Journey into Servanthood …a worship packet for Lent and Eastertide Worship tools with a peace and justice emphasis from Seeds of Hope Publishers, people you've come to trust: 602 James; Waco, TX 76706; Phone: 254/755-7745; Fax: 254/753-1909; E-mail: [email protected]. Worship Resources Journey into Servanthood from Seeds of Hope contents Publishers 3-Thoughts for the Beginning of Lent 4-Bulletin Art for Lent These unique worship packets are avail- able for the liturgical year, four packets 5- Communion Liturgy for Early Lent a year for $120 ($135 for non-US sub- scriptions), one packet for $50 ($60 out- 6-Ash Wednesday Service side of the US). 9-A Lenten Invocation Staff and Volunteers Editor........................................L. Katherine Cook 10-"Are They Gonna Bring God Back?" Business Manager............................Leisa Winters (A Sermon for Lent) Drama and Poetry Editor..............John S. Ballenger Copy Editor..................Melinda Harrington Editorial Assistants.....................David Lane, 12-Quotes, Poems, & Pithy Sayings Ali Stanke, Angie Tello Artists.......................................Sally Lynn Askins, 13-Holy Week: A Dramatic Series for Youth Peter Yuichi Clark, Robert Darden, Erin Kennedy, Sharon Rollins, Kate Thomason 17-A Litany for Maundy Thursday 1998-99 Council 18-Easter Folly (Some Thoughts for Eastertide) of Stewards Patricia Bailey 19-Easter Meditations Martha Burns H. Joseph Haag 20-Monologue for Easter Morning Argye Hillis Theodore Londos, Jr. Special Bonus! "The Upside-Down Kingdom" Charles S. Madden Daniel B. McGee (President) (A Six-Week Children's Curriculum for Lent) Kathryn Mueller Nathan Porter Jacquline L. Saxon Statement of Purpose Seeds of Hope, Inc., is a private, independent group of believers responding to a common burden for a word about this packet the poor and hungry of God’s world, and acting on These materials are offered to you on clean, unattached pages so that you can the strong belief that biblical mandates to feed the poor were not intended to be optional. The group more easily photocopy anything you wish to duplicate. Feel free to copy any of this, intends to seek out people of faith who feel called including art, and adapt these tools to your needs. to care for the poor; and to affirm, enable, and em- The art on the cover was done especially for you by Erin Kennedy, an art student power a variety of responses to the problems of poverty. at Baylor University. We have made an effort to balance some of our favorite "vintage" Lenten art with fresh work by Erin and others. We introduce, in this packet, Editorial Address Seeds of Hope is housed by the community of faith Kate Thomason, another Baylor art student. We also introduce Sally Lynn Askins, the at Seventh and James Baptist Church. The mailing costume professor in Baylor's theater department, who illustrated for you the dramatic address is 602 James, Waco, Texas 76706; Phone: visual dimensions in John Ballenger's Ash Wednesday service. 254/ 755-7745; Fax: 254/753-1909; E-mail: [email protected].; Web address: http://www. The material in this packet is your congregation's to use freely. We have tried to [email protected] or http://www.helwys.com pull together resources that can be used during Lent and Eastertide. Copyright ©1999 We have also tried to provide these tools to you in a user-friendly, yet attractive Material in this packet is for the use of the purchas- ing faith community to enhance worship and in- presentation. We endeavored to choose a variety of age groups, worship areas, events, crease awareness in economic justice issues. and angles, so that you would have a potpourri of art and ideas from which to choose. ISSN 0194-4495 We make a conscious effort to maintain a balance between the apostolic and the Seeds of Hope, Inc., holds the 501C/3 nonprofit tax status. All contributions above the subscription contemplative—on the one hand, the dynamic challenge to stay true to God’s mandate rate are fully tax-deductible. to feed the poor and see to the struggle for justice, and on the other hand, our own Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are compelling need for nurture and healing while we work toward those dreams. from the New Revised Standard Version, Copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of We prayerfully hope that these aids will enhance your congregation’s winter the National Council of Churches of Christ in the worship experiences and, at the same time, help you to creatively raise awareness of U.S.A. Used by permission. the needs of God's people. Lent and Eastertide 1999 Seeds Worship Resources 2 As We Enter into Lent... Homeless Christ, Roust us from our burrows of comfort and complacency. Shake us loose from our nests of isolation and oblivion. Gather us, as you did your disciples, ‘round a common fire, that we may see each face aflicker with your radiance. Remind us that we have nothing and own nothing save our humanity; that what we need most is your redeeming presence; that life and faith and food and shelter are heavenly gifts to be humbly shared; that tangible love and gentle servanthood are the joyous paths that lead Home. Amen. —Deborah E. Harris Our God, It seems that we have just left the manger. It seems that we have just finished celebrating your birth. Now we stand in the shadow of the cross and the shadow falls over all we have and have not done. It seems that it is easier for us to celebrate than mourn sometimes. To enjoy the warmth of holidays rather than the chill of the in between. It is even easier for us to consider you the babe shivering in the cold than the man dying forsaken. It is easier for us to see ourselves as people doing the best that we can than as those who live most often for themselves. During this season gather us together as those on a journey. Keep our pace slow and deliberate. Help us to not rush to celebrate, for when we rush we miss out on the deep gladness of the celebration. Help us to face our own hollowness. Help us to face our need for forgiveness. Help us to face our need for you. —Susan Shearer Ballenger Deborah Harris is a freelance writer in Waco, Texas and a frequent contribuor to Seeds of Hope publications. Susan Shearer Ballenger is a youth and children's minister and highly acclaimed preacher in Waco, Texas. Lent and Eastertide 1999 Seeds Worship Resources 3 Remember to increase in the wisdom and knowl- edge of God, who has created us to be who we are and who has affirmed every part of us. Remember that God sent Jesus to be our Redeemer and that the Holy Spirit is with us always. During this Lenten season, let us strive for whole- ness through prayer, commitment, the study of God’s word and in living the life of righteousness. Just as Jesus committed to ministry even when it meant risking his own life, and through that commit- ment gave His life to a ministry of justice, healing, and compassion— Many: So may it be with us. One: Just as Jesus was able to withstand temptation through the knowledge of Scripture and teaching— Many: So may it be with us. One: Just as Jesus in giving found glory through God the Creator— Many: So may it be with us. A Communion Liturgy The Blessing of the Elements One: In a similar way, Jesus invited the disciples to a feast. That feast would prepare them for the new for Early Lent responsibilities they would share in his absence. But by Buddy Vess at the same time, Jesus told the disciples that the Holy Spirit would be with them. (The Blessing of the Bread) (The Blessing of the Cup) The Call to Confession The Great Thanksgiving One: We are promised that if anyone is in Christ, they are a Celebrant: God is in our midst. new creation. Let us confess our faults to God through Jesus People: Praise be to God. Christ so that we may embody newness as we pray silently. Celebrant: God has heard our cries for forgiveness. People: We thank you God for sending Jesus Christ who lives on high and pleads for our forgiveness. The Silent Prayer of Confession Celebrant: We join our voices in the glorious chorus of the angels saying: The Assurance of Forgiveness and Pardon All: Holy, holy, holy, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed One: You are a new creation. You are whole. You are God’s is Christ who comes in the name of the Sovereign. Hosanna child. in the highest! The Mystery of Our Faith Holy Communion One: Because of these promises, we proclaim the mystery of our faith. One: Lent is a time of journey. We, like the people of Israel, All: Christ has died, Christ is Risen, Christ will come again, have come to Canaan, our place of promise. A promised land hallelujah! was salvation to them in their journey. Ours is life in Christ. The day the manna ceased, they feasted from the bounty of the new land. As you prepare to come to this feast, may The Invitation to Christ’s Table you find strength for your salvation journey. Come to this One: Draw near to the table of sustenance and love. table to find strength during your spiritual journey during Many: May all people know this sustenance and love. Lent. May the Spirit find room in your heart as you partake of —Buddy Vess is a minister transplanted from North Carolina the blessed elements prepared for you this day.