53C – Sunday 21C

52C - Sunday 20C — 54C - 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.

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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.

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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)

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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

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