64B - Sunday 31B — 66B - Sunday 33B
See also my post from 2012, 2018, 2021
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,
We have worked without letting you work in us;
We have not let you watch over us;
We perversely cherish our busy, busy days.
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. Amen.
OFFERING
Generous God,
we offer these gifts and our living
in response to your loving-kindness.
Empower us by your Spirit
to respond with practical love
to those who cry out for mercy and justice.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.
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 thegrandfather 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.
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.)
By your Holy Spirit, O God,
warm the lives of those we name
on our lips and in the silence of our hearts;
celebrate with those open to your abundance;
bring comfort to those among us and around us
who are hurting,
and encouragement to those for whom the light of life
shines less brightly. Amen.
(The Prayers of the People continue)
Looking for contemporary music and song resources?
Try David MacGregor’s Together to Celebrate
HYMN SUGGESTIONS FOR SUNDAY 32B |
|
God, who made the earth | TIS 146 |
Great God, your Spirit, like the wind | TIS 416 |
I’ll praise my maker while I’ve breath, | TIS 90 |
Lo! he comes with clouds descending | TIS 273 |
Our God, we kmow your providence | TIS 169 |
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King.. | TIS 111 |
Serve you the Lord, heart filled with gladnes | TIS 60 |
What does the Lord require | TIS 618 |
Where cross the crowded ways of life | TIS 608 |
Ruth 3:1-5;4:13-17 |
|
As man and woman we were made | TIS 648 |
Seek ye first the kingdom of God | TIS 745 |
When love is found, and hope comes home | TIS 654 |
Psalm 127 |
|
All praise to thee, my God, this night | TIS 558 |
As the deer pants for the water | TIS 703 |
Laudate Dominum | TIS 73 |
Hebrews 9:24-28 |
|
And now, O Father, mindful of the love | TIS 519 |
Crown him with many crowns | TIS 228 |
Forth in your name, O Lord, I go | TIS 571 |
Glory be to Jesus | TIS 344 |
Hail Redeemer, King divine | TIS 237 |
Hail, our once despised Jesus | TIS 373 |
Love divine, all loves excelling | TIS 217 |
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 |
Our God, we know your providence | TIS 169 |
Take my life, and let it be | TIS 599 |
What does the Lord require | TIS 6 18 |
When I survey the wondrous cross | TIS 342 |