“Preach the gospel at all times. When necessary use words.” This quote is still attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, even though historians can’t find a single time he said this. It sounds like Francis though; don’t you think? And he did say something similar: “It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.” Some might argue that Paul was referring to a show of power, healing, or other miracles, as proof of his preaching. But maybe not. Maybe it was about the life he was living in front of his hearers. This is a call for congruence between our proclamation and our living. We claim to want to love our enemies because Jesus told us to do so, but what evidence of that love have we shown? This world is sorely in need of a demonstration of the difference the Spirit makes in our lives each and every day.

Planning Notes

The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, Year A

February 9, 2020 - 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16)

Liturgical color: Green

Somos del Señor: With a Demonstration

PRIMARY ACTIONS

Goals	Objectives	Outcomes
1.) Form or strengthen 2-3 diverse worship teams (Intergenerational, multicultural, gender inclusive, members/nonmembers.	Team will consist of the pastor and at least seven other people Meet three times prior to worship service and one time after.	Discuss, plan, and implement a multicultural worship service based on the lectionary, context, liturgical season. Create a safe space for each voice, gift, and offering; honor differences. Create an atmosphere for a healthy, shared experience.
2.) Find creative ways to implement the four primary movements of worship: Gathering Proclamation Response Sending	Apply visual, aural, verbal, physical, logical, social, and/or solitary approaches to relate to the learning styles of participants present. Use the gifts, talents, suggestions, and resources of the leadership team to offer creative elements in worship.	Offer at least three different learning styles in worship through art, music, speaking, writing, corporate prayer, etc. Experience a worship service that is different from your typical corporate gathering. All members of the team should have contributed to the planning process of at least one element within the service.
3.) Attend to corporate participation and cultural particularity, language, and space.	Encourage participation in corporate song, written prayers, Scripture reading, etc., by communicating through different languages spoken within the community. Develop a survey for leadership team and participants using both objective and subjective questions and by requesting comments regarding the worship experience. (See sample in notes for Sixth Sunday after Epiphany.)	Bring together at least twenty participants for worship. Offer at least five different ways for people to participate. Understand people’s perceived levels of participation, interaction, and how/if different cultures were given space and respected throughout the service by reading and reflecting on the surveys collected.

Promise

With a Demonstration

Somos del Señor

References

Colors

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