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Sunday 32 - Year B

WE GATHER IN THE SPACE THAT GOD CREATES   (from Psalm 127)
Without the LORD building, we labour in vain.
Without the LORD keeping watch, we watch in vain.
Rising early and delaying our rest gains us nothing.
Just as there are some who eat the bread of their frantic labours,
so it seems the LORD gives honour to those the LORD loves.
It is children that the LORD gives as a lasting heritage;
rewarding with the fruit of the womb.
Just as arrows in the hand of the warrior equip him,
so the children borne in one's youth give assurance and promise.
The community which fills its quiver with children
      is rewarded, blessed with completeness,
and shall not be shamed by those with whom it must contend.

CONFESSION (from Psalm 127)
God of Sarah, Rebekah and Ruth,
For working without letting you work in us,
Lord have mercy.
Lord have mercy.

For not letting you watch over us,
Christ have mercy.
Christ have mercy.

For our busy, busy days,
Lord have mercy
Lord have mercy

Gracious God,
whose lasting heritage for us is a whole community,
by your very present Spirit
give us the freedom
to let you work in us,
to let you care for us,
to let you fill our days,
that we may live, not in the strength of our own hands,
but in the strength that comes from life in you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Amen.

For use in worship, with acknowledgement. � Jeff Shrowder 2003.


A CREATIVE MOMENT
(a) Ruth 3:1-5
In these last weeks of the church year the readings from the Hebrew Scriptures are concerned with women (Naomi and Hannah) who have no future in that they have no children. Each deals with that situation in a different way. Children are born; Obed the grandfather of David, and Samuel who annoints David king. If you didn't start one last week, invite the congregation to create a mural over the coming weeks on a length of newsprint, depicting aspects of these narratives which culminate in the fourth week (Reign of Christ Sunday; Christ the King) with the last words of David, in which he mentions the everlasting covenant made with him by God. Ruth's love for Naomi, expressed in her oath to journey, live and die with her, and her preparedness to ensure Naomi's future, and her own, offer a connection with the reading from Mark today.
Invite the congregation to re-imagine aspects of the reading onto the mural. Again there are thematic links with the gospel reading.

(b) Mark 12:38-44
As a community of faith, how do we express our commitment to God? This might be an opportunity to illustrate those ways with a mural created by the congregation. This activity might also give the opportunity to creatively think about new possibilities in your congregation.



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Looking for contemporary music and song resources? Try David MacGregor's Together to Celebrate
Or metrical psalms? Try Dale A. Schoening's Sing the Psalms

HYMN SEARCH FOR SUNDAY 32 - YEAR B
 		   
God, who made the earth TIS 146 AHB 82
Great God, your Spirit, like the wind TIS 416 SA 41
I'll praise my maker while I've breath, TIS 90 AHB 44
Lo! he comes with clouds descending TIS 273 AHB 201
Our God, we kmow your providence TIS 169 AHB 118
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King.. TIS 111 AHB 28
Serve you the Lord, heart filled with gladnes TIS 60 AHB 100
What does the Lord require TIS 618 AHB 568
Where cross the crowded ways of life TIS 608 AHB 532

   
Ruth 3:1-5;4:13-17
    
As man and woman we were made TIS 648 SA 7
Our Father, by whose name
SA 71
Seek ye first the kingdom of God TIS 745 SA 75
When love is found, and hope comes home TIS 654
  

   
Psalm 127
    
All praise to thee, my God, this night TIS 558 AHB 468
As the deer pants for the water TIS 703
 
Laudate Dominum TIS 73 SA 57

   
Hebrews 9:24-28
    
And now, O Father, mindful of the love TIS 519 AHB 440
Crown him with many crowns TIS 228 AHB 163
Forth in your name, O Lord, I go TIS 571 AHB 480
Glory be to Jesus TIS 344 AHB 263
Hail Redeemer, King divine TIS 237
 AHB 188
Hail, our once despised Jesus TIS 373 AHB 295
Love divine, all loves excelling TIS 217 AHB 148
Sing, my tongue, the Saviour's glory TIS 501

   
Mark 12:38-44
    
A spendthrift lover is the Lord TIS 676
  
Now thank we all our God TIS 106 AHB 14
Our God, we know your providence TIS 169 AHB 118
Take my life, and let it be TIS 599 AHB 520
What does the Lord require TIS 6 18 AHB 568
When I survey the wondrous cross TIS 342 AHB 258


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