August 2 – Ninth after Pentecost

 

Worship materials for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost through the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost were contributed by Eileen Lavigne, First United Church, Ottawa, Ont.

Lectionary

Lectionary readings from Vanderbilt Divinity Library online

(http://divinity.library.vanderbilt.edu/lectionary/BPentecost/bProper13.htm)

 

2 Samuel 11:26–12:13a

Nathan’s story that condemns David.

Psalm 51:1–12 (VU pgs. 776–777)

Create in me a new heart, O God.

Ephesians 4:1–16

A life worthy of your calling; speak the truth in love.

John 6:24–35

The crowds ask for another sign from Jesus.

Spark

As 2 Samuel is read, two actors in costume pose as Nathan and David and stand by the communion table. The two actors mime the act of talking to each other. At the end, they embrace as a sign of forgiveness.

With Children

Have you ever had a chance to visit a farm that has sheep on it? The person who looks after the sheep is called a shepherd. David in the Bible was a shepherd. He had many sheep to look after when he was a young man. Later he became King of Israel. Do you know who else was referred to as a shepherd in the Bible? Jesus! He was called a shepherd because of the way he looks after us. We are Jesus’ sheep, needing love and protection.

End with a prayer to Jesus the shepherd.

Sermon Starter

We have all heard the commandments of God. In 2 Samuel we hear a story about when David broke one of the commandments. We learn that God forgave David. In the Ephesians reading, we are called upon to use our gifts—and share them so that we become more like God wants us to be. We are also cautioned to avoid the acts that lead us to sin. In the John reading, the people are looking for more signs. We are requested to seek and believe. What signs do we need to see in order to believe?

Hymns

Hebrew Scripture

VU 368                    “Holy Spirit, truth divine”

VU 371                    “Open my eyes”

Psalm

VU 618                    “God, when I stand”

MV 15                    “Holy sacred spirit”

MV 115                    “Behold, behold, I make all things new”

Epistle

VU 274                    “Your hand, O God, has guided”

VU 510                    “We have this ministry”

VU 569                    “You call us out to praise you”

MV 85                    “Take, O take me as I am”

Gospel

VU 354                    “In old Galilee”

VU 563                    “Jesus, you have come to the lakeshore”