Paul’s sermon in Athens (Acts 17:22-31) is substantially different from any of his other sermons. While his other sermons are identifiably Pharisaical and present the gospel in a way that would be accessible to a predominantly Jewish audience, the Athenian sermon employs patterns and concepts which were common to first century Athens. It is a significant and noteworthy accomplishment on Paul’s part and it may be taken as a mandate to subsequent Christians always to be prepared to articulate the gospel message using new and distinct cultural patterns. While the content of the Gospel is always consistent, the form in which the good news of Jesus Christ is presented should always be flexible. What follows are excerpts from a somewhat playful worship service that was designed to illustrate to a worshiping community the issues and possibilities involved in attempting to articulate a Christian worship service in a particular context. College students, youth, and children are often engaged by this way of distinguishing between what is essential and what is negotiable in worship. Read the liturgy after the jump.
SCRIPTURE LESSON AND PROCLAMATION—
Luke 10:30-37 and Horton Hears a Who (Theodore Geisel, 1934)
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
Friends, this is a joyful feast,
God’s kin will come from west and east
To gather in this sacred place
And meet with Jesus face to face
Come one, come all, and don’t be scared
For you a meal has been prepared
Around this holy table here
To share with Christians far and near.
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
I pray the Lord will be with you
We pray the Lord be with you, too.
Lift up your hearts, oh lift them high!
“We lift them up,” is our reply.
To God give all your thanks and praise
It’s right to do that everyday
God, you’re holy and adored
And blest is Jesus Christ our Lord.
You showed yourself in flesh and light
And saved us from our mortal plight
When Jesus Christ was first baptized
Your presence there was recognized
He walked and spoke and saved and blessed
The lonely, poor, sick, or oppressed
In him we see your grace and power
Even in our darkest hour
Christ died but rose by Holy Spirit
And that’s good news for all who hear it.
For by your grace we’ve all been lifted
We’ve all been made belov’d and gifted
To live and work with all the saints
And share Christ’s love without constraint
That love we know will never end
We give you thanks, O God, AMEN!
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
The night Jesus Christ was betrayed to the feds
Our Savior stood up after supper and said,
“This here is my body—right here in this bread.
And this cup holds my blood which for you will be shed.
And when you eat this bread and drink juice or Chablis
I want you to act in remembrance of me.
For in this holy meal, good madames and monsieurs,
My body and life will become part of yours.”
SHARING OF THE ELEMENTS
“The Body of Christ, which was broken for you.
` The Blood of our Lord, which was shed for you, too.”
LORD’S PRAYER (Unison)
Our Father who in heaven art
Respected be your name
Thy kingdom come; thy will be done
In Heav’n and Earth the same
Our daily bread, please, to us give
Forgive our sins as we forgive
Don’t lead us where we might be tempted
But make all evil things preempted
Yours is the kingdom, pow’r, and glory
And that will always be the story.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
Now go be courageous and peaceful and good
Act beloved and gifted like you know you should
And always remember the point of it all
A person’s a person no matter how small.
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