7th Sunday of Easter

Jeremiah 9:23-24; 24:1-10

Psalm 115

Mark 11:27-33 [AND Mark 12:35-37 if Ascension not observed]

OR Luke 20:1-8 [AND Luke 20:41-47 is Ascension not observed]

2Corinthians 10

      

PRAYER OF CONFESSION [from GREATER ATTENTION: LERW, YEAR D]

Almighty God, we live among a generation that constantly questions authority. We confess that we too have been slow to heed your messengers, to acknowledge the authority of your Word and your Spirit, to believe and obey the gospel of your Son, our Sovereign, Jesus Christ. We have too often feared human opinions more than your holy judgments. Forgive us, LORD, for our rebellion and for the bad fruit we have borne. Make us new by the transforming power and grace of your Spirit, that we might gain victory over the strongholds that have bound us, and bear good and lasting fruit for the kingdom of your beloved Son, in whose holy name we pray.

Ascension (Thursday)

Proverbs 1:1-7

Psalm 119:145-176

Mark 12:35-37 OR Luke 20:41-47

1John 2:3-29

      

CALL TO WORSHIP [from GREATER ATTENTION: LERW, YEAR D] 
Let the wise hear and gain in learning.

Let the discerning acquire skill.

         For fools despise wisdom and instruction,

         But the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.

Let those who fear the Lord await the Holy Spirit,

that they may come to understand proverbs and figures and words of insight.

         We shall delight in the words of our Savior,

         the Messiah, the Son of David.

For David himself, by the Holy Spirit,

calls his own son, ‘Lord,’ saying,

         “The Lord said to my Lord,

         ‘Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.’”

Let those who fear the Lord seek the Holy Spirit,

that they may gain instruction in wisdom and righteousness, justice and equity.
         Then we shall teach discernment to the simple,

         the knowledge of the Lord and prudence to the young.

Meanwhile, for those who wonder if preaching is still relevant ...

there's this. (Having just linked to the NYT positively, it only seems fair to balance things out a bit. Some of the comments are, as you might expect, ... ahem, ... rather biased, but some are also pretty hilarious.)