Lectionary resources for Ordinary 15 Year B

Lectionary -- Ordinary 15 Year B

2 Samuel 6:1-5,12b-19 David brings the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem
Psalm 24 The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it
Ephesians 1:3-14 A plan for the fullness of time
Mark 6:14-29 John the Baptist is beheaded

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

Hymns for Sunday 15, Yr.B

lesson hymn TIS AHB SA

E Father in heaven, grant to your children 465 399

E God moves in a mysterious way 126 54

O God of many names 180

G Holy holy holy, Lord God almighty 132 65

O I danced in the morning 242 183

E Lead us heavenly Father, lead us 580 492

O Let all the world in every corner sing 185 13

Ps Lift up your heads, you mighty gates 267

E Morning glory, starlit sky 174

G O Master, let me walk with thee 601 522

Ps Prepare the royal highway 346

G Rejoice in God's saints 470 73

G There's a wideness in God's mercy 136 72

G This is my Father's world 149 87

E To God be the glory, great things he has done 147 85

Ps Ye gates, lift up your heads on high 12 286

O Your hand O God, has guided 456 389

Other Possible Hymns
(Numbers refer to The Australian Hymn Book and Sing Alleluia. (Or TIS)
SA 41 (TIS 416) Great God, your Spirit like a wind
34 (TIS 114) Blest be the everlasting God
56 (TIS 129) Amazing grace
68 (TIS 134) Praise my soul the king of heaven
109 (TIS 161) Tell out my soul the greatness of the Lord
150 (TIS 218) Jesus the name high over all
151 (TIS 227) When morning guilds the skies
152 Come O fount of every blessing
190 Christ our king before creation
354 Captains of the saintly band
408 (TIS 483) Lord, in the strength of grace
503 O brother man, fold to thy heart thy brother
(TIS 587 Fold to your heart your sister and your brother)
505 (TIS 589) Jesus calls us! O'er the tumult

Sermon summary (click here for complete sermon)

The mystery of God's plan

What is the secret purpose of God? What is his plan? If there is any point to creation, can it be known? Has God revealed his purpose? How? Is it given to us? Paul and his fellow Christians in the early days of the church certainly believed that there was a plan and that God had made it known to them. It is was to gather up all things into a unity in Christ (Ephesians 1:10).

The mystery of his will or his secret purpose had been hidden for long ages before it was revealed in Christ (Ephesians 3:9; 1 Corinthians 2:7; Colossians 1:25-26; 2:2-3). Jesus himself had spoken of the hidden secrets of God which were being made known. (Luke 19:42; 18:34). Jesus described the kingdom of heaven as like a hidden treasure and he even rejoiced that the secrets were hidden from the wise and revealed to the simple, but it was the task of his disciples at mission to make the secret known (Matthew 13:44-46; Luke 10:21; 8:16-17).

Why was it hidden? What made it hard to see? How was it that the disciples of Jesus were able to see it? There might be a clue in the Garden of Eden story. Trying to outsmart God is not the way to useful knowledge of things that matter. People were to learn that rather than competing with God, they would do better if they would co-operate with God. It was in such a relationship of trust that the truth about God's great secret was to be revealed. (1 Corinthians 1:26-27; 2:1-2).

The secret of God's plan and purpose for us is to be found through faith in Christ crucified. Remember the woman who reached out and touch his clothes. (Mark 5:28-34). Through this faith in Christ we are made whole in body, mind and spirit, and we are restored to a good relationship with God and with one another. So we are reconciled into unity in Christ. (Ephesians 3:5-6; compare Ephesians 1:10 with Colossians 1:20). And the cross? Because it was there that sin, the futility of human pride, which separates people from God and from one another, did its worst and failed to defeat the love of God. God's purpose that his human creatures should achieve their potential to become children of God was to be revealed and fulfilled there in the foolishness of God's weakness. (Ephesians 1:5-10).

Order of service -- Ordinary 15 Year B | DB Home | RCL Resources Index | Questions and Comments |

The Gathering of the People of God

CALL TO WORSHIP
The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it;
for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?
Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, (Psalms 24:1-4a)

Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.

Who is the King of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. (Psalms 24:7-10)

HYMN Holy holy holy, Lord God almighty (TIS 132; AHB 65)

PRAYER OF ADORATION
CONFESSION

Almighty and most merciful Father, we have strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have left undone what we ought to have done, and we have done what we ought not to have done. We have followed our own ways and the desires of our own hearts. We have broken your holy laws. Yet, good Lord, have mercy on us; restore those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Jesus Christ our Lord.

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on hem and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them...." -- John 20:21-23

By the authority of Jesus Christ I declare that God has mercy on you, pardons you and sets you free. Know that your sins are forgiven through Jesus Christ our Saviour. God strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in eternal life.
Thanks be to God.

DOXOLOGY:
Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen." -- Revelation 7:12

WELCOME AND GREETING EACH OTHER

Service of the Word

INTRODUCTION OF THEME: The mystery of God's plan
OLD TESTAMENT 2 Samuel 6:1-5,12b-19 David brings the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem
PSALM 24 The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it
Choir: Brother James's Air
EPISTLE Ephesians 1:3-14 A plan for the fullness of time
GOSPEL Mark 6:14-29 John the Baptist is beheaded

HYMN SA 41 Great God, your Spirit like a wind
SERMON
HYMN 190 Christ our king before creation
OFFERING AND DEDICATION
SHARING TIME [Notices, celebrations, requests for intercessions]

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
For all people in their daily life and work;
for our families, friends and neighbours, and for those who are alone.

For this community, our country, and the world;
for all who work for justice, freedom and peace.

For the just and proper use of your creation;
for the victims of hunger, fear, injustice and oppression.

For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
for those who minister to the sick, the friendless and the needy.

For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
for all who proclaim the gospel, and for all seek the truth.

For the Uniting Church in Australia, especially for the National Assembly now meeting, may the unity of the Church be preserved in grace and truth,
for James being inducted as President,
for .... moderator and for ... our chairperson of presbytery/ presbytery minister,
for elders and members of the local church council,
and for all who hold office in this congregation;
for all who serve God in the church.

For our own needs, and for others for whom you have called us to pray.

[Silence]

Hear us, Lord
for your mercy is great.

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of life.

We exalt you, O God our king;

and praise your name for ever and ever.

We give thanks for all those who have died in the peace of Christ, and for the promise of your eternal kingdom.

[silence]

In Christ you have called us to eternal glory;
to you be praise for ever and ever. Amen.

COLLECT FOR THE DAY
Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you. May we find peace in your service now, and in the world to come, see you face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

The Sending Forth of the People of God

HYMN 109 Tell out my soul the greatness of the Lord
WORD OF MISSION
BLESSING
DISMISSAL Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ. Amen.

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	Hymns for Sunday 15, Yr.B
lesson	hymn	TIS	AHB	SA
E	Father in heaven, grant to your children	465	399
E	God moves in a mysterious way	126	54
O	God of many names	180
G	Holy holy holy, Lord God almighty	132	65
O	I danced in the morning	242	183
E	Lead us heavenly Father, lead us	580	492
O	Let all the world in every corner sing	185	13
Ps	Lift up your heads, you mighty gates	267
E	Morning glory, starlit sky	174
G	O Master, let me walk with thee	601	522
Ps	Prepare the royal highway	346
G	Rejoice in God's saints	470		73
G	There's a wideness in God's mercy	136	72
G	This is my Father's world	149		87
E	To God be the glory, great things he has done	147	85
Ps	Ye gates, lift up your heads on high	12	286
O	Your hand O God, has guided	456	389