Preparation for Worship
While worshipping at home, set aside a time each week for worship and designate a place. Light two candles to begin worship: one to represent Christ’s humanity and the other to represent Christ’s divinity. If you would like to celebrate communion have something to eat and drink for everyone. The type of food and drink does not matter for they are merely symbols which help us celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Each October we set aside the third Sunday to celebrate the children of our nation. This weekend we join sister churches and other faith groups to focus on the urgent problems facing children in the US. Together we amplify our voices calling for justice.
May the following serve as a guide in your worship of God.
The Worship of God
Lighting Two Candles
We begin worship by lighting candles to remind ourselves that the One whom we worship, Jesus, is the light of the world. We light two candles to remind us that Jesus is God and lived alongside us as a human being.
Passing the Peace
Say to one another, “May the peace of Christ be with you.”
And reply, “And, also with you.”
Invitation to Worship
Bring yourselves before the Lord.
Offer your works, your labors, and your hopes to the glory of God.
Welcome in full conviction the good news of God’s love.
Opening Prayer
Gather our hearts, O God,
knitting us together across difference and division
to live with your compassion.
Gather our minds, O God,
from distractions and distance
to focus on you and your children.
Gather our wills, O God,
to be strong and courageous
in pursuit of your justice.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
make us one in heart, mind, and spirit
as we worship you on this Children’s Sabbath day.
Come, let us worship God.
Amen.
Hymn of Praise
O Sing a Song to God
Tune: ROSAS
Author: Carolos Rosas
O sing a song to God, a song of celebration;
A hymn of praise and love for the wonders of creation.
He formed the earth, the sky, the sun, the stars, the oceans.
O sing a song to God; Sing a song of our devotion.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah! O sing a song to God. Hallelujah!
O sing a song to God, who was in the beginning;
And tells to all the world that in Him there is no ending.
For all his mighty works we bow in adoration.
O sing a song to God; Sing a song of celebration.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah! O sing a song to God. Hallelujah!
Psalm Reading
Psalm 96 / Common English Bible
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Sing to the Lord! Bless his name!
Share the news of his saving work every single day!
3 Declare God’s glory among the nations;
declare his wondrous works among all people
4 because the Lord is great and so worthy of praise.
He is awesome beyond all other gods
5 because all the gods of the nations are just idols,
but it is the Lord who created heaven!
6 Greatness and grandeur are in front of him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7 Give to the Lord, all families of the nations—
give to the Lord glory and power!
8 Give to the Lord the glory due his name!
Bring gifts!
Enter his courtyards!
9 Bow down to the Lord in his holy splendor!
Tremble before him, all the earth!10 Tell the nations, “The Lord rules!
Yes, he set the world firmly in place;
it won’t be shaken.
He will judge all people fairly.”
11 Let heaven celebrate! Let the earth rejoice!
Let the sea and everything in it roar!
12 Let the countryside and everything in it celebrate!
Then all the trees of the forest too
will shout out joyfully
13 before the Lord because he is coming!
He is coming to establish justice on the earth!
He will establish justice in the world rightly.
He will establish justice among all people fairly.
The State of America’s Children
The following is a narrative in list form of one day in the life of America’s children. As we prayerfully read, may we recommit our lives to continue to seek God’s justice for the children of our nation.
Each day in America
5 children are killed by abuse or neglect.
8 children or teens die by suicide.
9 children or teens are killed with a gun.
61 babies die before their first birthday.
126 children are arrested for violent crimes.
248 children are arrested for drug crimes.
589 public school students are corporally punished.*
773 babies are born into extreme poverty.
826 babies are born without health insurance.
1,683 babies are born into poverty.
1,844 children are confirmed as abused or neglected.
1,995 children are arrested.
2,956 high school students drop out.*
14,640 public school students are suspended.*
(* Based on 180 school days a year.)
Prayer for the Children
Loving God, the challenges facing children and those who care for them are daunting and seem insurmountable. When will things get better? We lift up to you the children of our nation.
For children struggling to learn,
bless them with determination and good teachers.
For children who are sick and in pain,
bless them with hope and good doctors, comfort and excellent care.
For children who have given up,
help them see all the possibilities
and bless them with an understanding ear.
For children who are angry,
calm any fear and still their raging hearts;
may you teach them how to turn their anger into fuel for positive actions.
For children who are abused and neglected,
give them courage and hope;
provide a way for them out of such terror.
For children who don’t have enough,
God, give us eyes to see and wisdom to respond.
silent prayer & reflection
Lord, we also lift up to you the children in our church family. We miss seeing them each Sunday. On this Children’s Sabbath Sunday we pledge again to help them grow in wisdom and knowledge of you. We pledge to provide them a safe place to learn of your amazing love, mercy, and grace. We pledge to live our lives so that your ways are reflected in what we do and say. Today we give you thanks for
name the children
Help us to be witness to them of your great and abiding love.
Amen.
Choral Anthem
As God Has Called You
Composer: Carol Dixon
As God has called you, live up to your calling,
As God has claimed you, live your life in Him;
As God has freed you, preserve your freedom,
And come before Him full of love and praise.
As God has called you, live your life for others,
As God has loved you, share his love with all;
As God has filled you, live in His Spirit,
And come before Him full of hope and faith.
As God has called you, live your life like Jesus,
As God has led you follow in Christ’s way;
Proclaim God’s kingdom of peace and justice,
And come before him full of joy and grace.
Celebrating Communion
Communion celebrates our unity–our unity with God and with one another. At Cullowhee Baptist Church we practice an open communion which means anyone seeking to live the Way of Jesus Christ is invited to share in communion with us. Although we are not able to meet together, our bond still remains with one another and God through Jesus Christ.
Imagine Jesus setting a table for us, a place where we may come together and share a meal. Before we “come to the table,” let us set our hearts aright and seek the Lord’s forgiveness for our shortcomings.
Prayer for Forgiveness
Great Lover of Justice, hear our prayers:
called to treat all people equally,
we take sides and pick favorites;
chosen to be your children,
we arrogantly assume others are not so honored;
challenged to be examples of faith,
we reveal our worst natures to our families and friends.
Forgive us, Giver of Rest. Enable us to stop putting you to the test, so we can open our hypocritical hearts to your healing touch of compassion and hope. As Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, has given all for us, may we give ourselves to you – confidently, completely, faithfully. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
2 Corinthians 5:17-18a, Common English Bible
If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, to whom we have been reconciled through Christ.
Invitation to Communion
The table has been prepared as Jesus requested,
and we have been invited to the meal.
Come to the heart of Christ, where all are one:
which alone expects nothing in return;
Through the boundless hospitality of the Spirit.
In this communion, find healing, rest, and release;
In one another, find love for body, mind, and spirit;
Come to the table of God and be at peace.
Share the Meal
Share what you have to eat and before eating, have someone say, “This food represents the body of Christ. As we eat, we remember Jesus.”
Share what you have to drink and before drinking, have someone say, “This drink represents the covenant Christ made with us that our sins will be forgiven. As we drink, we remember Jesus.”
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Dear God, thank you for your abounding compassionate love. Thank you for guiding and leading us through these difficult times. Thank you for always being with us. Amen.
Song of Faith
Amazing Grace
Tune: NEW BRITAIN (from the Virginia Harmony, 1831)
Author: John Newton
‘Mazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wrench like me.
I once was lost, but now I’m found,
Was blind, but now I see.
The Gospel Lesson
Matthew 22:15-22, Common English Bible
Then the Pharisees met together to find a way to trap Jesus in his words. They sent their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are genuine and that you teach God’s way as it really is. We know that you are not swayed by people’s opinions, because you don’t show favoritism. So tell us what you think: Does the Law allow people to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
Knowing their evil motives, Jesus replied, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used to pay the tax.” And they brought him a denarion. “Whose image and inscription is this?” he asked.
“Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. When they heard this they were astonished, and they departed.
Sharing the Word
Rev. Tonya Vickery
In the gospel reading of Matthew this Sunday, it is still Tuesday of Holy Week. It is a long day for Jesus. He spends the day teaching people in the temple. He is interrupted a number of times by those who challenge his right to be there. In today’s gospel reading, it is the Pharisees who interrupt him. They want so badly to prove Jesus wrong, that they cozy up with supporters of Herod to trap Jesus. They use the presence of Herodians with a question about Roman taxation to try and turn the enamored crowd away from Jesus.
No one liked paying taxes to Rome. It was money you had to cough up and hand over without any say so in how it would be used. It was a head tax and every adult who had a head had to pay it. The land belonged to God, but Rome was running it and God’s people had to pay the bills. So there in the house of God, under the watchful eye of God, surrounded by God’s people, how could anyone affirm financial support of Rome’s dirty business? No one liked living under Roman rule. They longed for the day when they would live again under the sole rule of God Almighty. So, the Pharisees planned to push Jesus to the brink. With a crowd around him, which side will he choose? Will he stand up for this kingdom of God of which he speaks thus challenging the authority of the Roman Empire? Or will he support Roman taxation thus appearing to be pro-Roman and undermine his position about the kingdom of God? In other words, will he support a revolutionary overthrowing of the government, or will he support the authority of the government?
As their confrontation with Jesus begins, we are not to be fooled by the compliments they lay at Jesus’ feet. They call him “Teacher,” as if they would humble themselves to learn from Jesus. They praise him for being genuine, for teaching God’s way as it really is. They highlight his ability to rise above popular opinion. All these accolades poured out to set him up. Will he speak the truth of God and risk the appearance of being against the government in front of these Herod supporters? Or will he cave in, take the easy way out, support Roman taxation to save himself from Rome, but lose the crowd that welcomes his news about the kingdom of God?
Smugly they ask, “Does the Law allow people to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
Whichever way Jesus answers this question, he will be wrong in someone’s eye. If Jesus says, “No, taxes are not legal,” he defies Caesar, the head of the Roman empire. Paying taxes to Rome is not a choice. It is an obligation, a mandate. And refusing to pay them carries extreme consequences. On the other hand, if Jesus says “Yes, paying taxes to Caesar is legal,” then he presents himself as pro-Rome and a huge disappointment to his followers who are ready to be rid of Rome. The Pharisees are counting on Jesus to answer the question with either answer providing the way for them to be rid of Jesus’ influence.
I can’t pass up the chance to point out that this isn’t the first time paying taxes has come up in the gospel of Matthew. If you turn a few chapters back to chapter 17, begin with verse 24. Here’s what it says,
When they came to Capernaum, the people who collected the half-shekel temple tax came to Peter and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
“Yes,” he said.
But when they came into the house, Jesus spoke to Peter first. “What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly kings collect taxes, from their children or from strangers?”
“From strangers,” he said.
Jesus said to him, “Then the children don’t have to pay. But just so we don’t offend them, go to the lake, throw out a fishing line and hook, and take the first fish you catch. When you open its mouth, you will find a shekel coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”
The temple tax was an annual collection of a half-shekel which every adult Jewish male was required to give. The amount was equivalent roughly to the amount you would be paid for two days of work. As you can tell from the story, Jesus isn’t a supporter of the temple tax. The temple is God’s house, and we are God’s children, so we shouldn’t be required to pay a tax to use the temple. But Jesus tells Peter to go ahead and pay it, so as not to offend. And a fish coughs up the price to be paid.
Okay back to chapter 22. Here we are no longer talking about a temple tax. Now we are talking about Roman taxes. On one hand, the question put to Jesus is political. That’s why they have the Herodians there. But on the other hand, the question is a religious moral one. Is it right in God’s eyes to pay taxes to Rome? What does paying money to Caesar say about my allegiance to God? Does paying the tax mean I am a supporter of Rome even when I don’t agree with what Rome is doing?
I think it is fair to say that paying taxes is not a vote of support for a nation. That paying taxes is not a vote of support for the way of life the nation promotes. Jesus says, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.” Go ahead and pay the taxes Rome requires of you. It is an obligation set by Rome, but it is just money, coinage. However, there is a greater allegiance required of you than that of the one Caesar presents. Going well beyond the temple tax which Jewish males were obligated to pay, Jesus adds to the Roman tax an even greater price, “and [give] to God what belongs to God.”
Jesus’ answer shuts down the Pharisees and Herodians so they leave him alone. Once again Jesus outsmarts his opponents. Once again Jesus shows he is wise enough not to step into the trap set to catch him. Once again Jesus shows he can discern any human strategy and cannot be fooled by anyone. But is that what Jesus is doing here? Avoiding being caught? Showing that he is greater than the foolish Pharisees and their short-term friends the Herodians?
We might pray to be smart enough to win an argument. We might dream of being wise enough to read any situation, so we remain in control and on top of things. We might long to be seen as great, smart, and powerful. But these aspirations are not the aspirations of Jesus. Jesus isn’t striving to be the smartest, the wisest, or even the most powerful. Jesus isn’t interested in knocking others down so he can rise above. Jesus isn’t motivated by making others look like fools so he can look perfect. No, Jesus aspires to live so that we might see the wide embrace of God; to see the inclusive, welcoming, inviting nature of God. Jesus longs to help us reorganize, transform, and straighten out our lives so we can live the abundant life God has in mind for us. Pay your taxes to Caesar, but more importantly give God what belongs to God.
What belongs to God?
The words of Psalm 24 come to mind.
The earth is the LORD’s and everything in it,
the world and its inhabitants too.
In one of those many times Moses stood before the Pharoah demanding that he release God’s people, Moses said to him, “As soon as I’ve left the city, I’ll spread out my hands to the LORD. Then the thunder and the hail will stop and won’t return so that you will know that the earth belongs to the LORD.”
Deuteronomy 10:14 says, “Clearly, the LORD owns the sky, the highest heavens, the earth, and everything in it.”
Psalm 89 rings out in praise to God,
Heaven is yours! The earth too!
The world and all that fills it….
Yes, everything belongs to God. So, give Caesar those shiny pieces of metal called money, but give to God what belongs to God. What belongs to God? Well it is more than just shiny pieces of metal, it is everything.
The verb Matthew uses in verse 21 speaks of giving back, rendering, paying, restoring, and returning. Something is expected from us to be given back or paid to God. What does God expect us to pay? What is the price required of us? Jesus says give “to God what belongs to God.” So, what do we have that belongs to God? What is it that Jesus expects us to give back to God?
Maybe it helps to note this isn’t a question of what do we need to give up for God. This isn’t a story told to encourage us to do some soul searching, find what is hindering us, keeping us from God, and give it up to restore our relationship with God. No, this is a question of what do we have from God that we can give back to God. Jesus’ answer recognizes that God has given us something, many somethings and we are to give those things back to God.
In order to know what you can give back to God, you have to recognize what God has given you?
The answer to this question is not limited. But here are a few things to start you thinking.
God has given us constant presence. God is always with us. Never abandoning us. Never turning away from us. God is steadfast and doesn’t give up on us. So how do we give this back to God?
God has given us creation. He formed and fashioned the earth where we might live. Set the sun above our heads. Gave us plants to nourish us; rivers, lakes and streams from which to drink; a plethora of food options from wheat, to corn, to cows. So how do we give this back to God?
God has given us minds with which to think. How do we give our minds back to God?
God has given us the capacity to love. How do we give that love back to God?
God has given some of us the ability to teach, others of us the ability to encourage, others the ability to make good sound decisions. God has given some of us the ability to communicate through written words, others the ability to communicate through music, others the ability to communicate through speaking, and others the ability to communicate through doing. God has given some of us the ability to see potential in all things, others of us the ability to love deeply, others the ability to be outgoing, others the ability to be reflective. Take time to name what God has given you and decide how you can give those things back to God. The possibilities are as infinite as God is. May our offerings and gifts to God become worship and praise. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What has God given you? How can you give it back to God?
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Thank you, God for constant love. Please help our church family grow deeper and deeper in your love. Amen.
Song of Faith
They’ll Know We are Christians
Author: Peter Scholtes
Tune: ST BRENDAN’S
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord,
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord,
And we pray that all unity will one day be restored:
Chorus:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand,
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand,
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land:
We will work with each other, we will work side by side,
We will work with each other, we will work side by side,
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride:
All praise to the Father, from whom all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son,
And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one:
Sending Out
May the blessing and peace of God uphold you,
May the compassion and love of Christ enfold you,
and may the vitality and power of the Holy Spirit embolden you,
today and always.
Amen.
Closing Song
Blest Be the Tie
Tune: DENNIS (Nageli)
Author: John Fawcett
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Amen.
Acknowledgements: The opening prayer comes from 2020 Christian Worship Resources, National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths® Celebration. The prayer of forgiveness was written by Thom M. Shuman. The invitation to communion was written by Julie Greenan from Acorns and Archangels, published by Wild Goose Publications, Iona Community. The anthem was sung by Mindy, Ally, and Elizabeth. Tonya played the piano, Tracy played the organ, and Mindy sang the hymns. Aidan played the piano for Amazing Grace. Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with license #A-724755. All rights reserved. All writings have been used by permission from the posting sites or authors.
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