Friday, August 27, 2021

Be Doers!


Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost

 

**Please note this service is based on the format of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada. Unless otherwise indicated, all prayers come from Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW). Hymns and other prayers have been sourced to give appropriate credit.

 

**NRSV translation used for the readings, unless otherwise stated.

 

**This is for personal use at home as the church is unable to gather in our houses of worship but together we can worship in our own homes.

 

Opening Prayer

Gracious God, your love unites heaven and earth in a new festival of gladness. Lift our spirits to learn the way of joy that leads us to your banquet hall, where all is golden with praise. We ask this through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

 

Confession and Forgiveness

Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God,

who forgives all our sin,

whose mercy endures forever.

Amen.

 

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

 

Most merciful God,

we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.

Amen.

 

In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Creator, and of the Redeemer, and of the Sanctifier.

Amen.

 

Gathering Song – God is Here (ELW #526)

            Listen Here

 

Greeting

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

 

Canticle of Praise – Glory to God (page #213)

           Listen Here

 

Prayer of the Day

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray.

O God our strength, without you we are weak and wayward creatures. Protect us from all dangers that attack us from the outside, and cleanse us from all evil that arises from within ourselves, that we may be preserved through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

 

Readings

A reading from the Song of Solomon 2.8-13

The voice of my beloved!

    Look, he comes,

leaping upon the mountains,

    bounding over the hills.

My beloved is like a gazelle

    or a young stag.

Look, there he stands

    behind our wall,

gazing in at the windows,

    looking through the lattice.

My beloved speaks and says to me:

“Arise, my love, my fair one,

    and come away;

for now the winter is past,

    the rain is over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth;

    the time of singing has come,

and the voice of the turtledove

    is heard in our land.

The fig tree puts forth its figs,

    and the vines are in blossom;

    they give forth fragrance.

Arise, my love, my fair one,

    and come away.

 

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

 

Psalm 45.1-2, 7-10

            Listen Here

 

My heart overflows with a goodly theme;

    I address my verses to the king;

    my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.

You are the most handsome of men;

    grace is poured upon your lips;

    therefore God has blessed you forever.

you love righteousness and hate wickedness.

Therefore God, your God, has anointed you

    with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;

    your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.

From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;

    daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor;

    at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

Hear, O daughter, consider and incline your ear;

    forget your people and your father’s house,

 

A reading from the Letter of James 1.17-27

Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.

But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.

If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

 

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

 

Children’s Message

(from Sermons 4 Kids)

 

People today are very concerned about having clean hands. Many people carry packages of wipes or hand sanitizer. Keeping your hands clean is good, right?

The Bible tells about some Pharisees who came to Jesus. They liked to be bossy about the rules. "We’ve noticed that some of your disciples are eating without washing their hands," they told Jesus. "Why don't they follow our tradition of washing their hands before they eat?"

"You bunch of phonies!" Jesus responded. "Isaiah must have been talking about you when he said, 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.' "

Then Jesus called the people to gather around. "All of you listen. It's not what goes into your body that makes you unclean, it is the bad words that come out of your mouth. Out of your hearts come evil thoughts, greed, cheating, and envy. This is what makes you unclean."

The Pharisees were more worried about having clean hands than they were about having a clean heart.

Are we any different? We work hard to keep our hands clean, but do we guard our hearts against evil thoughts? What kinds of books do we read? What kinds of TV shows and movies do we watch? What kind of language comes out of our mouth?

Clean hands or a clean heart, which is more important?

God, forgive us for our unclean thoughts. Create in us clean hearts to honor You. In Jesus' name, amen.

 

Gospel Acclamation – Alleluia (page #216)

            Listen Here

 

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

 

The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark 7.1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Glory to you, O Lord.

Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written,

‘This people honors me with their lips,

    but their hearts are far from me;

in vain do they worship me,

    teaching human precepts as doctrines.’

You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.” Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.”

For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

 

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

 

Sermon


May only truth be spoken and only truth received. Amen.

 

The readings for this week share in their reflections on God’s gift of wisdom. In the next several weeks we will be reading the epistle of James and hearing about wisdom as that “perfect gift of God.”

 

This morning, there are two wisdom lessons that James is trying to get across to his audience, and to us:

 

  1. Thoughts and prayers aren’t always enough.
  1. Actions speak louder than words.

Both of these statements should make you pause and think about your faith, about what it means to you to be a Christian.

 

I would consider myself to be a good Christian.

 

I believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

 

I read and listen to the Word of God.

 

I pray.

 

Most everyone here could probably say the same thing.

 

But mostly, we call ourselves Christian because we tune in each Sunday to hear the Word, to hear the Gospel proclaimed.

 

We cross the threshold of the building (although virtually at the moment) to hear the word and to pray for ourselves, our local community, and our global community. We pat ourselves on the back, congratulating ourselves for another job well-done, and we go home.

 

But there are people who rarely attend church services and yet could be considered more Christian than many. These are the people who go out into the world to be with and help the poor, the invalid, the sick, the unwanted, and the dying.

 

For too many, Christianity has become all talk, talk, talk.

 

Don’t do this, don’t do that.

 

Be this, be that.

 

The church, as a whole, appears to have become political and complacent.

 

If you really want to show your true faith in God and in Jesus, then you need to get out there and help the widowed and the orphaned, the poor and the sick.

 

A friend of mine said a short while ago, “I believe so deeply in the power of prayer.

And it would be really amazing if the church would do more than pray. I think we are all aware now that when it comes to justice, "thoughts and prayers" is good but not enough.”

 

Jesus made company with the poor, the sick, and the unwanted. He spent most of his time with the lowest of the people and he loved them all, gathering where the people were, spreading the word about the Kingdom of God, and the wisdom of God, and the grace of God.

 

Christianity began as a group of people who wanted to share Jesus’ message and lessons with everyone around them.

 

In today’s reading, James implies a kind of deep forgetfulness that leaves the religious self unable to function fully. He implies that we have forgotten what it truly means to be Christian.

 

To hear the Word and not to do the Word is to forget what you look like - to forget the image of God within you - to forget that the Word is within you waiting to come forth in abundant love, mercy and grace.

 

So this is what James tells us: that we are to be quick to “hear,” because not hearing enough leads us, apparently inevitably, to speech that is angry and unproductive.

 

But hearing alone is not sufficient. We must also “do,” because failing to act is evidence of a fundamental failure to function as God’s first fruits in the world.

 

In 1:22-24, he speaks about a lack of correspondence between hearing and doing, between who one is and what one does.

 

He asks us to picture ourselves standing in front of a mirror. We are to pause there as James asks, “Do you see who you are?”

 

You are someone who has been blessed by God’s gifts, someone who has been brought to new life through God’s word – a person who is a first fruit, set aside as someone who belongs to God.

 

And with that gift, with the gift of God’s grace and wisdom, we are meant to get out there and do as Jesus did. We declare our faith to be alive and strong by loving our neighbours, caring for the sick, and making friends with the poor.

 

When our words and actions are in harmony, it is our neighbors who benefit. For when we know who we are, the gifted children of God’s creation, our hearing and doing come together and conform in care and service for those most in need of our love.

 

Perhaps, if we as Christians were to follow James’s precepts, we would do a lot less talking and a lot more listening.

 

We would measure our faith by our personal relationships, both in our habits of speech and our relationships with others in the community.

 

Our primary expression of our religion would be in outreach to the poor and neglected.

 

By such attitudes and actions, James tells us, we fulfill the divine purpose and become first fruits of all God’s creatures.

 

Again, to hear the Word and not to do the Word is to forget the image of God within you, to forget that the Word is within you waiting to come forth in abundant love, mercy and grace.

 

To see the world in those eyes means we can no longer be blind or deaf to the “orphans and widows in their distress”.

 

As a congregation, we need to show the world what true Christian faith is all about. Entering a building doesn’t make you a Christian. Spreading the love of Jesus to others – that’s what being a Christian is all about.

 

So go out into the neighbourhood and declare your faith in Jesus by showing love for your neighbour every day, not just on Sunday.

 

Go forth into the world to LOVE and show faith in Jesus.

 

It’s not about our butts in the pews. It’s about our feet on the street!

 

Amen 

 

Hymn of the Day – Create in Me a Clean Heart

            Listen Here

 

Creed

Let us confess the faith of our baptism, as we say the Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

 

Prayers of Intercession

Made children and heirs of God’s promise, we pray for the church, the world, and all in need.

 

Silence

 

We pray for the church, that it is a safe haven for all who seek your presence. Fill it with pastors, deacons, and leaders who echo your expansive and generous welcome.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

 

We pray for the whole of creation, that plants and animals have the habitat and resources to thrive and flourish. Inspire us to protect threatened habitats and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

 

We pray for individuals in positions of authority. Raise up wise and discerning leaders in federal, state, and local governments and guide them to seek the benefit of every person.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

 

We pray for all who are in need. Support and encourage those who are unemployed, underemployed, or experiencing poverty.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

 

We pray for this congregation, especially those beginning a new school year. Empower teachers and school administrators. Guide students in their learning and development. Accompany parents, foster parents, and caregivers who provide encouragement and love.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

 

Please take time to offer your own intercessions or to pray in silence.

 

We give thanks for the faithful departed who showed us how to honor God with our heart. Inspire us by their example and renew our faith, trusting that we will be united with them in glory.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

 

Receive these prayers, O God, and those in our hearts known only to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

Peace

The peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.

 

Hymn of Thanksgiving – Blessed Assurance (ELW #638)

            Listen Here

 

**Although not physically at our church buildings to share our offering together I would encourage you to set your offering of money aside so that it can be dropped off or placed in the church once services resume, to mail your offering to the church, or to make donations online. Please remember ministry is still taking place.

 

Thanksgiving for the Word

Let us pray.

O God of justice and love, we give thanks to you that you illumine our way through life with the words of your Son. Give us the light we need, awaken us to the needs of others, and at the end bring all the world to your feast; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory forever.

Amen.

 

Lord’s Prayer

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.


Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those

who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours,

now and forever. Amen.

 

Blessing

May the blessing of the Holy and Undivided Trinity be with yo, in the Name of Love, the Glory of Love, and the Power of Love.

Amen.

 

Sending Song – Day by Day

            Listen Here

 

Dismissal

Go in peace. Christ is with you.

Thanks be to God.

No comments:

Post a Comment