Pentecost Year A
Proper 18 - Ordinary Time 23 - Pentecost +16
"being bound" - a theme based focus based upon the readings from Romans and Matthew, designed for Rally Day.
"moses" -Seasonal Confession and Assurance based upon the stories of Moses.
Invocation - Matthew 18 (1999)
"Truly I tell you," says Jesus,
"whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,
And whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
To bind, to be bound, to be bound with
So many competing demands and expectations
Aging partners and parents
Unplanned expenses
Demands at work and home and school and church
Bound
Bound now
Bound forever
Bound with whom and for what?
What shall we carry with us into eternity?
Our gold?
Our politics?
Our relationships?
Which?
For with this choice
We will be bound in heaven.
Dear God,
May we bind with care.
(Gospel Reflection as a Call to Worship)
"Truly I tell you," says Jesus,
"whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,
And whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
May we be bound with love.
To bind, to be bound, to be bound with
So many competing demands and expectations
Aging partners and parents
Unplanned expenses
Demands at work and home and school and church
May we be bound with love.
Bound now, bound forever
Bound with whom and for what?
May we be bound with love.
What shall we carry with us into eternity?
Our gold?
Our politics?
Our relationships?
Which?
For with this choice
We will be bound in heaven.
May we be bound with love.
Scripture Litany - Matthew and Romans (2002)
Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8)
Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18:18)
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? (Ecclesiastes 4:9-11)
The commandments say, "You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet"; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Romans 13:9)
Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:19)
Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:10)
For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." (Matthew 18:20)
And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
Prayer of Dedication
Leader:
The threads we bring this day are unique and precious.
We offer them with courage and timidity, pride and humility.
May these threads be woven together with love.
Students andTeachers:
We are students and teachers,
bringing threads of questions, community, and commitment.
May these threads be woven together with love.
Choir Members and Musicians:
We are choir members and instrumentalists,
bringing threads alive with music.
May these threads be woven together with love.
Staff, Council and Committees:
We are members of the staff, the Council, and the Committees,
bringing threads of administration, service and vision.
May these threads be woven together with love.
All who choose:
We are members and friends of Evangelical United Church of Christ,
bringing colorful threads with rich textures,
offering what we have to this tapestry called church.
May these threads be woven together with love.