FROM CHAOS TO COMMUNITY: Rites of Passage

Using lighting or other nonverbal means, call attention to the stagescape for week 4.

ENTRANCE

“Listen to My Words” (omit stanza 3) CCLI #7029174 OR
“Out of the Depths” United Methodist Hymnal, 515

WORD AND RESPONSE

Two readers move into position during the opening music. One may be a youth, and the other an older adult.

Choir Solo or Ensemble
“Hear My Prayer, O God” (st 1) Worship & Song, 3131

Reading 1 (Youth) Genesis 22:1-6 (NRSV, alt.)
God tested my father, Abraham.
God said to him, “Abraham.” And my father replied, “Here I am.”
God said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love,
and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering
on one of the mountains I will show you.”

So my father rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey,
took two of our young men with him, and got me.
He cut the wood for the burnt offering,
then set out for the place God had shown him.

My father saw the place on the third day, still far off.
So he said to our young men,
“Stay here with the donkey. My son and I will go over there,
worship, then come back to you.”

My father took the wood of the burnt offering,
and he laid it on me.
He carried the fire and the knife.
And the two of us walked on together.

“Hear My Prayer, O God,” st 2 W&S 3131

Reading 2 (Older Adult) Genesis 22:7-10 (NRSV, alt.)

My son called to me. “Father?”
“Yes,” I said. “I’m here.”
Isaac said, “The fire and the wood are here,
but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
I said, “God will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.”
And the two of us walked on together.

When we arrived at the place God had shown me,
I built an altar, and laid the wood in order on top of the fire.
Then I tied and bound my son, Isaac,
and I laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.
I reached out my hand to take the knife
to slaughter my son.

(Silence)

Reading 3 (Youth) Genesis 22:11-13 (NRSV, alt.)

An angel called to my father just then:
“Abraham! Abraham!
Do not lay your hand on the boy
or do anything to him.
For now I know you fear God,
since you have not withheld your son,
your only son, from me.”

My father looked up and saw a ram,
caught in a thicket by its horns.
He went, took the ram,
and offered it up as a burnt offering,
instead of me.

Reading 4 (Older Adult) Genesis 22:14, 19 (NRSV, alt.)
I called that place, “The Lord will provide.”
As it is said to this day,
“On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

I returned to my young men.
And we went on together to Beersheba.

“Hear My Prayer, O God,” st 3 W&S 3131

Sermon “Rites of Passage”

Call to Address Abuse
While music plays, all may be invited to write names of persons they know or suspect may be being abused, especially children, older adults, and people with disabilities, who their abusers are, and what action they will take to address at least one of these situations in the coming week. Be sure to include in your bulletin or onscreen information about local entities to call to report abuse or obtain help. At the conclusion of this time, all may join in singing:

“Hear My Prayer, O God,” st 4 W&S 3131

Prayers of the People
Whichever form you use, include time for people to pray (silently) for those they have listed in response to one of the biddings, and conclude with a petition for the forgiveness of sins.

“Prayers of the People” CCLI #7039048 OR
“Prayers of the People” The Faith We Sing, 2201

The Lord’s Prayer

THANKSGIVING (AND COMMUNION)

The voice of the Lord calls our name,
and bids us lay no hand
even on those we are poised to harm.

The voice of the Lord
calls us to peace,
and to become agents of peace
with all who are abused,
with all without voice or power.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.

The people may exchange the peace of Christ. The offering may be collected. If Communion is celebrated, the Lord’s Table may be prepared.

Music During the Offering
“Mighty to Save” W&S 3038 OR
“When We Are Called to Sing Your Praise” TFWS 2216

The Great Thanksgiving BOW 70-71

Music During Communion
Instrumental interlude on AUTHOR W&S 3166

Thanksgiving after Communion UMH 11

SENDING FORTH

“Lift Every Voice and Sing” (st 1-2) UMH 519

Deacon or Pastor:
The Lord will provide.
The Lord will provide.

The Lord will provide.

Go forth to be God’s angels,
God’s messengers,
the real adults in the room,
who walk with others with patience and love
through life’s rites of passage,
who call a halt to abuse and violence before it happens,
work for healing where it does,
and become living witnesses to all that
The Lord will provide.

Amen.

“Lift Every Voice and Sing” (st 3) UMH 519