27th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 22-A

Texts:  Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Psalm 19; Philippians 3:4b-14; Matthew 21:33-46

Call to Worship
L:   From north and south,
       from east and west, we come:
P:   God's people called to the Table
       where simple grace nourishes us.
L:   From down the street to across town,
       from single households to apartment dwellers:
P:   God's people are called to community,
       where we live and serve one another.
L:   From every class, every race, every status;
       from little one with sippy cups to elders with overflowing hearts:
P:   God's people are called to witness to God's hope,
       to offer peace to a shattered world.

Prayer of the Day
Seeing your children
in bondage and despair,
you brought them to freedom
by your compassion and hope.
Longing to create a people
who would care for one another,
you spoke simple truths
about integrity and justice.
Fill our worship
with sighs more precious than
all we value, Word Speaker.

You came,
not to build a grand scheme,
but to be our foundation of faith.
You came,
not to choose sides like us,
but to be that peace
which brings us together.
You came,
not worrying about what
lay ahead for you,
so we could see
your kingdom prepared for us.
Fill our worship
with your grace more precious
than our deepest fears, Word Bearer.

When we cling
to all which holds us back,
you empty our arms,
putting our past in a rummage sale.
When we hesitate
to stand with the lost,
you nudge us forward
with the wind of justice.
Fill our worship
with your peace more precious
than the brokenness we grasp, Word of Wisdom

God in Community, Holy in One,
hear the words of our hearts
as we pray as Jesus has taught us, saying,
Our Father . . .

Call to Reconciliation
We are good at rules: making them and then breaking them.  Paul reminds us
at, when we gain Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we receive exactly
what we need - forgiveness, grace, hope.  Let us confess our sins to God,
that we might know God's healing love for us!

Unison Prayer of Confession
   If we were to name all the gods we have before you, Rock of Redemption,
we would be here a very long time.  We elevate politicians into saviors,
though they are as broken as we are.  We misuse your name so much during the
day, we have trouble speaking to you in prayer at night.  We are so busy, we
do not notice how creation witnesses to your goodness and grace.
    Forgive us, God our Hope.  Help us to let go of what we value most, so
we may open our emptiness, our hearts, our lives to the healing and loving
presence of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon
L:   Persistently, patiently, lovingly, God pours out grace and joy into
       our lives, healing our brokenness, forgiving our sin.
P:   Loved, we are sent to love;
       Forgiven, we are freed to forgive;
       Graced, we can offer our gifts to everyone we meet.
       Thanks be to God.  Amen.

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
L:  May the composer of heaven's music be with you!
P:  And also with you!
L:  Beloved, God has created you for faithful living.
P:  We lift our hearts to the One who calls us to be Christ's Body.
L:  People of God, sing to the One who cleanses us of our fears.
P:  We will dance with joy to the Table of peace and hope.

Chaos trembled as you spoke,
not wanting to hear
your goodness breaking it apart,
Rock and Redeemer of all.
creation sang oratorios for you,
while earth drummed out the rhythm.
Each day testified 'God is good';
each night whispered 'Glory!'
All that was beautiful and true
was created for us,
but wanting to know sin and death,
we exchanged the best you gave to us,
for the garbage they offered to us.
Using words and wonder,
silence and speech,
prophets came to call us back
into your covenantal love,
but we continued to yearn
for what we could not have.
Finally, you sent your Son,
in love, in hope, in peace,
that we would accept him
and the gift of new life.

So, with those who trembled at
the foot of your holy mountain,
and with those who press on to follow you,
we join our voices in praise to you:

P:  Your Word opens our eyes to all creation;
     Your Word is the sweet taste of joy for hungry hearts;
      Your Word endures through every trial and triumph.

      Blessed is your Word which comes in your name!
      Hosanna in the highest!

Holy are you, God of all creation,
and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.
Yearning for us to know you,
he came to be your face
of love and compassion for all.
Hungering for reconciliation
between you and your children,
he became the broken Bread of Life.
Aching for our release
from the agony of sin and death,
he suffered on the cross,
so we might be made well.

As we remember his goodness and gentleness,
as we celebrate his life in us,
we would speak of that mystery we call faith:

P:     Setting aside all he valued,
            Christ became our treasure;
         Setting aside his own life,
            Christ rescued us from sin;
         Setting aside our doubts and fears,
             we yearn for Christ's return in glory.

Here at your Table,
Redeemer of all creation,
pour out your Spirit
on the gifts of the bread and the cup,
and on our sisters and brothers in Christ.
Your Spirit gives us life,
so we may go and serve others.
Your Spirit heals our brokenness,
so we may bring healing to all.
Your Spirit graces us with peace,
so we may be peacemakers
for our communities.

And when we stand around your Table,
all hurtful words silenced,
all pain left behind,
with hope and grace our closest friends,
we will join our hearts and voices
with our sisters and brothers
who forever sing of your glory.
God in Community, Holy in One.  Amen.

(c) 2011  Thom M. Shuman

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 20 - A

Texts:  Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 78:1-4, 122-16; Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew 21:23-32

Call to worship
L:  Becoming a baby,
P:  Christ transformed all of us
     into his sisters and brothers.
L:  Telling us stories we had forgotten,
P:  God helps us to walk the paths of discipleship.
L:  Becoming foolish in the world's eyes.
P:  The Spirit teaches us all we need
     to find our way into the kingdom.

Prayer of the Day
When we think your job
is to listen to our petty quarrels,
you lean over,
put your finger to our lips,
whispering,
'let me tell you a story.'
Rock Splitter,
we worship you.

When we want  to ask you
all sorts of questions,
and demand to see
your background check,
you put your arms around us,
gently saying,
'i want you to meet
some friends of mine.'
Self Emptier:
we follow you.

When we are burned out
by our chronic anger,
when our throats are parched
by our litany of laments,
you take us by the hand,
inviting,
'let's go get a cold drink
down at Rock's cafe.'
Sharing Spirit,
we adore you.

God in Community, Holy in One,
to whom we pray, as Jesus teaches,
Our Father . . .

Call to Reconciliation
All too often, we tell God we will do better,
and be better, and then just go on living
the same way we always have.  Let this
be the moment, when we tell our God of
our failures and faithlessness, so we can
go forth to work in that kingdom of grace
and hope.  Join me as we pray,

Unison Prayer of Confession
   We would want to be fountains of hope
for others, God of glory, but people find
only hardened hearts.  We would like to
be transformed people, but our stubborn
pride prevents us from bending a knee
to you.  We long to stand with those
who are in need, but our selfishness
keeps our backs rigid in judgment.
   Forgive us, God who came down to us.
Humble us, that we might be true servants
to the broken and lost.  Split open our
frozen hearts, that compassion might
flow freely to those who are hurting.
Fill our minds with the presence of your
Spirit, that we might learn how to follow
Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, into
that kingdom of grace and hope.

Silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon
L:  This is the good news:  in Christ, God's
     plan for salvation was accomplished.
     You are forgiven, your are made new.
P:  We will complete God's joy, by sharing
   compassion, forgiveness, hope, with
   everyone we meet.  Thanks be to God.
   Amen.

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
L:  May the God who comes in humility to us be with you!
P:  And also with you!
L:  Beloved, lift your hardened hearts to God.
P:  We offer them to the One who will split them open
     so grace can flow into the world.
L:  Children of God, sing to the One who turned the world upside down.
P:  We open our mouths, praising God who shows us the way.

Streams of water flowed forth
when you split open chaos,
God of Wonder.
Rivers divided to create valleys and hills,
the sun became the beacon for each day,
the moon and stars our night lights.
You breathed your children to life,
and longed to hold us in your lap,
telling us stories of your goodness.
But while we told you
we would always do your will,
we went running off to join
with sin and death
in their quarrels with you.
You sent the prophets
to remind us of all
we had known and heard,
but we mocked them,
not letting them sway us.
Then you sent Jesus
to be the One
to work out our salvation.

So, with those who sing your praise,
and those who complain bitterly,
with those who wandered in the wilderness,
and those who stand in places of worship,
we lift our voices in wonder to you:

P:   Holy, holy, holy are you, Transforming God.
      All creation flows toward your heart.
      Hosanna in the highest!

      Blessed is the One who stands with those who have nothing.
      Hosanna in the highest!

Holy are you, God of Imagination,
and blessed is Jesus Christ, our Lord.
He put on humility's garb,
so we might be clothed
in the garments of grace;
he lowered himself
to walk the world with us,
so we might be lifted
from the depths of sin;
he suffered the death
of a common criminal,
so we might receive
the extraordinary gift of life
forever with you.

As we remember his willingness to give up glory,
as we celebrate his resurrection giving us hope,
we tell of that mystery we call faith:

P:  Christ emptied himself on the cross,
         that we might be filled with life;
      Christ was called forth from the tomb,
          that we might confess him the Risen One;
      Christ will come again, calling us by name
          that God's joy be made complete.

Pour out your Spirit,
Nourishing God,
upon this Table of joy
and those who gather around it.
As you transform the simple gifts
of the bread and the cup
into grace beyond all imagining,
may we be changed
into fellow servants
with Jesus Christ our Brother,
people willing to offer ourselves
in service and humility
to those who have been
defeated by the world.

And when all time has ended,
and we are at home with you forever,
we will gather around the Lamb's Table,
joining our hands, hearts, and voices,
in never-ending praise to you,
God in Community, Holy in One.  Amen.

(c) 2011  Thom M. Shuman

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 20 - A

Texts:  Exodus 16:2-15; Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45; Philippians 1:21-30; Matthew 20:1-16

Call to Worship
L:  In the prayers and the praise, in the words and the wonder:
P:  we are given enough joy to live each day.
L:  In the justice for the oppressed,
     in the unexpected generosity for the lost:
P:  we are given enough compassion
     to use in service each day.
L:  In the promises made to all,
    in the mercy offered to each:
P:  we are given enough grace to share each day.

Prayer of the Day
Fresh as each morning
you come to us,
Crafter of manna.
Your grace rests
gently upon us,
waiting to be gathered,
to become the bread of life
we share throughout the day.

Fresh as compassion's justice,
you come to us,
Servant of the poor.
Choosing to give
as you desire,
you show us the last,
so we can make them first
in our hearts and hopes.
Doing no wrong,
you make us right
with God for all time.

Fresh as the water
which turns a desert
into a meadowland of flowers,
Spirit of uninterrupted grace,
you come to us.
When we would grumble,
you give us the gospel to live out;
when we would protest,
you teach us songs of praise;
when we would utter laments,
you fill us with God's laughter.

God in Community, Holy in One,
refresh us with your presence
as we pray as Jesus taught, saying,
Our Father . . .

Call to Reconciliation
We continue to believe that we must earn
our way into God's heart.  But God's grace
is given to each of us, for all of us, freely,
unconditionally, always.  Let us open our
lives to this mercy as we pray saying,

Unison Prayer of Confession
It seems we cannot decide, Cloud of Glory.
We say we will live to serve others,
   but end up meeting only our needs.
We claim to live in a way that honors Christ,
   but we do not take him to work, school, home.
We believe that the gospel can transform lives,
   (at least, for those who need it  - not us).

Forgive us, Presence of Peace.
Instead of grumblers,
   may we be ambassadors of grace.
Instead of continual complaining,
   may we carry compassion to the hurting.
Instead of whiners,
   may we be workers with Jesus Christ, our
Lord and Savior, to reach out and bring the
kingdom of God to everyone we meet.

Assurance of Pardon
L:  This is the good news: there is no ranking
    in God's kingdom.  God graces everyone with
    the same gifts: mercy, restoration, new life.
P:  God has kept the covenant.  We have been
   forgiven, we have been made new people.
  Thanks be to God. Amen.

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
L:  May the God of all mornings be with you!
P:  And also with you!
L:  Children of God, welcome the One who shares
      grace with us with childlike abandon.
P:  We open our hearts so we might savor the
      sweet taste of joy and wonder.
L:  People of God, bring your emptiness to
      this Table of hope and peace.
P:  We sing praises to One who fills us with
       Christ's presence of service to others.

On that first morning,
when chaos saw your glory,
you brought out creation,
with stars and planets
swimming in the skies,
gazelles and giraffes dancing
through the fields of goodness.
You shaped humankind in your mercy,
and fed us with grace,
enough for each day.
Jealous that you were so gracious
to all of creation,
we grumbled that it wasn't enough,
and went searching for sin and death.
Prophets came, telling the stories
of your wonder and presence,
but for us, these were foolish words.
Finally, you sent Jesus
to come looking for us,
to show us your kingdom.
So, we join our voices with
wilderness wanderers and urbane dwellers,
those who, in every time and place
sing of your glory:

P:  Holy!  Holy!  Holy!  Glory to God's holy name!
    Our hearts will seek God,
    rejoicing in God's gentleness and grace.

   Blessed is the One who comes looking for us.
   Hosanna in the highest!

You are holy, Cloud of Compassion,
and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Joy, our Hope.
Child of glory and grace,
he chose to come to us,
working in the fields of despair.
Hearing our complaints,
he came to speak
of your dreams for us.
Firstborn of all creation,
he came to defeat
that last enemy, called death.
As we remember his life and death,
as we come to the Table he has prepared,
we sing of that mystery called faith:

P:  This is the bread God gives us to eat.
      This is the life Christ calls us to offer to others.
      This is the journey the Spirit takes with us.

Pour out your Spirit
upon your children gathered,
and upon the bread and the cup
you have provided for us.
As you feed us with the bread,
so flood us with compassion,
that we may go to serve
all who are lost and broken.
As you open you heart
so that the cup of grace
might be filled with your hopes,
send us out to bring the lost
home to your kingdom,
where they will be first in your joy.

And when all time has ended
and the whole family of God
is gathered around your Table,
we will join our voices together,
praising your forever:
God in Community, Holy in One.  Amen.

(c) 2011 Thom M. Shuman

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 19 - A

Text:  Exodus 14;19-31; pSALM 114; Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-35

Call to Worship
L:    In sacred times of word, wonder, and awe,
       in ordinary days of work and play:
P:    in every moment, God is with us.
L:    Whether we are stuck in doubt's mud,
       or standing on faith's shoreline:
P:    in every place, God is with us.
L:    In those who teach us
          and those who trouble us;
      in those who surprise us,
          and those who forgive us:
P:    in every person, God is with us.

Prayer of the Day
When we look over our shoulders
at fear shadowing us today,
you go before us into tomorrow,
making a path through
the sea of yesterday's doubts.
When our legs tremble
from the effort of standing up
for what you hope for all creation,
you stand at our side,
offering your hope's strength.
Cloud of Grace,
we offer our love to you.

When we turn our hearts
into deserts of stony bitterness,
you transform them
into oases of joy.
When we come up
with all sorts of rules
for those who come to us
seeking to find you,
you tear up the list,
stretching wide your arms
in welcoming grace.
Servant of all,
we offer our lives to you.

When we would clasp
old worries to our hearts,
you open our eyes to that hope
which paves the path ahead of us.
When we spend each day
consumed with doubts and fears,
you remind us that this day
is the time to honor God,
by serving God's children.
Mist of Mercy,
we offer our hearts to you.

God in Community, Holy in One,
as you are all to us,
so we would offer all we are to you,
even as we pray as Jesus taught us,
Our Father . . .

Call to Reconciliation
As we stand before God, we think of all
the ways we bicker with others, all those
times we have not shown mercy and grace
to those around us.  Let us bow our hearts
and confess our sin to God, as we pray
together, saying,

Unison Prayer of Confession
It is never easy for us to confess
but deep down inside, we know that
    graced,
        we have trouble
        being grace-full to others;
    forgiven,
        we are eager to judge
        and punish all who hurt us;
    freed,   
        we find ways to put restrictions
        on people we fear.
Forgive us, Servant God.  You show
mercy more often than we deserve; you
pardon us more times than we can count.
And why?  Because we are the Lord's -
sisters and brothers of Jesus Christ, who
died and lived again, so we might live
beyond death with you.

Silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon
L:    God's hand of mercy is stretched out
       to us, making a way through all that
       threatens us, to touch us with grace
       and hope.
P:    We stand before our God, singing
       praise to the One who turns our despair
       into joy, our fears into faith.  Amen.

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
L:  May the God of hope be with you!
P:  And also with you.
L:  God, our God, leads us through the floods of fears
      into the future of wonder and hope.
P:  We open our hearts to the one who journeys
      with us, in the past, in the present, into tomorrow.
L:  God goes before us, preparing the Table piled high
      with grace and peace.
P:   We sing songs of glad thanksgiving to the One
       who fills us with goodness and mercy.

You stretched out your hand,
Cloud of Glory,
parting a way through chaos,
so your goodness might come forth.
You looked, and laughed out loud,
as seas ran forth in joy,
mountains played leapfrog,
and hills hopscotched with valleys.
Creation became a sanctuary
for those created in your image.
But we decided to live for ourselves,
every day becoming one in which
we could turn your dreams to ashes,
your overflowing love into
dust bowls of despair.
Out of pity, you sent the prophets,
those pillars of faithfulness,
but we wrangled with their gentle words.
So, you sent Jesus,
to lead us through evil's deeps,
to that freedom found only
in your kingdom of life.

Therefore, on this day,
when we stand in your grace
around your Table of life,
we join our voices with all
who offer praise to the One who saves:

P:    Living, we serve others in God's name;
       serving, we die unto ourselves;
       dying, we are given life eternal with God.

       Blessed is the One who comes forgiving us
        more times than we can count.
       Hosanna in the highest!

Holy are you, Cloud of Joy,
and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son, our Servant.
When we were weak in faith,
he came to strengthen us
with your everlasting hope;
when we were slaves to sin,
he came to lead us into
the promised land of mercy;
when our hearts became like flint,
he softened them with compassion;
when we could only focus on ourselves,
he came to die for us.

As we gather at your Table,
we remember his love for us,
his patience with our failings,
his hope in our willingness to follow,
his trust in that mystery we call faith:

P:    Baptized in Christ,
            we would live for him;
        forgiven through Christ,
            we would emulate him;
        putting on Christ,
            we wait for his return
        Alleluia!  Amen!

Creator God,
send your Spirit in peace
upon us and these simple gifts
of the bread and of the cup.
As we share the bread,
we share the presence of Christ,
strengthened to go out
with forgiveness in our hearts.
As we pass the cup,
we share Christ's Spirit
with our neighbors,
and are called to welcome all
as our sisters and brothers,
especially those held captive
by the bitterness of the world.

As you gathered your children
to lead them to that promised land,
so you will gather all your children
from the very ends of time itself,
to seat us around your heart,
where we will feast on your grace,
lifting our hearts to praise you forever:
  God our Maker,
  Christ our Brother,
  Spirit our Compassion,
one God, now and forever.  Amen.

(c) 2011  Thom M. Shuman

Thom