Year C - Proper 17 (28 Aug - 03 Sep)

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VERSION: 8 May 2002

SUNDAY BETWEEN 28 AUG AND 3 SEP (PROPER 17), YEAR C

In 2004: 13th Sunday after Pentecost, 29 Aug

In 2007: 14th Sunday after Pentecost, 2 Sep

In 2010: 14th Sunday after Pentecost, 29 Aug

In 2013: 15th Sunday after Pentecost, 1 Sep

In 2016: 15th Sunday after Pentecost, 28 Aug

- - -

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.

Through Jesus let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise -

the fruit of lips that confess his name. (Heb 13:15 NIV)

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

Keep, O Lord, your church

with your continual mercy;

and because without you

we in our frailty cannot but fall,

keep us always by your help

from all things hurtful,

and lead us to all things

profitable to our salvation;

through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR, modernised traditional

Watch over your church, Lord,

with your constant mercy,

because without your support

we would fall.

Keep us from what might hurt us,

and lead us to what is good for us.

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 offer ourselves to God. [silence])

Lord God, your Son humbled himself

in obedience to your will

and gave up his life for us.

Transform and renew us within.

Help us not to be conformed to this world,

but to dedicate ourselves to you,

and do what pleases 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 for humility. [silence])

Jesus, our self-giving Saviour,

teach us to be like you.

Make us humble

and ready to put the needs of others

before our own.

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

Jeremiah 2:4-13 God accuses Israel of turning away from him

Psalm 81:1,10-16

Antiphon:

O that my people would listen to me, and walk in my ways!

(Psalm 81:13 NRSV alt)

OR, 1b

Proverbs 25:6,7 The wisdom of humility

Psalm 112

Antiphon:

Happy are those who fear the Lord (, who greatly delight in his commandments). (Ps 112:1 NRSV)

SECOND READING

Hebrews 13:1-8,15,16 Obligations in community, home, and church

ALLELUIA VERSE (Isa 66:2b NRSV alt)

Alleluia, alleluia.

This is the one to whom I will look, says the Lord,

to the humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at my word.

Alleluia.

GOSPEL

Luke 14:1,7-14 Humility and hospitality

PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL

This is the gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Thank you, Lord Jesus,

for humbling yourself for our sake.

Help us to follow you in humility and service.

Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER

Merciful God,

help us to please you

by offering the true sacrifices

of doing good

and sharing what we have.

Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Call to prayer

Through Jesus, let us offer a sacrifice of prayer and praise to God with lips that confess his name.

The regular response, OR:

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Suggested intercessions

Concluding prayer

Lord of the banquet, remember all those for whom we pray, and gather us together around your table, here on earth and, in the resurrection of the righteous, with you in heaven; 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.

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 God,

as we have received the body and blood

of your Son Jesus Christ,

transform and renew us within.

Help us not to be conformed to this world,

but to dedicate ourselves to you,

and do what pleases 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, use the fourth prayer of the day (as listed above) at this point. It may be modified as follows.

Jesus, our Saviour,

you have given yourself to us

in this sacrament.

Teach us to be like you.

Make us humble

and ready to put the needs of others

before our own.

For you live and reign

with the Father and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Go in peace, and keep on loving one another.

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): Jeremiah 2:4-13

LHS

AT

TIS

First reading (b): Proverbs 25:6,7

LHS

AT

TIS

Second reading: Hebrews 13:1-8,15,16

Hymns of praise as well as the following:

LHS

AT

TIS

Gospel: Luke 14:1,7-14

As for first reading (b)

PSALM 81:1,10-16

For musical settings of Psalm 81:1,10-16, see Music Package 9.

PSALM 112

For musical settings of Psalm 112:1-9(10), see Music Packages 1 and 9. See also TIS 69 Praise the Lord.

Here is a metrical paraphrase of Psalm 112 by David Sch¸tz to be sung to the tune of 'O Father, my Father' (LHS 850, ATN 6). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

Sing praise to the Lord God! How happy are they

who honour the Lord and delight in his law.

Their children will prosper in all that they do,

and all their descendants will know the Lord's love.

Their homes will be filled with far more than they need.

Their goodness and mercy will always endure.

As light in the darkness, their justice will shine,

for they are the merciful, righteous and kind.

All things will go well for the ones who are free

in giving and lending, who deal honestly.

They shall not be troubled; the kind things they do

will not be forgotten; they shall not be moved.

When evil things happen, their hearts will not fear,

their faith is made firm and secure in the Lord.

Their trust is well founded; they won't be afraid;

they know they will conquer against all their foes.

The poor know their kindness; their justice will stand;

and they are exalted with honour and praise.

The wicked will view them with anger and rage,

but all of their evil will vanish away.

NOTES ON THE READINGS

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

JEREMIAH 2:4-13: Whoever wronged whom, that Israel even far back in its history forsook the Lord? This was the Lord who rescued them from Egyptian slavery to establish them in the land flowing with milk and honey! Even their priests and kings joined them in transferring loyalty to Baal. God could accuse them of treachery never even shown by the heathen towards their non-existent gods. Tragically there seemed to be no witness left but the heavens themselves to the people's shocking preference to dig their own personally polluted cisterns in rejection of the constant flowing living waters from the Lord.

PROVERBS 25:6,7: Arrogance is at any time unwarranted. It is more fitting to compare oneself with those who are wiser, greater or more accomplished than those we consider to be our inferior. An unsolicited elevation is infinitely preferable to one's pride having been set before a fall, where one is humiliated in the presence of the same 'inferior'.

HEBREWS 13:1-8,15,16: In this chapter the writer rounds off the letter with appeals directed towards fulfilling specific injunctions of Christ for worthy living. This is in keeping with the Lord's comforting promise never to leave nor forsake his disciples. His unchanging nature, yesterday, today and forever, provides double assurance. To Christ's own, true sacrifices consist of thanksgiving, confession of the truth and sharing in love with the needy.

LUKE 14:1,7-14: Jesus' hosts were watching him malevolently. This particular teaching was not simply to impart good social advice as in Proverbs 25:6,7. Luke tells us this was a parable. It therefore illustrates something significant about the kingdom of God. God does not have special regard for those who ambitiously place themselves in positions of importance. God rather humbles the proud and raises up the humble. Neither should invitations and favours be bestowed in the hope of personal gain as the outcome. God will reward whatever freehearted service is humbly given without expectation of gain, perhaps not now but most certainly in the resurrection.

VISUAL

VISUALS FOR THE READINGS

Pictures or visual symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings.

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 two readers: narrator (the pastor), and Jesus.

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 'Abraham's three visitors (Genesis 18:1-15)'. Material for this story may be found in

Original Edition, Year C, Semester 2, 14 Pentecost

OR

Revised RCL Edition, Year C, Semester 2, Proper 17.