Worship Focus for the Fourth Sunday of Easter: The Mystery of Suffering

Fourth Sunday in Easter Scripture Readings
Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23, I Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10

Science seems to tell us that our universe started in a sudden burst of expansion about 13.7 billion years ago. Likewise, scientific evidence indicates that modern humans arrived on the scene a relatively very recent 100 thousand years ago (give or take). In looking at the nature of how our universe, our world, and humans have been created, it seems to show us that some sort of suffering has always been a part of our existence. Many Christians state that suffering is a direct result of the fall. But that has become a simplistic answer for me. It does not explain everything about suffering. No doubt, suffering and pain most often result from the brokenness in relationship between us and God as well as with others. Our selfish independent nature has a way of breeding and amplifying suffering in this world. But that isn't the totality of it. What about natural disasters? What about accidents? What about natural occurrences of disease (especially genetic)? Are these all a result of a sin damaged world? If so, I have not yet been able to connect the dots. In the Genesis account of creation, God declares the world "Good." I don't remember seeing anywhere in the Bible that God created the world perfect. Ouch! How could a perfect and Holy God create a universe that is rife with suffering? I have to admit that for the most part, that is a mystery to me. However, I tend to believe that when God declared the world to be, "Good," He meant that it was good in the sense of being exactly what it needed to be in order for His perfect purpose for creation, and for us in particular. His purpose for us in particular means, "To be in loving relationship with God." I think the mystery of suffering revolves around the conditions that must be in place for people created in the image of our Creator, with a free will, to be in relationship with Him.

I'm no theologian, so I hope I'm not spewing heresies here, But, if God is in any way behind the conditions of suffering in this world, He more than took responsibility for it on the cross. As we see in I Peter 2:21-25, "...Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed."

This passage not only indicates that God took on the problem of suffering on the cross, but He also took on the responsibility of our rebellion. Because of this there is ultimate healing and a remedy for the human condition. He is the Good Shepherd that leads His creation toward His ultimate purpose (Communion). One aspect of worship is the act of recognizing that He is good and trustworthy even when we endure suffering. Worship calls us to come and kneel before the Lord OUR MAKER, for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture.

(I Peter 2:25) For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Let us return to the Shepherd in the faith that our souls are in good hands.

Worship Focus for the Third Sunday in Easter: What Should We Do?

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

Acts 14a, 36-37 (NRSV)
But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.... Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?"

Faith can become something that we just accept mentally but rarely works its way out into our lives. True faith in the crucified and risen Lord continually begs a question. It is not just, "What should I believe?" But also it is, "What should I do?" True belief always makes its demand in terms action. It isn't just mental acceptance. True belief is renewal of the mind. Renewal of the mind transforms the heart. Transformation of the heart finds its way to the surface in the way that we speak and act. This all begins with the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. New life is available to us through the Holy Spirit through the action of repentance.

Acts 2:38
Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Repentance is more than the mental act of being sorry. It is a "What should I DO?" Repentance comes from the true belief and recognition that I am out of step with God and going the wrong way. Repentance is a conscious act of turning around. At the point we become aware that we are out of step with God, true faith makes a demand. We can simply regret the fact that we are out of step or we can choose to turn and get our lives back in step.

One of the main reasons for God centered corporate worship is that, on a regular basis, it puts us into this place of, "What should I do?" We are confronted with Who God is and what He is about. We encounter the risen Lord in scripture and at the table. The question comes down to, "Do I really believe?" And "If I truly believe, then what should I do?" Worship challenges and activates our faith.

My Process

I'm sure every worship leader has a process for putting together a worship service. Our church has moved into a format that uses fresh expressions of worship when it comes to style, but follows the ancient pattern of worship when it comes to content and structure. This type of service requires a different type of planning. Here is what works for me currently:

1. Lot's of prayer! I pray for inspiration, creativity, and direction. It is always amazing to me how this prayer is answered when what is planned takes on a spontaneous life of its own in the services. Ultimately the Holy Spirit must guide everything and then must breathe life into what was planned and created ahead of the service.

2. Look at lots of pieces and possibilities. Whether I'm doing this on my own or with a creative planning team, I begin to look at many pieces that could form a basic theme or "storyline" for the service. After all, worship tells God's story so I start by trying to understand what aspect or angle of the story needs to be told this week. I look at the pastor's sermon and discuss it with him/her. I then look at the Revised Common Lectionary . I read and meditate on the passages and prayerfully look for the common thread(s) that run through them. I look at other liturgical resources to see what other thoughts and elements are out there. Some that I regularly look at and use are:

The Revised Common Lectionary. This where I find the scriptures for the week.
The Work of the People. This is a company that creates some really good liturgical video.
GBOD Worship. I usually look at "Worship Planning Helps" on this site.
Abingdon Worship Annual. This is a CD Rom with liturgical prayers for various parts of the service.

3. Write a theme. In a short blurb of no more than a few sentences, I try to capture "the main thing" for Sunday's services. I do this based on all I have done up to now.

4. Select music and other elements. I go into my own data base of songs which I have arranged into folders that are for each part of the service. For instance, I have a "Call to Worship" folder with songs that are appropriate calls to worship. I am constantly searching for new music as well. When I come across a good song, I usually add it to my files. I usually select the following songs:

- A Call to Worship (A song that encourages people to gather to worship such as "Come, Now Is the Time...")
- An Invocation (A song/prayer that invites the Lord to be present such as "Meet with Me")
- A Confession (A song/prayer that admits our need for God's grace and cries out for His mercy)
- A Song of Praise (A God centered song of Praise, such as "How Great Is Our God")
- Responsive Songs (Other songs that are sung in response to the reading of the Word)

Along with planning songs, I also select any other elements that will be woven in such as video, drama, dance, etc.

5. Write the Liturgy. I write out the whole service (with the exception of the sermon). I create a document that includes song lyrics, prayers, scriptures, and responses of the people. I tend to re-write, or write liturgical prayers and responses in very contemporary language so that it is understandable and is poetic without being stuffy. When it comes to scripture readings, I look at various contemporary versions to see which one is most understandable, but also does justice to the passage.

6. Create Visuals. In this day and age, it is important that there are visual metaphors used, mainly on the screen to help tell the story. So I search for stock photos and video clips that can be used.

7. Create a Service Plan. This is distributed to everyone involved so that everyone is on the same page come Sunday morning.

So there you have it. That is my process for putting together a worship service that is a fresh expression of an ancient tradition.