51C - Sunday 19C — 53C - Sunday 21C
See also my posts from 2013, 2016, 2019, 2022
PSALM 80:1-2, 7-19
Shepherd of your flock, hear us;
you who are seated in majesty, let your glory shine.
When the time was ready you nurtured a new vine;
quickly it took root, it grew and spread.
It covered the land and crossed many rivers
even the sea could not stop it .
But now it is open to assault;
outsiders pick its fruit,
like wild animals the world tramples on it;
its fruitfulness and vigour are gone.
LORD God, sovereign of all that is, come close to us ;
see what has happened to your vine.
See how it perishes,
how it is being persecuted, even burned.
Protect your faithful one
the one whom you made strong for your service
Strengthen our desire to be faithful;
save us so that we may shout your praises.
O LORD, God of hosts, revive us;
and by your presence save us.
OFFERING
Gracious God,
we bring our gifts,
an offering of thanksgiving
for your creativity and generosity;
for your love shown to us in Jesus, our brother;
for your sustaining and surprising Spirit.
May these gifts and our living
reflect the compassionate life of Jesus. Amen.
A CREATIVE MOMENT – Luke 12:49-56
“Fire” and “baptism” are two words that leap from the page, and it struck me that these speak of Pentecost and of the baptism of which Jesus spoke, namely the cross. In the worship space set up either (a) a large, free-standing cross surrounded at its base by tall “flames” of cellophane or similar material, or (b) a fix a large poster of a cross to a wall and attach “flames” to its base. It’s true that the fire of the Spirit in people’s lives caused, and still causes, them to take up their cross daily. It also caused, and still causes, conflict and division in families. The image of the flames at the base of the cross also reminds us of those burned for their faith.
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.)
Holy source of all that is,
rejoice with those who rejoice and give thanks today;
draw near to those burdened with grief;
comfort those whose troubles are known only to you;
for the sake of the one whom we follow,
who lived that all might have life
in all its fullness …
(The Prayers of the People continue)
Looking for contemporary music and song resources?
Try David MacGregor’s Together to Celebrate
| HYMN SUGGESTIONS FOR SUNDAY 20C |
|
| A man there lived in Galilee | TIS 235 |
| Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side; | TIS 123 |
| For all the saints | TIS 455 |
| God has spoken by his prophets | TIS 158 |
| I danced in the morning when the world was be | TIS 242 |
| This, this is the God we adore | TIS 220 |
| ISAIAH 5:1-7 |
|
| Awake, my soul, and with the sun | TIS 557 |
| Father, we give you thanks, who planted | TIS 495 |
| O God of every nation | TIS 621 |
| PSALM 80:1-2, 8-19 |
|
| I will call upon the Lord | TIS 635 |
| My heart is full of Christ, and longs | TIS 214 |
| O come! O come, Emmanuel | TIS 265 |
| O shepherd of Israel, hear us | TIS 42 |
| HEBREWS 11:29-12:2 |
|
| At the dawning of salvation | TIS 392 |
| Author of faith, eternal word | TIS 565 |
| Blessed be the everlasting God, | TIS 114 |
| Give me the wings of faith to rise | TIS 438 |
| How firm a foundation, you people of God | TIS 578 |
| I bind unto myself this day | TIS 478 |
| I want to walk as a child of the light | TIS 643 |
| Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us | TIS 580 |
| Now we come, our heavenly Father | TIS 462 |
| O come! O come, Emmanuel | TIS 265 |
| Rejoice in God’s saints, today and all days | TIS 470 |
| With joy we meditate the grace | TIS 206 |
| LUKE 12:49-56 |
|
| Christ is alive! Let Christians sing | TIS 387 |
| Christ, when for us you were baptised | TIS 250 |
| Forgive our sins as we forgive | TIS 635 |
| Hark! a herald voice is calling | TIS 264 |
| Lord, keep us steadfast in your word | TIS 436 |