Second Assignment 3-9-2013

Second Session, March 9

Felton, whole book

Stookey, pp. 11-82

Finish White (Chapters 3-5)

Scripture Resources  (see weblog)

There will be an in-class quiz on Felton and White readings.

            Assignment is due at the second session

1.    Sermon-like Essay—Communion:  What is the role of this sacrament in the life of God’s people? How does our method of celebrating this sacred-moment effect the spirituality of our people and their understanding of grace?  

Use the following prompt for your sermon.

A colleague describes a congregation he is serving that approaches the sacrament of Holy Common in the following ways.

·      Communion is observed on Holy Thursday and the first Sundays of January, April, July, and October.

·      The attendance drops on communion Sundays because many people think that they are not worthy to receive and others complain of boredom or "ritualism" or that the service tends to run too long.

·      The form of service usually follows the general contour of The Word and Table Service IV in the Book of Worship—they think of it as “the original” or the “good old” version.

·      Individual glasses of juice and wafers are passed in the pew—or are out in place on trays at the rail from which communicants serve themselves. Soft background music (organ or piano) is played during the distribution, and emphasis is placed upon the solemnity of this personal time with God.

·      Hymns for the day tend to focus on the passion and death of Jesus, as does scripture reading and preaching.

·      Visitors are invited to receive communion, but not until they have reached the age of about 12 years.

This congregation has dwindled in size and in its outreach to the surrounding community. Based on what you are learning in your Course of Study Classes, how he might breathe new life into the worship of this church? If the pastor wants to bring this congregation faithfully into the 21^st Century in its celebration of Holy Communion, what would you recommend?  Pretend that this colleague is asking you to write a letter to his church’s Administrative Council with a list of recommendations and your reasons for suggesting them.  Use this week’s readings, your pastoral experience, as well as the scriptures to make as persuasive a case as you can for your recommendations.

2.    Write a brief response for four of the following eight questions (your choice).

a.     It’s about the sermon, everything else is window dressing

b.    All churches care about is money—just look, there’s always an offering

c.     I don’t like the music that is sung, the length of the sermon, the style of worship, the use of the screen, the font in the bulletin, the dress of the folks who attend. I want to go where it is “worshipful” for me.

d.    Church ends up making me feel guilty, especially communion Sundays. I feel guilty enough.

e.    Is it right to bring drinks or food into the sanctuary?

f.      What is appropriate dress for worship?

g.    What is appropriate and inappropriate use of hands (and vocal encouragement) in worship?

h.     Where do you put verbal announcements?

3.    Self-exploration exercise #2—Take the love language test (http://www.5lovelanguages.com)

What is your personal love language? How do you think that gets communicated as a worship leader? In what ways is worship itself an attempt to give and receive the love of God? How important would it be to try and include each of the five love languages through our worship services? This is designed to identify your strengths and help you better lead worship.  This will not be a part of determining your grade in the class.

4.    Watch a communion service that you do not lead (extra credit: watch one in a tradition other than ours). You may watch a video online of an actual worship service, or make other arrangements. Take notes on use of hands, posture, movement, symbolic and real action. Compare with notes in Book of Worship. No written work required, but be prepared to discuss what you find in class.

5.    Scripture resources—if time allows, read and pray through—see weblog for citations.  (Add additional references for extra credit)

Session Two

Communion Scriptures

Jesus institutes Communion:
Matthew 26:26-30
Mark 14:22-26
Luke 22:14-20

Paul’s version 1 Corinthians 11:23-30

Other, less common but related texts I have used to make a particular communion point:
             Jesus’ sufferings (suffering servant): Isaiah 53:3-6, Zechariah 11:4-14
1 Corinthians 10:16-18
1 Peter 2:22-25
God so loved the world: 3:13-21
I lay down my life: John 10:14-18
If I be lifted up…”:  John 12:23-33

Teachings on Communion:
Acts 2:42, 20:6-7,

Blessings and forgiveness through his blood: Ephesians 1:3-7 and Colossians 1:13-20
The ever popular “reconciliation in one body”: Ephesians 2:13-18 and Colossians 2:11-15


These were on a church website, listed under “Communion Texts”

1 Corinthians 11:23-29

• Matthew 27:32-40
• Matthew 27:45-54
• Isaiah 53:7-12
• Psalms 89:1-8
• Mark 14:17-26
• Mark 15:33-37
• Matthew 12:38-42
• Matthew 21:1-11
• Matthew 26: 26-30
• Revelation 19:11-16
• Philippians 2:5-11
• Mark 10:32-34
• Mark 11:1-11
• 1 John 2:1-2
• 1 John 4:7-16
• Isaiah 61:1-3
• John 1:29-34
• John 18:36-19:7
• Hebrews 1:1-4
• 1 Peter 1:13-21
• Revelation 1:5-8
• Colossians 1:13-22
• Hebrews 4:14-16
• Luke 23:44-49
• Revelation 5:6-14
• Hebrews 2:5-9
• Luke 22:17-20
• Ephesians 2:13-22
• Acts 3:12-23
• Romans 3:21-26
• Hebrews 5:1-10
• 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
• Galatians 3:11-14
• John 19:6-16
• 1 Corinthians 10:14-17
• Hebrews 6:13-20
• John 13:31-38
• Isaiah 9:6-7
• John 19:16-27
• Hebrews 8:1-6
• Romans 5:6-11
• Galatians 4:4-7
• Romans 8:31-39
• Psalms 72:11-14;17-19
• Hebrews 10:5-10
• John 3:14-21
• Acts 4:8-12
• Mark 15:21-32
• Hebrews 12:1-4
• John 19:28-42
• John 14:1-7

Here are some General Communion Scriptures  found online:

The mind of Christ Philippians 2:5-11
Know the fellowship of His suffering Philippians 3:10-14
If we died with Him we shall also live with Him” 2 Tim. 2:11-13
Christ gave Himself for us and redeemed us Titus 2:11-14
“When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared…” Titus 3:3-8
He tasted death for each one Hebrews 2:9-18
He offered Himself once for all for our sins Hebrews 7:25-28
He offered His own blood; no remission without it Hebrews 9:11-15, 22-28
“a body You have prepared for Me” Hebrews 10:5-18
Redeemed by His precious blood 1 Peter 1:17-21
Isaiah 53 fulfilled 1 Peter 2:21-25
By this we know love 1 John 3:16-23
God is love 1 John 4:7-11
The spiritual events when Jesus died Revelation 12:7-11

Extra Credit 

Come with two written suggestions on how we might better integrate communion into the COSS Graduation Ceremony. How do we make it as meaningful as possible?

            In-class Debate: Serving communion to those who fully understand what they are doing vs. serving communion to those who come asking for it. (See link on blog regarding Open Table)