Who Do You Live For?

Who Do You Live For? is our worship theme for the third Sunday after Pentecost, June 17, 2012. Our focus scripture is 2 Corinthians 5:6-17.

The beginning and end of our passage from 2 Corinthians usually capture our attention.  At the start is Paul’s assertion that his faith gives him great confidence and security. Because of his faith he can carry on a difficult ministry while he remains in his body and apart from Christ. Because of his faith he almost wishes for his own death, knowing that he will then go home to be with Christ. Either way he is content.

At the end is Paul’s famous declaration that, “If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!”

While both the beginning and end are important, we ought not to miss the places where Paul expresses who he now lives for. In verse 9 he writes: “So whether we are at home (with Christ in heaven) or away (still here on earth in our physical bodies), we make it our aim to please him.” And in verses 14-15 he writes: “For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.”

This Sunday is Father’s Day, and it reminds us that ordinarily, our parents have a great deal of influence on us. We might live to please them. Or, in our narcissistic culture, we might fall under the influence of its constant pressure to live for ourselves. Or, given the economic pressures of our day, we might live to please our bosses at work. But Paul says something else, entirely. There is only one person in all the universe that we should live for: Christ.

Here is a Call to Worship based on Psalm 92 as well as several Father’s Day resources. Please use or adapt anything helpful to you.

**Call to Worship   (from Psalm 92)

L: Thank you, most high God! Bless your holy name!

          P: In the morning we declare your covenant love.

              With lute and lyre we sing your faithfulness by night.

          L: When we see your works in nature, we sing for joy.

          P: How great is your creativity. Your knowledge is too deep for us.

          L: The wicked don’t get this at all. They spring up like grass.

          But they are doomed to destruction, for your wisdom is forever.

          P: In your world, the faithful flourish like giant sequoias.

              For they are planted in your house. They grow in your courts.

          L: In old age their sap still runs green and fruitful.

        All: They prove your integrity. You are our rock! We can depend on you!

A Responsive Prayer for Father’s Day      Diocese of San Jose Liturgy, Adapted

L: For those who have fathered us into birth,
for those we call “father” who show us the face of our heavenly Father,
for expectant fathers and those whose arms ache to cradle their own,
for fathers who have borne the pain of losing a child,
and for fathers who have laid down their life for their children:

P: May the one who is Father of all be their guide and their peace.

L: For all who have been deprived of their fathers through war, violence, or imprisonment, addiction, divorce, or separation;
for those whose fathers left home in search of work in another land:

P: May their wounds may be healed by God’s fatherly love.

L: For foster fathers, step fathers, and fathers by adoption,
that they will find true happiness in the mystery of fatherhood:

P: May their love for their children bind them closer to the perfect love of God.

L: For those we call father,
those who showed us how to throw a ball or cook a meal,
those who taught us how to drive and forgave us for the dents,
those who kissed away our hurts, calmed all our fears,
and protected us as best they could:

P: May they receive God’s love and blessing.

L: For all fathers, living or dead,
those nearby or those distanced by miles, disease, or division:

 All: May they be embraced and strengthened by the loving arms of

        God, the Father of us all. Amen.

**Call to Worship

L: Sisters and brothers, as we worship on Father’s Day let us celebrate the faith of our fathers!

P: We give thanks for the faith of the Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac,

    and Jacob, who boldly followed God’s call to a Promised Land.

L: We give thanks for Moses and Aaron, who led our people out of slavery.

P: We give thanks for Samuel, prophet of his people

    and anointer of kings.

L: We give thanks for Jesse and for David, ancestral fathers of Jesus.

P: We give thanks for Joseph, human father of Jesus.

L: We give thanks for Peter and Paul, chained in prison for their faith.

P: We give thanks for Martin Luther, and John Robinson,

    Martin Luther King, Jr., and Bishop Desmond Tutu,

church fathers all.

All: We celebrate the faith of famous fathers, and unknown fathers,

    who have given us a rich legacy. May we keep faith with their faith! 

    Now and always! Amen.

A Litany for Fathers’ Day

          L: Gracious and loving God, our thoughts and prayers are turned   

               today to fathers. For fathers whose love and understanding and

               support have strengthened us, we give you thanks.

          P: For those whose father’s presence is greatly missed, we ask    

               your comfort as they recall their father’s love.

          L: For all men who, in the midst of our “me-oriented” culture, have      

               chosen to nurture, guide and love children, we give you thanks.

          P: We pray as well for all whose fathers have been a source of   

               hurt and pain, and for all whose fathers have left them. May                

               they find in you, in us, and in others, the love and support they          

               need to grow.

          L: We remember single fathers and mothers, who struggle to parent               

               their children while juggling all the responsibilities to hold a job,         

               maintain a household, and find time to be with their children.

               Strengthen them and help the rest of us and our society provide the

               support they need.

          P: We pray for fathers and mothers who are going through a          

              difficult time with their children, who are separated from them     

              by distance or by conflicts and misunderstandings. We pray          

              for your healing love to work to bridge these divides.

           L: And we pray for those who have been unable to become fathers   

              and for all whose years of parenting have been cut short by the loss    

              of a child. Let your consoling love be with them and help them to       

              find ways to use the loving gifts that you give to them.

       All: Finally, O God, we join all fathers everywhere in praying that                       their children and grandchildren may be well and happy, and a        

              source of joy for years to come! May the powerful Spirit of                   

              Christ’s love work to make this so. In his name we pray. Amen.