49B – Sunday 17B

48B - Sunday 16B50B - Sunday 18B
 
See also my post from 2012, 2018, 2021, 2024

 
Psalm 14
In their hearts fools say, “There is no God”;
they act dishonestly, doing unspeakable deeds.
There is no one doing good.
The LORD looks to all humanity to see if any shows insight,
to see if any seek God.
But there is disregard for the holy;
and corruption is their way of life.
There is no one doing good, no one.
“Have they no understanding?
They act unjustly and are devouring my people:
they satisfy only themselves, but do not call on the LORD.”
A time will come when they shall tremble in great fear,
for God is with the generation of the righteous.
The fool seeks to confound the hopes of the poor,
but their refuge is the LORD.
Who is there in Zion to bring deliverance to Israel?
When the LORD has restored the fortunes of Israel
Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will be glad.

For use in worship, with acknowledgement. © Jeff Shrowder 2000, 2012.

PSALM 14(A Version for Today)
Fools say, “There is no God”,
act dishonestly, and do unspeakable deeds.
No one is doing good.
The LORD of heaven looks upon all humanity
to see if any exercise wisdom,
to see if any seek God.
Everyone has gone astray, all of the community is corrupt;
no one is doing good – absolutely no one!
Don’t they understand?
By their unjust acts they satisfy themselves;
they devour people as bread,
and they do not call on the LORD.

But they will be in terror,
because God is among those who live godly lives.
The fool will confound the hopes of the poor,
but the LORD is their refuge.
Who is there in Zion to bring deliverance to Israel?
When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people
Jacob will rejoice and Israel will be glad!
For use in worship, with acknowledgement. © Jeff Shrowder 2000, 2012.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION(From Psalm 14)
God of mercy and truth,
we have strayed from you in thought, word and deed…

We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have disregarded what is holy
trying to satisfy ourselves
by our own means…

We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves:
and feel helpless against those
who seek to frustrate the hopes of the poor…

O God, who is a God like you,
a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger,
and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness?
Be our refuge and our deliverance;
by the presence and power of your Spirit,
change us so that we may delight in your desire to do justice;
in Jesus name. Amen

OFFERING
Creating and generous God
in gratitude for your faithfulness and generosity
we bring our praise and our thanks;
our lives and symbols of our daily living.
By your Holy Spirit enable us
to be responsible stewards and witnesses
in this place;
in Jesus’ name. Amen.

For use in worship, with acknowledgement. © Jeff Shrowder 2000, 2012.


A CREATIVE MOMENT – John 6:1-21
(a) Have a variety of breads and grains displayed in the worship space. (Perhaps a large picture of various breads if there is limited availability of such breads). The displayed breads might be shared (toasted?) as part of morning tea after worship.
(b) If worship today includes Holy Communion, this would be an occasion to break and share a multigrain loaf.
(c) Have communion served “in the pews”, i.e. with the congregation seated (This will be common practice for some Reformed congregations).


THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
(A prayer to gather the spoken and silent concerns/joys/thanks expressed by the congregation and lead into a more structured Intercession with connection to the lections for the day. Sometimes this prayer borrows lightly from other sources e.g. Uniting in Worship 2 or publications of the Iona Community.)
 
Gracious and eternal God,
in whom we find rest and shelter,
hear the cries of our world …
   those for whom today is the beginning of life;
   who face new ventures and new challenges;
   who are engulfed by loneliness, despair or grief;
   who feel cast off from your presence;
   who are walled in by circumstance;
   whose will to live is exhausted;
   who this day will encounter death:
in Jesus’ name we pray…
      (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 17B
Blessed Jesus, at you word TIS 437
Christ is our cornerstone TIS 433
Christ, from whom all blessings flow TIS 44
Comfort, comfort, all my people TIS 647
I come with joy to meet my Lord TIS 533
In faithful hope and love TIS 628
Made in God’s likeness TIS 671
O changeless Christ, for ever new TIS 254
O Jesus Christ, may grateful hymns be rising TIS 620
O laughing Light, O first-born of creation TIS 255
2 Samuel 11:1-15
Come, let us to the Lord our God TIS 577
God of freedom, God of justice TIS 657
Make me a captive, Lord TIS 604
What does the Lord require? TIS 618
Psalm 14
Rejoice,the Lord is king! TIS 216
Ephesians 3:14-21
All depends on our possessing TIS 556
All my hope on God is founded TIS 560
Come dearest Lord, descend and dwell TIS 443
Father of mercy, God of consolation TIS 472
Father welcomes all his children TIS 491
For all the saints who from their labours rest TIS 455
God be in my head and in my understanding TIS 549
God of grace and God of glory TIS 611
Holy Spirit, come confirm us TIS 413
How firm a foundation TIS 578
Lord, keep us steadfast in your word TIS 436
Love is his word, love is his way TIS 534
O let the Son of God enfold you TIS 655
O Spirit of the living God TIS 405
O the deep, deep love of Jesus TIS 232
Shalom to you now TIS 778
We limit not the truth of God… TIS 453
John 6:1-21
Bread of heaven, on you we feed TIS 513
Break now thr bread of life TIS 429
Eat this bread, drink this cup TIS 714
For the fruits of all creation TIS 168
Jesus the Lord said, ‘I am the Bread’ TIS 239
Let us talents and tongues employ TIS 537
Since the world was young TIS 544

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