another. May our lips offer praise instead of put downs. May we unclench our fists and extend hands of hope. May we open our eyes to see the holy in all our relationships. In your name we pray. Amen.
Call to Offering
Econ 101: If you and I give what we gave last year, we will give less than we did last year. If we give what we gave ten years ago, we’re giving about half of what we gave then. The language of tithing is not the language of final arrival, but of growth. You and I need to give. Our church needs to receive in order to fulfill God’s mission. Please, let each one of us support Christ’s church with our generosity.
Prayer for Offering
Please bless these gifts, God, for what they will accomplish in your name, and because each gift is a sacrifice, a show of support, and a tangible sign of faithful stewardship. Amen.
Call to Communion
The Bible tells us in Acts 7: 58 that after Stephen saw the heavens open, “they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; …the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.” Years later Saul was still persecuting Christians when the heavens opened and God appeared to him on the road to Damascus. God said, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9: 4) Struck blind and then ministered to by Christians until his sight returned, Saul changed his name to Paul, committed his soul to Christ, and began a mission of starting faith communities. After Jesus Christ, for better or for worse, no one has been more influential in the church than Paul. There is much for us to learn from this, including the Good News that no matter what our past, God and God’s people are fully committed to changing our present for the sake of the future. Come as you are, regardless of your yesterdays, and have faith that God is nigh. See, the heavens are open and Jesus stands at the right hand of God!
Benediction
The heavens are open! The Son of God rejoices in your worship and praise. The Lord receives with joy your spirit and your commitment. Now go out into the world to be and share the Good News. Amen!