The Worship Closet

Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

• The folks who select the readings for the RCL have made sure to suggest the PG-rated version of this narrative.  I suppose that I can understand that the gruesome details of the death of Judas aren’t exactly your standard, Sunday morning kind of fare, but…  Without some discussion of the fact that Judas is no longer with the disciples, this text can feel a little disjointed – especially to people who are unfamiliar with the whole Gospel story, etc.  Let’s not forget that there are those who visit/attend our churches who haven’t gone to seminary, were not raised in the Church their entire lives, and maybe never even owned a children’s picture Bible (which certainly would not have included this story, anyway)!
• For those who really want to be bold, go ahead and read verses 18-20.
• For those who want to keep things on the mild side, just add verse 20 (it helps explain what they are doing in the later verses).
• What does it look like when we completely trust God in a discernment process?  Well, it looks a lot like “casting lots“.
• I like the way that Eugene Peterson words this text in The Message.
• The fact that the apostles cast lots to determine who should join their ranks (spoiler alert – the lots fall on Matthias), gives us some interesting possibilities for worship decor…
• I would imagine that you don’t get to use those big, fuzzy dice that hang from your car’s rearview mirror in worship very often – but you could on this Sunday!  I’m going to suggest that you not hang them around the cross (or any icons that may be present in your sanctuary/worship space), but…other than that, practically anything goes!
• I’m always a fan of interactive worship displays.  How about having a large bowl on the table, full of dice?  This could be especially interesting/powerful if you are speaking about how it is that we trust God in our processes of discernment.  Those in the congregation could come forward at a particular time during the service (maybe during communion), and they can each reach into the bowl and take a die.
• Think of all the ways that we could “cast lots” today: use dice, flip a coin, spin a wheel, draw straws…  You cold use any/all of these objects to enhance your worship display (especially if you are going to be talking about the practice of casting lots to the children and/or congregation).

Psalm 1

• Notice that the psalmist says that the way of the wicked will perish – not the wicked…
• I love the imagery in this text.  We are called to be like trees that are planted by a stream of water – thirsty for that living water, with our roots reaching out and running deep.
• Potted trees (real or artificial) are excellent decor elements in any worship space anyway, but they really work well with this particular text, too!  Place a tree (or a few trees of varying heights – you can put them on different levels/steps if they are all the same size) in the front of the worship space.  Use blue satin fabric (or some other “watery” looking material) around the base of the tree(s), creating a “stream” on the floor.  If you are able to do it, have the “stream” lead to the baptismal font.
• If you have the outdoor space to use (and good weather), move your worship service outside to a spot by a stream (with trees)!

1 John 5:9-13

• The NRSV is good, but I do like some other translations/versions a little more.  The Contemporary English Version is easy to follow, without some of the “churchy” words that can get a little muddy for some (especially those new to the faith/church).  Likewise, the Easy-to-Read Version is also, well… easy to read (go figure)!
• If you plan to focus on this scripture in your sermon, I suggest keeping it simple in your worship decorating.  Images of Christ (icons, paintings, etc) could be displayed, as well as a cross.

John 17:6-19

• It is important to understand the context of this passage.  This is a prayer being offered to God by Jesus.  It is offered just prior to his betrayal and arrest.
• This really is a powerful text.  Think about it, friends – Jesus is praying for us.  You.  Me.  Jesus the Christ is praying for us.  If that doesn’t give you chills…
• Several months ago, I suggested that you consider getting a sculpture of hands that are folded in prayer (here are a few to consider).  Did you get one?  I must admit, it is still on my personal wish list…  If you don’t have a groovy sculpture to use, you can still use various images of hands that are folded or lifted in prayer.  The image included in this post could be used (with credit to me, please), as well as others that you can find (or create) yourself!

Acts 10:44-48

• God decides who is accepted and who receives the Spirit – not us.
• The Spirit of God is not dependant upon our action.  The Spirit of God does not wait for us to make a choice – the Spirit inspires a choice.
• The baptismal font should be front-and-center with a scripture reading like this.
• Maybe, like me, you are moved by Peter’s question: “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”  I have to wonder, how and when have we “withheld the water” from others?
• If you are pondering the question that Peter asks, here’s an idea that lets the congregation interact with the baptismal font:
• Place the baptismal font in the front of the worship space with NO water in it.  In the aisles, place tables with small cups or bottles of water on them (or, distribute small bottles of water to everyone when they enter the worship space).  After speaking/preaching about/wrestling with how we withhold the water from others, invite the congregation to come forward (one-by-one, after a time of reflection) and pour some water into the font.

Psalm 98

• I have said it before, and I will surely say it again: if you have a musical setting for this Psalm, use it!  It is always appropriate to sing and use musical instruments when you are reading/singing a psalm like this.
• Psalm 98 was one of the possible readings on Christmas Day in 2011.  You can check out the suggestions I made by clicking here.
• If you want to include musical instruments in your service (perhaps with the children), but you don’t have any…here’s a quick Do-It-Yourself project to create some “egg shakers”:
• I hope you didn’t get rid of all those plastic eggs from your Easter baskets!  Place about a teaspoon of un-popped popcorn (or small plastic beads) inside of a plastic egg.  Since you won’t want popcorn (or beads) to spill out of the eggs, be sure to glue or tape the eggs shut.  If you are really feeling crafty, you can decoupage the entire egg using old sheet music or colorful paper.

1 John 5:1-6

• While the NRSV is a perfectly wonderful translation for this text, I do like a few others, too.
• The Message, by Eugene Peterson, is nicely done (though, if you use The Message, you will want to read through verse 8).
• The Common English Bible is easy to read, with language that isn’t quite as tongue-tying as the NRSV can be.
• For those who want to go back to the lists of rules and regulations – the ones that dictate what foods to eat and clothes to wear – when they read “obey (God’s) commandments”, I suggest that they be directed to the Gospel lesson for this Sunday.
• The baptismal font is, again, best to be placed in the front of the worship space.

John 15:9-17

• Love one another.  If it seems like we have been reading these words over and over again in the last few weeks, it is mostly because we have.  Maybe we need to be reminded of these words more than we think…
• If you used grapes (and vines) to decorate your worship space, you can keep them up this week.  It is certainly appropriate with the mention of bearing “fruit that will last”.
• God’s love for us is revealed in its full glory on the cross.  You may want to have the cross be the central focus of your worship display this week.

Acts 4:5-12

• The lectionary suggests that you start in verse 5, but it may be helpful to provide a bit more of the fuller context.  I suggest that you use Acts 4:1-12 as the reading.
• Would anyone put us on trial for our good deeds?  Would anyone accuse us of serving others in the name of Christ?  If you want to explore these questions a bit more (which are great to consider for the 1 John reading, too), I strongly suggest that you check out The Orthodox Heretic: And Other Impossible Tales by Peter Rollins.  It is one of my favorite books.  His story (included in the book) called “No Conviction” immediately came to mind as I read through the scriptures for this Sunday.  It is definitely worth reading!  (I have included information on Rollin’s book - and other materials - at the end of this post.)
• Items to use in your worship display (or projected images): large stones and/or a large cornerstone.

Psalm 23

• I have suggested that you consider getting a shepherd’s crook before, and I’m going to suggest it again.  Seriously – it is a “prop” that you will be able to use again and again in worship displays (and pageants and plays).
• “Green pastures” and “still waters” are easy to “create” in the front of your worship space – and there are a variety of materials that you can use.
• Use green fabric to form rolling hills and pastures on the Table.  I suggest draping a shiny blue fabric (or ribbon) in the midst of the green (like a gentle, flowing stream).  River rocks can provide an added natural/textural element to help set the scene.
• Use moss-covered rocks (available in most craft stores or floral departments) to surround a large dish or bowl filled with water.
• You may be able to get actual grass (sod) to cover a table in the front of your worship space, placing a large bowl/dish of water in the center.
• Since you will be reading “you anoint my head with oil”, this is a great time to offer a time of anointing during the worship service.  A small amount of olive oil in a bowl goes a long way.  You may want to invite individuals to come forward (if they are able – or, go to them), place a small amount of oil on the tip of your finger (similar to how you “anoint” with ashes on Ash Wednesday), and make the sign of the cross on the person’s forehead (or on the back of their hand).  Words you could say while doing the anointing: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life, and you shall dwell in the house of the Lord your whole life long”.

1 John 3:16-24

• Love one another.  It is just that simple, and it is just that hard.
• Jesus demonstrates a self-sacrificing love – and that is what we are called to offer to others.  And this love isn’t just a bunch of talk.  This kind of love that we are called to offer to all the world is a verb.
• “Luv Is A Verb” is one of my favorite songs by the group DC Talk – little bit of old-school, Christian rap/hip-hop that made me tap my feet when I was younger.  It could add some energy to your worship service (I’ve included links to mp3 downloads at the end of the post).  It may be a good idea to print the lyrics if you decide to play the music (since they do sing a bit fast in a few places).

John 10:11-18

• Like I mentioned in regards to Psalm 23, it is a great time to dust off that shepherd’s crook (or go out and get one) to use in your worship display.
• If you use projection equipment, you may want to display pictures of sheep and shepherds.  Also, since Jesus is really talking about people when he talks about sheep here, you may want to display images of people from all over the world (from every walk of life – every race, gender, color, creed, etc.).
• Just when we think that we have this whole “kingdom” and “chosen people” thing all figured out, Jesus goes and says “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.”  Who are these “other sheep”?  Why do they get to come along?  Can we know?  I don’t think so – and frankly, who cares?  We need to seriously ask ourselves – would we (do we) treat someone differently if/when they are “not part of this fold”?  If the answer to that questions is yes, what does that say about us, our trust in Christ, and our commitment (as Christians) to love our neighbor?