Lectionary resources Epiphany 2 B (Ordinary 2 B)

Lectionary -- Epiphany 2 (Ordinary 2) Year B

1 Samuel 3:1-10 The call of Samuel
Psalm 139:1-6,13-18 O Lord you have searched me and known me
1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Lawful but not beneficial
John 1:43-51 Philip and Nathalael follow Jesus

Possible Hymns
(Numbers refer to The Australian Hymn Book and Sing Alleluia.)
SA 17 Christ be my leader by night as by day
85 To God be the glory, great things he has done!
90 Lord, you have searched me and know [Ps 139:1-12]
92 God has spoken by his prophets
140 God whose glory fill the skies
146 Let him to whom we now belong
289 This is the day the Lord has made
316 Spirit of mercy, truth and love
320 Breath on me breath of God
367 All praise to our redeeming Lord
379 God of mercy, God of grace
497 Just as I am, without one plea
455 Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
505 Jesus calls us! O'er the tumult
516 Master, speak, thy servant heareth

Sermon summary (click here for complete sermon)

Loyalty in the body
Sex and faith

Sex is an important subject. Both social justice and personal morality are aspects of discipleship. If some of us have suffered from too many controls which inhibited normal behaviour, its equally true today that many have suffered from the consequences of irresponsible and licentious sexual behaviour. But there is much to more this subject; sex has a deeply spiritual nature and purpose.

Law and freedom
We are free, but not everything is good for us [1 Corinthians 6:12]. Early Christians who were not Jews did not feel bound by the Jewish law, but they were forbidden to engage in fornication which was understood as being like idolatry, an act of disloyalty to Christ. [Acts 15:27-29]. Control of sexual behaviour was not something that was limited to a particular people or nation or to a culture of a certain time or place, as people are sometimes inclined to imagine. [See also Romans 1:15-28].

A sign of loyalty
Any false god or value would distract people from loyalty to Christ [1 Cor 6:13-17]. Paul was contrasting union with a prostitute with union with Christ, seeing the two as competing alternatives. The body is important [1 Cor 6:18-20]. Sex is both a sign and a reality [cf Hosea 1:3]. It is basic to God's scheme of things in our capacity to form relationships in this earthly life and not only with each other.

God's purpose for us to know him
I read in The Age a piece by Paul Davies, the well known physicist. He poses the question of what the purpose could be for our ability to understand a great deal about the universe. The Christian answer is clear: the purpose of our capacity for conscious knowing is in order to know God, who made and sustains the universe in such a way that it has evolved beings able to relate freely back to himself. That kind of knowing is like sex [cf. Genesis 4:1]. The proper use of the sexual nature of people helps them to fulfil their destiny of knowing their Creator.

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Order of Service - Epiphany 2 (Ordinary 2) Year B

The Gathering of the People of God

CALL TO WORSHIP
O LORD, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue, O LORD, you know it completely. -- Psalms 139:1-4
Therefore dear Lord, let your Spirit be upon us that we may be related to you with true understanding in this time of worship.

HYMN 140 God whose glory fill the skies

PRAYER OF ADORATION
MEDITATION
Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? {8} If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. {9} If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, {10} even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. {11} If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night," {12} even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you. -- Psalms 139:7-12

{23} Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. {24} See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. -- Psalms 139:23-24

CONFESSION
We have failed to love you with all our heart and to be good stewards of your creation: Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
We have failed to take up the cross of discipleship and to be good stewards of your gospel: Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
We have failed to be faithful members of your church and to be good stewards of your spiritual gifts: Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
The good news is that all who trust in Christ will have their sins forgiven and receive eternal life. As you hold this faith, I declare that you are set free from all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, to whom be glory for ever and ever.
Thanks be to God.

WELCOME AND GREETING EACH OTHER

Service of the Word

INTRODUCTION OF THEME: Discipleship: Loyalty to Christ in the body.

OLD TESTAMENT 1 Samuel 3:1-10 The call of Samuel
[PSALM 139:1-6,13-18 O Lord you have searched me and known me]
HYMN 90 Lord, you have searched me and know [Ps 139:1-12]
EPISTLE 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Lawful but not beneficial
GOSPEL John 1:43-51 Philip and Nathanael follow Jesus

HYMN 505 Jesus calls us! O'er the tumult

SERMON

HYMN 146 Let him to whom we now belong

OFFERING AND DEDICATION
SHARING TIME [Notices, celebrations, requests for intercessions]
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Let us pray for all families:
Gracious God our Creator,
you bless family life and renew your people.
Enrich husbands and wives, parents and children
more and more with your grace,
that, strengthening and supporting each other,
they may serve those in need
and be a sign of the fulfilment of your kingdom,
where with your Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit,
you live and reign,
one God through all ages. Amen.
[from the Uniting Church Marriage Service]
COLLECT FOR THE DAY
THE LORD'S PRAYER [Front of the Hymn Book]

The Sending Forth of the People of God

HYMN 367 All praise to our redeeming Lord
WORD OF MISSION
You were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.
- 1 Corinthians 6:20
BLESSING
DISMISSAL Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ. Amen.