Homer G. Samplonius

This is part of the Worship SeriesA Better RighteousnessSeries Introduction Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 Second Sunday: DRESSED FOR THE OCCASION"Tilley Endurables" hats are associated with people who enjoy both rugged outdoor activities and semi-formal dress activities. Alex Tilley, the Canadian founder of the company that makes this all-purpose clothing, boasts that Tilley clothing can be eaten by elephants, retrieved from their droppings several days later, and, after a good rinse in a creek, worn to a banquet. No wonder Mr. Tilley's wonderful garb holds special attraction for travelers— especially those who always want to be dressed for the occasion.In this second week, the focus is again on a better righteousness. The passages for the week reveal that we are clothed in this righteousness—dressed for the occasion—as we travel onward.NOTES ON THE LECTIONARY READINGSOld Testament: Exodus 32:1–14Comments on this lection will be brief since this passage will likely serve as secondary material for this Sunday. But notice that the primary concern is the question "Who saves?" In verses 1–6, a weak-kneed Aaron gives in to the demand to create an image of God. When he finishes his creating work, Aaron solemnly declares: "These are your gods, O Israel, who have brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (v. 4, cf. v. 8). In the next section (vv. 7–10) God adopts the faithless language of Aaron (and the people?) as he tells Moses to go "to your people, whom you brought out of Egypt." But Moses turns the clause around when he responds to God, returning to the language of the covenant and speaking of Israel as: "your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt" (v. 11).This incredibly poignant interchange between God and Moses is concluded with the amazing words: "And the LORD changed his mind about the disaster he planned to bring on his people." Why? Because, unlike Israel, God keeps covenant. Unlike Israel, God is unchangeably committed to his people.Psalter: Psalm 106:1–6, 19–23Epistle: Philippians 4:1–9The choice of this passage fittingly complements the Old Testament lesson today and last Sunday's communion theme: the faithfulness of God. Present, too, is the counterpoint of idolatry (last Sunday's reference to the idolatry of the law and self-salvation, and today's golden calf incident come to mind). Confidence in church membership/affiliation rather than a daily walk (communing) with God are present idolatries or "other gods." Self-righteousness (self-rightness) has also pitted two prominent women against each other in Philippi. Paul admonished them to be of the same mind—to seek unity actively.As we travel on from World Communion to the commemoration of the Reformation—a celebration of a dispute that led to an ecclesiastical divorce—we will want to listen with care to Paul's words. The apostle reminds the congregation that this conflict, and all similar strife, must always reckon with the fact that the Lord is near (both temporally and spatially). He is close by spatially as God-with-us to help us, empowering us to image him; and he is near in time as the just Judge who will render justice at history's end, enabling us to turn the other cheek and live with certain unresolved questions and disagreements.Gospel: Matthew 22:1–14This parable of the final eschatological banquet is a marvellous liturgical choice for today's theme. We note that merely heeding the invitation is not enough. One must be clothed for the occasion. Though a man responded positively to the host's invitation, his failure to arrive in the proper attire, the wedding garment, landed him in hell.The wedding garment, especially in the context of the entire gospel, concerns righteous conduct. Be careful, Euodia and Syntyche and all modernday church quibblers! The final verdict is swift and merciless and utterly devoid of all modern niceties and sensibilities. One does not mess with righteousness.BULLETIN COVERThe lectionary readings for this week reminded me of George Herbert's poem "The Altar": A broken altar, Lord, thy servant rears,Made of a heart, and cemented with tearsWhose parts are as Thy hand did frame:No workman's tool hath touched the same.A heart aloneIs such a stoneAs nothing butThy power doth cut.Wherefore each partOf my hard heartMeets in this frameTo praise Thy name:That, if I chance to hold my peace,These stones to praise thee may not cease.O let thy blessed sacrifice be mine,And sanctify this altar to be thine.—George Herbert, P.D.The prominent image of the stone altar symbolizes law/works (it has an ordered pattern but is not quite squared away or perfect) and the altar upon which sacrifices are made to the golden calf. The stone is separated or cut by the power of God as our "altered" hearts are cut by him. The swirls suggest the scent of sacrifice and the voice of rejoicing (Psalm 106; Philippians 4) coming forth from the rocks.The stone standing outside of the law/works circle represents Christ, the cornerstone whom the builders rejected and, with an ironic twist, also depicts the guest without proper attire, called but not chosen (Matt. 22). The wedding garmet is in the center.The two circles again point to the theme of law/works and faith: the golden rings used to make the calf, the rings of God's covenant with his people.—Grace PotSERVICE SUGGESTIONSChoral Introit"O Praise the Lord, for He Is Good" Psalm 106/Post, BristolCall to WorshipGreat is the Lord, and greatly to be praisedin the city of our God.We come as children of God,longing for a closer walk with our Creator.God's name endures forever,his faithfulness to all generations.We rejoice in the gift of his Spirit,we seek the righteousness that comes from God.Bring thanksgiving and supplication to God,who supplies needs and answers our prayers.God has been our refuge and strengthand will supply our every need.Hymn "The Lord, My Shepherd, Rules My Life" Psalm 23/Idle Service of ReconciliationScriptureExodus 32:1–14Response Psalm 106 (two suggestions)"O Praise the Lord, for He Is Good" Psalm 106/Post Reading of Psalm 106:1–6, 19–23, followed by the choral anthem "Offertory" John Ness Beck.Scripture Philippians 4:1–9; Matthew 22:1–14[Phil. 4:4–7 could be sung rather than read, using the anthem "Rejoice in the Lord Alway" Purcell .]Text Matthew 22:11 Sermon "Dressed for the Occasion"Hymn of Response "Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life" North Commission and BlessingWe have experienced God's grace;we have heard the words of life.Now we are commissioned to do what we have heard; we are called to serve in God's name. Equipped with the assurance of God's presence,we reach out to others. Confronted by God's call, we seek the bond of unity. We will praise God in our daily walk. With every step, we remember God's faithfulness.The Aaronic BlessingThe peace of God goes with us;we will praise God in all we do. AmenRevised Common LectionaryYear A: Season after Pentecost—Proper 23 (28)

This is part of the Worship SeriesA Better RighteousnessSeries Introduction Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 First Sunday: The Faithfulness of God(World Communion)In all my travels the thing that has impressed me most is the universal brotherhood of man—what there is of it.-Mark TwainEver the cynic, Mark Twain puts his finger on a painful reality: in spite of the common bond we all share, its painful absence is only too obvious in many situations and places. In these places, parched and dry from lack of human love and care, miscarriages of justice and neglected stewardship set brother against brother and sister against sister. This first in a series of four services turns us to Christ, the well-spring of living water, who nurtures a new life of true fellowship.NOTES ON THE LECTIONARY READINGSOld Testament: Exodus 20:1–4, 7–9We begin our journey at Mount Sinai. God has just saved his people, set them free from slavery. The message is that God's saving grace and loving faithfulness precede the obedience he requires. The prologue to the law makes this abundantly clear: "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery."God saves because he is Yahweh, because he keeps covenant and does not abandon his people or creation.What, then, is the point of the law? The law is both prescriptive and descriptive. The law describes "the redeemed of the Lord," the people living in community, with whom God renews his covenant here at Mount Sinai. The law's prescriptive function lies in its intent to shape the people of God—to sculpt a people or community of great beauty, the envy of all peoples. Unfortunately, the prescriptive function of the law, misunderstood and misapplied, came to be seen as a means to gaining freedom, deliverance. Incredible, but true.Psalter: Psalm 19 (see hymn and anthem suggestions in the service)Epistle: Philippians 3:4–14The apostle Paul juxtaposes righteousness based on law and righteousness based on faith: the law as negative, a burden (as we try to save ourselves and inevitably lose sight of God), or positive (defining who we are by God's grace). Paul mocks those who place their confidence "in the flesh" as he recites his own religious pedigree. According to the law, he suggests, he has it made. But his "credentials" are mere garbage when measured against the astonishing reality that God has come in Christ to take our place, to do and to be our righteousness.As in the Exodus lection for this Sunday, grace is central here. God in Christ saves, and that salvation is a gift to all who have faith in Christ. The preacher/liturgist will recognize the possibilities of celebrating these emphases on this World Communion Sunday.This passage also highlights the "already-but-not-yet" aspect of our salvation (see v. 12). Since this emphasis provides a strong incentive to be nourished with the body and blood of Christ, it's especially appropriate on World Communion Sunday.Gospel: Matthew 21:33–46The gospel lesson calls for balance. Works are important! As we move toward Reformation Sunday, the celebration of "salvation by grace, through faith, apart from works," we may need to temper anti-Roman Catholic, self-righteous denunciations of salvation by works. This parable, actually an allegory, reminds us that the vineyard, Israel's special place and role in God's redemptive work, was taken away and given to the gentiles. The implied message is this: if the present tenants (Christians today) do not produce fruits (for example, righteousness—see Matt. 25:32 ff. for a powerful description of righteous living), then God will again give the vineyard to others. Scientists speak of an expanding universe. This parable teases us with the vision of an expanding kingdom: God will not be stopped.On this Sunday, as we celebrate Christian solidarity and acknowledge our weakness (Phil. 3:12), this parable presents an unlimited number of possibilities for preaching. If your congregation celebrates communion, the parable, in conjunction with the epistle lesson, sets the stage for a truly rich experience of God's grace as he nurtures us with the Word (verbal and sacramental). BULLETIN COVER This bulletin cover and the three following were inspired by Scripture, by Pastor Homer's themes, and by the poetry of George Herbert (1593–1633) and Anne Bradstreet (1612–1672).For this first cover, I used imagery from Herbert's poem "Love-joy":As on a window late I cast mine eye, I saw a vine drop grapes with J and C Annealed on every bunch. One standing by Asked what it meant. I, who am never loth To spend my judgement, said, It seemed to me To be the body and the letters both Of Joy and Charity. "Sir, you have not missed," The man replied; it figures JESUS CHRIST.The speaker is meditating on a stained-glass window late in the evening. Things are seen differently in the dark than in the light of day through this window which, in the Middle Ages, stood as a pictorial lesson or story for the illiterate "common" people. It was to these people that Luther hammered the gospel message that we are saved through faith in Jesus Christ, not through law or works-righteousness.The central image on all the covers this month is double circles, representing faith and law/works, in this cover the circles are centrally intertwined by grapes (the vineyard of Matt. 21; fruit produced only through Jesus Christ; World Communion Sunday). As in Herbert's poem, the grapes very subtly depict the letters J and C.Psalm 19 figures strongly in this cover as well, with images of the sun rising and completing its circuit like a bridegroom coming from his canopy. The faith circle doubles up as the world pouring forth speech day and night (cascading stars).—Grace PotSERVICE SUGGESTIONSIntroit"Lord, Who Are They That May Dwell in Your Courts" Psalm 15/SeddonCall to WorshipPraise the Lord; praise God, O my soul.Let us praise God as long as we live.God has heard our cries, he has seen our tears,he has prepared for us a table—a rich banquet.God satisfies us in the morning with steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. As we participate in the Spirit, our selfish conceits give way to unity: for we are one in the Spirit; one in the Lord.Then let us worship God with joy and praise, knowing our salvation is in Christ.Hymn"All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" Perronet A Time of Covenant RenewalPrayer of ConfessionAssurance of PardonScriptureExodus 20:1–18 [read, or framed by the choir singing st. 1 and 9 of "The Ten Commandments" Westra ]Response of Gratitude [Song suggestions based on Psalm 19]"The Law of the Lord Is Perfect" Psalm 19  "The Heavens Are Telling" Addison/Haydn "Creation" We Hear God's WordScriptureMatthew 21:33–46; Phil. 3:4–14Text Phil. 3:9Sermon "The Faithfulness of God"We Respond to God's WordHymn "I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord" Fillmore The Lord's SupperCommunion Hymn"The Church's One Foundation" Stone Communion Anthem "Draw Us in the Spirit's Tether" DearmerCommission and BlessingGod has placed us in the vineyardnot as owners, but as loving caretakers.The grace of God sustains us;the Spirit rouses us to loving service.God met us when we gathered for worship;he goes with us as we leave to serve.We are amazed that God seeks our service;we will exalt his name among the nations.The BenedictionAmenHymn"As Stewards of a Vineyard" De Vries, Grotenhuis Revised Common LectionaryYear A: Season after Pentecost—Proper 22 (27)

We are off on a journey—a four-week venture into familiar and unfamiliar territory. What follows are a series of suggestions for sermons, liturgies, and bulletin covers for the month of October, beginning with World Communion Sunday and ending with Reformation Sunday. The familiar part of our journey is our chosen theme, "A Better Righteousness," suggested by the lectionary lessons of the current year (cycle A).