Lectionary resoruces Ordinary 14 Year A

Lectionary -- Ordinary 14 Year A

Genesis 24:34-38,42-49,58-67 Rebekah is discovered and agrees to become Isaac's wife
Psalm 45:10-17 A queen's love song for the king
or Song of Solomon 2:8-13 Arise, my love, my fair one
Romans 7:15-25a I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want
Matthew 11:16-19,25-30 Come to me .... my burden is light

Suggested Hymns (From Denis Towner. TIS = Together in Song; AHB = Australian Hymn Book; SA = Sing Alleluia)

A Yr. A: Hymns for Sunday 14, Yr.A TIS AHB SA

E Amazing grace (how sweet the sound) 129 56

O As man and woman we were made 645 7

O Be thou my vision 547 455

O Begin my tongue, some heavenly theme 116 32

E Blessed Jesus, at your word 437

E Come O Fount of every blessing 152

Ps Fairest Lord Jesus 203 131

G Father in heaven, grant to your children 465 399

G Forth in your name, O Lord, I go 571 480

O God has spoken by his prophets 158 92

G Hallelujah, sing to Jesus 517 439

O Have faith in God, my heart 619 552

G How sweet the name of Jesus sounds 223 158

G I danced in the morning 242 183

G I heard the voice of Jesus say 585 500

If we will trust in God to guide us 554 459

Ps Jesus lover of my soul 211 139

G Jesus loves me, this I know 229 166

G Jesus shall reign where'er the sun 207 136

G Jesus the very thought of thee 126

G Just as I am without one plea 584 497

Ps Lord Jesus our bright Morning star 199 [220]

Lord Jesus, think on me 546 122

E Love divine, all loves excelling 217 148

E Make me a captive, Lord 604

G O Love that wilt not let me go 602 525

E One who is all unft to count 174

G Seek ye first the kingdom of God 745 75

E The law of Christ alone can set us free 620 554

E The strife is past, the battle done 367 287

Ps Wake, awake! for night is flying 266 195

E What a friend we have in Jesus 590 165

O When love is found and hope comes home 654

O When the light of first creation 698

E Who fathoms the eternal thought 512

G You servants of God, your Master proclaim 215 144

O Your love, O God, has called us here 664

Other Possible Hymns
(Numbers refer to The Australian Hymn Book and Sing Alleluia. TIS = Together in Song)
SA 14 (TIS 650) Brother, sister, let me serve you
SA 32 Father, now we come, well knowing
SA 21 (TIS 540) Christians, lift your hearts and voices
SA 76 (TIS 531) Sent forth by God's blessing, our true faith confessing
SA 90 (TIS 468) We are your people
11 (TIS 83) Let us with a gladsome mind
50 (TIS 122) What shall I do my God to love
60 (TIS 131) Father of heaven, whose love profound
77 (TIS 137) For the beauty of the earth
82 (TIS 146) God, who made the earth
142 (TIS 213) Father whose everlasting love
147 (TIS 216) Rejoice, the Lord is King
515 (TIS 596) Fill thou my life
523 Now let us see thy beauty Lord
532 (TIS 608) Where cross the crowded ways of life
576 (TIS 771) Now to him who made us

Sermon summary (click here for complete sermon)

Arise my love, my fair one

Love songs are found in the Bible. Love songs are there together with other songs which celebrate the goodness of God's creation and deal with the whole range of human emotions. That is, love songs are part of the revelation of the word of God. There are some great passages in the Song of Songs which are seldom read in church, evocative of sexual love, although with images we might not use. (Song of Songs 1:12-13; 2:4-6; 3:1-4; 4:9-10; 5:1-2.) We can at least see that such delight is compatible with a faithful life lived in devotion to God.

There is more to this theme of love and marriage in the Bible. It has deep symbolic and spiritual meaning, but there is also is another challenging theme in today's readings that is relevant to contemporary social problems and to a very serious conflict in public policy and popular culture concerning marriage and alternative ways of living.

Jesus is seen as a friend of outcasts and sinners and as one who enjoyed food, drink and the pleasure of human company. (Matthew 11:18-19), though he also called for self denial (Matthew 16:24). So as with the Old Testament combination of sexual discipline and delight, so with Jesus, these two sides of human relationships are not opposed. It is a tension that is still with us.

Jesus referred them back to creation when they asked about marriage and divorce (Mark 10:2-9; compare Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Genesis 1:27; 2:23-24 and the call to exceed the demands of the law in Matthew 5:17,21,22,27,28). The whole approach of Jesus to questions like this points less to a set of rules to be obeyed, though he never advocated breaking them, and more towards understanding the purpose of God in creation. The love songs of the Song of Songs and the teaching of Jesus about marriage have that in common. The mystery that we learn further from him, is how God takes the ordinary stuff of human relationships which are given in creation, and makes them a way for us to know him, just as he takes the bread and wine that we bring to the table and gives them back to us as a means of grace.

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Order of Service - Ordinary 14 Year A

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost 2008 - see also second order 1999

THE GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD
LIGHTING THE CANDLE
After the candle has been lit, we prepare in silence for worship.

CALL TO WORSHIP

HYMN For the beauty of the earth TIS 137

GREETING
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.

COLLECT FOR PURITY
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OF ADORATION AND CONFESSION
During this prayer we sing (remaining seated):
Lord, have mercy TIS 756

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
…. Hear then Christ's word of grace to us: your sins are forgiven.
Thanks be to God.

DOXOLOGY Now to him who made us TIS 771

INTRODUCTION TO THE THEME
Children's talk

THE SERVICE OF THE WORD

BIBLE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT Genesis 24:34-38,42-49,58-67 Rebekah and Isaac
FOR THE PSALM Song of Solomon 2:8-13 Arise, my love, my fair one
GOSPEL Matthew 11:16-19,25-30 Come to me .... my burden is
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God

HYMN As man and woman we were made TIS 645

SERMON
MEDITATION
NOTICES, JOYS AND CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH
OFFERING
PRAYER OVER THE OFFERING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORDS SUPPER

The peace
Hymn: Love divine, all loves excelling TIS 217

The Service of the Lord's Supper continues:
Uniting in Worship, People's Book p. 65

THE SENDING FORTH OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD

HYMN Sent forth by God's blessing, our true faith confessing TIS 531
BLESSING
DISMISSAL
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Hymn: Father, bless us as we go TIS 781

Second order 1999

The Gathering of the People of God

CALL TO WORSHIP
O taste and see that the LORD is good;
happy are those who trust in him. -- Psalm 34:8

COLLECT FOR PURITY
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

HYMN For the beauty of the earth TIS 137, AHB 77

PRAYER OF ADORATION
CONFESSION [In three parts, concluding ...]
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy. Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. -- 1 Timothy 1:15
Hear then Christ's word of grace to us: Your sins are forgiven.
Thanks be to God.

DOXOLOGY: Now to him who made us TIS 771 AHB 576

Service of the Word

INTRODUCTION OF THEME: Sharing in a ministry of service

FIRST READING Genesis 24:34-38,42-49,58-67 Rebekah agrees to marry Isaac
PSALM 45:10-17 A queen's love song for the king
[or Song of Solomon 2:8-13 Arise, my love, my fair one]
[EPISTLE Romans 7:15-25a I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want]
GOSPEL Matthew 11:16-19,25-30 Come to me .... my burden is light

HYMN God, who made the earth TIS 146 AHB 82

SERMON
CREED
HYMN As man and woman we were made TIS 645 SA 7

OFFERING
SHARING TIME [Notices, Celebrations and requests for intercessions]
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Father, we pray for the holy catholic Church;
that we all may be one.
Grant that every member of the church
may truly and humbly serve you;
that your name may be glorified by all people.
We pray for all ministers of the gospel;
that they may faithfully proclaim your Word
and administer your holy sacraments.
We pray for all who govern and hold authority
in the nations of the world;
that there may be justice and peace on the earth.
Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;
that our works may find favour in your sight.
Have compassion on those who suffer
from any grief or trouble;
that they may be delivered from their distress
We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
may we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.
Let us pray for our community
for the life and worship of this congregation
and for those whose needs are known to us.....

Let us pray for ourselves.....

THE COLLECT FOR THE DAY

The Lord's Supper

THE PEACE
HYMN Now let us see thy beauty Lord [verses 1, 5 and 6] AHB 523
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

...thanks and praise ..... in the eternal hymn: [SA 100c and 100d]

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

We thank you ....
[The great prayer of thanksgiving continues, recalling God's goodness in caring for his people, the life and saving work of our Lord Jesus Christ, how he commanded his disciples to remember him with the bread and the wine, and we pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit on us and what we do.]

THE LORD'S PRAYER [Front of hymn book]
BREAKING THE BREAD

THE LAMB OF GOD [Choir: Sing Alleluia 100e]

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
grant us peace, grant us peace.

COMMUNION
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

The Sending Forth of the People of God

A Yr.	A: Hymns for Sunday 14, Yr.A	TIS	AHB	SA
E	Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)	129	56
O	As man and woman we were made	645		7
O	Be thou my vision	547	455
O	Begin my tongue, some heavenly theme	116	32
E	Blessed Jesus, at your word	437
E	Come O Fount of every blessing		152
Ps	Fairest Lord Jesus	203	131
G	Father in heaven, grant to your children	465	399
G	Forth in your name, O Lord, I go	571	480
O	God has spoken by his prophets	158	92
G	Hallelujah, sing to Jesus	517	439
O	Have faith in God, my heart	619	552
G	How sweet the name of Jesus sounds	223	158
G	I danced in the morning	242	183
G	I heard the voice of Jesus say	585	500
	If we will trust in God to guide us	554	459
Ps	Jesus lover of my soul	211	139
G	Jesus loves me, this I know	229	166
G	Jesus shall reign where'er the sun	207	136
G	Jesus the very thought of thee		126
G	Just as I am without one plea	584	497
Ps	Lord Jesus our bright Morning star	199	[220]
	Lord Jesus, think on me	546	122
E	Love divine, all loves excelling	217	148
E	Make me a captive, Lord	604
G	O Love that wilt not let me go	602	525
E	One who is all unft to count		174
G	Seek ye first the kingdom of God	745		75
E	The law of Christ alone can set us free	620	554
E	The strife is past, the battle done	367	287
Ps	Wake, awake! for night is flying	266	195
E	What a friend we have in Jesus	590	165
O	When love is found and hope comes home	654
O	When the light of first creation	698
E	Who fathoms the eternal thought		512
G	You servants of God, your Master proclaim	215	144
O	Your love, O God, has called us here	664