53C – Sunday 21C

52C - Sunday 20C54C - Sunday 22C

See also my posts from 2013, 2016, 2019, 2022

 

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP (From Psalm 71:1-6)
Come into this sacred space to worship God.
O LORD, in you I trust; never let me be shamed.
In your way of putting things right,
snatch me up and bring me to safety;
turn your ear towards me, and save me.
Come into this sacred space to worship God.
Be to me a rock for dwelling in, 
        a secure place for retreating to, time and time again;
        a rock for my restoration, as you have appointed; 
        for you are my rock and my stronghold.
O LORD, rescue me from the hand of the wicked,
     and the hands of the unjust and the ruthless.
Come into this sacred space to worship God.
Indeed, you are my hope, O LORD God, my trust since my early years.
I have relied on you from the womb;
from my birth you have sustained me.
In you is my praise again, and again, and again.

OFFERING
Holy One,
through whose goodness
we have these gifts to share,
may the offerings
of our hearts and our hands
contribute to
your kingdom of grace
made real to us in the life of Jesus,
whom we choose to follow. Amen

For use in worship, with acknowledgement. © Jeff Shrowder 2000, 2013.


 

A CREATIVE MOMENT – Luke 13:10-17
This is a reading which lends itself to being dramatised. After the ‘reading’ have the actors also reflect on the parts they took and offer any new insights into this passage gained in being ‘in the story’.
Alternatively, deliver the lection as a play-reading, and have the congregation reflect on any new insghts gained in having the reading presented in this way.


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.)

Spirit of divine mystery,
reconciling bringer of wholeness,
rejoice with those who rejoice and give thanks today;
strengthen the weak and the lonely;
pour out your grace
on all who are bent over by grief;
those whom we name on our lips and in our hearts;
and those whose troubles are known only to you,
that they may drink your thirst-quenching peace …
(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 21C
All people that on earth do dwell, TIS 59
From all who dwell below the skies, TIS 72
The God of Abraham praise TIS 125
Father, whose everlasting love TIS 213
Fold to your heart your sister and your broth TIS 587
O day of God, draw nigh TIS 616
JEREMIAH 1:4-10
God of Jeremiah, grieving TIS 679
I, the Lord of sea and sky TIS 658
Master, speak, thy srevant heareth TIS 597
Loving Spirit, loving Spirit TIS 417
Thuma mina [Send me, Lord] TIS 749
PSALM 71:1-6
We praise, we worship thee, O God, TIS 98
Jesus the name high over all TIS 218
This, this is the God we adore TIS 220
Fill my whole life, O Lord my God TIS 596
From the rising of the sun TIS 143
In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge TIS 40
HEBREWS 12:18-29
A mighty fortress is our God TIS 103
Come we that love the Lord TIS 356
Join all the glorious names TIS 205
Praise waits for you in Zion, Lord TIS 35
Salvation now to us has come TIS 195
God himself is present, TIS 121
Glorious things of you are spoken TIS 446
Now in the name of him who sent TIS 488
Entered the holy place above TIS 374
Glory to God on high! TIS 221
Glory be to Jesus TIS 344
LUKE 13:10-17
Be thou my vision TIS 547
Dear Lord, for all in pain to you we pray TIS 612
Jesus Christ is waiting TIS 665
This is a day of new beginnings TIS 653
Where cross the crowded ways of life TIS 608

2 thoughts on “53C – Sunday 21C”

  1. In August 2008, the Presbytery of Port Phillip East commissioned me as part-time Pastor at Seaford Uniting Church. Though I had some experience in conducting worship in the course of 60 + years involvement in the Church, I was totally untrained in theology, ministry or pastoral care.

    By the grace of God, I concluded 5 years of ministry at Seaford last Sunday, when I was formally released from my commission. During this ministry I have been most grateful for your website, especially for the broad-ranging hymn suggestions in keeping with the Readings for the day.

    Thank you sincerely for your contribution to my ministry.

    1. Hi Bob,
      Thank you for your comments regarding the resources on The Billabong. It is always gratifying to hear how they’ve been helpful in excerising ministry.

      Blessings to you as you begin this new phase in life, free of the responsibilities of ministry.
      Jeff

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