September 16 – Sixteenth after Pentecost

 

Proverbs 1:20–33

Wisdom cries in the streets.

 

Psalm 19 (VU pp. 740–741)

The heavens declare the glory of God.

 

James 3:1–12

Not many of you should be teachers of God’s word.

 

Mark 8:27–38

Who do people say that I am?

Spark

Who do we say that Jesus is, not just through our words, but also through the way we live our lives? After all, people judge the presence of Jesus in the world through interactions with those of us who claim our place as Jesus’ followers. Throughout the service choose hymns and prayers that explore the different aspects of Jesus—wise teacher, healer of the sick, challenger of the mighty, prophet of God’s future, the Son of Man, and the Son of God.

Theme Engagement Question

What three words would be most important to you in describing who Jesus is?

With Children

Ask the children to describe Jesus. What were his qualities? What do they think he looked like physically? Make sure that everyone who wants to share their thoughts has an opportunity to do so. Then show some pictures of Jesus from around the world explaining this is how other people see Jesus. Talk with the children about what it means to see and hear that other people have different ways of knowing Jesus. What can we learn from these different points of view?

Sermon Starter

“But who do you say that I am?” This question has haunted people throughout the ages as we explore the many aspects of Jesus and how they shape our faith. And sometimes we are troubled by different understandings of Jesus, which may challenge our comfortable assumptions of who we expect Jesus to be. Are we willing to explore different points of view and thereby see Jesus in a different light? Are we willing to explore the possibility of salvation through Jesus happening in ways we may not expect? What kind of Messiah do we expect Jesus to be? Remember that any confusion we feel in finding an answer is not new. Jesus’ first companions also found it hard to answer the question.

Hymns

Hebrew Scripture

VU 287            “Wellspring of wisdom”

MV 63             “Long before my journey’s start”

 

Psalm

VU 238            “O Lord my God”

MV 31             “Pure love”

 

Epistle

VU 506            “Take my life and let it be”

VU 589            “Lord, speak to me”

 

Gospel

VU 149            “When I survey the wondrous cross”

VU 499            “O Christ, the Word incarnate”

MV 113           “Jesus saw them fishing”