Paul’s sermon in Athens (Acts 17:22-31) is substantially different from any of his other sermons. While his other sermons are identifiably Pharisaical and present the gospel in a way that would be accessible to a predominantly Jewish audience, the Athenian sermon employs patterns and concepts which were common to first century Athens. It is a significant and noteworthy accomplishment on Paul’s part and it may be taken as a mandate to subsequent Christians always to be prepared to articulate the gospel message using new and distinct cultural patterns. While the content of the Gospel is always consistent, the form in which the good news of Jesus Christ is presented should always be flexible. What follows are excerpts from a somewhat playful worship service that was designed to illustrate to a worshiping community the issues and possibilities involved in attempting to articulate a Christian worship service in a particular context.   College students, youth, and children are often engaged by this way of distinguishing between what is essential and what is negotiable in worship.   Read the liturgy after the jump.

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SCRIPTURE LESSON AND PROCLAMATION—

Luke 10:30-37 and Horton Hears a Who (Theodore Geisel, 1934)

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

Friends, this is a joyful feast,

God’s kin will come from west and east

To gather in this sacred place

And meet with Jesus face to face

Come one, come all, and don’t be scared

For you a meal has been prepared

Around this holy table here

To share with Christians far and near.

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

I pray the Lord will be with you

We pray the Lord be with you, too.

Lift up your hearts, oh lift them high!

“We lift them up,” is our reply.

To God give all your thanks and praise

It’s right to do that everyday

God, you’re holy and adored

And blest is Jesus Christ our Lord.

You showed yourself in flesh and light

And saved us from our mortal plight

When Jesus Christ was first baptized

Your presence there was recognized

He walked and spoke and saved and blessed

The lonely, poor, sick, or oppressed

In him we see your grace and power

Even in our darkest hour

Christ died but rose by Holy Spirit

And that’s good news for all who hear it.

For by your grace we’ve all been lifted

We’ve all been made belov’d and gifted

To live and work with all the saints

And share Christ’s love without constraint

That love we know will never end

We give you thanks, O God, AMEN!

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

The night Jesus Christ was betrayed to the feds

Our Savior stood up after supper and said,

“This here is my body—right here in this bread.

And this cup holds my blood which for you will be shed.

And when you eat this bread and drink juice or Chablis

I want you to act in remembrance of me.

For in this holy meal, good madames and monsieurs,

My body and life will become part of yours.”

SHARING OF THE ELEMENTS

“The Body of Christ, which was broken for you.

` The Blood of our Lord, which was shed for you, too.”

LORD’S PRAYER (Unison)

Our Father who in heaven art

Respected be your name

Thy kingdom come; thy will be done

In Heav’n and Earth the same

Our daily bread, please, to us give

Forgive our sins as we forgive

Don’t lead us where we might be tempted

But make all evil things preempted

Yours is the kingdom, pow’r, and glory

And that will always be the story.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

Now go be courageous and peaceful and good

Act beloved and gifted like you know you should

And always remember the point of it all

A person’s a person no matter how small.