The Celebration of the Gospel

October 18, 2015 —21st Sunday after Pentecost

The Human One came to serve, not to be served—
and to give one life in exchange for many who are held hostage.
— Mark 10.45

_______ We Gather as The Body of Christ_______

GREETING
PRELUDE     8:15: The Lily Of The Valley – arr: Stephen L. Aber
10:30: Just As I Am arr. Sandra Eithun (Bells of St. Matthew’s; Nancy Vaccaro, flute)

[As we listen to the music we quiet our minds and bodies,
listen for our hearts’ deepest desires,
and become present to the Holy One who is lovingly present for us.]

* CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Creator God, you hold all the universe in your loving hands.
All: Eternal and almighty God, we praise you.
Gentle Christ, both human and divine, you chose the most humble path among us.
Loving servant, we praise you.
Holy Spirit, you unfold your compassion within and among us.
Present and life-giving Spirit, we welcome you into our hearts.
In the name of Christ we worship you.

* SONG     8:30: We Are Called   Black hymnal # 2172
10:30:   Let All Things Now Living Black Hymnal # 2008

(10:30) CHILDREN’S TIME

___________ We Attend to the Word___________

(10:30) THE WORD IN SONG    We Are Called
Please join the choir on the refrain at # 2172 in the Black hymnal

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Pastor:   The grace of God be with you.
Congregation: And also with you.
Trusting in God’s tender mercy, let us confess our sin to God with one another.
God of love, help us to see ourselves with the eyes of love,
to see all that is in us that is loving,
and all that is not loving.
By the grace you show us in Christ,
receive us, forgive us, heal us, and perfect your love in us.
SILENT PRAYER …   THE WORD OF GRACE
RESPONSE      Live In Charity     Black hymnal #2179

PRAYER OF THE DAY
Loving God, open the windows of our hearts, that the light of your love may flow in. Open our ears, that we may hear your Word. Open our arms, to embrace your way. Open our hands, that we may serve you with strength and joy.   Speak to us; we are listening. Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT      Job 38.1-7
[Job has finally broken down and asked God, “OK, why do bad things happen to good people? God answers: “I can’t tell you. Did you create the world? Do you understand the cosmos? You can’t understand this, either.”]

Then the Lord answered Job out of the eye of the storm:
“Who is this obscuring my wisdom by speaking ignorant words?
Gird up your loins like a warrior,
I will question you, and you shall answer me.
Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone
when the morning stars sang together
and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?”
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GOSPEL          Mark 10.35-45
[James and John want to feel superior to others, but Jesus says it’s all about serving, not status. We don’t Lord it over others. We renounce coercion; instead our power is from beneath, to lift others up.]

James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came up to him. “Teacher, we have something we want you to do for us.”    “What is it? I’ll see what I can do.”    “Arrange it,” they said, “so that we will be awarded the highest places of honor in your glory—one of us at your right, the other at your left.”

Jesus said, “You have no idea what you’re asking. Are you capable of drinking the cup I drink, of being baptized in the baptism I’m about to be plunged into?”  “Sure,” they said. “Why not?”   Jesus said, “Come to think of it, you will drink the cup I drink, and be baptized in my baptism. But as to awarding places of honor, that’s not my business. There are other arrangements for that.”

When the other ten heard of this conversation, they lost their tempers with James and John. Jesus got them together to settle things down. “You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around,” he said, “and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. Then Human One came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away life for the sake of many who are held hostage.”
+

SERMON     Jane Emmons

SONG              We Are a Gentle, Angry People   Holly Near

We are a gentle, angry people and we are singing, singing for our lives. (repeat)
We are old and young together and we are singing…
We are gay and straight together…
We are a justice-seeking people…
We are a peaceful, loving people…

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH World Methodist Social Affirmation Blue hymnal # 886

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
[Anyone who wishes may share a prayer concern at the microphone.]

THE PRAYER OF JESUS
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

PASSING THE PEACE

______ We Are Sent in Ministry to the World_____

OFFERING OUR GIFTS    Precious Lord, Take My Hand   Rev. Thomas A Dorsey

* OFFERING SONG   Doxology   Black Blue hymnal #94

* PRAYER
Gracious God, we give you these gifts as symbols of our lives. Receive them with love, bless them with grace and use them according to your will. Send us in humble service for the sake of the healing of the world, in the name of Christ. Amen.

THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD

* SONG   Marching to Zion   Blue hymnal #733

* THE BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
RESPONSE   We stand and sing to our neighbors:
May the grace and peace of Christ be with you my friends.
Go and share the love of God, love that never ends.

POSTLUDE
“Allegro” from Sonata No. 5   Benedetto Marcello, arr: Geoff Edwards

[During the postlude there are people ready to pray with you at the candles in the corners.]