Call to Worship
5th Sunday after Epiphany, Year C
February 7, 2010
United Church of Two Harbors, Two Harbors, Minnesota
Call to Worship
5th Sunday of Easter, Year B
May 10, 2009
United Church of Two Harbors, Two Harbors, Minnesota
Opening Prayer
4th Sunday of Lent
March 22, 2009
United Church of Two Harbors, Two Harbors, Minnesota
Opening Prayer
3rd Sunday of Lent
March 15, 2009
United Church of Two Harbors, Two Harbors, Minnesota
Unison Prayer of Confession
O Wrestling God, we are sometimes afraid to confront you. We think we cannot ask you for what we want, we are afraid you will be offended if we grab onto you and don’t let go. We are afraid of what you will do, and what you will not do. Forgive us for our reticence, our fears. Give us the courage to seek your face, to hold on, to ask for what we need. Then give us the courage to go on with the blessing we receive, even if it is not what we expected. With thanks for the ways we encounter you we pray, Amen.
Silent Prayer
Words of Assurance
God’s love is steadfast. God will not let us go. Find peace in this persistence. Amen.
by Rev. Michelle M. Hargrave, 7.08
Silent Prayer
Words of Assurance
Every breath may be a turning to God, to God’s path, to the way Jesus lays before us. Begin anew, and be made whole. Amen.
David Bard
Prayer
November 11, 2007
First United Methodist Church, Duluth, Minnesota
Prayer of Illumination
Christ the King Sunday
November 25, 2007
United Church of Two Harbors, Two Harbors, Minnesota
Cast
Paul – apostle and radio show host
Lydia – Paul’s sidekick
Luke
Phil – from Philippi
Gail – from Galatia
Earl – from Ephesus
Rhonda – from Rome
Carrie – from Colossus
Cory – from Corinth
Thelma – from Thessalonica
Timothy
Titus
Lydia – Good morning East Asia and all the ships at sea! It’s time for Paul Live. Heeeere’s Paul!
Paul – Good morning all! I’m your host, Paul the Apostle, and I’m here to answer your questions. I’m here with my good friend, Lydia of Thyatira. She and I met up one day by a river and I saved her from a life of wealth and influence. Isn’t that right, Lyd?
Lydia – Don’t even remind me! I can honestly say my life has never been the same. I gave up a job in the fashion industry to join your show. But I suppose I wouldn’t have it any other way… except for the coffee. Can’t we get better coffee?
Paul – (laughs) We’ll see what we can do about that. The phone banks are full, so let’s go to Luke on 1. What’s up Luke?
Lydia – Hi Luke!
]]> Luke – Hi, I’m writing this history of the church and I was doing some research into your past. Weren’t you once called “Saul” and didn’t you use to persecute Christians? I have evidence that you were the coat check boy at the stoning of Stephen. Is this true?Lydia – Oh, I’m sure you’ve got the wrong guy. The Paul I know would have never done something like that.
Paul – Well I hate to say it, but you’re right, Luke. It’s a chapter of my life I don’t much like to talk about, but that was all before I saw the light. Literally. I was heading to Damascus to wipe out the church there when I saw a blinding light.
Lydia – What happened?
Paul – I was blinded. What do you think happens when you see a blinding light? Anyway, I heard this voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” and I’ve never been the same since. Changed my name. Did a 180. Never looked back. And that’s the gospel truth. Good luck with that book, Luke. Sounds like you got a winner on your hands. Who’s our next caller?
Lydia - Phil from Philippi, you are on Paul Live.
Phil – Hey, Paul, long time listener, first time caller. I think I knew you too, way back when, in the Saul days. Weren’t you a big shot in your old life? Why did you turn your back on it?
Paul – Yeah, I was a good Jewish boy, circumcised on the eighth day, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee, zealous in my persecution of the church, and if you count legalistic righteousness, I was faultless.
Lydia – You were such a momma’s boy, weren’t you?
Paul – Maybe I was, but compared to knowing Christ, I count that all as so much…
Lydia – Whoa! You can’t say that word on the air, Paul!
Paul - Well, you know what I mean. But the point is I didn’t lose a thing, Phil. I gained everything. Who’s next?
Lydia - I’ve got Gail from Galatia on 3. Hi, Gail. What’s your question?
Gail – Hi, Paul! So Doris and I were talking the other day and she said that she heard a preacher say that you had to be circumcised to become a Christian, and I says to her, I says, “Not according to Paul.” Cause I listens to you all the time, Paul.
Paul – Thanks for listening, Gail. You stick to your guns. We have got to defeat this whole “circumcision party” nonsense. These flesh choppin’ preachers just burn me up. You know what I wish? I wish they would just cut themselves off entirely and be done with it, if you know what I mea…
Lydia – Paul!
Paul – Lyd, I’m sick and tired of these preachers who try to put up hurdles for people to jump to get to God. Christ came to tear barriers down, not put up new ones! Besides, Lyd, you of all people should understand the secret agenda here of the circumcision crowd. If you have to be circumcised to be a Christian who does that eliminate from the running?
Lydia – Well, people who can’t be circumcised.
Paul – And that would mean?
Lydia – Women!
Paul – You got that right. Think that’s by accident? I don’t think so. Who’s next?
Lydia – We got… Earl from Ephesus, you’re on.
Earl – Paul! Why do you spend your time going out to the Gentiles? Why have you abandoned your people? What’s your problem, pal?
Lydia – Hey, Earl, I’m a Gentile! You got a problem with that?
Earl – Maybe I do.
Paul – Earl, you better back off. I have not abandoned my people. Whenever I go on the speaking circuit the first place I go is to the local synagogue. I only go to the marketplace after they kick me out of the synagogue…
Lydia - So you can usually find him in the synagogue in the morning and the marketplace by noon. (laughs)
Paul – (laughing) True enough! Look Earl, Christ came to bridge the gap between God and all of humanity, not just the Jews. He came to bring peace for all, not just some. Christ is fulfilling the promise to Abraham that his descendents would be a blessing to all nations. So are we or not, Earl? Earl?
Lydia – I think he hung up, Paul.
Paul – (shakes head) Some people… Who’s next, Lyd?
Lydia - Hey, we’ve got a call from Rome. Rhonda from Rome, you’re on.
Rhonda – Hey, Paul! Great to finally get on! So, if God has raised Christ from the dead and rejected the Jews in favor of the Gentiles, can we trust this God? I mean, God seems pretty capricious!
Paul – Well, Rhonda, I take issue with the idea that God has rejected the Jews. Actually, just the opposite. I believe that the covenant that God made with my people is as strong as ever, but that God has brought the Gentiles, like Lydia here, into the fold, just as was intended from the beginning. Think of God’s love for the Jewish people like an olive tree and the Gentiles, well, they are like a branch that is grafted onto that tree.
Lydia – Nice metaphor, Paul. Got any more gardening tips? Let’s move on to Carrie from Colossus. What’s your question, Carrie?
Carrie – Hey, Paul, I’m a new Christian, or follower of Christ, or Jesus, or the Way, or whatever you call it, and I’m really really confused about what I’m allowed to eat and drink…
Lydia – (tries to interrupt Carrie as she builds, gently at first) Carrie…
Carrie – and what I’m supposed to do on what days
Lydia – Carrie…
Carrie – and there seems to be so many rules about things to do during certain cycles of the moon and…
Lydia – Carrie! Get a grip, girl!
Carrie – I’m so confused! I’m totally wigging out here! Tell me what to do!
Paul – Okay, Carrie, first thing I want you to do is to take a deep breath. Okay?
Carrie – (a little calmer) Okay.
Paul – Okay, I know there are some people out there that like to tell people the right way to live and observe holidays and diets and stuff like that. Carrie, I’m here to tell you that that stuff has nothing to do with being a Christian. Really. That’s all human rules and teachings. The important thing is that in your baptism you died with Christ and now you live for Christ. Keep that first, and everything else will fall into place.
Carrie – But what am I supposed to wear and…
Paul – No “buts” Carrie. Keep it simple. Who’s next, Lyd?
Lydia – Okay, let’s go to Cory in Corinth. You’re on the air, Cory.
Cory – Hey, piggybacking on Carrie’s question, sorta, I got into this argument the other day with someone in my church about the local butchers here in Corinth. See, all the butchers here work through the pagan temples so all the meat they serve has been dedicated to idols in its preparation. So he said we should boycott the meat and become vegetarians. But I said that since Jesus was above any petty deity that it was okay to eat the meat. So which is it?
Paul – Great question. Okay, Cory, I agree with you up to a point. We know there is the one God, and so the meat… it’s just meat.
Lydia – So it’s okay to eat it, right?
Paul – You’d think that, but here’s the tricky part. I know it’s just meat, and you know it’s just meat, and Cory knows it’s just meat, but what about other people?
Lydia – What about ‘em?
Paul - See, people are superstitious about these things. If they see us eating the meat they might think we were condoning worship of these false gods, and even though that wasn’t the intent, that would be the effect. So, even though you are strong in faith, Cory, and I agree with you, don’t eat the meat.
Lydia – Huh, never thought about it like that. We’ve got another call from Thelma from Thessalonica.
Thelma – So, Paul, Patty and I were wondering when we should expect Jesus to return. I was thinking next Thursday afternoon, sometime between 3:13 and 4:42. Whaddyasay, Paul?
Paul – (laughs) No one knows, Thelma. And the point isn’t to be guessing. Christ comes like a thief in the night. The point is to live a good life – a life that would be pleasing to God. Stick to that Thelma, and then you don’t have to worry about God’s timetable, you’ll always be ready.
Lydia – Hey, Paul! It’s our old pal Titus, on line 2!
Paul - Titus, how are you? Last time I saw you was in Crete!
Titus – Hey, Paul, yeah, still in Crete, and that’s part of the problem. There are these preachers going around saying that Cretans are fat, lazy, good for nothing liars and cheats. That’s sort of negatively impacting my ministry here, Paul. Help!
Paul – Yeah, well, those are rumors being spread by my old pals from the circumcision crowd again. Snip, snip!
Lydia – (with warning in her voice) Paul…
Paul - The problem with those people is that they start out negative so their whole message is negative. They themselves are corrupted so they see everything as corrupted. You tell the folks in Crete that they don’t speak for the whole church. They certainly don’t speak for me. Hope things get better, Titus.
Lydia - Hey, it’s old home week! We’ve got Timothy on 1. Heya, Timmy!
Timothy – (squeaky adolescent voice) Hi, Lydia! Hi, Paul! I’ve been having some problems in my own ministry because people tell me I’m too young.
Paul – Tim, don’t let anyone put you down because of your age. Set an example in the way you live, love others, and your faith. You were called to preach, so preach! Don’t doubt God’s calling. Hang in there, Tim.
Well, that’s about all the time we have for Paul Live today. One last thing. Philemon, if you’re listening, Onesimus is safe with me here and I’ve got him working in the control room. Now, I know he’s your slave and he took off without your leave, and he’s heading back your way. And I know that you will treat him very well. Everyone who’s listening knows you will treat him very well, right? Okay? Nuff said.
Okay, that’s it for today. Keep the faith, everyone.
Lydia – Bye!
Call to Worship
2nd Sunday of Lent
March 11, 2007
United Church of Two Harbors, Two Harbors, Minnesota
Call to Worship
Epiphany Sunday
January 7, 2007
United Church of Two Harbors, Two Harbors, Minnesota
Lawrence Lee
Call to Worship
First Sunday of Advent
December 3, 2006
United Church of Two Harbors, Two Harbors, Minnesota
Paul – Good morning East Asia and all the ships at sea! It’s time for Paul Live. I’m your host, Paul the Apostle, and I’m here to answer your questions. The phone banks are full, so let’s go to Luke on 1. What’s up Luke?
Luke – Hi, Paul, I’m writing this history of the church and I was doing some research into your past. Weren’t you once called “Saul” and didn’t you use to persecute Christians? I have evidence that you were the coat check boy at the stoning of Stephen. Is this true?
]]> Paul – Sorry to say, Luke, but you’re right. It’s a chapter of my life I don’t much like to talk about, but that was all before I saw the light. Literally. I was heading to Damascus to wipe out the church there when I saw a blinding light.Luke – What happened?
Paul – I was blinded. What do you think happens when you see a blinding light? Anyway, I heard this voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” and I’ve never been the same since. Changed my name. Did a 180. Never looked back. Thanks for the call and good luck with that book, Luke.
Phil from Philippi, you are on Paul Live.
Phil – Hey, Paul, long time listener, first time caller. I think I knew you too, way back when, in the Saul days. Weren’t you a big shot in your old life? Why did you turn your back on it?
Paul – Yeah, I was a good Jewish boy, circumcised on the eighth day, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee, zealous in my persecution of the church, and if you count legalistic righteousness, I was faultless. But compared to knowing Christ, I count that all as so much… well, they won’t let me say that word on the radio. But you know what I mean. I didn’t lose a thing, Phil. I gained everything.
I’ve got Gail from Galatia on 3. Hi, Gail. What’s your question?
Gail – Hi, Paul! So Doris and I were talking the other day and she said that she heard a preacher say that you had to be circumcised to become a Christian, and I says to her, I says, “Not according to Paul.” Cause I listens to you all the time, Paul.
Paul – Thanks for listening, Gail. You stick to your guns. We have got to defeat this whole “circumcision party” nonsense. These flesh choppin’ preachers just burn me up. You know what I wish? I wish they would just cut themselves off entirely and be done with it, if you know what I mea… Oops, I’m getting a dirty look from the producer, I better go on to… Earl from Ephesus, you’re on.
Earl – Paul! Why do you spend your time going out to the Gentiles? Why have you abandoned your people? What’s your problem, pal?
Paul – Back off, Earl. I have not abandoned my people. Whenever I go on the speaking circuit the first place I go is to the local synagogue. I only go to the marketplace after they kick me out of the synagogue, so you can usually find me in the synagogue in the morning and the marketplace in the afternoon. (laughs) No, seriously, Christ came to bridge the gap between God and all of humanity, not just the Jews. He came to bring peace for all, not just some. Christ is fulfilling the promise to Abraham that his descendents would be a blessing to all nations. So are we or not, Earl?
Hey, we’ve got a call from Rome. Rhonda, you’re on.
Rhonda – Hey, Paul! Great to finally get on! So, if God has raised Christ from the dead and rejected the Jews in favor of the Gentiles, can we trust this God? I mean, God seems pretty capricious!
Paul – Well, Rhonda, I take issue with the idea that God has rejected the Jews. Actually, just the opposite. I believe that the covenant that God made with my people is as strong as ever, but that God has brought the Gentiles into the fold, just as was intended from the beginning. Think of God’s love for the Jewish people like an olive tree and the Gentiles, well, they are like a branch that is grafted onto that tree.
Okay, let’s move to Carrie from Colossus. What’s your question, Carrie?
Carrie – Hey, Paul, I’m a new Christian, and I’m really confused about what I’m allowed to eat and drink and what I’m supposed to do on what days and there seems to be so many rules about things to do during certain cycles of the moon and… I’m so confused! Can you help me?
Paul – Whoa, calm down Carrie. I know there are some people out there that like to tell people the right way to live and observe holidays and diets and stuff like that. Carrie, I’m here to tell you that that stuff has nothing to do with being a Christian. Really. That’s all human rules and teachings. The important thing is that in your baptism you died with Christ and now you live for Christ. Keep that first, and everything else will fall into place. Thanks for the call.
Okay, let’s go to Cory in Corinth. You’re on the air, Cory.
Cory – Hey, piggybacking on Carrie’s question, sorta, I got into this argument the other day with someone in my church about the local butchers here in Corinth. See, all the butchers here work through the pagan temples so all the meat they serve has been dedicated to idols in its preparation. So he said we should boycott the meat and become vegetarians. But I said that since Jesus was above any petty deity that it was okay to eat the meat. So which is it?
Paul – Great question. Basically, I agree with you up to a point. We know there is the one God, and so the meat is just meat. Now, here’s the tricky part. I know that and you know that, but what about other people? See, people are superstitious about these things. If they see you eating the meat they might think you were condoning worship of these false gods, and even though that wasn’t the intent, that would be the effect. So, even though you are strong in faith, Cory, and I agree with you, don’t eat the meat.
Okay, we’ve got Thelma on from Thessalonica.
Thelma – So, Paul, Patty and I were wondering when we should expect Jesus to return. I was thinking next Thursday afternoon, sometime between 3:13 and 4:42. Whaddyasay, Paul?
Paul – (laughs) No one knows, Thelma. And the point isn’t to be guessing. Christ comes like a thief in the night. The point is to live a good life – a life that would be pleasing to God. Stick to that Thelma, and then you don’t have to worry about God’s timetable, you’ll always be ready.
Okay, hey! It’s my old pal Titus, on line 2! Titus, how are you? Last time I saw you was in Crete!
Titus – Hey, Paul, yeah, still in Crete, and that’s part of the problem. There are these preachers going around saying that Cretans are fat, lazy, good for nothing liars and cheats. That’s sort of negatively impacting my ministry here, Paul. Help!
Paul – Yeah, well, those are rumors being spread by my old pals from the circumcision crowd again. The problem with those people is that they start out negative so their whole message is negative. They themselves are corrupted so they see everything as corrupted. You tell the folks in Crete that they don’t speak for the whole church. They certainly don’t speak for me. Hope things get better, Titus.
And, hey, it’s old home week! I’ve got Timothy on 1. Heya, Timmy!
Timothy – Hi, Paul. I’ve been having some problems in my own ministry because people tell me I’m too young.
Paul – Tim, don’t let anyone put you down because of your age. Set an example in the way you live, love others, and your faith. You were called to preach, so preach! Don’t doubt God’s calling. Hang in there, Tim.
Well, that’s about all the time we have for Paul Live today. One last thing. Philemon, if you’re listening, Onesimus is safe with me here in the studio. Now, I know he’s your slave and he took off without your leave, and he’s heading back your way. And I know that you will treat him very well. Everyone who’s listening knows you will treat him very well, right? Okay? Nuff said.
Okay, that’s it for today. Keep the faith, everyone.
By Lawrence Lee
Written for United Church of Two Harbors
February 19, 2006
(Based in part on an earlier work, “The Reduced Bible,” by Robb Bruce, Lisa-Marie Centeno, Fuzzy Gerdes, Lawrence Lee, Liz Thelen, and Charlotte VanVactor – Summer, 1992)
Mr. Q – Good day. I’m Mr. Q and welcome to Cross Talk. Today on Cross Talk we have as our panelists four experts on the life of Jesus of Nazareth. I’d like to welcome Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Our time is limited, so let’s get right to it. Tell us about Jesus’ humble beginnings… Mark.
Mark – Jesus’ ministry starts immediately with his baptism by John the Baptist and then immediately he is driven out to the desert by the Holy Spirit and then immediately he goes…
Matthew – I think you are getting ahead of yourself there, Mark. I’ve studied Jesus’ beginnings quite carefully and it all began when an angel came to Joseph, of the lineage of King David, in a dream, and told him that his betrothed, Mary, would bear a son by the Holy Spirit.
]]> Luke – Matthew, I think you’ll find that it was the angel Gabriel who came to Mary.Matthew – That may well be, but it is important to establish Jesus in the line of David…
Luke – What is important is Mary’s obedience to God. It’s her actions that shape the whole rest of the story.
Matthew – (agitated) I respectfully disagree, if Joseph hadn’t help the family escape from Herod’s wrath into Egypt, just as Patriarch Joseph, his namesake, escaped into Egypt from his brothers’ wrath…
Luke – Oh, you do love singing the oldies, don’t you? Can’t you accept that God is doing a new thing here?
Mr. Q – What do you say, John?
John – Jesus has always been here. In the beginning Jesus was there when the oceans were formed and the mountains raised and the first little birdies sang their first little song…
Mr. Q – Ohhh-kay. Thanks for that perspective, John. So, quickly, where was Jesus born?
Matthew – Bethlehem.
Luke – Bethlehem.
John – Doesn’t matter.
Mark – Can we just move on?
Mr. Q – How about John the Baptist? You all four seem to agree he was a very important part of Jesus’ beginning.
Mark – Haven’t I already covered this?
Luke – John is so important, in fact, that I tell the story of his birth right at the beginning.
Matthew – Of course, John is important. He walks in the path of the prophets before him.
Mr. Q – John?
John – John the Baptist came to testify to the light, but he was not the light, but came to testify to the light.
Mr. Q – Ohhh-kay. Thanks again for your unique perspective, John. How about the Disciples? Certainly they were important to Jesus’ ministry.
Mark – Yes, yes! Immediately after Jesus came out of the desert he went and immediately called the twelve.
Matthew – Well, he called them one by one, and note the number “twelve.” This reflects the twelve tribes of Israel and so looks back to our roots.
Mark – Actually, the disciples really stand in for us, the readers, and so represent our present.
Luke – No, the disciples prefigure the church to come and so reflect our future.
Mr. Q – John?
John – They didn’t really get Jesus. (shakes head)
Mr. Q – Uh-huh. How about Jesus’ teachings?
Mark – Jesus was a man of action. He healed. He cast out demons. He fed people. He moved on. Immediately! Not much time for chit-chat.
Matthew – Jesus was a teacher, a rabbi, if you will. Of course he taught in sermons and stories all the time.
Luke – I agree with Matthew, basically. Jesus taught about a kingdom that would include everyone.
Mr. Q – John?
John – Oh sure, he spoke… but did anyone listen? (shakes head)
Mr. Q – Thanks, John, again. Ohhh-kay, moving on, let’s talk about a sad chapter – Jesus’ betrayal. Who betrayed Jesus?
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John – (together) Judas (spit take)
Mr. Q – Good to know we can all agree on something. So, let’s talk about Jesus’ last hours.
Mark – It was agonizing. He was betrayed, beaten, tortured, and he cried out in pain to God – “Why have you forsaken me?!”
John – You don’t get it, do you? That was all for show. Jesus was really in control all along. He knew this was going to happen. He knew how everything would turn out.
Mark – Are you kidding me? He had nails! Through his feet! And hands! Are you telling me he didn’t feel any pain?
John – (placidly) He transcended pain. (serene smile)
Mark – Riiiggght. (circles his ear with a finger to show John is crazy)
Mr. Q – Matthew and Luke? Where do you two stand?
Luke – (looking between Mark and John somewhat fearfully) Uhh… somewhere in between.
Matthew – (quickly) Ditto.
Mr. Q – Let’s move on. How about the resurrection?
Matthew – It happened on the first day of the week…
Mark – Sunday…
Luke – After the Sabbath was over.
John – It was still dark.
Matthew – The sun had just risen.
Luke – Mary Magdalene…
Mark – and Salome…
Matthew – and the other Mary…
Mark – They all came with spices to anoint him. And they wondered who will roll away the stone that was covering the tomb?
Matthew – But there was this earthquake! And an angel descended from heaven and moved the stone away.
Luke – So you say! Anyway, they found that the stone had already been moved away.
Mark – There were two men in white sitting in the otherwise empty tomb.
Luke – No, they were standing beside them.
Mark – The women were alarmed.
Luke – They were terrified.
Matthew – The guards shook and fell down like dead men.
Mark – But the angels said, “Do not be alarmed!”
Matthew – “Do not be afraid!”
Luke – They asked, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”
John – They asked, “Why are you weeping?” And Mary answered, “Because they have taken my Lord away.” And then she saw someone she thought to be the gardener, but it was the risen Lord!
Luke – Actually he first appeared to two travelers on the road to Emmaus.
Matthew – No, the women saw Jesus as they ran away from the tomb.
Mark – Actually, I agree with John on this one.
Matthew, Luke and Mr. Q – (stare incredulously at Mark)
Mark - Kinda. More or less. What?
Mr. Q – Well, there’s a first. Well, that’s all the time we have today for Cross Talk. Meet us next time when we discuss the list of the disciples.
John – (self satisfied) Nathanael.
Matthew, Luke, Mark – (upset) Bartholomew!
John – (shakes head serenely) Nathanael.
Matthew, Luke, Mark – Bartholomew!!
(continues)
Mr. Q – (shouting over the panelists) An exciting discussion to be sure, next time on Cross Talk!
Lawrence Lee
Written for United Church of Two Harbors
February 12, 2006
(Based in part on an earlier work, “The Reduced Bible,” by Robb Bruce, Lisa-Marie Centeno, Fuzzy Gerdes, Lawrence Lee, Liz Thelen, and Charlotte VanVactor – Summer, 1992)