50A – Sunday 18A

49A - Sunday 17A51A - Sunday 19A
 
See also my posts from 2014, 2017, 2020, 2023

 
Psalm 17:1-7
Hear my plea for justice, O LORD, and attend to my cry.
Listen  to my prayer, which does not come from deceitful lips.
Let my judgement come from you;
may your eyes see my integrity
Examine my heart, come to me in the night,
test me with fire; you will find no idolatry in me;
my mouth does not speak against the works of your hands.
I have held fast to the command of your lips.
I call upon you, because you will answer me, O God.
Turn your ear to me, and listen to my words.
Reveal the wonder of your lovingkindness, O Deliverer.
by your right hand muzzle those who rise up against us.

OFFERING
Gracious God,
we offer our diverse gifts and our lives,
that, inspired by your Spirit of grace,
we may bring your realm close
to those who hunger for justice and freedom. Amen

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


A CREATIVE MOMENT – Genesis 32:22-31 and Matthew 14:13-21
If the story of Jacob wrestling at Peniel is to be the theme for today’s worship two simple banners may provide a visual focus: (a) stars on a black or dark blue background and the name “Jacob”, (b) sunrise on a lighter background and the name “Israel”.
The gospel reading might be symbolised by 5 loaves and 2 fish and/or the 12 baskets of leftovers, (however you might like to represent them).


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.)

Loving God, healer and bringer of wholeness,
there are days when we wonder
why life is the way it seems to be:
give courage to the weak and the lonely,
bring healing to those weighed down with grief,
rejoice with those who are glad
and be company for those whose troubles are known only to you;
that all may know your peace …
         (The Prayers of the People continue)


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 18A
Christ is the heavenly food that gives TIS 522
Father we give you thanks, who planted TIS 495
Jesus the Lord said ‘I am the bread’ TIS 239
Let us break bread together TIS 511
Sing, all creation, sing to God in gladness TIS 61
The great love of God TIS 164
Genesis 32:22-31
God of many names TIS 180
Make me a captive, Lord TIS 604
O Love that wilt not let me go TIS 602
Psalm 17:1-7,15
All praise to thee, my God, this night TIS 558
God himself is present TIS 121
I set the Lord before my eyes TIS 673
Let earth and heaven combine TIS 305
Lord, hear a cause that is just TIS 6
Lord, you are the light of life to me TIS 26
O God of Bethel, by whose hand TIS 564
O sacred head sore Wounded TIS 339
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty TIS 111
Romans 9:1-5
All my hope on God is founded TIS 560
Come, God’s people, sing for joy TIS 391
Jesus comes with all his grace TIS 219
Now we come, our heavenly Father TIS 462
Of the Father’s love begotten TIS 290
Matthew 14:13-21
Break now the bread of life TIS 429
Dear Lord, for all in pain we pray TIS 612
Eternal Father, strong to save TIS 138
Feed us now, Bread of life TIS 538
How lovely is your dwelling place TIS 44
Love divine, all loves excelling TIS 217
Make me a captive, Lord TIS 604
O Jesus Christ, may grateful hymns be rising TIS 620

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