Come, and let us sweetly join (StF 646)

Come, and let us sweetly join (StF 646)

Come, and let us sweetly join (StF 646)

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Sunday 1 September, 201922nd 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 Jeremiah 2: 4-13 Deep in the darkness a starlight is gleaming (StF 625) God! When human bonds are broken (StF 649) Jesus, lover of my soul (StF 355) My soul finds rest in God alone (StF 633) Through all the changing scenes of life (StF 638) We turn to God when we are sorely pressed (StF 640) Psalm 81: 1, 10-16 Hymns reflecting the psalmist’s theme All my hope on God is founded (StF 455) Bread of life, hope of the world (StF 577) For the beauty of the earth (StF 102) For the music of creation (StF 74) I sing the almighty power of God (StF 107) My Jesus, my Saviour (StF 363) O thou who camest from above (StF 564) What a friend we have in Jesus (StF 531) Hebrews 13: 1-8, 15-16 Author of faith, eternal Word (StF 457) Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father (StF 51) How sweet the name of Jesus sounds (StF 322) Jesus is King and I will extol him (StF 327) Pray for the Church, afflicted and oppressed (StF 711) This, this is the God we adore (StF 67) When morning gilds the skies (StF 368) When we were in the darkest night (StF 241) Luke 14: 1, 7-14 Come, and let us sweetly join Christ to praise in hymns divine (StF 646) Come down, O Love divine (StF 372) Come, let us sing of a wonderful love (StF 443) Great God, your love has called us here (StF 499) Meekness and majesty, manhood and deity (StF 362) O for a heart to praise my God (StF 507) Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! (StF 186) Your hand, O God, has guided your flock, from age to age (StF 692) Alternative related readings Sirach/Ecclesiasticus 10: 12-18 or Proverbs 25: 6-7 And I will wait now (website only) For all the saints who showed your love (StF 746) Giving it all to you (StF 551) Here am I, Lord (StF 552) Only by grace can we enter (StF 565) Show me how to stand for justice (StF 713) Psalm 112 Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme Come, now, you blessed, eat at the table (StF 695) I will speak out for those who have no voices (StF 702) Lord, in the strength of grace (StF 448) Make me a channel of your peace (StF 707) Take my life, and let it be (StF 566) The God who sings a new world into being (StF 714)

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Sunday 8 September, 201923rd 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 Jeremiah 18: 1-11 *Behold the servant of the Lord! (StF 546) Jesus, lover of my soul (StF 355) Spirit of the living God (StF 395) Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-18 Hymns reflecting the psalmist’s theme Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart (StF 545) Forth in thy name, O Lord I go (StF 550) Holy Spirit, come confirm us (StF 382) I was on your mind long before you formed the earth (StF 468) O God, you search me and you know me (StF 728) There is no moment of my life (StF 482) Philemon vv 1-21 Amazing grace – how sweet the sound (StF 440) As we gather. Father, seal us (StF 570) Before I take the body of my Lord (StF 575) (a hymn of confession for use during a Communion service) Brother, sister, let me serve you (StF 611) Christ from whom all blessings flow (StF 676) I come with joy, a child of God (StF 588) God is Love, let heaven adore him (StF 103) Jesus stand among us (StF 30) Make me a channel of your peace (StF 707) O thou who camest from above (StF 564) Out of the depths I cry to thee, Lord God! O hear my prayer! (StF 433) The peace of the Lord be always with you (StF 768) Luke 14: 25-33 Lord, we have come at your own invitation (StF 595) Lord, you have come to the seashore (StF 558) O Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end (StF 563) One human family God has made (StF 687) Speak, O Lord, as we come to you (StF 161) Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee (StF 566) Would I have answered when you called..? (StF 674) Alternative related readings Deuteronomy 30: 15-20 Fight the good fight with all your might (StF 634) Not far beyond the sea nor high (StF 159) Psalm 1 Hymns reflecting the psalmist’s theme *Behold the servant of the Lord! (StF 546) Happy are they who find the grace (StF 500) Lord of creation, to you be all praise! (StF 449) What shall we offer our good Lord? (StF 671) Phillip Poyner writes: Within the continuous readings is a theme of God who is caring of us and desires the best for us to make us good. Verse 4 of the psalm (“you press upon me… lay your hand”) repeats the imagery of the potter at work. The Philemon passage (suitable for All-age worship) reveals Paul’s concern for the continuing nurture and shaping of both Philemon and Onesimus. Yet when this passage is coupled with the related readings then perhaps it becomes an illustration of how faith changes the way we live our lives and relationships. Sometimes faith requires us to leave family or home to engage in Christian service, or puts us at odds with those with a different outlook on life. But, ultimately, commitment to faith brings happiness, fruitfulness and a new depth of love to relationships. The related readings may be more about growing and fulfilment in faith rather than making an initial commitment to faith.

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Sunday 15 September, 201924th 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 Jeremiah 4: 11-12, 22-28 Day of judgment! Day of wonder! (StF 732) God moves in a mysterious way (StF 104) God with us: Creator,Father (StF 8) We pray until the hour, that awesome hour unknown (StF 741) Psalm 14 Hymns reflecting the psalmist’s theme A safe stronghold our God is still (StF 623) As if you were not there, the skies ignite and thunder (StF 724) How long, O Lord, will you forget an answer to my prayer? (StF 630) Listening God, you hear us when we cannot speak (StF 524) 1 Timothy 1: 12-17 *Amazing grace – how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! (StF 440) Father, whose everlasting love (StF 320) I am not skilled to understand what God has willed, what God has planned (StF 349) Immortal, invisible, God only wise (StF55) King of Glory, King of Peace (StF 56) Let earth and heaven agree (StF 358) Man of sorrows! What a name for the Son of God (StF 361) Meekness and majesty, manhood and deity (StF 362) My song is love unknown (StF 277) *Praise, my soul, the King of heaven (StF 83) Through all the changing scenes of life (StF 638) Luke 15: 1-10 All people that on earth do dwell (StF 1) *Amazing grace – how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! (StF 440) Come, let us sing of a wonderful love (StF 443) Come, thou fount of every blessing (StF 494) Come with me, come wander, come welcome the world (StF 462) I will sing the wondrous story (StF 323) Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided (StF 470) Now I have found the ground wherein sure my soul's anchor may remain (StF 561) The King of love my shepherd is (StF 479) Alternative related readings Exodus 32: 7-14 Bread of Life, Truth Eternal (StF 578) God of forgiveness, your people you freed (StF 425) Jesus calls us! O'er the tumult (StF 250) O, the love of my Lord is the essence (StF 431) *Praise, my soul, the King of heaven (StF 83) Your ceaseless, unexhausted love (StF 438) Psalm 51: 1-10 Hymns reflecting the psalmist’s theme Blest are the pure in heart (StF 244) Jesus the first and last (StF 329) Just as I am, without one plea (StF 556) Let us break bread together with the Lord (StF 592) Lord, we turn to you for mercy (StF 429) More like you, Jesus more like you (StF 505) O for a heart to praise my God (StF 507) Out of the depths I cry to thee (StF 433) Rock of ages, cleft for me (StF 434) Take this moment, time, and space (StF 513) Phillip Poyner writes: It is good to think of God nurturing us but this week we learn the stark truth that all are foolish, stupid and skilled in doing evil. Like the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin we are unable to save ourselves. As often with the continuous readings, the Old Testament reading and Psalm have a similar message and both a ray of hope: "I will not make a final end.." and "O that Israel's deliverance would come." In the Exodus reading, does Moses’ intercession persuade God have a change of heart or does he gain an insight into God’s patience, which Paul also sees in Christ (1 Timothy 1: 16)? It is Christ’s reaching out to sinners that changes our natures, giving us knowledge, understanding and enabling us to do good. Psalm 51, of course, could be a suitable congregational response (StF 811

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Sunday 22 September, 201925th 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 Jeremiah 8: 18 – 9:1 I will speak out for those who have no voices (StF 702) The prophets' voice comes down the years (StF 162) Psalm 79: 1-9 Hymns reflecting the psalmist’s theme Because you came and sat beside us (StF 420) Father, we have sinned in word, and deed, and thought (StF 422) ‘Forgive our sins as we forgive’, you taught us, Lord, to pray (StF 423) Lord we turn to you for mercy (StF 429) My troubled soul, why so weighed down? (StF 635) Out of the depths I cry to thee, Lord God! Oh hear my prayer! (StF 433) When, O God, our faith is tested (StF 643) We come to you with no pretence (StF 435) You showed us mercy when we were in darkness (StF 488) 1 Timothy 2: 1-7 Father, whose everlasting love (StF 320) Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided (StF 470) Pray for a world where every child finds welcome in a sheltered space (StF 527) Victim divine, thy grace we claim (StF 600) Luke 16: 1-13 A charge to keep I have (StF 658) As water to the thirsty (StF 441) Called by Christ to be disciples (StF 660) Lord, we have come at your own invitation (StF 595) O Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end (StF 563) Send down the fire of your justice (StF 413) Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee (StF 566) Teach me, my God and King, in all things thee to see (StF 668) Alternative related readings Amos 8: 4-7 Father, we have sinned in word and thought and deed (StF 422) In an age of twisted values (StF 703) The right hand of God is writing in our land (StF 715) We lay our broken world in sorrow at your feet (StF 718) Psalm 113 Hymns reflecting the psalmist’s theme Blessed be the name of the Lord (StF 40) Blessed be your name (StF 41) From all that dwell below the skies (StF 75) Give thanks to the Lord (StF 77) My soul rejoices in God my Saviour (StF 60) Worship God with the morning sunrise (StF 68) Ye servants of God, your master proclaim (StF 340) Phillip Poyner writes: The themes of God’s judgment and compassion, the Christian lifestyle and the urgency of the kingdom are present in this week's readings. Preparing a sermon linking the readings, and particularly the gospel to the other readings, is quite a challenge this week! Jeremiah 8 and Psalm 79 are both laments, perhaps for the same event - the Fall of Jerusalem? Whilst there is a recognition that the disaster is deserved there is also the cry for God’s help and deliverance, and Jeremiah is at one with the people in that lamentation (hence StF 702). The epistle speaks of Christ bringing that deliverance and of praying for those in ‘high positions’ - another link to Jeremiah as the king is apparently absent from Zion (v19). Amos 8: 5b-6a also speaks of those in high positions. Leadership can degenerate into corruption, materialism and exploitation and be disastrous. The shrewd manager may be reducing the debt by the interest element, regarded as usury and not permitted because it can lead to exploitation of the poor. This links with the Amos reading and the need for the Lord to lift the poor, the downtrodden (Psalm 113). Two weeks ago the gospel spoke of ‘estimating the cost’. This week the shrewd/dishonest manager calculates. Are we to see in these passages that the kingdom demands are urgent, needing action without delay but with due estimation/calculation? (Our hymns speak more of not counting the cost!) The gospel is also perhaps saying that our ordinary dealings should reflect the integrity of Christian behaviour and that we should sit lightly on wealth because discipleship needs to be wholehearted.

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Sunday 29 September, 201926th 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 Jeremiah 32: 1-3a, 6-15 *All my hope on God is founded (StF 455) Make us your prophets, Lord (StF 665) Thank you, O God, for the time that is now (StF 478) When deep despair casts out all light (StF 399) You showed us mercy when we were in darkness (StF 488) Psalm 91: 1-6, 14-16 Hymns reflecting the psalmist’s theme *All my hope on God is founded (StF 455) Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart (StF 545) Captain of Israel’s host, and Guide (StF 459) Jesus, lover of my soul (StF 355) Though the fruit tree doesn’t blossom (StF 93) 1 Timothy 6: 6-19 A charge to keep I have (StF 658) As the glory of creation (StF 725) Author of faith, eternal Word (StF 457) Fight the good fight with all your might (StF 634) Immortal, invisible, God only wise (StF 55) Of all the Spirit’s gifts to me (StF 709) Soldiers of Christ, arise, and put your armour on (StF 637) We plough the fields, and scatter (StF 130) Luke 16: 19-31 As we gather, Father, seal us (StF 570) For the healing of the nations, Lord we pray with one accord (StF 696) God is love: let heaven adore him (StF 103) *Heaven shall not wait for the poor to lose their patience (StF 701) Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love (StF 249) My God, I am thine (StF 80) When I needed a neighbour, were you there? (StF 256) Alternative related readings Amos 6: 1a, 4-7 *Heaven shall not wait for the poor to lose their patience (StF 701) In an age of twisted values (StF 703) O God of hope, your prophets spoke (StF 708) Pray for a world where every child finds welcome in a sheltered space (StF 527) Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! (StF 186) Psalm 146 Hymns reflecting the psalmist’s theme Here on the threshold of a new beginning (StF 684) I'll praise my Maker while I've breath (StF 79) O for a thousand tongues to sing (StF 364) Sing for God's glory (StF 116) Sing praise to God who reigns above (StF 117) The rich man of the Gospel reading exemplifies the dangers of a love of riches to which Paul refers in the Epistle. Amos portrays that decadence. Using Psalm 146 (StF 837) today illustrates Paul’s right use of riches (v17b-18) in the actions of God . Happy are those whose hope is in the richness of God’s love. Jeremiah’s purchase of the field at Anathoth gives the hope to his people that the rich man denied Lazarus. If both the Jeremiah and Amos passages were read today that would reveal the contrast between those who “are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph” and Jeremiah who was! Psalm 91 speaks of the trust that Jeremiah has in God who will rescue him (those) in trouble and bring him (them) to honour.