Lectionary resources for Ordinary 18 Year B

Lectionary -- Ordinary 18 Year B

2 Samuel 11:26 to 12:13 David is judged for his sinful behaviour
Psalm 51:1-12 Have mercy on me O God, according to your steadfast love.
Ephesians 4:1-16 Grace according to the measure of Christ's gift.
John 6:24-35 The bread of life

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

Hymns for Sunday 18, Yr.B

lesson hymn TIS AHB SA

O/Ps A new heart Lord, create in me 559

E All praise to our redeeming Lord 412 367

G As we break the bread 449

G Bread of heaven on you we feed 513 434

G Bread of the world in mercy broken 512 437

G Break now the bread of life 429 334

E Christ from whom all blessings flow 440 364

E Come risen Lord and deign to be our guest 524 442

G Father we give you thanks, who planted 495 416

Ps Have mercy on us, living Lord 31

E Holy Spirit ever dwelling 410 323

G I am the Bread of Life 535

E I sing a song of the saints of God 551

G Jesus the Lord said: I am the bread 239 185

E/G Lord Christ at your first eucharist you prayed 521 443

G Lord Jesus Christ you have come to us 526 451

G My God your table now is spread 510 432

G Robe yourself, my soul, in gladness 503 424

Ps Rock of Ages cleft for me 222 157

O Sometimes a healing word is comfort 692

E The church's one foundation 457 385

O The love of God is greater far 151

O What does the Lord require 618 568

G You satisfy the hungry heart 539

E Your hand O God, has guided 456 389

Other Possible Hymns
(Numbers refer to The Australian Hymn Book and Sing Alleluia.)
27 (TIS 110) Sing praise to God who reigns above
310 (TIS 398) Come down O love divine
315 O come and dwell in us
470 (TIS 562) I'm not ashamed to own my Lord
543 (TIS 611) God of grace and God of glory

Sermon summary (Click here for complete sermon)
[Note: For a sermon on the Gospel for this Sunday, re the bread of heaven, see relevant parts of the sermon for last Sunday]

Power, liberty, sin and grace

We tend to think of King David as a cultured pastoral leader, a shepherd king who cared for his people and brought them prosperity, who played the harp, danced, sang and composed songs in praise of God. When Jesus came a thousand years later, the Jews still looked back to David's reign. Christian believers too saw Jesus, the Messiah in David's line, as the fulfilment of the promise made to David that his kingdom would last forever (2 Samuel 7:16; Luke 1:31-33; Mark 11:1-9).

Yet the ancient King David was not, like Jesus, worthy to be a good example. He took another man's wife and had him killed. The prophet Nathan brought him God's word of judgment. He confessed his guilt and escaped death (2 Samuel 12:5-13). He fretted over a son who died, but life goes on and God is gracious, giving his creatures far more than they ask or deserve (2 Samuel 12:16-17; 24-25).

What are we to make of this saga of lust, power, intrigue, betrayal, murder, anguish, confession, death, hope, love and loyalty? Even kings are supposed to be subject to the law of God, laws about adultery and killing; though you might have had some doubt about that, and this King was supposed to be close to God (2 Samuel 7:18). Perhaps kings were privileged. And what of Bathsheba? Under the law of Moses they were both guilty of adultery and would have been liable for the death sentence (Leviticus 20:10), unless the principle of the woman not being able to refuse was applied (Leviticus; Deuteronomy 22:23-27). As it was an exercise of power on the part of the king he alone would bear the guilt (2 Samuel 12:1). God is not mocked, his word will stand and even kings will be called to account.

For people today, we who put such store by liberty, we tend to act if we were kings, oriental potentates accountable to no one, specially in regard to sexual behaviour and whatever might be called our private affairs. What we have in common with King David is the freedom to choose in much that we do, and with that freedom comes moral responsibility. There will be a time of judgment. Yet God is merciful, as we know through the greater Son of the great king, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Order of Service - Ordinary 18 (Pentecost +8) Year B - | DB Home | RCL Resources Index | Questions and Comments |

The Gathering of the People of God

CALL TO WORSHIP Let us worship God
O Lord, open our lips,
and our mouths will declare your praise. -- Psalm 51:15

HYMN 27 (TIS 110) Sing praise to God who reigns above

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
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: Gloria in Excelsis [Sing Alleluia 100b]

Service of the Word

INTRODUCTION OF THEME: David's power, choice and guilt;and God's goodness
FIRST READING 2 Samuel 11:26 to 2:13 David is judged for his sinful behaviour
PSALM 51:1-12 Have mercy on me O God, according to your steadfast love.
Choir Jesus is King
EPISTLE Ephesians 4:1-16 Grace according to the measure of Christ's gift
GOSPEL John 6:24-35 The bread of life
HYMN 470 (TIS 562) I'm not ashamed to own my Lord

SERMON

CREED
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.....

THE COLLECT FOR THE DAY
Heavenly Father, you have placed within the hearts of all your children a longing for your word and a hunger for your truth.
Grant that, believing in the One whom you have sent, we may know him to be the true bread of heaven and food of eternal life, your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be glory and honour for ever and ever.

The Lord's Supper

THE PEACE
HYMN 185 (TIS 239) Jesus the Lord said, 'I am the bread'
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 [Sing Alleluia 100e]
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
grant us peace.

COMMUNION
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

The Sending Forth of the People of God

HYMN 543 (TIS 611) God of grace and God of glory
WORD OF MISSION
BLESSING
DISMISSAL Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ. Amen.

	Hymns for Sunday 18, Yr.B
lesson	hymn	TIS	AHB	SA
O/Ps	A new heart Lord, create in me	559
E	All praise to our redeeming Lord	412	367
G	As we break the bread		449
G	Bread of heaven on you we feed	513	434
G	Bread of the world in mercy broken	512	437
G	Break now the bread of life	429	334
E	Christ from whom all blessings flow	440	364
E	Come risen Lord and deign to be our guest	524	442
G	Father we give you thanks, who planted	495	416
Ps	Have mercy on us, living Lord	31
E	Holy Spirit ever dwelling	410	323
G	I am the Bread of Life	535
E	I sing a song of the saints of God		551
G	Jesus the Lord said: I am the bread	239	185
E/G	Lord Christ at your first eucharist you prayed	521	443
G	Lord Jesus Christ you have come to us	526	451
G	My God your table now is spread	510	432
G	Robe yourself, my soul, in gladness	503	424
Ps	Rock of Ages cleft for me	222	157
O	Sometimes a healing word is comfort	692
E	The church's one foundation	457	385
O	The love of God is greater far	151
O	What does the Lord require	618	568
G	You satisfy the hungry heart	539
E	Your hand O God, has guided	456	389