Lord of the boundless curves of space (StF 111)

Lord of the boundless curves of space (StF 111)

Lord of the boundless curves of space (StF 111)

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Sunday 6 August, 201718th Sunday in Ordinary Time What hymns have you chosen for today, and why? Do you have a comment about the suggestions here? Just click on “see details/comment” below and respond using the box at the bottom of the new page Readings are laid out as for the continuous form of the lectionary. Alternative related readings (OT and psalm only) are below. Hymns marked with an asterisk (*) are suggested for more than one reading. Genesis 32: 22-31 Come, O thou Traveller unknown (StF 461) Let love be real, in giving and receiving (StF 615) My God! I know, I feel thee mine (StF 390) O love that wilt not let me go (StF 636) When we are tested and wrestle alone (StF 240) When we were in the darkest night (StF 241) Psalm 17: 1-7, 15 Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme Away with our fears! (StF 458) Merciful Lord, in your loving kindness hear our prayer (StF 761) Son of God, if your free grace (StF 336) Safe in the shadow of the Lord (StF 509) There is no moment of my life (StF 482) Romans 9: 1-5 All my hope on God is founded (StF 455) Father God, I wonder how I managed to exist (StF 72) Father, we have sinned in word, and deed, and thought (StF 422) ‘Forgive our sins as we forgive’ (StF 423) God, how can we forgive when bonds of love are torn? (StF 613) There’s a wideness in God’s mercy (StF 416) Matthew 14: 13-21 A rich young man came seeking (StF 243) Be still, for the presence of the Lord (StF 20) Come, let us sing of a wonderful love (StF 443) Eat this bread, drink this cup (StF 583) *Faithful One, so unchanging (StF 628) Jesus the Lord said: 'I am the Bread' (StF 252) Longing for light, we wait in darkness (StF 706) Seek ye first the kingdom of God (StF 254) The kingdom of God is justice and joy (StF 255) We have nothing to give that didn't first come from your hand (StF 670) When I needed a neighbour, were you there? (StF 256) Alternative related readings: Isaiah 55: 1-5 As the deer pants for the water (StF 544) Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart (StF 545) esp. v4 Bread of Life, Truth Eternal (StF 578) *Faithful One, so unchanging (StF 628) From the breaking of the dawn (StF 156) O God, what offering shall I give (StF 562) The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases (StF 66) Psalm 145: 8-9, 14-21 Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme All creatures of our God and King (StF 99) God is love: let heaven adore him (StF 103) I sing the almighty power of God (StF 107) Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! (StF 88) Sing to the great Jehovah’s praise (StF127) The Revd Phillip Poyner writes: The reading from Matthew begins: “Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a lonely place apart.” It is not surprising that Jesus would want to be on his own to reflect, having just heard of the execution of John the Baptist. The crowds follow and Mark 6: 34 adds “he had compassion on them , because they were like sheep without a shepherd”. Had they not also lost a shepherd with John’s death? Reflection leads to compassion, producing healings and the feeding of the people. Reflection yields sorrowful thoughts and unceasing anguish for Paul as he thinks compassionately of the people. The Psalm is attributed to David and speaks of the Lord being “gracious, full of compassion”. That compassion is to be seen in the Servant of Isaiah 55. George A.F. Knight in his commentary, Isaiah 40-55: Servant Theology, writes that: “the outcome of God’s purpose in the Servant is at last revealed...the redemption not only of Israel herself but of all”. In verse 3 God’s steadfast love to David is promised to all people. As is often the case, the continous readings have echoes of the themes in the related readings. Genesis 32 could be extended back to verse 3 revealing two actions by Jacob. His fear of his brother leads to the decision to divide his flocks and in v.20 to exhibit generosity and make a present of animals to Esau. Then in vv.9-12 Jacob prays: “I am not worthy of the least of all the steadfast love and all thefaithfulness which thou hast shown to thy servant.” These actions by the more reflective, vulnerable Jacob, with a greater perception of his personal standing , perhaps find their response in the wrestling with the man that night. That encounter with God produces the blessing of a new status as Israel and the preservation of his life. Psalm 17, also attributed to David speaks both of God’s loving kindness (v.7) and proclaims God as “Saviour of those who take refuge . . . from those who rise up against them”.

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Sunday 13 August, 201719th Sunday in Ordinary Time What hymns have you chosen for today, and why? Do you have a comment about the suggestions here? Just click on “see details/comment” below and respond using the box at the bottom of the new page Readings are laid out as for the continuous form of the lectionary. Alternative related readings (OT and psalm only) are below. Hymns marked with an asterisk (*) are suggested for more than one reading. Genesis 37: 1-4, 12-28 As we gather, Father, seal us (StF 570) Best of all is God is with us (StF 610) Christ is the world's light, Christ and none other (StF 346) For the healing of the nations (StF 696) God, how can we forgive (StF 613) Here hangs a man discarded (StF 273) esp. v5 This week’s compiler the Revd Phillip Poyner, comments: “The story of Joseph has so much to teach about human relationships that it warrants attention either this Sunday or next week. “ Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme New every morning is the love (StF 137) Now thank we all our God (StF 81) When all your mercies, O my God, my rising soul surveys (StF 97) The God who sings a new world into being (StF 714) Romans 10: 5-15 All hail the power of Jesu's name (StF 342) He is Lord, he is Lord (StF 348) Jesus Christ is the Lord of all (StF 352) *Jesus is Lord! Creation's voice proclaims it (StF 353) Jesus shall take the highest honour (StF 356) When I was lost, you came and rescued me (StF 367) Matthew 14: 22-33 Calm me Lord, as you calmed the storm (StF 624) Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (StF 626) From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea (StF 48) God moves in a mysterious way (StF 104) God of my faith, I offer you my doubt (StF 629) I lift my eyes up to the mountains (StF 631) Jesus calls us! O'er the tumult (StF 250) *Jesus is Lord! Creation's voice proclaims it (StF 353) Lord of creation, to you be all praise! (StF 449) We sing of your glory (StF 96) Alternative related readings: 1 Kings 19: 9-18 All my hope on God is founded (StF 455) Author of faith, eternal Word (StF 457) Dear Lord and Father of mankind (StF 495) God it was who said to Abraham (StF 464) There is no moment of my life (StF 482) Psalm 85: 8-13 Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise (StF 50) Sing of the Lord’s goodness, Father of all wisdom (StF 65) Speak in the stillness, God we pray (StF 511) Speak, O Lord, as we come to You (StF 161)

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Sunday 20 August, 201720th Sunday in Ordinary Time What hymns have you chosen for today, and why? Do you have a comment about the suggestions here? Just click on “see details/comment” below and respond using the box at the bottom of the new page Readings are laid out as for the continuous form of the lectionary. Alternative related readings (OT and psalm only) are below. Hymns marked with an asterisk (*) are suggested for more than one reading. Genesis 45: 1-15 As we gather, Father, seal us (StF 570) Brother, sister, let me serve you (StF 611) God! When human bonds are broken (StF 649) Jesus, Lord, we look to thee (StF 686) Let us build a house where love can dwell (StF 409) Lord, we come to ask your healing (StF 652) O Holy Spirit, Lord of grace (StF 392) Psalm 133 Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme All praise to our redeeming Lord (StF 608) Thanks for friends who keep on loving (StF 619) Thou God of truth and love (StF 620) Romans 11: 1-2a, 29-32 Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty! (StF 11) I'm accepted, I'm forgiven (StF 427) Kyrie eleison (Lord have mercy) (StF 750) (Ukranian Russian Orthodox ver.) Kyrie eleison (Lord have mercy) (StF 751) Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world (StF 790) There's a wideness in God’s mercy (StF 416) You showed us mercy when we were in darkness (StF 488) Matthew 15: (10-20) 21-28 Amazing grace - how sweet the sound (StF 440) Empty, broken, here I stand, Kyrie eleison (StF 421) Father, whose everlasting love (StF 320) He came to earth, not to be served (StF 445) In Christ there is no east or west (StF 685) Lord, you have my heart (StF 559) My heart is full of Christ (StF 506) My song is love unknown (StF 277) We do not presume to come to this table (StF 601) (Communion hymn) We have a gospel to proclaim (StF 418) Alternative related readings: Isaiah 56: 1, 6-8 Great is our redeeming Lord (StF 683) *It is God who holds the nations in the hollow of his hand (StF 705) Show me how to stand for justice (StF 713) The kingdom of God is justice and joy (StF 255) Psalm 67 Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme *It is God who holds the nations in the hollow of his hand (StF 705) Lord of life, we come to you (StF 651) May the road rise up to meet you (StF 772) May the Sending One sing in you (StF 472) We come from the mountains, the valleys and plains (StF 417) The Revd Phillip Poyner writes: Jesus faces increasing persecution and leaves Galilee for the region of Tyre and Sidon. There he finds affirmation of his ministry from a Canaanite. How Jesus’ heart must have been lifted by that! Some commentators have suggested that even Jesus at this time was not fully aware that he had a mission beyond the Jews. Compare this with readings from Isaiah 56 and Psalm 67 which both suggest the beginnings of an understanding within the Old Testament that God’s love was for all nations. In the Genesis passage Joseph in a strange way pre-figures Christ. He was badly treated by his brothers, and has to go to another country. When his brothers come, he tests them, as Jesus did the Canaanite woman. Then, like Jacob, Jesus’ love overflows. In both continuous and related readings from Romans, Paul speaks of his mission to the Gentiles. He explains how he became convinced that it would be the Gentiles who would lead the Jews to faith, as the faith of the Canaanite woman was to inspire the disciples, the gospel-writer Matthew and the Jews for whom he wrote his gospel.

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Sunday 27 August, 201721st Sunday in Ordinary Time What hymns have you chosen for today, and why? Do you have a comment about the suggestions here? Just click on “see details/comment” below and respond using the box at the bottom of the new page Readings are laid out as for the continuous form of the lectionary. Alternative related readings (OT and psalm only) are below. Hymns marked with an asterisk (*) are suggested for more than one reading. Exodus 1: 8-2: 10 Deep in the shadows of the past (StF 463) In the darkness of the still night (StF 109) Sing for God's glory that colours the dawn of creation (StF 116) You showed us mercy when we were in darkness (StF 488) Psalm 124: 1-8 Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme *Faithful One, so unchanging (StF 628) Through all the changing scenes of life (StF 638) Romans 12: 1-8 Beyond these walls of worship (StF 547) Community of Christ, who make the Cross your own (StF 681) Giving it all to you (StF 551) Here am I, Lord (StF 552) Holy Spirit, gift bestower (StF 383) One is the body and one is the Head (StF 688) Spirit of the living God (StF 395) Summoned by the God who made us rich in our diversity (StF 689) What shall our greeting be: sign or our unity? (StF 691) Matthew 16: 13-20 Glorious things of thee are spoken (StF 748) *Great is our redeeming Lord (StF 683) Jesus shall take the highest honour (StF 356) Joy to the world, the Lord is come! (StF 330) King of kings, Majesty (StF 331) Lord, your Church on earth is seeking (StF 410) Majesty, worship his majesty (StF 333) See how great a flame aspires (StF 412) The Church’s one foundation (StF 690) The Saviour, when to heaven he rose (StF 669) What shall we offer our good Lord (StF 671) Alternative related readings: Isaiah 51: 1-6 *Faithful One, so unchanging (StF 628) Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King (Forever God is faithful) (StF 77) *Great is our redeeming Lord (StF 683) Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty (StF 10) (Fellingham ver.) Our God is a great big God (StF 61) Praise is rising, eyes are turning to you (StF 64) The prophets' voice comes down the years (StF 162) Though the fruit tree doesn’t blossom (StF 93) Psalm 138 Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (StF 626) My Jesus, my Saviour (StF 363) We praise you, O God; acclaim you as Lord (StF 95) When I was lost, you came and rescued me (StF 367) The Revd Phillip Poyner notes: The rocky cliff at Caesarea Philippi is one of the principal sources of the River Jordan, with water gushing at 20 cubic metres per second (Murphy O’Connor). Does this not suggest something important about the church built by Jesus? This church provides from its foundation rock a reliable and abundant follow of life-giving water to refresh and nourish all who draw from it – see StF 748. (It also invites a reappraisal of Peter as a tough, unbending leader?)