Sunday School, September 14, 2014 14 Pentecost, A Proper 19

Sunday, September 14, 2014  14 Pentecost  A Proper 19

 
Theme:  Forgiveness
             Teaching points: Jesus said to forgive not seven times but 70 times seven.  Find a way to illustrate 490.  And remind them that we do not want people to always be counting our faults and our sins.  Teach them it is better to count good things about other people and about ourselves.    Remind them that it is hard to receive the forgiveness of others if we refuse to forgive others.  Go over the petition in the Lord's Prayer:  And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Craft:  Bring 490 pennies and do a coin toss or drop into a coffee can.  Have them repeat the phrase from the Lord's Prayer each time they drop a coin.


PAlly: one, two, three, four, five, six…..

Polly: Heh Ally, what are you doing?

Ally: Duh….I’m counting.

Polly: What are you counting.

Ally:  I’m counting all of the bad and hurtful things that my friends have done to me.

Seven…eight…nine….ten….eleven…

Polly:  Well, you are going to be sad all of the time then.

Ally: Why do you say that?

Polly:  If you are only trying to remember bad things, then the bad things are the only things that you will remember.

Ally: twelve…thirteen…fourteen….

Polly:  Now stop it Ally.  Stop and think about some good things.  Did you mom feed you?

Ally: Yes.

Polly: Okay there’s one….

Ally: That’s all…

Polly: There are many more good things; you just haven’t practiced thinking about good things.

Ally: fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen.

Polly:  Now stop it Ally.  Are you going to count up to 490?

Ally:  Why should I stop there?

Polly: Well you know that the disciples of Jesus ask him if they had to forgive their friends seven times.  And you know what Jesus said?

Ally:  No what?

Polly: Jesus said, not just seven times, but seventy times seven or 490 times.

Ally:  Well, I don’t think anyone has done 490 bad things to me.

Polly:  Well, then, you will just have to stop counting.

Ally: Why should I stop counting?

Polly:  Because if you forgive your friends then the count goes back to zero.

Ally:  Well, it would be easier to start at zero.

Polly: What if God were to count all of the bad things which people in this world did?

Ally:  Well God would have a big number to count to.

Polly:  But Jesus told us that God forgives our sins; God even forgets our sins.

Ally:  Well, how can I forget the sins of other people?

Polly: You can forget the sins of others if you know that others also forget your sins.  You aren’t perfect, you know.

Ally:  I know but it is much easier to recognize the sins of others than to recognize my own sins.

Polly:  Bingo….you had better hope that your friends are not counting your sins.  How would you like that?

Ally:  I wouldn’t like that; I want them to remember the good things that I do.

Polly:  Bingo, I think you have just solved your counting problem.

Ally: You’re right.  I need to stop counting the sins of others because I don’t want others to count my sins.

Polly: You have learned the importance of forgiveness.  The only way that we live together is through forgiving each other.  And so we cannot count and remember the sins of others.  Are you ready to stop counting sins?

Ally:  Yes, I am.  If God forgives and my friends forgive me then my sins will not be counted and so I will stop counting the sins of others.  Thank you Polly for teaching me this lesson.

Polly:  You’re welcome.  And let us be thankful that God forgives us and does not count our sins.

September 14, 2014: Fourteenth Sunday of Pentecost

Gathering Songs: Hallelu, Hallelujah, Come My Way,  When the Saints

Liturgist:      Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

People:       And Blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever.  Amen.

Liturgist:  Oh God, Our hearts are open to you.

And you know us and we can hide nothing from you.

Prepare our hearts and our minds to love you and worship you.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Song: Hallelu, Hallelujah (Christian Children’s Songbook, # 84)

Hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah!  Praise ye the Lord!  Hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah! 

Praise ye the Lord!  Praise ye the Lord, Hallelujah!  Praise ye the Lord, Hallelujah. 

Praise ye the Lord, Hallelujah!  Praise ye the Lord!

Liturgist:         The Lord be with you.

People:          And also with you.

Liturgist:  Let us pray

O God, because without you we are not able to please you mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Litany of Praise: Alleluia (chanted)

O God, you are Great!  Alleluia

O God, you have made us! Alleluia

O God, you have made yourself known to us!  Alleluia

O God, you have provided us with us a Savior!  Alleluia

O God, you have given us a Christian family!  Alleluia

O God, you have forgiven our sins!  Alleluia

O God, you brought your Son Jesus back from the dead!  Alleluia

A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans

Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God." So then, each of us will be accountable to God.

Liturgist: The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

Liturgist: Let us read together from Psalm 103

For as the heavens are high above the earth, * so is his mercy great upon those who fear him.

As far as the east is from the west, * so far has he removed our sins from us.

As a father cares for his children, * so does the LORD care for those who fear him.

Birthdays:   Trish Bergstrom, Cynthia Turnquist, Simran Rayapati

Anniversaries:   Mike and Gingy Cody, Mike and Jill Hertzer

Litany Phrase: Thanks be to God! (chanted)

Litanist:

For the good earth, for our food and clothing. Thanks be to God!

For our families and friends. Thanks be to God!

For the talents and gifts that you have given to us. Thanks be to God!

For this day of worship. Thanks be to God!

For health and for a good night’s sleep. Thanks be to God!

For work and for play. Thanks be to God!

For teaching and for learning. Thanks be to God!

For the happy events of our lives. Thanks be to God!

For the celebration of the birthdays and anniversaries of our friends and parish family.

   Thanks be to God!

Liturgist:         The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew

People:          Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Peter came and said to Jesus, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. "For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, `Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, `Pay what you owe.' Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, `Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, `You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."

Liturgist:         The Gospel of the Lord.

People:          Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon – Father Phil

Children’s Creed

We did not make ourselves, so we believe that God the Father is the maker of the world.

Since God is so great and we are so small,

We believe God came into our world and was born as Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary.

We need God’s help and we believe that God saved us by the life, death and

     resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We believe that God is present with us now as the Holy Spirit.

We believe that we are baptized into God’s family the Church where everyone is

     welcome.

We believe that Christ is kind and fair.

We believe that we have a future in knowing Jesus Christ.

And since we all must die, we believe that God will preserve us forever.  Amen.

Your prayers are asked for the health and comfort of  Debbie,   Jane, Mary, Miranda,   Jairo, Linda, Al, Jim,  Arabella, Leslie, Larry, Paul, Heidi, Steve,   Elsie,  Aiden, Jim, Dorothy, Victor, Stephen, Carson,   Ann, Don, Temme, Georgia, Margarita, Jerry, Julie, Mary Beth, Richard, Dixie,  Emily, Ron, Rose Marie, Doris M,  Doris L., Pat P.,  Carolyn,    Betty, David, Ernie, Chloe, Nick, Daniele, Danica, Stefanya,   Carol, Annie-Sue,  Ed,   Rick, Clifford, Mary,  Leslie Ann, Patty,  Burke,  Keith, Kristen,   John,  Mike, Patty, Joyce, Michelle,  Ava, Mary,  Sarat, Wilma, Tom, Eva, Lorraine, Ganla, Krishna, Ganla Gouri Devi, Jim Lee

Faithful Departed:    

Your Prayers are asked for those in the Armed Forces:  Jeremy, Harry, Joseph, Steven, David,  Daniel and Eric.Forces: Jeremy, Joseph,  Dominic, Steven, David,  Daniel and Eric

Litany Phrase: Christ, have mercy. (chanted)

For fighting and war to cease in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For peace on earth and good will towards all. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety of all who travel. Christ, have mercy.

For jobs for all who need them. Christ, have mercy.

For care of those who are growing old. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety, health and nutrition of all the children in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For the well-being of our families and friends. Christ, have mercy.

For the good health of those we know to be ill. Christ, have mercy.

For the remembrance of those who have died. Christ, have mercy.

For the forgiveness of all of our sins. Christ, have mercy.

Liturgist:         The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

People:          And also with you.

Song during the preparation of the Altar and the receiving of an offering

Offertory Music:    Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive,                 St. John’s Children Choir

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below.

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

 

Prologue to the Eucharist

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, for to them belong the kingdom of heaven.”

All become members of a family by birth or adoption.

Baptism is a celebration of our birth into the family of God.

A family meal gathers and sustains each human family.

The Holy Eucharist is the special meal that Jesus gave to his friends to keep us together as the family of Christ.

The Lord be with you

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to God.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

It is very good and right to give thanks, because God made us, Jesus redeemed us and the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts.  Therefore with Angels and Archangels and all of the world that we see and don’t see, we forever sing this hymn of praise:

Holy, Holy, Holy (Intoned)

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might.  Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 

Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the Highest.

(Children may gather around the altar)

The Celebrant now praises God for the salvation of the world through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Our grateful praise we offer to you God, our Creator;

You have made us in your image

And you gave us many men and women of faith to help us to live by faith:

Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachael.

And then you gave us your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, nurtured by Joseph

And he called us to be sons and daughters of God.

Your Son called us to live better lives and he gave us this Holy Meal so that when we eat

 the bread and drink the wine, we can  know that the Presence of Christ is as near to us as  

 this food and drink  that becomes a part of us.

And so, Father, we bring you these gifts of bread and wine. Bless and sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Bless and sanctify us by your Holy Spirit so that we may love God and our neighbor.

On the night when Jesus was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, "Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. When we eat this holy Meal of Bread and Wine, we are telling the entire world about the life, death and resurrection of Christ and that his presence will be with us in our future.

Let this holy meal keep us together as friends who share a special relationship because of your Son Jesus Christ.  May we forever live with praise to God to whom we belong as sons and daughters.

By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory

 is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now sing,

(Children rejoin their parents and take up their instruments)

Our Father: (Renew # 180, West Indian Lord’s Prayer)

Our Father who art in heaven:  Hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done: Hallowed be thy name.

Done on earth as it is in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.

Give us this day our daily bread: Hallowed be thy name.

And forgive us all our debts: Hallowed be thy name.

As we forgive our debtors: Hallowed be thy name.

Lead us not into temptation: Hallowed be thy name.

But deliver us from evil: Hallowed be thy name.

Thine is the kingdom, power, and glory: Hallowed be thy name.

Forever and ever: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Breaking of the Bread

Celebrant:     Alleluia.  Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

People:          Therefore let us keep the feast.  Alleluia!

Words of Administration

Communion Hymn:  Come My Way, (Blue Hymnal # 487)

1.    Come, my way, my truth, my life: such a way as gives us breath; such a truth as ends all strife; such a life as killeth death

2.    Come, my light, my feat, my strength: such a light as shows a feast; such a feast as mends in length; such a strength as makes his guest.

3.    Come, my joy, my love, my heart: such a joy as none can move: such a love as none can part; such a heart as joys in love.

Post-Communion Prayer

Everlasting God, we have gathered for the meal that Jesus asked us to keep;

We have remembered his words of blessing on the bread and the wine.

And His Presence has been known to us.

We have remembered that we are sons and daughters of God and brothers

    and sisters in Christ.

Send us forth now into our everyday lives remembering that the blessing in the

     bread and wine spreads into each time, place and person in our lives,

As we are ever blessed by you, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Closing Song: When the Saints Go Marching in, (Christian Children’s Songbook, # 248)

1.    O when the saints, go marching in, O when the saints go marching in.  Lord I want to be in that number when the saints go marching in.

2.    O when the girls, go marching in,…..

3.    O when the boys, go marching in….

Dismissal:   

Liturgist:    Let us go forth in the Name of Christ.

People:      Thanks be to God!