Lectionary resources Ordinary 20 Year C

Lectionary -- Ordinary Sunday 20 Year C

Isaiah 5:1-7 the vineyard that yielded wild grapes
Psalm 80:1-2,8-19 Restore us O God
or Psalm 128 Happy is everyone who fears the Lord
Hebrews 11:29 to 12:2 we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Luke 12:49-56 I came to bring fire on earth

Possible Hymns (Numbers refer to The Australian Hymn Book and Together in Song)
92 God has spoken by his prophets
AHB 176 TIS 235 A man there lived in Galilee
AHB 310 TIS 398 Come down, O love divine
368 On this day, the first of days
384 For all the saints
398 Holy Father, God of might
AHB 486 TIS 572 O thou who camest from above
487 A charge to keep I have
499 Once to every man and nation
509 Stand up, stand up for Jesus
511 Fight the good fight
AHB 364 TIS 440 Christ, from whom all blessings flow

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Sermon summary - Ordinary Sunday 20 Year C (Click here for complete sermon)

Fire on Earth

The message of the Gospel today is difficult. Can Jesus be the Prince of Peace who was prophesied by Isaiah and at whose birth the angels sang of peace on earth, and yet be the one who also said Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? [Matthew 10:34 cf. Luke 12:51] He went on to speak of causing divisions in families.

Biblical Authority
Can we avoid what seems to be a hard word here? It depends in part on our attitude to scripture. It is tempting to believe some things and not others, as we prefer. That will tend to undermine the authority of scripture altogether. As we understand it in the Uniting Church, the scriptures are the primary witness to the Word of God. Jesus Christ himself is the Word. We must, then, face the challenge that Christ might not always fit our fantasy.

The baptism of fire and its cleansing power
In Luke's account Jesus began by saying: I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! {50} I have a baptism ...[Luke 12:49-50] Jesus is confessing to some impatience and feeling stress as he waits for decisive events, because he is on his journey to Jerusalem where he will die. His death is called his baptism [see Luke 3:16-17; Acts 2:3-4] and it is a new beginning while destroying the old way [see John 15:2,6]; much as we are tested by fire [1 Peter 1:6-7]. Fire, like water, is a cleansing agent.

Believers share in renewal of life, although change causes division
Believers who share in the risen life of Christ are united with him also in his death. That is the meaning of baptism, our dying to an old life and rising with him [Romans 6:3-5]. The radical change brought about by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus has its consequences in relationships between people. Allegiance to Jesus Christ will put any other allegiance under challenge. It is difficult for us to accept because it is against our natural inclinations. The hard word is the truth, and for our good in the end, because when we are united with him in a death like his we are promised a share in his victory and resurrection.

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Order of Service - Ordinary 20 Year C

The Gathering of the People of God

CALL TO WORSHIP
Happy is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways. -- Psalms 128:1
Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. -- Psalms 80:19

HYMN AHB 310 TIS 398 Come down, O love divine

PRAYER OF ADORATION
CONFESSION
DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
If we confess our sins,
God is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins
and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [1 John 1:9]
Hear then Christ's word of grace to us:
Your sins are forgiven.
Thanks be to God.

DOXOLOGY [Singing Group: Salvation belongs to our God]

1 Salvation belongs to our God
Who sits upon the throne
And unto the Lamb
Praise and glory
Wisdom and thanks
Honour and power and strength
Be to our God for ever and ever
Be to our God for ever and ever
Be to our God for ever and ever. Amen.

2 And we the redeemed shall be strong
In purpose and unity
Declaring aloud
Praise and glory
Wisdom and thanks
Honour and power and strength
Be to our God for ever and ever
Be to our God for ever and ever
Be to our God for ever and ever. Amen.

WELCOME AND GREETING EACH OTHER

Service of the Word

INTRODUCTION OF THEME:
A word to the children and blessing

OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 5:1-7 the vineyard that yielded wild grapes
PSALM 80:1-2,8-19 Restore us O God
EPISTLE Hebrews 12:18-29 You have come to the city of the living God
GOSPEL Luke 12:49-56 I came to bring fire on earth
HYMN AHB 176 TIS 235 A man there lived in Galilee

SERMON

HYMN AHB 486 TIS 572 O thou who camest from above
A WORD ABOUT GIVING
OFFERING AND DEDICATION
SHARING TIME [Notices, celebrations, requests for intercessions]
THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up you 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.
Almighty God,
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all whom you have made.
We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts
we may show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up ourselves to your service,
and by walking before you
in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
be honour and glory throughout all ages.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
COLLECT FOR THE DAY
THE LORD'S PRAYER

The Sending Forth of the People of God

HYMN AHB 364 TIS 440 Christ, from whom all blessings flow
WORD OF MISSION
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. -- Hebrews 12:1-2
BLESSING
DISMISSAL Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ. Amen.

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