Year B - Proper 12 (24 July - 30 July)

Top Previous Next

VERSION: 27 March 2002

SUNDAY BETWEEN 24 AND 30 JULY (PROPER 12), YEAR B

In 2003: 7th Sunday after Pentecost, 27 July

In 2006: 8th Sunday after Pentecost, 30 July

In 2009: 8th Sunday after Pentecost, 26 July

In 2012: 9th Sunday after Pentecost, 29 July

In 2015: 9th Sunday after Pentecost, 26 July

- - -

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.

Let us fall on our knees before the Father,

from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its true name. (based on Eph 3:14 TEV)

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

Let your merciful ears, O Lord,

be open to the prayers of your humble servants;

and make them ask for whatever pleases you,

so that you may grant what they desire;

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

Listen in mercy to our prayers, Lord.

Lead us to ask for whatever pleases you,

so that you may grant what we desire.

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, alternative

(Let us pray that we may find peace in knowing God. [silence])

Almighty and merciful God,

you have made us for yourself,

and our hearts are restless

until they find their rest in you.

Teach us to seek you

and to rely on you in all our needs,

so that our deepest desires may be satisfied,

and we may finally see you face to face.

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

(Let us pray for trust in God's care. [silence])

Eternal God,

we thank you that you make all things

work together for good

to those who love you.

Help us cheerfully trust in you,

knowing that your generous hands give us food

and your watchful eyes keep us safe.

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.

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

2 Samuel 11:1-15 David and Bathsheba

Psalm 14

Antiphon:

The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind. (Ps 14:2a NRSV)

OR, 1b

2 Kings 4:42-44 Elisha feeds 100 men

Psalm 145:10-18

Antiphon:

The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. (Ps 145:15 NRSV)

SECOND READING

Ephesians 3:14-21 The love of Christ

ALLELUIA VERSE (John 6:14 NRSV)

Alleluia, alleluia.

This is indeed the prophet

who is to come into the world.

Alleluia.

GOSPEL

John 6:1-21 Jesus feeds 5000 people, and walks on the water

PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL

This is the gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Lord Jesus, thank you for so generously

caring for your people.

Strengthen our faith in you.

Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER

Thank you, merciful God,

for the great love you have shown us in Christ.

Draw us more and more into his love,

and help us reflect his love

by our care and concern for other people.

Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Call to prayer

The Lord is a compassionate God who provides for his people. So let us pray to our Father in all confidence, knowing that he will hear our prayer.

The regular response, OR:

O God of all glory,

hear our prayer.

Suggested intercessions

Concluding prayer

Loving God, as you provided for your people in ancient times according to your mercy and compassion through Elisha and for all people through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, hear our prayer this day, and continue your great work in the world. We pray through 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.

OR, the following invitation may be used:

Jesus said: 'I am the bread of life.

Whoever comes to me will never be hungry,

and whover believes in me will never be thirsty.'

(Thanks be to God.)

Come, everything is ready.

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 merciful God,

you have made us for yourself,

and our hearts are restless

until they find their rest in you.

Teach us to seek you

where you may be found,

especially in your word and sacraments.

May we rely on you in all our needs,

so that our deepest desires may be satisfied,

and we may finally see you face to face.

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.

DISMISSAL

Go in peace, with the power of Christ's love.

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): 2 Samuel 11:1-15

-

First reading (b): 2 Kings 4:42-44

-

Second reading: Ephesians 3:14-21

LHS

AT

TIS

Gospel: John 6:1-21

LHS

AT

TIS

'I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE'

The song 'I am the bread of life' is particularly suitable for the gospel. If possible, use the version in Together in Song (no. 535) because it has been put in inclusive language.

'EAT THIS BREAD'

See All Together Everybody no. 270 (TIS 714) for the Taize ostinato response: 'Eat this bread'. This response and the verses to be sung with it may be sung by a small choir during communion, and taught to the congregation over the weeks that John 6 is read.

IONA SONG

The following song from Iona is suitable for singing today:

From Volume 1: Heaven shall not wait

God's table        page 92

PSALM 14

For musical settings of Psalm 14, see Music Packages 6 and 9..

PSALM 145:10-18

For musical settings of Psalm 145:10-18, see Music Package 6.

The following paraphrase of Psalm 145:10-18 by David Sch¸tz may be sung to the tune St Cecilia (LH 416) or Quam dilecta (LH 503). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

The whole world shall be told;

your kingdom be made known.

Your glory and your power,

from age to age endures.

You're faithful in your words,

and gracious in your deeds.

You lift up those who fall,

and hold up those weighed down.

All eyes shall look to you,

and you will give them food,

you open up your hand,

and satisfy our needs.

Lord, you are just and kind,

and near to all who call.

your works give thanks to you,

your faithful bless your name.

NOTES ON THE READINGS

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

2 KINGS 4:42-44: Normally the first fruits of people's harvests would be delivered to the priest at God's holy place, as directed by the law of Moses. However, Elisha accepted this particular offering as an offering to the Lord and directed its use for the school of prophets which followed him. God's blessing on it demonstrates the commonly taught truth of Scripture that with God's blessing a little proves quite sufficient for many.

EPHESIANS 3:14-21: Paul's most fervent prayers were for the spiritual growth of his hearers. This takes place by the power of God's Spirit as Christ comes to live in the Christian by implanting faith and love. To grasp the fullness of the love of Christ and of God transcends human knowledge. Because God can accomplish that in us, we give him glory.

JOHN 6:1-21: St John describes this miracle as a sign (v 14). It was commonly expected that when the Messiah came he would repeat God's miracle of the manna in the wilderness under the leadership of Moses. Hence the desire to make Jesus a king. The people saw him as a physical provider, which erroneous expectation Jesus answered by withdrawal. Indeed he was the Messiah, but of a spiritual kingdom to furnish different nourishment. His miracles showed him infinitely greater than the prophets (compare today's first reading). The sign of walking on the stormy water also demonstrates that the things over which only the Father has control also fall under Christ's own messianic province.

VISUAL

VISUALS FOR THE READINGS

Pictures or visual symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings. For instance, the gospel could be accompanied by a picture like the illustration in the TEV Bible for Luke 9:17 and/or Mark 6:49.

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, reading 1a from 2 Samuel could be read by three readers: narrator, David, Uriah; reading 1b from 2 Kings could be read by three readers: narrator, Elisha, servant; and the gospel by five readers: narrator (the pastor), Jesus, Philip, Andrew, one of the people.

CHILDREN

CHILDREN AND THE GOSPEL

Children could be involved in making/displaying one or both of the suggested illustrations for the gospel (see above under 'Visuals for the readings').

Older children could take a part in the dramatised reading of the gospel.

'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 now available for the Revised Common Lectionary.

This week's story is 'Jesus feeds five thousand'. Material for this story may be found in

Original Edition, Series B, Semester 2 (Pentecost 10)

OR

Revised RCL Edition, Series B, Semester 2 (Proper 12)