VERSION: 8 May 2002
SUNDAY BETWEEN 17 AND 23 JULY (PROPER 11), YEAR C
In 2004: 7th Sunday after Pentecost, 18 July
In 2007: 8th Sunday after Pentecost, 22 July
In 2010: 8th Sunday after Pentecost, 18 July
In 2013: 9th Sunday after Pentecost, 21 July
In 2016: 9th Sunday after Pentecost, 17 July
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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.
The mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations
has now been revealed to the saints of God. (Col 1:26 NRSV alt)
OR, use one of the general Sentences in the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.
INTRODUCTION TO CONFESSION
This invitation may be used before the confession of sins:
Friends in Christ:
God was pleased to reconcile all things to himself
by making peace through the blood of Jesus' cross.
You were once alienated and enemies in your mind,
doing evil deeds;
but now he has reconciled you
by Christ's physical body through death,
so as to present you
holy and blameless and irreproachable before him.
Therefore . . .
Continue with the invitation to confession as in the order of service.
PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)
Traditional
Grant us, Lord,
the spirit to think and do always what is right,
so that we,
who cannot do anything that is good without you,
may by you be enabled to live according to your will;
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 raditional
Guide us, Lord,
to think and do always what is right.
Enable us, who cannot exist without you,
to live according to your will.
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 for the spread of the gospel. [silence])
Almighty and merciful God,
you have made your loving purpose known to us
through the good news of your salvation in Christ.
Make us faithful witnesses to the truth,
so that those who hear may believe
and be united with all the saints in glory.
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 gladly hear the words of Christ. [silence])
Thank you, Lord Jesus,
for coming from God
and reconciling us to him.
Teach us to listen to your words,
and treasure them more than anything else.
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
Amos 8:1-12 The basket of fruit; Israel's doom
Psalm 52
Antiphon:
I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. (Ps 52:8b NRSV)
OR, 1b
Genesis 18:1-10a A son promised to old Abraham and Sarah
Psalm 15
Antiphon:
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
(Matt 5:8 NRSV)
SECOND READING
Colossians 1:15-28 The supremacy of Christ; Paul a servant
(Begin: 'Christ is . . .')
ALLELUIA VERSE (Luke 10:42 NRSV)
Alleluia, alleluia.
(Jesus said:) 'Only one thing is needed.
Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'
Alleluia.
GOSPEL
Luke 10:38-42 Jesus visits Mary and Martha
PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Thank you, Lord Jesus,
for your words of comfort and help.
Keep us from being too busy to listen to you.
Amen.
OFFERING PRAYER
Great God,
you have rescued us and made us yours to serve you.
Help us willingly
to give of ourselves and all we have,
and use our gifts for your good purposes.
Amen.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Call to prayer
We are worried and distracted by our own needs and the needs of the world. Let us stop and turn to God, and place all our cares into his hands.
The regular response, OR:
Lord, we call to you for help;
in the morning, we pray to you.
Suggested intercessions
*
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for the church, the body of Christ
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*
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for those who are estranged and hostile towards Christ and his church, that they may be reconciled to God
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*
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For God's servants who have been commissed to make God's word known to the world
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*
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for students in Christian schools, Sunday schools, Bible study programs, and seminaries, that they may yearn to sit at Jesus' feet and learn from his word
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*
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for those who are distracted by the worries of this life from the things of God
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*
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for protection against the harmful effects of the mass media and advertising
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*
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for Christian families, that they spend time together in prayer and devotion
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*
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for all Christians, that we may learn to sit at Jesus' feet
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Concluding prayer
Lord, amid all our busyness, teach us to be still and to contemplate the wonderful things you have done for us, and always bring our concerns to you in prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, 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 merciful God,
you have made your loving presence known to us
in the sacrament of holy communion.
Make us faithful witnesses to the truth,
so that those who hear may believe
and be united with all the saints in glory.
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
You have sat at the feet of the Lord. Go in peace to serve him.
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): Amos 8:1-12
LHS
260
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Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide* G3
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824
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Your word, O Lord, is gentle dew G7
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AT
-
TIS
431
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Thanks to God, whose Word was spoken
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First reading (b): Genesis 18:1-10a
LHS
456
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The God of Abraham praise G7
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AT
403
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God of Abraham (esp vv 1,2)
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TIS
125
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The God of Abraham praise
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Second reading: Colossians 1:15-28
LHS
21
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Of the Father's love begotten G7
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39
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O Christ, Thou Lord eternal* G7
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45
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Hail, Thou source of every blessing* G4
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50
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Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle (alt tune A9, G9)
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65
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Lord Jesus, we give thanks to thee* G5
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176
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We come, O Christ, to Thee G9
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215
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Arise, O God, and shine* G9
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379
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Lord of creation, to Thee be all praise
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454
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Ye servants of God (see TIS 215 for revised words) G6
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790
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O Lord of light, who made the stars
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AT
157
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Jesus, name above all names
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TIS
165
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Praise our God, the great creator
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174
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Morning glory, starlit sky
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219
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Jesus comes, with all his grace
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255
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O Laughing Light, O first-born of creation
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290
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Of the Father's love begotten
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308
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To us a child of royal birth
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331
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Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle
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469
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This is the truth we hold
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528
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The Son of God proclaim
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565
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Author of faith, eternal word
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626
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Lord of creation, to you be all praise
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Gospel: Luke10:38-42
LHS
148
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Jesus, the very thought of Thee G6
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149
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Jesus, priceless treasure* G3
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153
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One thing needful: this one treasure G9
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259
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Speak, O Lord, Thy servant heareth* G7
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265
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How blest are they who hear God's word* G3
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587
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O happy home, where Thou art loved the dearest G7
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588
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O blest the house, whate'er befall* G6
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AT
67
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Let your words fill my days
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367
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My heart is fixed on you, Lord
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TIS
581
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Happy the home that welcomes you, Lord Jesus
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748
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There once was a man (v 3)
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PSALM 52
For musical settings of Psalm 52, see Music Package 9.
PSALM 15
For musical settings of Psalm 15, see Music Packages 1, 6 and 9. Another version may be found in TIS, no. 5, O Lord, who shall abide in your tabernacle.
The following paraphrase of Psalm 15 by David Sch¸tz (alt.) may be sung to the tune Anthes (LH 308). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.
Lord, who shall be admitted
into your holy tent?
And who may find a dwelling
upon your holy hill?
All those whose life is blameless,
the righteous and the just,
who never stoop to slander,
but speak with honest heart.
They keep from doing evil,
from doing harm to friends.
They close their ears to rumours
that harm their neighbours' name.
They show the greatest honour
to those who fear the Lord,
but in their eyes the evil
are held in no regard.
They always keep their promise,
no matter what the cost.
They lend their money freely
and will not take a bribe.
All these shall be admitted
and shall not be removed,
for they alone may enter
God's tent and know his love.
NOTES ON THE READINGS
See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Notes on the readings', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.
AMOS 8:1-12: The harvest basket pictures a nation ripening through its own inner moral deterioration to the inevitability of judgment. The sins which Amos enumerates and denounces all have to do with excessive covetousness and greed. The fashionable economic rationale produced rampant cheating. Slick, sharp and thriving business practice was seen as a laudable virtue. The poor were contemptuously regarded as helpless and therefore 'easy pickings'. The punishments which God would inflict would come with sudden devastation to the whole nation's viability. When they had lost the joy of their material possessions the people would wish instinctively to turn back to spiritual refreshment. However, having ignored it so long they would look for it in the wrong places and would find no satisfaction. Truly a word for our own times!
GENESIS 18:1-10a: The account reverberates with an intense fervour on Abraham's part to please his guests. The three men are identified later in the chapter. One is the Lord (Jahweh) (v 13), and two are angels (ch 19 v 1). This event occurs soon after God's detailed revelation to Abraham of the coming miraculous birth of a son to him and Sarah (ch 17). His meticulous attention to detail as he turns from task to task in the preparations suggests Abraham's awareness of the true identity of his guests and a possible covenantal aspect to the meal. The uncustomary enquiry after Sarah and announcement about her coming motherhood powerfully suggest the importance and nearness of the birth. The Lord's promise to return after a year (most translations) not only pinpoints expressly the time, but also indicates it will not come to pass of itself but by the Lord's own agency.
COLOSSIANS 1:15-28: Salvation is at stake when the gospel is set aside for an altered belief system. Paul therefore in this section directs the Colossian Christians back to the only true understanding on which saving faith can rest. He refers firstly to Christ's pre-eminence in the created order and his active role in the initial creation itself. This is the Christ whose blood has expunged the guilt of sin. He reminds them that their blamelessness before God came solely through this gospel message they had heard. On account of this message Paul had suffered, just as Christ suffered, for the sake of the church. The mystery of salvation in its glory is made known plainly to all, including the Gentiles, though it was previously hidden. This message alone empowers and continues spiritual growth and maturity.
LUKE 10:38-42: This incident teaches how our Lord evaluated the divine word. While Martha was properly and usefully engaged in her preparations, she allowed them to distract her. Mary had chosen to be occupied with the 'share' or 'portion' of Jesus' presence, which was really the primary need, namely to give attention to the word of God. The importance of this saying is emphasised by the 'Martha, Martha!', and the fact that Luke refers to Jesus twice as 'the Lord' (vv 39 and 44). We are surely taught that what we gain from similar eager searching will certainly generate spiritual life which will never be taken away from us.
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 from Amos could be illustrated with a picture like that in the TEV Bible for Amos 8:2; and the first reading from Genesis could be illustrated with a picture of Abraham by his tent.
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 from Genesis could be read by three readers: narrator, Abraham and the Lord; and the gospel could be read by three readers: narrator (the pastor), Jesus and Martha.
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 'Jesus visits Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42)'. Material for this story may be found in
Original Edition, Year C, Semester 2, 9 Pentecost
OR
Revised RCL Edition, Year C, Semester 2, Proper 11
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