|
|
Woship Resources 2009-2010 — Year C: Live Generously, Love Courageously
Return to Year C: 2009-2010
Resource Index
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Pray Always
Children’s Sabbath Ordinary Time (Proper 24)
Scriptures: Jeremiah 31:27–34; Psalm 119:97–104; II Timothy
3:14—4:5; Luke 18:1–8; II Nephi 6:104; Doctrine and Covenants
18:6a
Building on the worship center from October 3 and 10, add several items
representing the scripture from Luke (e.g., praying hands or a picture of
someone in prayer) and/or illustrations by the children’s Sunday school classes
representing the parable.
Prelude
The prelude could include a PowerPoint slide show created to accompany
the song “Let Us Pray” by Steven Curtis Chapman from Signs of Life
audio CD, ASIN: B000005KYA.
Welcome and Sharing in “Passing of Peace”
Invite the congregation to greet one another with handshakes, hugs, etc.
Call to Worship: II Nephi 6:104
Prayer for Peace
*Hymn of Praise: “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” HS 31
OR “Santo, Santo, Santo” NS 43
OR “This Is God’s Wondrous World” R-1
*Opening Prayer
Consider having two of the youth share in prayer together.
Drama
Present the light drama Say Something. It’s the story about a
young woman looking for an answer to prayer. It’s available by subscription
at www.dramaministry.com.
Scripture Lesson: Luke 18:1–18
Message
Based on Luke 18:1–18
Before the message, the twelve-minute video, Open, can be played.
It’s #19 in the Nooma, DVD series by Rob Bell.
Hymn of Faith and Trust: “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” HS 125
OR “On Eagle’s Wings” NS 41
Use a soloist with the congregation joining in on the chorus.
OR Ministry of Music
Sharing of Prayer Concerns
The presider might lead the congregation in offering up prayer concerns
for congregational support. Close sharing time with a prayer for the
concerns expressed by the congregation members.
Scripture for Confessional Reflection: Doctrine and Covenants 18:6a
“Pray always and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be
your blessing.” Allow a couple of minutes of silence for the congregation
to pray and receive God’s promised blessing of the Spirit.
Disciples’ Generous Response
Each Sunday, as part of the Disciples’ Generous Response, we ask you to
integrate the message of “share equally” between Local and World Ministries
Mission Tithes. Generosity stories are provided to keep the church in touch
with how contributions to Mission Tithes spread the peace of Jesus Christ.
Please use the stories, testimonies, and up-to-date contribution information
as part of your offertory ministry. Visit
www.CofChrist.org/generositystories to print a copy, or contact your
pastor, congregational financial officer, or worship coordinator for a copy.
“As God cares for each one of us, we care for our neighbors near and far.
Let us share generously that others may be touched by God’s love through our
response.”
Blessing and Receiving of Mission Tithes
Prayer for Children
*Closing Hymn: “Touch Me, Lord, with Thy Spirit Eternal” HS 409
OR “Of All the Spirit’s Gifts to Me” SP 12
OR “I Have Called You by Your Name” R-10
*Sending Forth
“But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on
that day,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and
I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my
people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need
to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone,
from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord.
—Jeremiah 31:33–34 New Living Translation
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Jeremiah 31:27–34; Psalm 119:97–104; II Timothy 3:14—4:5;
Luke 18:1–8
Exploring the Scriptures
The point of this story is an example of lesser to greater: If something is
true and is easy to understand, it is even truer on a grander scale when it is
more difficult to grasp. So, if a complaining widow can get an unjust judge to
hear her case, how much more can our constant prayer move a loving God to act on
our behalf? (Another example of this is in Matthew 7:9–11.)
Judges were supposed to referee disputes, protecting the quality of right
relationships in the community. They were also supposed to be faithful to God by
caring for widows, orphans, and strangers. The judge represented God’s vision of
shalom and wholeness to the people, judging without juries, checks, and
balances.
Right away, we have trouble. This judge was unjust, had no respect for
people, and did not fear God. Why wouldn’t he hear her case in court? Maybe she
wanted him to rule against a powerful person in the community or a friend of the
judge. Maybe she annoyed him. Eventually, though, he granted her justice because
he did not want her to wear him out.
This judge was not faithful and not interested in fairness. If he gave
justice to the widow anyway, Jesus pointed out, then God (who is both faithful
and just) will hear your prayers and give you justice.
The widow had no power; when her husband died, she lost all rights to land
and property, becoming dependent and poor. All she had was persistence, in going
to the judge for justice. Jesus starts talking about the “need to pray always
and not to lose heart” in Luke 18:1. Like the widow before the judge, before
God, we have no influence or power besides the influence and power God gives us.
The widow was successful with the judge in her tireless efforts. Jesus is saying
that humans who pray constantly will be even more successful with God.
The passage does not say whether he decided in her favor. It says he decided
to “grant her justice.” Jesus points out that God will grant justice to those
who cry for it. This does not mean God will do everything we want, only that God
will respond to our prayers in a just way—even if we do not understand the
outcome.
Jesus ended the story by redirecting the focus. Instead of looking at God’s
answer of justice, the question is, “And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he
find faith on earth?” The parable is not about the judge, after all—let God be
God. Instead, the question is, will we be faithful in continuing our prayers?
The story seems to resist the idea that we are helpless in the face of God’s
will, our actions irrelevant. Even though we seem powerless, our faithfulness
can make a difference to God.
Consider ways to compare parents to the unjust judge in retelling the story
for Children’s Sabbath today.
Central Ideas
1. The focus of this parable is the need to pray always and not to lose
heart. To God, it matters.
2. Jesus does not promise that God will respond the way we want, but we
will have justice.
Questions for the Speaker
1. When has God answered a prayer in a way you did not expect or
understand until later?
2. There seems to be conflict between Jesus offering speedy justice and
also saying we should pray without losing heart, implying that it may be a
prolonged effort. What does that tension say to you?
3. What does this scripture mean to someone who has suffered with
continued injustice, despite prayer?
Return to Year C: 2009-2010
Resource Index
|
