Ministry Matters...supporting Christian ministry with resources, community, and inspiration for Tuesday, 29 April 2019

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Ministry Matters...supporting Christian ministry with resources, community, and inspiration for Tuesday, 29 April 2019

Why Are So Many Churches Empty? The Importance of In-Depth Bible Study for a Congregation by Shane Stanford

This article is featured in the Wade Deep: Bible Study as a Remedy for Shallow Faith (May/June/July 2014) issue of Circuit Rider

An article in a church growth magazine asked, “Why are so many churches empty?” The writer answered the question with the typical responses, including the need for good parking, nursery quality, signage, and creative bulletin covers. The article was well written, but I don’t believe it answered the deeper question.

One reason so many churches are empty­ may have little to do with the tools and mechanisms employed for numerical growth, and more to do with how they are empty in deeper places. As one pastor said, “Our church has substituted ritual for relationship.” Indeed!

To practice real faith—not just belonging to a church’s membership rolls—requires deepening relationships set within the community of God.

We live among shifting cultural concerns related to the church. People are skeptical of institutions. Religion means little to the next generation past an actual face or friendship that gives it context. And our culture seeks real meaning, not merely mission statements. People don’t attend churches because of nice slogans, artful worship, and outstanding facilities. They are looking for something more.

Again, many churches are empty in numbers because they are empty at a deeper place.

I remember the first time I taught Disciple Bible Study. Our first class of eight individuals wasn’t much of a “revolution.” But, within the first two years, four dozen people had attended a Disciple Bible Study series. Within the next three years, the number expanded exponentially. People in Disciple shared a common biblical and emotional language, and they possessed a depth of understanding regular Sunday school couldn’t provide.

It wasn’t only their knowledge of scripture that set them apart; they learned how to apply it in the context of daily living. From these first Disciple students came many of our congregation’s servant leaders, teachers, and volunteers. Within the first five years of our church’s life, these leaders started six Sunday school classes, two ongoing inter­national mission projects, and a neighbor­hood community center.

After reviewing where most of our new members arrived from, many, if not most, were invited by those who had attended one of our in-depth Bible study series.

It may oversimplify to say that in-depth Bible study grows churches. But, it is not too simple to say that in-depth Bible study potentially transforms a congregation at a deep, personal level. When we focus on things about which God cares, we learn to care about them, as well.

In-depth Bible study has two powerful effects on a congregation.

First, in-depth Bible study provides a means to know and love God beyond the Sunday morning sermon or daily devotional. Some lessons in scripture teach us directly about the person, ­purpose, and plan of God, and some teach us about God’s work through creation, covenant, and community. In the process, in-depth Bible study utilizes scripture to recalibrate a congregation’s view of God and God’s people.

Second, in-depth Bible study provides examples of what it means to love like God. From the beginning of scripture, a narrative of God’s tension between righteousness and love unfolds. Deuteronomy 9 reminds us that just across the line from God’s justice is God’s great love for God’s people. By the end of the biblical story, we discover what it means to form a life around our faith in God—particularly through the gift of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

Therefore, in my experience, scripture draws us not only to God but to each other, as well.

I have participated at all levels of in-depth Bible study over twenty years of ministry—as a student, teacher, writer, editor, and host. And, in my recent work with Covenant Bible Study, God worked something significant within me. Certainly the study of the scriptures informed me, but the conversations and interactions with the scholars from each episode meant even more. The stories told from each book of the Bible engaged my interest, but it was the incredible talent and design of the professionals charged with developing the videos and materials by which to study those books that provided actual context.

I learned by the process of creating the Covenant Bible Study series that we were also building a form of biblical community. We didn’t always agree on the meaning or even the purpose of the scripture—but we experienced community as the scripture found context and nurtured relationship within each of us. And even in that professional endeavor, engaging the scriptures transformed strangers into friends.

The congregation that commits itself to in-depth study of the scriptures—faithfully, consistently, deeply—is never empty, no matter the number present. Amen.

How To Turn Your Weaknesses To Your Advantage by Len Wilson

Did you ever say you could do something and then had to figure out how to do what you’d just agreed to? Such chutzpah can be a good thing for landing a job, I suppose, and I certainly have done my share of it. I was 24 years old when I interviewed for a full-time media specialist position at a large and growing Methodist church in Ohio with a funny name called Ginghamsburg. They were averaging 1,000 a weekend, had just moved into a new sanctuary with screens and cameras, and needed an expert to help understand and use the new technology.

I was a fresh graduate-to-be with intern and associate-level experience at three television stations and three post-production studio environments. I’d handled some gear but my resume suggested I knew more than I actually did. And I was eager to embellish whatever good thoughts others threw at me: Run sound? Sure! Live, multi-camera switching? Sure! Computer graphics? No problem!

I was a full-on practitioner of a philosophy that has served young workers everywhere:

Fake It Till You Make It.

The courage behind the sentiment is admirable, and entrepreneurs have used it to name a reality into which they might grow, such as the executives at Kutol. Being an entrepreneur at heart I am reluctant to throw water on the ability to think and act big. And my job worked out pretty well for me and for my employer, so the “fake it” philosophy isn’t all bad.

But the downside to faking it till you make it is that you can try to do everything.

Being a creative and communicator is especially prone to such fakery. Filmmaking, photography, graphic design, art design, writing, social media, creative direction, live production, stage craft, and on it goes – there are so many specialties and things to do. One person can never do it all well. But FOMO — the fear of missing out — can lead us to say yes to everything.

Eventually, I got tired of trying to do everything. So three years ago, I took a personality assessment.

A personality assessment freed me from the slavery of fakery. “StrengthsFinder 2.0” is an assessment unlike any other. (It has sold more than 4 million copies to date and was named Amazon’s bestselling book of 2013.) A lot of assessments focus on your limitations, even if by accident. They tell you you’re an introvert and a doer and inadvertently tell you that you are no good with people or you can’t think.

StrengthsFinder is different. It’s built on the premise that every of us has a unique combination of gifts – strengths — that form who we are. With so many unique strengths (here’s the full list of 34 strengths), the combinations that form each of us are endless.

Before I took the test, I expected mine to match my career experience. I anticipated having strengths such as Analytical, Communication, and Futuristic. But the results surprised me. Here is what the test said I am:

• Ideation 
• Intellection 
• Strategist 
• Input 
• Learner 

At first I shrugged my shoulders and moved on. But the results nagged me, and over a period of months I began to notice patterns in my interests and actions that matched. I went back and re-read the five descriptions. I came to a realization: I really am good at these five things.

Wow!

Understanding My Strengths Was Life-Changing.

Perhaps this sounds self-evident or even arrogant. But in a way that I’d never done before, I began to own these characteristics in myself. I like the process of Ideation and diving deep with Intellection, based on regular Input and fueled by to Learner’s desire. And the ideas I enjoy work best when arranged by the plans of a Strategist.

I looked back on where I’d been and my career decisions made sense from this perspective – I loved acquiring books in publishing. I loved big ideas and strategizing to make them happen through my company Midnight Oil and, before that, at the big Methodist church in Ohio.

The more I began to own these strengths, the freer I felt to let go of other things I had in the past tried to acquire, such as the skills of a graphic designer or commercial filmmaker or the flair of a presenter. I am a generalist and a little easily distracted, which means I probably lack the singular focus to be best at any one of those many hard skills. Instead of feeling bound by this perceived weakness, I am now free to put my attention into my strengths.

Knowing My Strengths Frees Me To Turn My Weaknesses To My Advantage

Not only does knowing my strengths help me focus my life better, I can offset my weaknesses by surrounding myself with amazing friends, networks, staff and colleagues. When I celebrate what others can do, my perceived weakness turns into an opportunity, because I discover amazing talents that are better than my own. As my father often advised me, “surround yourself with people better than you are.”

I still enjoy making movies, graphic design, and many other hard skills of communication, and I enjoy teaching people, but I no longer feel the need to lay claim to everything, or to fake it in the hopes of making it. Now, as a Creative Director, I have found a role that suits my strengths well.

I wish I could claim that I’d made this career move strategically with my strengths in mind, but the reality is that I did it kind of blind — I kind of fell into it. My Christian faith suggests that God’s hand was in charge of these life transitions. The freedom part is that I no longer feel the need to do it all.

I haven’t “made it,” whatever that is, but I’m no longer going to fake it.

How might knowing your strengths change your thinking?

If you spend your life trying to be good at everything, you’ll never be great at anything.

“Strengths-Based Leadership,” p. 7

Len Wilson is Creative Director at Peachtree, a large Presbyterian congregation in Atlanta. He blogs at LenWilson.us.

‘Test Me in This...’ by Sherri Williams

Our church recently finished our annual stewardship campaign. I'm not on the finance committee, so at this point I have no idea how it went as far as pledges go. To me, it seemed like a fairly soft campaign and I can understand why... kind of...

People seem to get really squirrely when the church starts talking about money and stewardship. It's really frustrating. It's a fine line to walk. You don't want to be pushy because people don't like that but if you go too soft, well, people don't get into it.

Several years ago, we used the “Practicing Extravagant Generosity” study for our stewardship campaign and it was wonderful! Honestly, I think it changed my life. I don't know how well it went for our congregation as a whole but it was great.

I have to share with you how this changed my life.

I've always been an on again, off again tither. We always tried to give 10% but sometimes it was really hard and we were unable, but we always gave. When we first moved here we were struggling financially. We had two house payments as we tried to sell our home where we used to live. We continued to give to our last church until our pledge was paid but when we started giving here it was below the 10% because we just couldn't make it work, or so we thought. Some months we did, some months we didn't depending on what was going on that month.

Then we started the “Practicing Extravagant Generosity” study. Somehow, I even ended up leading it a couple of weeks in our Sunday school class. It had a book of daily readings that went with it and I read it most every day. The last scripture for the last day before the last week was Malachi 3:10:

“Test me in this and see if I don't open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams.” (The Message)

My husband and I were just completely taken with this. Our wildest dreams? Really? Right then we decided that we were going to do this and do it right. I typed up this scripture and hung it on our bathroom mirror and on the refrigerator so we could read it everyday. We were going to “test him” and see if he kept his promise.

My husband was getting ready to retire from the military and we didn't really know what the future held for us as far as a job for him and our financial future but here was God telling us to trust him and if we did he'd make it worth our while so... we jumped in with both feet, no holding on to the sides!

We have not looked back since. At least once a month either my husband or myself will read the scripture again and comment on how blessed we have been. We aren't independently wealthy by any stretch of the mind and since my husband is a contractor for the military, his job is not always the most secure, but we are blessed beyond measure and we don't worry that much anymore.

We have found this scripture to be so true, this promise to have been kept. It's been amazing and very freeing. I've often felt that I needed to share this story with others, that maybe if I did, it might help others in their generosity.

The decision to tithe is a hard one. It's one that people and churches have wrestled with for years and it's not to be taken lightly. Sometimes it's really hard! I know it is! But we have found it worth it.

“Test me in this and see if I don't open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams.” (Malachi 3:10, The Message)

Sherri Williams blogs at Simply Sherri.

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How to Get People to Sing in Worship (Why Repetition Matters) by Chad Brooks

How many times have you been in a worship service and no one was singing?

This is especially true in many contemporary services.

People often think there isn’t a way to specifically fix this. Instead, they blindly hope the Holy Spirit will fix a problem they can easily own.

Last year on Facebook, an article on Patheos by Dave Murray began trending. I don’t think the problem specifically applies to men, which Murray identified in his article. It was just part of a growing group of articles going viral talking about the lack of participation in contemporary worship services (and I think it dually applies to traditional worship).

If we aren’t singing in worship… is it really worship?

Local congregations need to tackle this problem headlong. My team knew we could do better; it would just take some intentional leadership.

How to Get People to Sing in Worship

You have to make it repetitive. Plain and simple.

When I stepped into my current role as the pastor of a contemporary congregation we had over 200 songs in our rotation. We could pick out of any of them every week. It was way too much.

People weren’t singing. A few were, but as a whole we had a participation problem.

Designing worship is a deliberate activity. The songs any congregation sings matter because sung worship is a vocabulary building activity. When people aren’t able to engage in the singing they slowly become mute towards the language of the Gospel.

Over the last six months we've only sung around 30 songs. If you figure five or six a Sunday, that isn’t many. This Easter, we sang the same song three weeks in a row.

Why Repetition Matters

• We wanted a powerful Easter service. Part of that meant people really singing along with what was important theology for Easter. This meant a couple of new songs. But there was no way we could have had great engagement on Easter Sunday with a brand new song. We needed not just a basic knowledge, but an extreme familiarity. 
• These songs taught and embodied a great view of who God is. We sang these words over and over throughout Lent and Easter. (Our Lent wasn’t very Lenty.) While this was a bit odd, it made sense for the current group of people and our situation. What we couldn’t anticipate were issues and concerns which would rise up during Lent, and these songs provided a pattern of hope and healing.
• We built up a better theological vocabulary. We sang songs about the “largeness” of God, the power of Christ and the timeless action of the creator. We sang words from Scripture that we probably haven’t sung in some time. 
• When people are comfortable with the songs, they will sing more. We had around 70 more people than our average Sunday on Easter (almost a 50% increase). What could have been an awkward experience for folks not normally in worship was much easier to participate in, because the people around them were interacting with the sung worship.

If you are unsatisfied with the amount of singing in church, let me suggest trimming things down and repeating songs frequently. It was a semi-conscious experiment over the last 8 months or so and it has contributed tremendously to our times of worship.

Chad Brooks blogs at RevChadBrooks.com.

5 Reasons Pastors Should Lead Bible Studies by Magrey deVega

This article is featured in the Wade Deep: Bible Study as a Remedy for Shallow Faith (May/June/July 2014) issue of Circuit Rider 

It is common for pastors to delegate the task of leading Bible studies to others. Reasons vary, from a preacher’s need to streamline his or her weekly workload, to a desire to empower laity for ministry. As well-intentioned as those reasons may be, pastors who rarely lead Bible studies miss out on valuable opportunities for growth and development in their ministry.

1. Bible studies serve as pastoral field immersion.

In Leaves of Grass, Walt Whitman describes a scene where he was watching a lecture on astrophysics, complete with charts, diagrams, and equations. Immersing himself in theoretical abstraction left him “tired and sick,” until he stepped outside and “look’d up in perfect silence at the stars.”

Pastors too easily bubble themselves into the confines of theory and abstraction, especially when it comes to sermon preparation and study. While it is certainly critical for preachers to engage in such private disciplines, a lack of regular interactions with parishioners, specifically in the context of a Bible study, can leave one “tired and sick.”

Leading a Bible study gets the preacher “out into the field,” where the love of God intersects with the lives of people. Theorizing becomes listening as people name their experiences of God’s activity in their own words, with their own voices­. In that living, dynamic laboratory of relationships, our preaching and pastoral ministry is enhanced beyond the theoretical.

2. Leading Bible studies broadens the conversation.

A seminary professor once told me that sermons shouldn’t be the forum for doing “first-order theology.” This means that the pulpit shouldn’t be used as a forum for didactic teaching about hardcore doctrines or theories of interpretation. This is not to say that sermons should not be intellectually stimulating; rather, it is to acknowledge that perhaps the best place to engage such matters with curious, earnest people is in a small-group setting, not a sanctuary.

This is the context where questions have room to breathe and answers come not from monologues but in communal discernment. Some of the deepest, most complicated mysteries of the faith are best illumined by people who see themselves both as coteachers and colearners walking the same path.

3. Leading Bible studies recalibrates the relationship between pastor and people.

Parishioners who only interact with their pastor in the context of the Sunday morning sermon can often drift into an inaccurate view of the pastor’s scriptural authority. They might perceive the Bible–Preacher–People dynamic incorrectly, with the preacher and the Bible on one side, and the people on the other. In this model, biblical wisdom comes only through the voice of the preacher.

A pastor who facilitates Bible studies, on the other hand, can recalibrate that image in a way that is truer to the way the Bible speaks to communities: The pastor and the people are in a symbiotic relationship with each other, and the Bible is the mutual bond that holds them together in love and understanding.

Once, when I was leading a Bible study for a group of parishioners, a church member asked me a question about how to interpret a difficult passage. I contained the impulse to demonstrate my breadth of knowledge and, instead, directed him to resources he could use to investigate the matter for himself, encouraging him to share any discoveries with the class.

“What—” the man said. “Do you mean you don’t know the answer?”

My efforts to bite my tongue nearly led to a bloody mouth. The point was not for me to impress with my scriptural knowledge but to encourage a new relationship among our small group and the Bible—not primarily one in which the preacher is in sync with the Bible to deliver wisdom, but one in which we are all there to teach each other and learn from the Bible’s truths.

4. Pastors who lead Bible studies become learners themselves.

In his preface to his Standard Sermons, John Wesley describes what happened whenever he read a scripture and was unclear of its meaning. After following a process of prayer and continued scriptural reflection, he would turn to others for their opinions: “If any doubt still remains, I consult those who are experienced in the things of God . . . and what I thus learn, that I teach.”

Even John Wesley, the formidable scholar,­ preacher, and writer, learned to depend on a circle of fellow Christians to discern the scriptures and mature in his faith. Without fail, pastors who lead others in the study of the Bible will discover deeper truths for themselves that will enhance their own spiritual and vocational lives.

5. Pastors who lead Bible studies can identify new leaders.

Pastors often justify their delegation of Bible study leadership to lay people in the church under the cause of empowering laity.

Often, however, the way pastors identify such people for ministry is by leading them in a small group first. It is in that context that a person with a teaching gift often experiences his or her own inner curiosities and capacities for learning that will make him or her an effective teacher. And sometimes, it is only under the nurturing, watchful shepherding of a pastor that those gifts can fully blossom. Pastors who lead Bible studies can help identify, encourage, and model effective teaching for potential leaders in their classes.

Change Your Diet, Change Your Life by Barbara Bruce

Diet – as in, “I’m going on a diet” is really not the purist form of the word. Essentially a diet is a program for eating. I stopped at ten definitions when I did a search. You cannot pick up a magazine or watch Dr. Oz (have I said that before?) without the word “diet” being discussed. Often it is in the context of “miracle” or “easy.” It is little wonder that we are a nation of chronic obesity which inevitably leads to many forms of disease. Where does common sense fit into this picture?

Metabolically speaking, you are what you eat! It is that simple. Notice I did not say “easy.” Everything you put in your mouth, every sip, bite, taste contributes to the total you. So, what is your body saying you are…. Two Twinkies and a Pepsi? Or is your smart body saying, vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes and olive oil?

What you eat contributes to your overall health in positive or negative ways. Articles in health magazines scream of the increase in mortality from chronic diseases that are occurring around the world. Making unhealthy choices in our eating is blamed for much of our illness problems.

Since this information explosion changes almost daily—coffee is good for you/coffee is not good for you (substitute peanut butter, salt, whole wheat, dark chocolate for coffee as you please). I cannot/will not offer a prescriptive diet. That’s not my job or my training. I signed on with a nutritionist and learned a great deal from her. It was interesting to hear advice from a trained person, rather than the hype in magazines or the hype from food companies or pharmaceuticals. These folks often want to get rich by selling you a magic pill to boost your energy or your metabolism (more on that in the next blog—think exercise) or a magic pill to make you lose five pounds in a week.

But, let me say this about that (some of you will smile). We do know from much research (not funded by food companies) that there are certain givens in the field of nutrition. These tips come from the nutritionist I studied with, here's what we know:

• A plant based diet is healthy
• The more vegetables and fruits you eat—the more nutritionally sound your diet is
• The darker the color of vegetables and fruits—the healthier they are for you \Eat (dark) green leafy vegetables
• Eat from a color pallet – (dark) green, yellow, orange, red, purple vegetables/fruits
• The closer to the source (ie. garden) the better for you
• The least amount of processing – the better for you
• Drink water – it is good for your entire body and brain
• The choice of portion size is important for overall health (skip the “supersize”)
• Cut (way) back on white: sugar, salt, flour, rice
• Eliminate transfats. Your government and mine has helped with this issue
• Eat red meat occasionally
• Eat fish - aim for twice a week
• Drink water
• Eliminate processed cold cuts (bologna, salami etc.)
• Eat nuts - almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts (they are nutrient rich)
• Eat legumes – beans, lentils, peas (they are nutrient rich)
• Drink water
• Avoid sugar substitutes – you do NOT need more chemicals in your body

Please note that I put vegetables in front of fruits. There is a reason for that. While fruits (fresh is best- frozen without sugar is second best) are a wiser alternative to doughnuts, they still contain sugar (albeit natural sugar). Wash all vegetables and fruits well to remove traces of pesticides, particularly if you are going to eat the skin. Many vegetables and fruits pack nutrients in the skin so eat it as much as possible (disregard this suggestion with Kiwi fruit).

Sugar substitutes (think pink, yellow, blue) contain chemicals – read the label. If you must bow to your sweet tooth, choose natural sweeteners – honey – pure maple syrup. Check it out.

One more very important thing – BECOME A LABEL READER. Ingredients are listed in the order of quantity. Put anything that has sugar or salt as first ingredient back on the shelf. Put anything that lists ingredients that you cannot pronounce back on the shelf.

Let me repeat (and you will probably hear this again) we make choices every day. The foods you eat will either contribute to a healthy body and brain by providing the nutrients you need to function optimally OR they will add to calorie rich and nutrient poor diet that will indeed, impede good health which in turn lets you age less well.

Thinking ministry – Start a campaign to have your church serve healthy snacks – fruit and whole grain products as opposed to doughnuts and sugar and fat laden snacks. Everyone will be healthier.

The Person We Used to Be by Shane Raynor

In Romans 6:6, Paul tells us, “This is what we know: the person that we used to be was crucified with [Christ] in order to get rid of the corpse that had been controlled by sin. That way we wouldn’t be slaves to sin anymore...” So if our old self is dead, why do we keep struggling with him?

WATCH VIDEO (3:01)

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Shane Raynor is an editor at Ministry Matters and editor of the Converge Bible Studies series from Abingdon Press. Connect with Shane on Google+, Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook. Sign up to receive Shane's posts free via email.

This Sunday, 4 May 2014

Worship Elements by Bill Hoppe

Third Sunday of Easter

Color: White

Scripture Readings: Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19; 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35

Theme Ideas

In the lesson from Acts, Peter speaks of the resurrection of Jesus with such power that some 3,000 people are numbered among the first Christians. Forgiveness of sins and the presence of the Holy Spirit are amazing gifts offered to all who hear the Lord’s call. In Luke’s Gospel, we find the risen Jesus unfolding scripture to two disciples as they journey to the village of Emmaus. Only when “their eyes were opened” did they truly understand who he was and what he had said. With the miracle of Easter still fresh in our memory, let us be filled with passion and conviction like Peter, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, our risen Lord and Savior!

Call to Worship (Psalm 116)

The Lord harkens to our call,

listening to our pleas and hearing our prayers!

We will praise God who gives rest to our souls!

In the courts of the house of the LORD, 

in the presence of all God’s people, 

we acknowledge our faith.

We will call on the Lord as long as we live!

We are your servant, O God;

you have loosed our bonds!

We will offer sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving!

How shall we repay the Lord for all we have been given?

We will lift up the cup of salvation 

and call on the name of the Lord!

Call to Worship

As you walk with us, as we journey together, 

Lord, your word fills our hearts!

As you speak with us, as your love is revealed,

Lord, your fire burns in our hearts!

As we proclaim what we have seen and heard,

may all people be drawn to you, the risen Lord!

Praise Sentences (Psalm 116, Acts 2)

Jesus is Lord and Messiah! 

God’s promise is given to us! 

The Lord has saved my life! 

God has unchained me and set me free!

Opening Prayer (1 Peter 1)

Lord, we celebrate the triumph of life over death—

this is the good news of Jesus, our risen savior. 

You have ransomed us from our futility—

our salvation wasn’t purchased with gold or silver, 

or with perishable earthly goods, 

but with the precious blood of Christ himself. 

In his resurrection, we are born anew with him—

born of the immortal, born of the everlasting, 

born into a living hope. 

Fill us with all good gifts of your Holy Spirit, 

that we may share your love with boldness and power, 

with passion and conviction! 

In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Opening Prayer

Dear Lord, you have so much to show us and to tell us—

things that no human eyes have seen, 

things that no human ears have heard, 

things that you have prepared for those you love.

Mighty God, your promises are like shelter in a storm—

to us and to our children, 

to all those far and near, 

to everyone who hears your call. 

O, that we might have the mind of Christ, 

that we may know and understand your truth. 

We wait as empty vessels, 

ready to be filled to overflowing with your living water, 

as you reveal your love for us through Jesus Christ, 

in whose name we pray. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

We’re afraid to take a truthful look at ourselves, 

yet you see us as we really are.

Open our eyes, Lord.

Even when we won’t listen to you, 

you hear us when we call your name.

Open our ears, Lord.

We keep the light of your word hidden to ourselves, 

though you gave it to share with the world. 

Open our mouths, Lord.

May we know and serve the One 

who calls us to see, hear, and speak.

Open our hearts, Lord.

Benediction

Christ has brought us together:

together in faith, together in hope, together in love.

We have gathered together to be sent out again:

sent out with the welcome message of God’s love!

We go forth together,

to be living testimonies of Christ’s love!

From “The Abingdon Worship Annual 2005,” edited by Mary J. Scifres and B.J. Beu, Copyright © 2004 by Abingdon Press. “The Abingdon Worship Annual 2015” is now available.

Worship Connection by Nancy C. Townley

Third Sunday of Easter

COLOR: White

SCRIPTURE READINGS: Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19; 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35

CALLS TO WORSHIP

Call to Worship #1:

L: Sometimes good things are right in front of us and we don’t see them.

P: Our fears and our prejudices blind us.

L: Open your eyes this day to see the goodness of the Lord.

P: Open our hearts, gracious God, to receive your blessings.

L: Hallelujah!

P: Hallelujah!

Call to Worship #2:

L: The Lord has heard your voice and the cries of your hearts.

P: Lord, bring us peace and healing.

L: Rejoice, and call upon the name of the Lord!

P: Praise be to you, O God, who has raised us our Savior Jesus Christ.

L: Bring your praises and your songs to the table of the Lord.

P: May our hearts and spirits rejoice in this day. AMEN

Call to Worship #3:

[Using THE FAITH WE SING, p. 2068, “I Love You, Lord,” offer the following call to worship as directed.]

Soloist: singing “I Love You, Lord” through one time

L: Come and hear the good news of our Savior Jesus Christ.

P: We thought he was dead, but he is risen from the dead and lives evermore.

L: Let us bow down and worship him.

P: Let us bring our praises and joyful hearts to our Lord.

Choir: singing “I Love You, Lord” through one time

L: We love the Lord, who has heard our cries and healed our souls.

P: We love the Lord, who lives and reigns with God. AMEN

Call to Worship #4:

L: How glorious it is to hear of Jesus’ resurrection.

P: At his death, our hearts cried out and we felt lost.

L: But he comes to us and walks with us, even now.

P: In the holy word, in the music, in the prayers, he is present with us.

L: Open your hearts to the Lord.

P: Lord, help us really be ready to receive you into our lives. AMEN.

PRAYERS, READING, BENEDICTION

Opening Prayer

Loving God, come and speak to our hearts today. May we, like those on the Emmaus Road, find your words burning with hope in our lives. Strengthen us and give us courage for the journey ahead. For we pray in Christ’s Name. AMEN.

Prayer of Confession

Lord, you are so patient with us. You brought us through Easter when we rejoiced at the news of the resurrection of your Son our Savior. You were with us in the upper room when we remained hidden out of our fears, sharing with Thomas our doubts and anxieties. Now you come to us on the road. You come to us in our everyday lives, moving out of this pristine setting of worship into the work world. But we aren’t always ready for you and don’t always see you or feel your presence. We let so many things crowd in on our lives and these intrusions blot out our awareness of your presence. Forgive our blindness and our stubbornness. Help us keep our hearts open to you, to see and tell the good things you have done in our lives. For we ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.

Words of Assurance

Even though you have not seen Jesus, one to one, you have assurance of his presence and his love with you. The promises of God are always true. God is with us, in the resurrection of Jesus, in our journeys, in our lives. Praise be to God. AMEN.

Pastoral Prayer

We come to the table of the Lord this day, not sure that we dare to believe in his presence with us. We hear the words of institution, “This is my body. . . . This is my blood given for you, poured out for you, that you may find forgiveness,” and we still let doubts and fears enter our lives. We want to believe. We need to believe. For it is too easy for the empty promises of this world to dazzle our eyes. And so we come to you, Lord, with all of our fears and doubts, our joys and sorrows, our longings and dreamings. We bring these things to you in hope that you will hear our prayers and respond to our cries. We bring to you the names of those people whom we love, for whom issues of loneliness, pain, suffering, grief, and loss seem to abound. We bring to you the names of people who have rejoiced in the new found faith, who have reconciled with loved ones, who have survived tragedy and sorrow, who are happy; and we want to dance in celebration for their good fortune. Hear us, heal us, bless us, O Lord. For we ask these things in the name of the One who was raised that we might have eternal life. AMEN.

Reading

Reader 1: 

What a great day this is!

Reader 2: 

You’re happy! What’s got you in such an “up” mood?

Reader 1:

Well, I’m not sure. It’s just that the news of the Resurrection still makes me so joyful. It’s like we have hope. It’s like we can all believe because Jesus said these things would happen and they did, and God raised him. You know, it’s great news.

Reader 2: 

Sooner or later you will come back down to earth. Things will get real again, quick enough.

Reader 1: 

What makes you so sure that what I’m feeling isn’t lasting or real?

Reader 2: 

Nobody can be that happy all the time. It just isn’t humanly possible.

Reader 1: 

No problem. It doesn’t have to be humanly possibly; it’s godly possible.

Reader 2: 

Cute. Life isn’t a bed of roses, you know. There’s lots of tough stuff out there that we have to deal with. Everyday people are hurting and getting hurt. No one really cares about anyone else.

Reader 1: 

Of course, life isn’t a bed of roses. I know that. But I know that no matter what is thrown at me, I will get through it because my Savior got through the worst that can happen. Things will hurt and people will get hurt, but instead of just hanging my head and moaning about the problems, maybe now I can be someone who helps with the solution. I’m not alone; it doesn’t all depend on me. I can be part of the good work.

Reader 2: 

I wish I had faith like that.

Reader 1: 

You can have that faith. Let your heart open up and see Jesus with you. Listen again to the words of the people on the Emmaus road, and know that he is with you, walking with you on your journey. You don’t have to go it alone. No matter what happens, he will be with you.

Benediction

People of the Road, rejoice, for God is with you. Bring God’s love and peace to all whom you meet. Go in peace now and forever. AMEN.

ARTISTIC ELEMENTS

The traditional Color for today is: WHITE

[Note: The Emmaus story is such a popular story to use on this day, and to couple it with the communion, that I have chosen the following artistic elements to reflect both communion and the journey on the Emmaus road. The brown burlap fabric is a reminder of the road, and the white fabric of the setting for communion. Large loaves of uncut bread placed in a tipped over basket on the worship center are very dramatic. You may add artificial or real bunches of grapes for effect. The chalice placed on the center of the worship table is a reminder of the sacrament of communion. Even if your tradition is to have the communion elements on a communion table, this setting can be very effective for the visual reminders.]

SURFACE: 

Place a 6” riser on the worship center, slightly to the right of center. Place a riser in front of the worship center, about 8 to 10” lower than the main level.

FABRIC: 

Cover the worship area with burlap cloth, making sure that all the risers are covered and that the cloth reaches the floor. Beginning on top of the 6” riser, place a drape of white cloth trailing across the front of the worship area and over the riser in front of the worship table, finally “puddling” on the floor in front of the worship table.

CANDLES: 

Place a large 10” white pillar candle to the left of the center of the table. 

FLOWERS/PLANTS:

Although no plants are required for this setting, any Easter lilies or other Easter flowers may be placed on the floor in front of the worship area, on either side of the front riser.

ROCKS/WOOD:

None required for this setting.

OTHER: 

Place a wicker or woven basket on the 6” riser, tipped over on its side. Have several loaves of bread protruding out of the basket onto the worship center. In front of the cross on the table, place a chalice. You may place some grapes near the bread and some bread and grapes on the riser in front of the worship center.

Sermon Options

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

ACTS 2:14a, 36-41

The good news is that "the entire house of Israel [should] know with certainty that God has made [Jesus] both Lord and Messiah" (v. 36). The Messiah has come. Rejoice! Jesus is Lord. Alleluia! The long-awaited One has finally arrived. All that our forebears yearned for has now come to full fruition in our lifetimes. We are the fortunate ones, for we are alive now and we get to know and experience the Christ in the flesh. We are a blessed people. How quickly good news can turn to bad news, for Peter quickly adds this zinger: "This Jesus whom you crucified." What a dramatic and abrupt turn of events! For ten verses, he details the glories of having the Messiah arrive and catches us all up in the excitement of the moment, and then he tells us that we crucified this Messiah.

I. We Are Involved

Make no mistake. It was not the Jews who killed Jesus—it was humankind. It was not a character flaw in one nationality that produced the Crucifixion—it was a character flaw in humankind that crucified our Lord. The character flaw is called sin. Karl Menninger titled his book, Whatever Happened to Sin? The answer is, it is where it has always been: at the center of our lives. Every chance we get we are going to bite the apple, turn to God, who told us not to, and say, "Who do you think you are? God or somebody? I will do what I want in order to please me." That's called sin, and that attitude needs to be altered (or should I say "altared"?).

II. We Have a Troubled Reaction

Peter's hearers were "cut to the heart." Other translators say they were "pricked in their heart" (KJV), "deeply troubled" (GNB), and "cut to the quick" (Phillips). Some events in life will do that to us. They return us to our beginnings and remind us why we are here on earth, or they make us question our reason for being. What is the purpose of all this? "Brothers, what should we do?" (v. 37).

The killing of a Savior is such an event. The award-winning movie "Schindler's List" reminded millions of people of the atrocities of the Nazis, but what really frightened viewers was the unveiling of the Nazi within all of us. When we make that discovery, we are "cut to the heart" and cry out, "What should we do?"

III. We Are Called to Turn from Sin

The gospel's answer for "deeply troubled" people is to call for a change of direction. If you want to get out of trouble, then change your life. Confess your wrong attitude and open yourself to the gift of the Holy Spirit. God has promised that God's power is available through God's Spirit (Acts 1:4-5, 8; Luke 24:49) . Claim it! "For the promise is for you" (v. 39). Claim this promise of Jesus Christ.

Donald Shriver pointed out how an eminent psychiatrist remarked in a speech, "The greatest secret of mental health comes down to us in the words, 'Whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life...will save it.' I forget who said that, but it is a great truth." "Too bad!" said Shriver. "Who said it is as important as what was said" (Christian Century, February 2-9, 1994).

Sometimes names are important, but sometimes it doesn't make any difference who said it or what you call it. When Reuben Mattus, a Polish immigrant, died, few people recognized his name. Yet he was the multimillionaire who decided that New Yorkers would not buy his ice cream unless it sounded different. He came up with the name for his ice cream that we now all recognize, Haagen-Dazs. Haagen-Dazs means absolutely nothing in any language. It was a nonsensical name, but it caught people's attention because it sounded intriguing. When Jesus says something, you know that Someone stands behind it. His name stands for something. It is not just intriguing. It is authoritative. It says something vitally important. When you give your life to Jesus, you don't lose anything. You find eternal life. (C. Thomas Hilton)

TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY

1 PETER 1:17-23

Many Christians sing the old hymn "Take Time to Be Holy." That hymn warms a multitude of hearts, but it leaves others asking what holiness is all about. Simon Peter addressed that issue in the first chapter of his first letter. Holiness is not a word that slides easily off modern tongues. But it never has been easy to live a holy life. Let's consider what it is and how we may make it part of our lives.

I. Holiness Is Necessary Because God Is Impartial

Few people would want to go to court if they knew the judge was prejudiced against them. We want an impartial judge. Simon Peter proclaims that Christians are the children of God, who judges impartially. He is both Father and impartial judge. The two roles might seem contradictory. If God is my Heavenly Father, shouldn't God also be inclined to favor me? The good news of the gospel is that because God is not prejudiced against anyone, all are potentially God's children. A holy life, a life marked by the love of God and others, brings us into a Father-child relationship with God.

II. Holiness Is Possible Because We Have a Different Value System

People who live in a holy relationship with God get a different value system from the rest of humanity. Peter calls us strangers who live above the level of "perishable things." We value ideals and goals that people who do not know God do not value. On the other hand, we discard things that some people would kill for. People who live a life of holy dedication to God are transformed. In a sense we are exiles all our lives, but we are on a pilgrimage to another place. That other place is eternal life with God. But how do we achieve that eternal life? Consider another vital fact.

III. Holiness Is Available Because We Have a Redeemer

Verses 19-23 shift the focus to what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. We are not called on to struggle alone or achieve holiness by superhuman accomplishments. Instead, Christ himself has given us what we need to enter this holy relationship with him.

Listen closely to the language Peter uses here. Christ has given his "precious blood," and he is a "lamb without...blemish." He was revealed in order to redeem humankind. He was raised from the dead and glorified. Because of that, we have been "purified" and "born anew." This language is pregnant with meaning. Anyone even slightly familiar with the Bible realizes that these terms signify that God has done for us what we cannot accomplish alone. So take time to be holy. The trip is worth the price. (Don M. Aycock)

THE REALITY OF REMEMBERING

LUKE 24:13-35

It is a seven-mile walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Two men were walking home toward Emmaus. Somewhere along the way a third person joined them. The new arrival noted the downcast look and the hopelessness shrouding the two. The third person did not seem to know what everyone else knew. Although he had been in Jerusalem, he did not act as if he had heard—he had not heard the shout of a mob, the sound of the lash, the clang of a hammer against spikes.

I. Memories Can Bring Pain

On the trip, the two recounted their memories of the past week in Jerusalem. They told their traveling companion everything they could remember. They spoke of the crowds and the acclamations just the week before. They told of Jesus' teaching in the Temple. The conflict with the Pharisees. The trials, the beating, the Crucifixion, the burial—all were presented.

II. Memories Can Bring Insight

Then the traveler told them about other memories. He spoke of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He related stories of Saul, David, and Solomon. He disclosed memories of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. He spoke of achievement and disappointment, banishment and renewal, faith and unfaith. As the third traveler explained and remembered the two remembered what they had not forgotten. As they neared the end of their walk, the two residents of Emmaus followed the example of their forefathers, offering their house as a refuge. It was too late to go on that day. They offered the hospitality commanded by God through Moses.

It was a simple meal. They handed the stranger the bread so he could break off a portion.

III. Memories Can Bring Transformation

Then, a miracle occurred. As the stranger broke the bread, they remembered who he was. He was the One who had ridden the donkey into the city. He was the One who had been lashed. He had been nailed to the cross. He was the hope of Israel, a hope that seemed crushed with his death. The Romans were still in power. The people of God were still a captive nation. In remembering, the travelers from Jerusalem to Emmaus discovered a new reality about the events of the past.

The text from Luke illustrates how God reveals himself when we remember. The walk to Emmaus of past centuries can be our walk of remembrance. The three travelers remembered the history of their people. They remembered how God had visited them. Their memories were more than memories. A new reality came to be; a new experience was born in them. "Were not our hearts burning within us," was their memory.

Those two travelers had never experienced such a reality before. Their past was transformed. Their present became their future, new and different. Remembering is more than a thought. Remembering is a new reality. Remembering creates something more than what we remembered from the past. Remembering is a reality that reveals the constant truths of life. Remembering sets us on a journey that does not end. Remembering does make our hearts feel warm. We remember the words, "He is risen!" In the remembering, that revealing truth comes afresh and anew for us. We experience anew the power and presence of God. He has come to us! We are made fresh through his power. The power of God, which brought Jesus Christ out of the bonds of death, brings us to true life. The power of God in Jesus who walks beside us brings us to life, true and powerful life. (Harold C. Perdue)

Worship for Kids by Carolyn C. Brown

From a Child's Point of View

First Reading: Acts 2:14 a, 36-41. Children need to be reminded of the context of this event. Peter told a crowd that they had witnessed the murder of Jesus, who was God's Messiah, and that God had raised Jesus from death. Their response was, "What shall we do about this?" Children who know the Easter stories might ask the same question and receive the same answer: You should change your ways to follow Jesus, and you should be baptized. Exploring the crowd's question presents an opportunity to identify their response to Easter. Exploring our answers presents an opportunity to outline your tradition's understanding of baptism and/or confirmation as a way of responding to God's Easter surprise.

Psalm: 116:1-2, 12-19. The Jewish psalmist's prayer of thanksgiving, with its references to Temple offerings of wine for recovery from a near fatal illness, is often used by Christians to thank God for resurrection. Children have little understanding of Temple rites and such a vague concept of death that it makes genuine appreciation of personal resurrection impossible. So read this psalm for the adults.

Epistle: 1 Peter 1:17-23. Children make no sense of this complicated texts as it is read. But if its message is paraphrased, they appreciate the writer's insistence that we can count on God's love always. Jesus' resurrection, in this case, is proof that God loves and forgives us and that God's love is powerful enough to reach us wherever we are—even beyond death. That truth provides all children with courage for facing frightening situations and assures grieving children that God still loves and cares for those who have died.

Warning: Ransom and atonement interpretations of God's love confuse children. For literal thinkers, they pose difficult questions: "Who did God pay the ransom to?" "If God expects us to forgive each other for free, how come God made Jesus pay for our forgiveness?" "How can Jesus' death make me forgiven?" So avoid atonement theology. Speak instead of God's love, which is so powerful it reaches us even after we die.

Gospel: Luke 24:13-35. This simple story can be understood as it is read, from almost any translation. Children are interested in what kind of "body" the risen Jesus had. They need to be invited to speculate, but also to be told that no one knows exactly what Jesus' resurrected body was like. What we do know is that Jesus did not stay dead, that there were some changes in his body, but that from what he said and did, his friends recognized him as the same Jesus who had been crucified.

The story also identifies a loaf of broken bread as a symbol for Jesus. Children can claim this symbol for Jesus in the same way they claim the flag as a symbol for their country, or the logo for a sport team, before they can grasp why broken bread is appropriate for Jesus.

Finally, the story is evidence that God in Jesus was ready to explain the events of Good Friday and Easter morning to his surprised, confused friends. It is another opportunity to celebrate God's unimaginable Easter surprise and the care God takes to help us understand it.

Watch Words

Though broken bread is a good symbol for Jesus, do not confuse children by applying it more generally to the sacrificial love of God.

Remember, for younger children, resurrection is what happened to Jesus on Easter. Older children begin to understand that it has something to do with God loving us beyond death. So in exploring the message of First Peter, avoid terminology such as living the resurrection or the resurrection life. Instead, talk specifically about how we face "hopeless" situations, and how we treat one another because we know God's Easter surprise.

Let the Children Sing

Invite worshipers to sing "On the Day of Resurrection," imagining themselves as the Emmaus travelers, running back to Jerusalem and remembering what had happened. The abstract language of "O Thou Who This Mysterious Bread" makes it less child-accessible.

Keep the Easter Alleluias going with "Come, Christians, Join to Sing."

Celebrate God's love throughout our lives with "Now Thank We All Our God."

The Liturgical Child

1. To recall Jesus' recognition by the Emmaus travelers, display a large broken loaf of bread on the Communion table. Perhaps a floral display using wheat could feature the broken loaf.

2. If baptisms are part of today's worship, invite children to gather near the baptismal font to discuss what is to happen. People to be baptized, or parents of those to be baptized, might be asked to share why they want to be baptized or how they plan to keep their baptismal promises to their children. Following the discussion, allow the children to remain where they can see.

If no baptism is scheduled, either invite children to meet you at the font for a discussion of baptism, or simply move to the font during the part of your sermon that deals with the meaning of baptism. Scooping water up in your hand as you speak about its use will make what you say more vivid.

3. Affirm faith in God's Easter love with a litany such as the following. The congregation's response: "God loves us forever."

We know God because we know Jesus. In Jesus, God lived among us. He loved people and taught them how to love one another. He healed people and told them to take care of one another. He refused to give up loving and teaching and healing, even to save himself from being killed on a cross. But Jesus' love could not be killed. Jesus rose from death.

(RESPONSE)

So when we feel alone, when we feel we have no friends, when we feel that even the people in our family do not care about us, we remember Jesus, and we know . . .

(RESPONSE)

And when we miss people we love who have died, we remember that God still loves and cares for them, in mysterious ways we know little about.

(RESPONSE)

When we face problems that seem impossible to solve, we remember that God knows about those problems and that God works with us and through us to solve all problems.

(RESPONSE)

When we are bravely trying to love people who do not seem to want our loving care, when we are trying to stand up for God's ways among people who have other plans, when we are being teased or ignored because we are Jesus' disciples, we trust God, because . . .

(RESPONSE)

4. Feature the Doxology. Before singing it, identify, as one of God's blessings, the powerful Easter love that can reach us anywhere, anytime.

Sermon Resources

1. To prepare yourself to speak about baptism with words and ideas children can understand, check church school resources. Most denominations produce one or two excellent books which explain baptism to young children. Their language and stories are often appropriate for sermons.

2. If you focus on remembering God's resurrection love in "hopeless" situations, describe some situations that lead children to despair: fighting parents headed for divorce; a parent with a serious problem such as addiction or emotional distress; a feeling of being hopelessly behind at school. At this point in the year, some students who continue to have difficulty with reading, math, or other skills sense that their teachers have consigned them hopelessly to failure. 

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2013 Ministry Matters

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