Year A - Proper 04 (29 May - 04 June)

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VERSION: 8 May 2002

SUNDAY BETWEEN 29 MAY AND 4 JUNE

(if after Trinity) (PROPER 4), YEAR A

In 2002: 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, 2 June

In 2005: 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, 29 May

In 2008: 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, 1 June

In 2011: ---

In 2014: ---

- - -

Note: For explanations and suggestions on the various resources provided, see the documents 'General notes and resources' and 'Time after Pentecost' in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

LITURGY

SENTENCE

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for suggestions on using a Sentence.

Jesus taught them as one having authority,

and not as one of their scribes. (Matt 7:29 NRSV)

OR

Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

all you who wait for the Lord. (Ps 31:24 NRSV)

OR

I am not ashamed of the gospel;

it is the power of God for salvation

to everyone who has faith. (Rom 1:16 NRSV)

OR, use one of the general Sentences in the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)

Traditional

O God, the strength of all those

who put their trust in you:

Mercifully accept our prayers;

and because through the weakness of our mortal nature

we can do nothing good without you,

grant us the help of your grace,

that in keeping your commandments

we may please you both in will and deed;

through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR, modernised traditional

Lord God, the strength of all who trust in you,

we cannot do anything without you.

In mercy help us to obey your commandments

and to please you in our intentions

and in our actions.

We ask this through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR, new (revised alternative)

(Let us pray for perseverance in faith. [silence])

Almighty and everliving God,

increase our faith in your Son.

Teach us to forget what lies behind

and reach out for what is ahead,

and run to win the crown of eternal joy.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

FIRST READING AND PSALM

Note: There are two sets of first readings (with accompanying Psalms) given for the Sundays after Pentecost: (a) a new semi-continuous set, and (b) a set related thematically to the gospels (as in the earlier form of the lectionary). It is intended that either one of these two sets be used throughout and that they not be mixed.

1a

Genesis 6:9-22; 7:24; 8:14-19 Noah and the flood

(If using TEV, v 7:24 from NIV, 'The water flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days', provides a better link between the two parts of the reading)

Psalm 46

Antiphon:

The Lord of hosts is with us. (Ps 46:7a NRSV)

OR, 1b

Deuteronomy 11:18-21,26-28 Israel to choose: blessing or curse

(Begin: 'Moses said to the people of Israel:')

Psalm 31:1-5,19-24

Antiphon:

Lord, be a rock of refuge for me. (Ps 31:2b NRSV)

SECOND READING

Romans 1:16,17; 3:22b-28(29-31) Put right through the gospel

(After 1:16,17, resume at 3:22 with 'There is no . . . ')

ALLELIA VERSE (Matt 7:24 NRSV)

Alleluia, alleluia.

(Jesus said:) 'Everyone who hears these words of mine

and acts on them

will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.'

Alleluia.

GOSPEL

Matthew 7:21-29 The two house builders

(Begin: 'Jesus said:')

PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL

This is the gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Lord Jesus, thank you for showing us the Father's will.

Help us to be wise

and to build our lives on you.

Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER

Thank you, loving God,

for your message of forgiveness.

Teach us to live wisely,

trusting in you and your word,

and giving our lives in service

to you and other people.

Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Call to prayer

We have been put right with God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us pray to God our Father through Christ.

Response

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Suggested intercessions

Concluding prayer

Lord God, heavenly Father, in mercy hear our prayers, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

PREFACE

It is indeed right and good,

Lord God, holy Father,

that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks to you,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(On this day)*

he overcame death by his resurrection

and opened up for us

the way to eternal life with you.

And so, with angels and archangels,

and with all the company of heaven,

we adore and praise your glorious name:

* The words 'on this day' are used only on Sundays.

COMMUNION INVITATION

For a choice of communion invitations, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Communion invitation', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

See the service order for a standard post-communion prayer. Alternatively, use the third prayer of the day (as listed above) at this point. It may be modified as follows.

Almighty and everliving God,

as you have given us the gift

of the body and blood of your Son,

increase our faith in him.

Teach us to forget what lies behind

and reach out for what is ahead,

and run to win the crown of eternal joy.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. You have been put right with God by his grace.

Thanks be to God. OR In the name of Christ. Amen.

OR

Go in peace. Build on the firm rock of God's word.

Thanks be to God. OR In the name of Christ. Amen.

HYMNS AND SONGS

FOR THE READINGS

Please note:        * =        Modernised version available

      G3, G4 . . . =        Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .

      GS =        Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH

First reading (a): Genesis 6:9-22; 7:24; 8:14-19

LHS

AT

-

TIS

First reading (b): Deuteronomy 11:18-21, 26-28

LHS

AT

-

TIS

Second reading: Romans 1:16,17; 3:22b-28 (29-31)

LHS

AT

TIS

Gospel: Matthew 7:21-19

LHS

AT

-

TIS

SING TO JESUS

PSALM 46

For musical settings of Psalm 46, see Music packages 2, 3, 6, 9 and 10. TIS 28, God is our strength and refuge, is a paraphrase of the psalm.

The following songs and hymns have some basis in Psalm 46 - although none of them are actually paraphrases of the psalm itself.

LHS

AT

      As the reader speaks the verses of Psalm 46, the congregation may respond after every few verses with the singing of the first verse of 'Be still and know that I am God' (LHS 885, ATN 9).

      Most appropriate for an opening song.

TIS

The following paraphrase of Psalm 46, by David Sch¸tz, may be sung to the tune of 'A mighty fortress' (LH 195, TIS 103). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

God is our refuge and our strength

a present help in trouble.

And so we will not be afraid,

though all the earth may tremble.

      Though mountains may fall,

      though seas roar and foam,

      though all the earth quakes,

      still we are not afraid.

The Lord of hosts is with us!

A flowing river brings great joy

throughout God's holy city,

for God himself is always there,

and it will not be shaken.

      God's help comes at dawn,

      the nations will roar,

      the kingdoms will fall,

      his voice will melt the earth.

The Lord of hosts is with us!

O come and see the fearsome things

the Lord has made to happen.

He makes wars cease; he shatters shields;

he breaks the spears and arrows.

      'Now be still, and know

      that I am your God.

      Throughout all the earth,

      I am exalted high!'

The Lord of hosts is with us!

OR, the following paraphrase by David Sch¸tz, may be sung to the tune of 'Be still and know that I am God' (LHS 885, ATN 9). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

A mighty fortress is our God,

A mighty fortress is our God,

A mighty fortress is our God,

And so we will not be afraid;

and so we will not be afraid;

and so we will not be afraid.

The Lord of hosts is with us now,

The Lord of hosts is with us now,

The Lord of hosts is with us now.

He makes wars cease throughout the earth;

He makes wars cease throughout the earth;

He makes wars cease throughout the earth;'

'Be still, and know that I am God!'

'Be still, and know that I am God!'

'Be still, and know that I am God!'

PSALM 31:1-5,19-24

For musical settings of Psalm 31:1-5,19-24, see Music Package 10. TIS 19, By your saving power deliver me, is a version of Psalm 31:1-4,7.

The following paraphrase of Psalm 31:1-5 by David Sch¸tz is preferably sung to the tune Von Gott will ich (Erfurt), LH 400, or if that tune is too difficult, Von Gott will ich (Cr¸ger), LH 130. If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

In you, Lord, I seek refuge;

don't let me be ashamed.

In righteousness, Lord, save me,

incline your ear to me.

Come quickly to my help,

and be my rock of refuge,

a fortress to protect me,

for you're my rock and fort.

For your own name's sake, lead me

and guide me in your paths.

From hidden traps, Lord, free me,

for you are my defence.

Into your open hands,

Lord, I commit my spirit,

for you, in grace, redeemed me,

O Lord, my faithful God.

NOTES ON THE READINGS

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Notes on the readings', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

GENESIS 6:9-22; 7-24; 8:14-19: This reading points to the link between God's almighty creative (and destructive) power and his desire to have a relationship spiritually with his fallen foremost creature. This purposeful description presents to us the most universal and extreme expression of his judgment to occur between his pronunciation of the fall and the final consummation of all things. His closing of the ark's door, shutting out from rescue those who had rejected his repeated patient appeals through Noah, at the same time provided salvation for a remnant who would guarantee the future continuation of humanity. The faith of Noah in the word of God by way of obedience, morality and commitment to the directions he was given point us to the parallel monumental salvation which God bestows through Christ in all who trust his promises of redemption.

DEUTERONOMY 11:18-21,26-28: The people of Israel were to belong to God in the sense that he had chosen them as a special people. It was therefore unthinkable that their will to serve him as his own would not be strong and unshakeable. Accordingly his words were to have prime place in their lives, both inwardly and outwardly. Knowing the human propensity for divided loyalty, God put before them the blessings which accompany loving obedience, and the curses people bring on themselves when they choose to move outside his gracious sheltering covenant.

ROMANS 1:16-17; 3:22b-28(29-31): The gospel as a written and preached message has in itself power to save the sinner from eternal punishment. It works this salvation by the simple means of trusting faith. While all are sinners, yet all can receive eternal life as the free gift of God himself. It was for this very reason that God had his son assume the punishment of all people so that the blessings of an eternal loving relationship could be available simply through acceptance of what he offers. Therefore we are saved alone by our faith, which rests upon what God has accomplished in Christ.

MATTHEW 7:21-27: To 'hear my sayings and act upon them' means firstly accepting who Jesus says he is and what he came into this world to do. Believing in his salvation with all one's heart means also obeying his directions for one's heart. Because salvation is free in the first place, and because his sayings for our action are the will of God himself, we can build on no better foundation than this. No wonder those who refused to receive his way of salvation, but followed their own will instead, will ultimately hear the awesome words 'Depart from me you evil-doers'. Other foundation can no one lay.

VISUAL

VISUALS FOR THE READINGS

Pictures or visual symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings. For instance, the first reading (1a) from Genesis could be illustrated by a picture like the one in the TEV Bible for Genesis 7:8; 7:22; 8:11; and the first reading (Ib) from Deuteronomy by a picture in the TEV for Deuteronomy 11:19. The gospel could be illustrated by a drawing of two houses, one standing firm on rock, the other collapsing on sand, or by a picture like the one in the TEV for Psalm 46:2.

DRAMA

'MEGA DRAMA'

See a drama for the day in Mega Drama resources (Openbook Publishers), originally included in these worship resources when they were released on disks.

DRAMATISING THE READINGS

The readings can be read by more than one person to make the dramatic meaning of the text clearer. For instance, the first reading (1a) from Genesis could be read by two readers: narrator and God.

CHILDREN

TALKING WITH THE CHILDREN

If using reading Ia, tell the story of Noah and the flood, emphasising God's protection. Pictures of animals and the ark could be shown. (Norman Habel's 'Gloria' story, The Zoo in a Box (Openbook Publishers) could be useful.)

'COME AND SEE JESUS'

The Come and See Jesus curriculum published by Openbook Publishers has a wealth of material and ideas that may be adapted for use in worship. Please note that a new edition of this material is currently available for the Revised Common Lectionary.

This week's story is 'The wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27)'. Material for this story may be found in

Original Edition, Year A, Semester 2, 2 Pentecost

OR

Revised RCL Edition, Year A Semester 2, Proper 4.