Year B - Proper 23 (09 Oct - 15 Oct)

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VERSION: 8 May 2002

SUNDAY BETWEEN 9 AND 15 OCT (PROPER 23), YEAR B

In 2003: 18th Sunday after Pentecost, 12 Oct

In 2006: 19th Sunday after Pentecost, 15 Oct

In 2009: 19th Sunday after Pentecost, 11 Oct

In 2012: 20th Sunday after Pentecost, 14 Oct

In 2015: 20th Sunday after Pentecost, 11 Oct

- - -

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.

Seek good and not evil, that you may live;

and so that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you.

(Amos 5:14 NRSV)

OR

The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword;

it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

(Heb 4:12 NRSV)

OR

Let us approach the throne of grace with boldness,

so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:16 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

Merciful Lord,

grant to your faithful people

pardon and peace,

that they may be cleansed from all their sins

and serve you with a quiet mind;

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

Merciful Lord,

give pardon and peace to your faithful people.

Cleanse us from all our sins,

so that we may serve you with minds set at rest.

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 depend on God. [silence])

Lord, you have called us to open our hands

so that you might fill them.

Open not only our hands,

but our hearts also,

so that we recognise your goodness,

count all things loss in comparison with you,

and desire to be made like you.

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 that we do not trust in riches, but follow Jesus. [silence])

Our Saviour Jesus,

it is through you that we come to God.

Do not let us be drawn away from you

by the glitter of wealth

or the burdens of daily concerns,

but make us ready to leave everything

and boldly follow you.

For you live and reign

with the Father 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

Job 23:1-9,16,17 Job's complaint against God

(If using TEV, begin 'Job said:')

Psalm 22:1-15

Antiphon:

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Ps 22:1a NRSV)

OR, 1b

Amos 5:6,7,10-15 Hate evil, love good, maintain justice

Psalm 90:12-17

Antiphon:

Teach us to number our days (, that we may gain a heart of wisdom). (Ps 90:12 NKJV)

SECOND READING

Hebrews 4:12-16 Jesus our high priest is merciful

ALLELUIA VERSE (Mark 10:29,30 NIV alt)

Alleluia, alleluia.

(Jesus said:) 'No one who has left everything for me and the gospel

will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age

and in the age to come, eternal life'.

Alleluia.

GOSPEL

Mark 10:17-31 The rich man goes away sad

(If using NRSV, begin: 'As Jesus was setting out . . . ')

PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL

This is the gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Thank you, Lord Jesus,

for calling us to be your followers.

Help us to put you first in our lives.

Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER

Almighty God,

we thank you that you sent your Son Jesus

to be our high priest to lead us to you.

Let us always approach you with confidence,

seeking mercy and help in times of need.

And lead us faithfully to follow Jesus,

serving him and our fellow human beings.

Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Call to prayer

The Lord said to the Israelites through the prophet Amos, 'Seek the Lord and live.' God saw that they could not come to him by themselves and sent his only Son as our high priest who is a mediator between the Father and his people. Let us pray to the Father, in the precious name of Jesus Christ.

The regular response, OR:

O merciful God,

hear our prayer.

Suggested intercessions

Concluding prayer

Loving God, as we look about us we see that you have provided so much that we can live comfortable lives as your people. But Lord, hear our prayer and help us not to focus on what we have but on giving your gifts of charity to a world that hungers and thirsts for the gospel. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, our great high priest, 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.

Lord, in this sacrament

you have placed into our open hands

the body and blood of Christ.

Open not only our hands,

but our hearts also,

so that we recognise your goodness,

count all things loss in comparison with you,

and desire to be made like you.

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. Hold firmly to the faith you profess.

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): Job 23:1-9,16,17

LHS

-

AT

TIS

-

First reading (b): Amos 5:6,7,10-15

LHS

AT

TIS

Second reading: Hebrews 4:12-16

LHS

AT

TIS

Gospel: Mark 10:17-31

LHS

AT

TIS

PSALM 22:1-15

For musical settings of Psalm 22:1-15, see Music Packages 2, 5, 6 and 8.

The following paraphrase of Psalm 22:1-15 by David Sch¸tz (altered) is sung to the tune Herzliebster Jesus (O dearest Jesus) (LH 55, ATO 347; note that the setting of TIS 337 is probably not as suitable for most congregations). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

verses1-2

My God, my God, why, why am I forsaken?

Why don't you help me? Why will you not listen?

My God, by day I cry, but you don't answer,

night brings no sleeping.

verses 3-5

Yet you are holy, 'throned on Israel's praises.

In you our fathers trusted, and you saved them.

To you they cried, you were the one who saved them.

You did not shame them.

verses 6-8

But I'm a worm, despised, no longer human;

scorned by the people, mocked by those who see me.

They sneer and tell me: 'Trust in God to save you -

if you have pleased him.'

verses 9-11a

Yet it was you who from the womb first brought me;

and since my birth, I clung to you for safety.

You've been my God, Lord, since my mother bore me:

Don't be far from me!

verses 11b-14a

Trouble is near, and there is none to help me.

Like bulls, my foes all circle and surround me.

They bare their teeth and roar at me like lions -

my strength is failing!

verses 14b-15

Like water poured out, and like wax that's melting,

my heart is breaking; all my bones disjointed,

my mouth is dry, my tongue is thick and swollen -

in death you lay me.

PSALM 90:12-17

For musical settings of Psalm 90:12-17, see Music Packages 3 and 6.

The following paraphrase of Psalm 90:1-2a,12-17 by David Sch¸tz may be sung to any well-known 8.7.8.7 D tune, such as Hyfrydol LH 349, Friend LH 426, or Austria LH 458. The second verse of this hymn begins with verse 13 of the psalm. If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

Lord, throughout all generations,

you have been our dwelling-place,

long before the birth of mountains,

long before the world was made.

Yet before your mighty anger,

should we not all be afraid?

So that we might have true wisdom,

teach us how to count our days.

Turn, O Lord, and have compassion!

How long will your people wait?

Fill our hunger in the morning

with your steadfast love and grace,

so that we may rise rejoicing

and be glad through all our days.

For as long as we have suffered,

give us joy and happiness.

Let the work of your salvation

be made plain in human sight;

show your people and their children

the great splendour of your might.

Let your blessing and your favour

be on us, O Lord our God:

bless our passing small achievements

with your everlasting word.

NOTES ON THE READINGS

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

AMOS 5:6,7,10-15: From the time of Moses, Israel was a theocratic society, which meant that God's commands were to rule not only in religious life but also throughout the wider fabric of the community. Amos is expressing God's abhorrence at the way justice and righteousness were flouted by those exercising power in the gate. Lawless and oppressive practice stemmed from this very place where laws were made and supposedly upheld by just court hearings. There was one system for the rich, who grew richer; and there was a different and bitter experience for the poor and uninfluential whose rights and livelihood were trampled upon. God's fiery punishment surely must consume such a society! To live with continued favour from God, genuine repentance and a change of heart is necessary.

HEBREWS 4:12-16: The word of God is a living, powerful and active thing. God himself is active in it. It therefore has the power either to condemn or to save. It lays bare all guilt and is the standard by which all finally must give account. How encouraging, then, it is that we have a high priest such as Jesus.  In the Old Testament God's people needed a high priest who could draw near on their behalf to seek God's mercy. Jesus, our high priest, is both fully human and fully God. Being human, he can understand our weakness and temptations and help us. Being God, without sin, he can grant full forgiveness when we as New Testament priests draw confidently near his throne to seek it.

MARK 10:17-31: The rich young man, being steeped in self-righteousness, thought it possible to find and follow a formula to 'inherit' eternal life. He was blind to the fact that 'do' and 'inherit' are in this sense contradictory. Jesus' testing comment challenged him right at the centre of the sin that possessed him, which he could never admit, namely his own greed (vv 23-27). The last section of the reading shows that if people consider their sacrifices for the kingdom will merit a reward, they will be declared 'the last'. If believers simply follow faithfully in eager obedience regardless of their sacrifices, they will be declared 'the first'.

DRAMA

Note: See a drama for the day in the Drama folder.

READINGS

The readings can be read by more than one person to make the dramatic meaning of the text clearer. For instance, the gospel could be read by 5 readers: narrator (the pastor), the rich man, Jesus, a disciple, Peter.

VISUAL

VISUALS FOR THE READINGS

Pictures or visual symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings. For instance, reading 1a from Job could be accompaniedby a picture like the illustration in the TEV Bible for verse 15, and the second reading by a symbol of a two-edged sword.

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 gospel could be read by five readers: narrator (the pastor), the rich man, Jesus, a disciple, Peter.

CHILDREN

'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

EITHER

'The rich young man', Original Edition, Series B, Semester 2 (21 Pentecost)

OR

'Jesus and a rich man', Revised RCL Edition, Series B, Semester 2 (Proper 23)