VERSION: 20 March 2002
SUNDAY BETWEEN 16 AND 22 OCT (PROPER 24), YEAR C
In 2004: 20th Sunday after Pentecost, 17 Oct
In 2007: 21st Sunday after Pentecost, 21 Oct
In 2010: 21st Sunday after Pentecost, 17 Oct
In 2013: 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, 20 Oct
In 2016: 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, 16 Oct
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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 Lord says: I will forgive your iniquity,
and remember your sin no more. (Jer 31:34b alt)
OR
I have seen God face to face,
and yet my life is preserved. (Gen 32:30b 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
Lord, keep your family the church
in continual godliness,
that through your protection
it may be free from all evil,
and may devoutly serve you
in good works,
to the glory of your name;
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, keep your family faithful to you.
Protect us from all evil,
so that we may serve you
by doing good,
to the glory of your name.
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 approach God with confidence. [silence])
Almighty and merciful God,
the Lord of heaven and earth,
your Son has opened for us
a new and living way into your presence.
Give us pure hearts and a sure faith
to draw near to you as our Father,
and to ask you for whatever we need.
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 persistence in prayer. [silence])
Merciful Lord of heaven and earth,
teach us to come to you with confidence
in all our needs,
and rely on your help and protection.
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
Jeremiah 31:27-34 The Lord's new covenant
Psalm 119:97-104
Antiphon:
Your words are sweeter than honey to my mouth. (Psalm 119:103)
OR, 1b
Genesis 32:22-31 Jacob wrestles with God
(If using NRSV, put 'Jacob' instead of 'he' in v 22)
Psalm 121
Antiphon:
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
(Ps 121:2 NRSV)
SECOND READING
2 Timothy 3:14 - 4:5 Responsibilities of the pastor
ALLELUIA VERSE (Luke 18:7 NRSV alt)
Alleluia, alleluia.
God will grant justice to his chosen ones
who cry to him day and night.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL
Luke 18:1-8 Parable of the widow and the judge
(If using NRSV, put 'his disciples' instead of 'them' in v 1)
PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for encouraging us to pray.
Help us to persist in prayer,
knowing that God wants what is good for us.
Amen.
OFFERING PRAYER
Caring God,
help us joyfully and confidently
to place all we are and all we have
in your hands.
Use us and our possessions
according to your will.
Amen.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Call to prayer
Jesus encourages us never to give up praying. With faith in God, and in his justice, let us pray for the church, the world and all in need.
The regular response, OR:
Lord, in your justice and mercy,
hear our prayer.
Suggested intercessions
*
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for pastors of the church, that they may rightly use Scripture for the benefit of the church
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*
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for Bible study groups, and for those who make Bible reading a part of their personal and family life, that love for the Scriptures will grow
|
*
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for the legal professions, for judges, magistrates, and lawyers, that justice may be done in the courts of our land
|
*
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for all widows and widowers
|
*
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for those who have asked for our prayers
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Concluding prayer
Heavenly Father, hear our prayers for faith and for justice, in the name 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 merciful God,
through his body and blood
your Son has opened for us
a new and living way into your presence.
Give us pure hearts and a sure faith
to draw near to you as our Father,
and to ask you for whatever we need.
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. Continue in what you have learnt and firmly believed.
OR
Go in peace. Keep praying and don't become discouraged.
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 31:27-34
LHS
299
|
My God, accept my heart this day G5
|
358
|
Renew me, O eternal Light* G3
|
862
|
As we step from the edge of morning GS
|
AT
101
|
As we step from the edge of morning
|
TIS
428
|
Help us, O Lord, to learn
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430
|
Your words to me are life and health
|
485
|
My God, accept my heart this day
|
614
|
O God of love, whose heart is ever yearning
|
First reading (b): Genesis 32:22-31
LHS
146
|
Thee, O Jesus, I'll not leave G8
|
310
|
Out of the depths I cry to Thee* G9 (alt tune 404, G9)
|
404
|
Lord, as Thou wilt, deal Thou with me G9
|
AT
90
|
Father, bless us as we go
|
342
|
Jacob struggled for a blessing
|
TIS
781
|
Father, bless us as we go
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Second reading: 2 Timothy 3:14 - 4:5
LHS
193
|
Jesus, with Thy Church abide* G9 (alt tune 82, G5)
|
194
|
Thy hand, O God, has guided G3
|
221
|
Spread, O spread, thou mighty Word*
|
245
|
Lord of the Church, we humbly pray* G6
|
260
|
Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide* G3
|
261
|
How shall the young secure their hearts? G6
|
265
|
How blest are they who hear God's Word* G3
|
269
|
Speak forth Thy word, O Father G4
|
272
|
O Word of God incarnate G6
|
273
|
We have a sure, prophetic Word G7
|
373
|
Lord, speak to me, that I may speak* G5
|
824
|
Your Word, O Lord, is gentle dew G7
|
AT
TIS
415
|
Praise the Spirit in creation (vv 3,5,6)
|
425
|
Come, Spirit blest, our hearts inspire
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426
|
Spirit of truth, essential God
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431
|
Thanks to God whose word was spoken
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450
|
Spread, O spread, almighty word
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451
|
Pour out your Spirit from on high
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456
|
Your hand, O God, has guided
|
Gospel: Luke 18:1-8
LHS
16
|
Hail to the Lord's Anointed G6
|
390
|
Wait, my soul, with patience* G3
|
395
|
O for a faith that will not shrink* G7
|
409
|
Commit whatever grieves thee* G6
|
422
|
Great Shepherd of Thy people, hear* G6
|
425
|
Lord, teach us how to pray aright G6
|
426
|
What a friend we have in Jesus
|
AT
219
|
Then I will praise you
|
TIS
275
|
Hail to the Lord's anointed
|
282
|
The voice of God goes out to all the world
|
444
|
Dear Shepherd of your people, hear
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555
|
Put all your trust in God
|
590
|
What a friend we have in Jesus
|
621
|
O God of every nation
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PSALM 119:97-104
For a musical setting of Psalm 119:97-104, see Music Package 9.
PSALM 121
For musical settings of Psalm 121, see Music Packages 2 and 9. TIS 76, I to the hills will lift my eyes, and 77, Lifting my eyes up to the hills, are paraphrases of Psalm 121. Songs ATO 407 and LHS 868 are also based on this psalm.
NOTES ON THE READINGS
See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Notes on the readings', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.
JEREMIAH 31:27-34 : Although the Jews were in exile in Babylon (vv 27-30) for their repeated unfaithfulness, Jeremiah assures them that God's destructive work in punishment will not be permanent. God, who is essentially creator, will return his people to their homeland, Judah, and will build them up in prosperity once more. Individuals will bear their own punishment at that time rather than the whole nation. In the following verses (vv 31-34) we have one of the most remarkable prophecies in Scripture. The marriage-like relationship established by the Lord in the covenant made at Mount Sinai was broken time and time again. God, though, would make a new and better covenant with both Israel and Judah. He would write the 'law' of this covenant into their hearts in such a way that it would transform and keep them permanently both as 'knowing him' and known by him. In the gospel promises, the sin which separates us from God is cleansed. Through Christ the Spirit 'writes' the terms of this covenant through the faith which receives forgiveness and then serves in love.
GENESIS 32:22-31: Jacob at this time was returning to his homeland, afraid of the vengeance his brother Esau might exact on account of Jacob's tricking him out of the birthright so many years ago. The outward course of the physical wrestling match during the night expresses the inner spiritual encounter going on at the same time between Jacob and God. Despite Jacob's bad conscience, the man acceded to his demand for blessing, but left him with a permanent limp as a reminder of his obligations to the Lord because of that blessing. At the conclusion of the episode it becomes clear that Jacob persisted in his struggle with none less than the Lord. The 'man' departed before daylight lest Jacob see the face of the Lord and perish. Yet Jacob (now called Israel, meaning 'he strives with God') was certain he had seen God face to face in that gracious encounter.
2 TIMOTHY 3:14 - 4:5: Our Lord Jesus Christ still effects his miraculous work among people today. He sent out the apostles and the early church with the commission to preach and teach his word and to administer the sacraments. St Paul reminds the young pastor Timothy, and us, that the Scriptures are not mere human documents. He says they are 'inspired' (breathed into the writers) by God himself (v 16). That is why they are both needed and useful for people's salvation and growth in personal holiness. With a most solemn oath he urges Timothy not to make any apologies or to worry about the timing when proclaiming the word (4:2), but to persist with it to convince, rebuke and encourage. People often tend to prefer trendy and flattering preachers. Timothy should rather be ready to bear any suffering which accompanies proclaiming the truth.
LUKE 18:1-8: This teaching about persistence in prayer comes from our Lord in view of the tensions and distresses of the last times. He uses the comparison of a helpless widow up against a more powerful exploitative opponent to picture a Christian's dilemma. The judge to whom she appeals for help is cynically indifferent to what he sees as an insignificant problem. God is not cynical, but kind, compassionate, loving and sympathetic. So how much more will he be ready to hear and to answer the cries of his chosen ones when they 'pray without ceasing'.
VISUAL
VISUALS FOR THE READINGS
Pictures or visual symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings. For instance, the reading from Genesis could be illustrated by a picture like that in the TEV Bible for Genesis 32:24.
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 reading from Genesis could be read by three readers: narrator, the man, and Jacob.
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 'The parable of the widow and the judge (Luke 18:1-8a)', Material for this story may be found in:
Original Edition, Year C, Semester 2, 22 Pentecost
OR
Revised RCL Edition, Year C, Semester 2, Proper 24.
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