48A – Sunday 16A

47A - Sunday 15A — 49A - Sunday 17A
 
See also my posts from 2014, 2017, 2020, 2023

 
PRAYER OF ADORATION AND THANKSGIVING (Ps.139:1-6)
Lord God, you know me through and through;
you know my sitting down, and my getting up.
You sense what I am thinking from far away;
you understand my journeying and my resting.
In fact, you are familiar with the way I do everything;
even before I speak, you know what’s on my mind.
You are in my past, and in my future,
you surround me with your love 
and your reassuring hand is upon me.
This wonderful knowledge is beyond my understanding;
it surpasses everything, and is beyond my grasp.

For the stories we share, for our life together,
and for the breath of your Spirit among us, 
we thank you,
Holy and blessed Trinity. Amen 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Psalm 139:7-12)
Where can I go from your spirit?
Or where could I get away from your presence? 
If I climbed the heavens, you would be there;
if I made my bed in Sheol, you would be there. 
If I were to fly with the morning light
and settle at the farthest limits of the sunset, 
even there your hand would lead me,
and your right hand would take hold of me.
If I asked the darkness to cover me,
and the light around me to become night, 
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is as bright as the day,
for light and dark are just the same.

Forgive what we have been;
help us amend what we are;
shape what we shall be;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways;
in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

OFFERING
God always generous,
rich in lovingkindness and compassion,
we offer our gifts and our living
that, by your holy breath,
we may together be instruments of your loving
in our following the way of Jesus. Amen

For use in worship, with acknowledgement. © Jeff Shrowder 2000, 2014.

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A CREATIVE MOMENT – Genesis 28:10-19a and Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Jacob’s experience of God might be symbolised with a ladder; a large boulder (of the papier mache variety, I suggest); a small pile of soil and a compass.

The parable could be symbolised visually by a bundle/pile of wheat and a bundle/pile of weeds.

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THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
(A prayer, usually with connection to one or more of the lections for the day, to gather the spoken and silent concerns/joys/thanks expressed by the congregation and lead into a more structured Intercession. Sometimes this prayer also borrows lightly from other sources e.g. Uniting in Worship 2 or publications of the Iona Community.)

Based on a prayer by Anselm of Canterbury (11th Cent.)
Compassionate God,
made known to us most clearly in Jesus,
Together with our joys and our thanks
we bring before you,
the sorrows of the bereaved …
the helplessness of the weak …
the despondency of the weary …
the failing powers of the aged …
By your Holy Spirit draw near to each:
those we have named on our lips and in our silence …
and those we have forgotten …

         (The Prayers of the People continue)

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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 SUGGESTIONS FOR SUNDAY 16A
Genesis 28:10-19a
I am alone, yet not alone	TIS 605
In suffering love, the thread of life	TIS 177
Lord, you have been our dwelling place	TIS 144
O God of Bethel, by whose hand	TIS 564
Our God, we know your providence	TIS 169
Psalm 139: 1-12, 23-24
I am alone, yet not alone	TIS 605
I sing the almighty power of God	TIS 119
In our darkness there is no darkness	TIS 725
Lord of creation, to you be all praise	TIS 626
Lord, the light of your love is shining	TIS 675
O Lord Jesus Marrkapmirr	TIS 253
O Lord, you have searched me and known me	TIS 88
One God, one living God	TIS 742
When morning gilds the skies	TIS 227
You are before me, Lord, you are behind	TIS 87
Romans 8:12-25
A man there lived in Galilee	TIS 235
Break now the bread of life	TIS 429
By your kingly power, O risen Lord	TIS 386
Christ is the world’s true light	TIS 238
Come, Spirit of God, holy Lord	TIS 399
Holy Spirit, come confirm us	TIS 413
Holy Spirit, ever dwelling	TIS 410
Lord God, the Spirit blest	TIS 404
O love, how deep, how broad, how high	TIS 194
Praise the God who changes places	TIS 178
Praise the Spirit in creation	TIS 415
Stars and planets flung in orbit	TIS 186
There’s a light upon the mountains	TIS 276
Wash, O God, our sons and daughters	TIS 493
Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43
For the fruits of all creation	TIS 168
God has spoken to his people, hallelujah	TIS 636
God, your glory we have seen in your Son	TIS 461
Help us accept each other	TIS 648
Lord Jesus, we belong to you	TIS 686
The great love of God	TIS 164

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