If not now

Worship Resources:

Opening Worship and Welcome

The following the opening worship and vespers for the United Methodist Women's National Seminar, August 2, 2003.

[You can make large “palm branches out of colorful poster board with inexpensive wooden slats as stems. Alternate these with fronds from your local florist. You should be able to get something “palm-like” for about $5. The stones can be stones with painted words or made of cement using plastic letters imprinted into the cement as they dry. Pull the letters out after about 5 minutes of drying. Use cement that sets in an hour or so, not the cement that dries in 10 minutes or the cement that dries in a day. Two sizes of kits can be bought at http://www.twosistersbothell.com/ProductInfoPages/featuredProduct2.htm ]

10 other people carry small real fronds and place them on the altar before they go to the pile of stones with words of oppression on the stage.

[Have one or two people assigned to give out “shaker eggs” and pieces of cloth]

Voice 2: As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it.'"

Voice 3: Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them,

Voice 5: They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

Voice 6: When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

All Voices Repeat 8 times, each time getting louder. The congregation repeats it one or two more time and then stop. The congregation may continue but the three voices will come in over the crowd

All Voices SHOUT "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"

Each voice SHOUTS: "I tell you," "I tell you," "I tell you," "I tell you," "I tell you,"

The twenty stone carriers begin to march in place---the stones can be lined up in order where they can be picked up. Each person put their hand on the shoulder of the person in front of them. As they march, carriers and palm wavers whisper loudly “Stones cry out!”

[One at a time a person with a stone lifts it up above their head and SHOUTS their word. Then they turn to put it on the altar facing the congregation. Boxes will be tiered so all the words will appear to be part of a wall. The reader then reads the paragraph about the word and then the congregation responds. Jesus sets us free from sin!]

One voice: The people shouted HOSANA! The Messiah has come to save us and set us free! It was a virtual riot! The people wanted to be free! They wanted to be saved! They wanted God’s king to lead them out of their suffering caused by deep sin!

[The reader reads the commentary and everyone responds: “Jesus sets us free from sin.”]

Slavery Servants were slaves in Jesus day. Polite translators avoid the issues. Jesus healed and spoke to servants. The early church declared “There is no long slave nor free.” John Wesley condemned slavery, sweat shops today perpetuate it,

Sexism Women could not speak to men in Jesus’ day. Jesus broke free of sexism and spoke to women. In recent decades, many women have gotten legal rights; but, many women still lack these rights.

Racism Methodists rejected Wesley’s teaching on slavery; African captives, native peoples and waves of immigrants continue to be profiled and reviled.

Child Labor Jesus set a child at the center to talk about God’s kingdom; children around the world starve, work in sweat shops, are sold for sex, and sell gum on the streets.

War Jesus told Peter, “Put away the sword!” Jesus died a violent death at the hands of religious and political officials. He preached peace. There will be no war in God’s kingdom.

Exclusion Jesus came eating and drinking with sinners and they called him a drunkard; Jesus said, “Wisdom will be justified by her deeds.” Who should we include? Who does wisdom call?

Lies They schemed, plotted and tricked Jesus to get him to say something wrong; today sound bite journalism, innuendoes and half-truths prompt heresy trials and arrogant legalism.

Theft Day laborers in Jesus’ day had no guarantee they would be paid---and sometimes they were not. Today, undocumented workers face the same risk.

Domination The Romans dominated the Jews; when tested, Jesus said, “Give unto Caesar’s what is Caesar’s, give unto God, what is God’s;” today world domination comes in the form of globalization which put patents on food and sells our water.

Foreigners Jesus repeatedly pointed to the foreign and intermarried Samaritans as neighbors and bearers of God’s word; today Islamic foreigners sit in our prisons without public hearing without rights.

Prison Lord, when did we see you sick and imprisoned? Today, more black people sit in our prisons than in South Africa at the height of Apartheid.

Greed Is there a prophet among us who will state the obvious? We are a nation consumed with consuming. We want cheaper, better, newer, more and more.

Occupation Jerusalem was occupied by the Romans; Pilot was a Jew appointed by the Romans. Today Israel occupies Palestine, the US occupies Iraq, Russia occupies Chechnya

Terror Caesar ordered all the boy children in Judea murdered; today young people strap bombs to their bodies; governments make more weapons and strip human rights; we are afraid, but we still follow Jesus.

Ignorance Jesus taught Mary---against all social expectations. Today schools are asked to do more and more with less and less. Wesley built schools. The first women organized for mission founded schools.

Money John Wesley exhorted us to earn all you can, save all you can, and give all you can. Jesus said you cannot serve two masters. Who do we serve today?

[Palm bearers place their palms into the containers on either side of the banner during the singing.]