This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, April 26th, 2009,
Acts:3 12-19
April 2009 Archives
THE GOSPEL LESSON Luke 24:36-48
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES Acts 3:12-19
SERMON "Church: The Resurrected Body of Christ and All that Jazz"
Worship Notes
On this the Third Sunday of Eastertide, we worship through the musical medium of Jazz. Jazz music encompasses a wide array of styles. However, the early roots of Jazz music can be traced back to houses of worship. Therefore, it is indeed appropriate that we offer praise to God through music that, like our reformed Presbyterian worship tradition, balances both form and freedom.
The scripture texts today continue to offer testimony to Jesus Christ as the risen Lord and Savior. In today's gospel passage, we read of Christ's appearance to the disciples in which he calls upon them to set aside their doubt and understand that through his death and resurrection, he has fulfilled the scriptures. The choir's anthem, "Soon and Very Soon," anticipates the appearance of Christ to us as we profess our faith in response to the gospel lesson. The theme of the presence of Christ among us is represented throughout the music in which we worship this morning. Our opening hymn, "I Want Jesus to Walk With Me" is an African-American spiritual setting that expresses our individual wish that Christ may be with us throughout our journey. The hymn of response, "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" is a prayer that we might be brought closer to Christ, which is the response of the true disciple. Just as the soloist may offer a unique twist or variation on a main theme in Jazz, we may each choose to walk a slightly different path in our Christian journey. However, we do so knowing that God is with us and that he connects us to the core beat of his love for us. That core beat is the movement of the Holy Spirit, sent from God to be with us always. As we depart the service, we sing of the gift of the Holy Spirit, which compels us to pray, sing, and shout God's praises.
This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, April 19th, 2009,
John 20:19-31
THE FIRST LESSON Acts 4:32-35
THE SECOND LESSON John 20:19-31
SERMON "Church: The Resurrected Body of Christ Wounded and Doubting"
Worship Notes
Today is the Second Sunday of the seven Sundays of the Easter Season which ends on Pentecost. Our theme for this season is an exploration of the church as a living embodiment of Christ in the world. The central text for today is taken from the gospel of John and gives the account of Thomas and his doubts about the resurrection. What is interesting about this story is that Thomas is not convinced until he touches the wounds of Jesus. We as the body of Christ are sent out into the world as a doubting people and it is in our wounds that the resurrection becomes real. Our worship today reflects this emphasis both in being sent and in our brokenness.
We have the honor to baptize a young infant in our worship today. In the Presbyterian church, we believe that baptism is a sign of God's grace where we can embody how God's love comes to us long before we might recognize that love. As the church baptizes Nile's this morning, we know God is active in his life through his parents, his family, his godparents, and in the life of this congregation. This is truly something to celebrate in this season of resurrection.
This is the lesson and sermon from Easter, April 12th, 2009,
Mark 16:1-11
THE FIRST LESSON Acts 10:34-43
THE SECOND LESSON Mark 16:1-11
SERMON "Faith and Empty Tombs"
Worship Notes
In our worship this morning, we celebrate the foundational event of the Christian faith, the triumph of life over death. We, like the women who came to the tomb, encounter a mystery difficult to understand much less explain. All we can do is shout "Alleluia! The Lord is risen!" The central text for this morning is taken from Mark, who simply and starkly describes the encounter with the empty tomb. Most scholars argue that the gospel of Mark originally ended at verse eight and the last verses were added later by someone uncomfortable with their ambiguity. Yet the central truth of this Easter morning is that God works in surprising ways to overcome the forces of death so common in our world today. This is something to truly celebrate.
Throughout the season of Lent, we have worshipped through the music of Mozart (1756-1791). This culminated in our collaborative Good Friday Service of Tenebrae in which Mozart's Requiem was a central element. Today, Caitlin concludes our Mozart series by offering his "Alleluja" from "Exsultate Jubilate." A three-movement motet for solo voice, this work was composed in 1773 during Mozart's visit to Milan. The final movement well captures the energetic and joyful spirit of Easter morning.
Hosanna! Blessed is the one who is coming in the name of the Lord! Mark 11:9
THE PSALM LESSON Psalm 118
THE FIRST LESSON John 19:29-30, Luke 23:44-46
THE SECOND LESSON Philippians 2:5-11
SERMON "The Covenant Fulfilled: Jesus Story"
Worship Notes
In today's worship, we continue our journey in Lent to deepen our covenantal relationship with God. The liturgical color for the season is purple. Each Sunday in Lent, we have explored an aspect of God's covenant with creation. This covenant is not only vertical, but also includes a horizontal dimension emphasizing how our relationship with God is reflected in how we relate to one another. Each Sunday in Lent, we also reflected on one of the last words spoken by Jesus from the cross. This we do to remember that our Lenten journey culminates in the crucifixion on Good Friday, which this year will be observed in a single worship service involving all Madison's Presbyterian congregations. These seven last words of Christ will be the basis for this joint Good Friday Service of Tenebrae, which will also include the music of Mozart's Requiem.
Today is Palm Sunday where we add our voices to those in the crowd at Jerusalem as we shout our loud "Hosannas" to the son of David. Our service begins with the reading from Mark recounting these events and we enter with palms singing "All Glory, Laud, and Honor." In this celebration of the fulfillment of God's promises we hear the words of Jesus that all is finished as well as his short prayer that into God's hands he commits his spirit. The central text taken from Paul's letter to the church in Philippi is the famous hymn celebrating that at the heart of God's love for God's creation is this commitment from the beginning of time to redeem the universe.
While this service recounts the joy of the fulfillment of God's promises, we do anticipate the bittersweet moment of Maundy Thursday and the somber reality of Good Friday. We encourage you to experience all these emotions as we journey through this week.
