This service was created as a part of a Lent series though it could be used alone. For the rest of the series go to "Having the Identity of a Servant: Series Homepage".
Like the Pharisees we often are too worried about what others think about us. We worry what would happen if we hung out with the wrong people, or if someone saw us acting outside of approved norms. We spend so much time talking about our differences that we fail to see the many more ways that we are the same. The father in the story of the prodigal son loved the prodigal son and he loved the lost son who stayed at home. Christ loved all the sinners around the table. Christ loved the Pharisees though they chose not to see it.
If we desire to follow Christ’s example of service, it means showing hospitality to all people, and by doing so, we will soon consider each other as our most cherished friend. The following quotes are by two men who have both spent significant time thinking and living in servant-hearted ways that lead to love and unity in the body of Christ. They teach and model Christian hospitality.
“One of the verses I have grown to love is the one where Jesus is preparing to leave the disciples and says, "I no longer call you servants.... Instead, I have called you friends" (John 15:15). Servanthood is a fine place to begin, but gradually we move toward mutual love, genuine relationships. Someday, perhaps we can even say those words that Ruth said to Naomi after years of partnership: "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried" (Ruth 1:16-17)"
—Shane Claiborne, author of The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical, source unknown.
"The more believers are willing to leave their own comfort zone and be genuinely comfortable with people from diverse backgrounds, the more the Lord can use them to minister to others."
— Henry Hon, from One: Unfolding God’s Eternal Purpose from House to House
[Traditionally the 4th Sunday of Lent is one of joy akin to the 2nd Sunday of Advent.]
Call to Worship
If you are feeling
lost, alone, or scared,
God welcomes you here
and says come, take a seat at my table.
If you are feeling
like you are at home
sitting in the familiar pew [or chair],
God welcomes you here
and says come, take a seat at my table.
If you are full of doubt
and wonder if God is real or cares about you,
God still welcomes you here
and says come, take a seat at my table.
If you come feeling
settled in your faith,
God welcomes you here
and says come, take a seat at my table.
If you didn’t really want to come,
If you come in the midst of grief and pain,
If you come eagerly and are full of joy,
If you are a confused mix of many emotions,
God welcomes you as you are
and says come, take a seat at my table.
—Joyce Borger, Reformed Worship, © 2024 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike. Used by permission.
Songs
“Uyai mose/Come, All You People” st. 1 Gondo, st. 2-3 from With One Voice
“Our Help” Thé
Greeting
Our God greets us with these words:
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”
—Isaiah 49:15–16
You are my beloved children and I am glad you are here.
Opening Responses
“God, You Call Us to This Place” Dufner
Call to Confession
[For the call to confession read Luke 15:13–32 from an easy to read translation like a children’s Bible and arrange for a few congregation members to act it out. At the end of the reading pause, look at the congregation and ask, “I wonder who in this story you are most like —the younger or the older brother?” Leave a few moments of silence before moving on to sing “Far from Home” as part of the prayer of confession.]
Prayers of Confession
“Far from Home We Run, Rebellious” (st. 1–5) Stuempfle
Loving God,
we confess that we, like the younger brother,
often live out prodigal schemes and plans.
We wander from your ways, distance ourselves from you,
and squander your treasures.
Help us turn away from sin and evil,
and turn toward you.
By the power of your Spirit,
renew and restore us;
and help us sense your joyful embrace.
We confess that we, like the older brother,
often resent the grace you have shown to prodigals.
Teach us to marvel at your lavish grace,
and enable us to join the feast of celebration
you spread out before us.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
—Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2013 © Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike, used by permission.
“Far from Home We Run, Rebellious” (st. 6) Stuempfle
Assurance of Pardon
Hear these gracious words from the book of Romans:
“You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,
but you have received a spirit of adoption.
When we cry, “Abba! Father! It is that very Spirit
bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.
—Romans 8:15–17, NRSV
People of God, be assured, you are forgiven.
“There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” Faber, adapt. DeMey
Dedication to Holy Living: “Christ You Call Us All to Service” Patterson
Children’s Message
[Gather the children and ask them questions about how hearing the story of the prodigal son and seeing it acted out made them feel. What parts are sad? What parts are happy? Consider projecting John August Swanson’s image of the prodigal son and asking the children what they notice about how the artist tells the whole story in one picture. Where are the colors bright and where are they dull? Conclude by saying something like: “Just like the father was so happy to see his son, God is so happy to see us when we come back to God. That is the part of the story we can all agree is the happiest part. It makes us sad when the older brother isn’t able to be happy about the younger brother’s return. When we see other people who make mistakes, but are forgiven, we should be like the father and welcome them back too.]
Prayer for Illumination
Holy God,
as we come now to the reading of your word,
we ask you to illuminate our hearts and minds
by the power of your Holy Spirit.
May the light of your word
brighten the Lenten path ahead of us
as we journey in steps of Christ towards the cross. Amen.
—Bethany Besteman, Reformed Worship, © 2024 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike. Used by permission.
Scripture
Old Testament Reading: Joshua 5:9–12
Epistle Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:16–21
Gospel Reading: Luke 15:1–3, 11–32
Sermon: “Service as Radical Hospitality”
Response to the Sermon
“From Ashes to the Living Font” Hommerding
Communion
“I Come with Joy” Wren
“At the Table, All Are Equal” Bjorlin
Response of Praise and Prayer: “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” Ken
Sending
People of God,
let us claim the freedom Christ gives us
by his self-giving on the cross.
May he enable us to serve together
in faith, hope, and love.
Go in peace and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
—Source unknown
“Take Us as We Are, O God” Daw
Blessing/Benediction
May the God of love, who showed us love
strengthen us in our love for others.
May Christ, who shared his life
grant us grace, that we might share ours.
And may the Holy Spirit dwelling in us
empower us to be Christ’s ambassadors,
wherever we go and to whomever we meet.
Amen.
—Source unknown
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