55A – Sunday 23A

54A - Sunday 22A — 56A - Sunday 24A
 
See also my post from 2017, 2020, 2023
 
PSALM 149 – A Call to Worship
Praise the Source of life!
Sing to the Holy One a new song.
Praise the one we name God among the communion of saints.
Let the people of God rejoice in their creator.
Let them praise the Source of all that is with dance,
and celebrate with musical instruments,
because God delights in them,
and adorns the despairing with welfare.
Let all the saints jump for joy;
let them cry out with gladness where they rest.
Let high praises of Divine be in their throats:
word and song that overcome injustice,
binding rulers in chains and the powerful in iron shackles;
bringing justice to them, and honour to all God’s faithful.
Praise the Source of all that is! 

For use in worship, with acknowledgement. © Jeff Shrowder 1999, 2014.

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A CREATIVE MOMENT – Romans 13:8-14
Materials: 
(a) Shallow trays or dishes of sand set out at or near the communion table;
(b) a supply of small votive candles, sufficient for the whole congregation;
(c) a large central candle from which the votice candles can be lit.
(d) as a precaution, it may be appropriate to have a fire-blanket on hand.

While Romans 13:8-14 is read, each member of the congregation is invited to listen for the word of grace or phrase which catches their attention. After several moments of silent reflection have the passage read again . . . slowly. The congregation is invited to come forward as “their” word or phrase is read, light a candle, and stand it in the tray of sand, and then return to their seat.
If the lighting in the church can be reduced for this reading, so much the better; the increasing “candle-power” will dramatically symbolise the approaching day, however that is understood from this reading.

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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.)

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Tender and loving God,
comfort of the sorrowing,
strength of the suffering,
embrace them in your mercy
and by the presence of your Spirit,
moving as a gentle breeze,
or blowing as a turbulent storm,
strengthen us to serve them.
Hear our prayer
for those whose names are on our lips
and those for whom we pray in silence…
In Jesus’ name we pray …
         (The Prayers of the People continue)

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Looking for contemporary music and song resources?
Try David MacGregor’s Together to Celebrate

HYMN SUGGESTIONS FOR SUNDAY 23A
I’ll praise my maker while I’ve breath,	TIS 90
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord	TIS 161
The law of Christ alone can make us free	TIS 630
This is my will, my one command	TIS 641
When I survey the wondrous cross	TIS 342
Exodus 12: 1-14
Behold the Lamb of God	TIS 705
Glory to our boundless God	TIS 189
God’s Paschal Lamb is sacrificed for us	TIS 543
He walked on earth, showing glimpses of heaven	TIS 260
Shout for joy! The Lord has let us feast	TIS 545
Psalm 149
All creatures of our God and King	TIS 100
Come, God’s people, sing for joy	TIS 391
I danced in the morning	TIS 242
Rejoice, the Lord is king	TIS 216
Sing a new song to the Lord	TIS 95
Sing praise to the Lord	TIS 96
Romans 13: 8-14
Brother, sister, let me serve you	TIS 650
Fold to your heart your sister and your brother	TIS 587
Forth in your name, O Lord, I go	TIS 571
Great God, your Spirit, like the wind	TIS 416
I come with joy to meet my Lord	TIS 533
I want to walk as a child of the light	TIS 643
Love is his word, love is his way	TIS 534
O God of love, whose heart is ever yearn	TIS 614
O Jesus Christ, may grateful hymns be rising	TIS 620
Praise to you, O Christ our Saviour	TIS 258
Soldiers of Christ, arise	TIS 570
The law of Christ alone can make us free	TIS 630
We are your people, Lord, by your grace	TIS 468
What does the Lord require of you	TIS 751
What does the Lord require	TIS 618
When I needed a neighbour were you there	TIS 629
Matthew 18: 15-20
All praise to our redeeming Lord	TIS 442
Brother, sister, let me serve you	TIS 650
Fight the good fight with all your might	TIS 594
Fold to your heart your sister and your brother	TIS 587
Help us accept each other	TIS 648
Jesus calls us here to meet him	TIS 477
Jesus, where’er your people meet	TIS 445
Joyful, joyful, we adore you	TIS 152
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven	TIS 134
When love is found and hope comes home	TIS 654
Your coming, Lord, to earth in Bethlehem	TIS 285

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