Scandalous Father

This post is part of the Sunday Setlist blog carnival.

Today at The Table we read the parable of the prodigal son. Leigh pointed out that the word “prodigal” has two meanings: incredibly wasteful and irrationally generous. He spoke of the culture where the story was first heard and we considered the scandal that they would have heard. First, that a son would ask for an inheritance from his living father. Second, that anyone would leave the clan and strike out on his own. Third, that a patriarch would run. Ever.

Heads of families walked slowly and with dignity. This one gathers his robes, revealing  his shins and knees (another taboo) and runs after a lost son whom he loves. This is the good news of the gospel. And this was our set:

• Walk-in 1: Forever Reign (Morgan / Ingram)
• Walk-in 2: How Deep the Father’s Love For Us (Stuart Townend)
• Great is Thy Faithfulness (Chisolm / Runyan)
• O Taste and See (Johnson / Johnson)
• Carried to the Table (Mooring / Byrd / Hindalong)
• Doxology: to the tune of “What Wondrous Love is This?”
• Sanctus: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord (Peter Scholtes)
• Communion Song 1: Deep in Love With You (Smith / Smith / Black)
• Communion Song 2:He Knows My Name (Tommy Walker)
• Wrap–up: Forever Reign
• Walk-out: O Taste and See