This is part of the worship series,
"August Adventures”
Series Introduction
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4
WEEK 4
SUNDAE SUNDAY
The name “Sundae Sunday” is intended to be both invitational and casual. The banner on our front lawn, which was duplicated in flyers for the community, included clip art of an ice cream sundae with “Join Us for Sundae Sunday” in large letters. “Community Welcome” and “Casual Dress” filled out the upper corners of the banner; the date, service times, and website address were at the bottom.
This is a great Sunday to describe, perhaps during the offering, one of the community ministries the church supports. We also wanted to highlight some of our “entry level” programs, so we preprinted nametags for members that said things like, “Ask me about Divorce Care” or “Ask me about Children’s Ministry” or “Ask me about the contemporary service.”
Prayer of Confession
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
—Psalm 51:1-2, 10 NIV
Assurance of Pardon
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
—Psalm 51:17 NIV
Scripture
2 Samuel 6:12–23; Luke 15:1–10
Sermon Notes: “Celebrate!”
We wanted to end our August Adventures with a celebrative and joyful tone, so we chose two Scripture passages that led us in that direction. Our reading of Luke 15 was a dramatic monologue by the director of youth and young adult ministries.
The Samuel passage tells of David’s celebration when the ark of the covenant was finally brought to Jerusalem. The description and story of the ark makes for fascinating background in this sermon. (See Numbers 10, Joshua 6, Judges 20, 1 Samuel 4-6 for additional Scriptural background.)
Then bring in the story of 2 Samuel 6, climaxing with David’s no-holds-barred dance of joy as the ark-parade arrived in his city. God is a God of celebration—not the God who’s always sad or mad, as some people picture him. God rejoices when people turn to him and revels when sinners come home.
1 Chronicles 16 provides a great conclusion to the sermon—as a unison or pulpit reading. Or sing a setting of Psalm 96 that is duplicated in this passage, the psalm David wrote for the occasion of the ark’s entrance.
Song Suggestions
“When Morning Gilds the Sky” Caswall and Barnby
“Lord of the Dance” Carter
“Come, We Who Love the Lord”
“This Little Light of Mine” African-American Spiritual
“Psalm 96: Sing to the Lord” Mason
“Sing to God with Joy” Bell
“Laudate Dominum/Sing, Praise and Bless the Lord” Taizé
“Come, Praise God! Sing Hallelujah” Atmondjo
Benediction
Let those who take refuge in the Lord be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
May God spread his protection over you.
that all who love God’s name may rejoice.
Surely God blesses the righteous
and surrounds them with his favor.
—based on Psalm 5:11–12
Commitment Response
We did not prepare a bulletin insert or request a specific response for the final Sunday of August Adventures. We did borrow from the free-church/ ethnic-church tradition of responding to the sermon orally by echoing the pastor in words of celebration: “Amen! Praise the Lord! God is good!” The enthusiastic response was a fitting end to our month-long adventure and focus on evangelism.
Revised Common Lectionary
Year B: Season after Pentecost—Proper 10 (15)
Year C: Season after Pentecost—Proper 19 (24)
