13C - Epiphany 5C — 15C - Epiphany 7C
See also my post from 2019, 2022
PSALM 1
Happy is the person who does not follow the advice of the wicked
nor take the way of sinners,
nor sit amongst the scornful.
His or her delight is in the teaching of the LORD,
meditating on it day and night
Such a person is like a single tree,
planted in the midst of a vast irrigation system;
it bears fruit in its right time,
and its leaves never wither.
And their every endeavour is successful.
This is not how it is for the wicked;
rather, they are like chaff which the wind scatters.
And so, the wicked shall not stand in the judgement (place),
nor the sinners in the assembly of the godly;
for the LORD watches over the way of the godly person,
but the way of the wicked shall pass away.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (From Psalm 1)
Merciful God,
creator of all that is, seen and unseen,
our delight is in your word
and we have a deep sense of your presence
when we allow it to fill our lives night and day.
For the times when we listen to the advice
of those who rebel against you,
have mercy on us.
For those times when we can be found with those who scorn,
have mercy on us.
We experience your blessings
like a tree that is planted beside a never-failing stream
For those times when we do not bear the fruits of your abundance,
grant us peace.
Merciful God,
renew us by your nurture and blessing,
so that we may prosper in your ways.
Watch over us,
so that the ways of the wicked pass from us. Amen.
Psalm 1
The person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of the scoffers
is blessed;
such a person experiences delight in the teaching of the LORD,
musing on it, day and night.
He or she is like a single tree, planted in the midst of a vast irrigation system;
it bears fruit in its right time,
and its leaves never wither.
And his or her every endeavour is successful.
This is not how it is for the wicked;
rather, they are like chaff which the wind scatters.
And so, the wicked shall not stand in the judgement (place),
nor the sinners in the assembly of the godly;
for the LORD cares about the way of the godly person,
but the way of the wicked shall pass away.
REFLECTING ON PSALM 1
Meditating day and night on your instruction, O Lord
I find delight and a sense of completeness,
of satisfaction, after a meal with friends.
There is no joy in the shallow and momentary pleasures
of those who sneer at the misfortune of others,
or scoff and babble in idle chatter,
and disregard the lovingkindness of your ways, O LORD.
To sit under your word, O LORD,
is like being lifted out of the parched soil of my old life,
and replanted in rich soil beside everflowing streams of plentiful, cool water.
It seems that I continue to bear the abundant fruit of your presence
in my life,
and there is fresh growth within me
— like a tree which is always sprouting new leaves —
which rouses delight, even amazement, in others.
There were times when it was not so;
I felt disconnected, chaff-like, blown about by fickle winds.
But the persistent blowing of your Spirit, gracious LORD,
has brought me to new life
under your watching and caring,
within the great congregation of your faithful people.
A CREATIVE MOMENT – Luke 6:17-26
Symbols for the worship centre:
a small jug of oil, for healing; a loaf of bread, for the hungry and full; a bowl of salty water, for the tears; some coins, for the poor and the rich.
Place these symbols on a hessian cloth draped from the worship centre table onto the floor.
Looking for contemporary music and song resources?
Try David MacGregor’s Together to Celebrate
| HYMN SUGGESTIONS FOR EPIPHANY 6C | |
| At the dawning of salvation | TIS 392 |
| Come you people, come, adore him | TIS 101 |
| Come, God’s people, sing for joy | TIS 391 |
| Praise with joy the world’s Creator | TIS 179 |
| Safe in the shadow of the Lord | TIS 644 |
| The law of Christ alone can make us free | TIS 630 |
| The voice of God goes out to all the world | TIS 282 |
| We are your people, | TIS 468 |
| Jeremiah 17:5-10 | |
| All my hope on God is founded | TIS 560 |
| Blest are the pure in heart | TIS 448 |
| Make me a captive, Lord | TIS 604 |
| O day of God, draw near | TIS 616 |
| Psalm 1 | |
| Blessed are they whose way is blameless | TIS 75 |
| Happy are they who walk in God’s wise ways | TIS 1 |
| If we will trust in God to guide us | TIS 554 |
| 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 |
|
| Jesus! the name high over all | TIS 218 |
| Lift up your hearts unto the Lord | TIS 732 |
| We know that Christ is raised and dies no more | TIS 489 |
| Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord | TIS 390 |
| Hail the day that sees him rise | TIS 369 |
| Jesus, my Redeemer, lives | TIS 366 |
| Lift up your hearts unto the Lord | TIS 732 |
| This is the truth we hold | TIS 469 |
| We know that Christ is raised and dies no more | TIS 489 |
| Luke 6:17-26 | |
| All the sleepy should have a place to sleep | TIS 697 |
| Beauty for brokenness, hope for despair | TIS 690 |
| Blessed Jesus, at your word | TIS 437 |
| Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice | TIS 196 |
| Give thanks with a grateful heart | TIS 717 |
| If we will trust in God to guide us | TIS 554 |
| Not the powerful, not the privileged | TIS 288 |
| O Christ the healer, we have come | TIS 638 |
| O Jesus Christ, may grateful hymns be rising | TIS 620 |
| O bride of Christ, rejoice | TIS 336 |
| O changeless Christ, forever new | TIS 254 |
| Since the world was young | TIS 544 |