July 8 – Sixth after Pentecost

Worship materials for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost through the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost were contributed by Cordelia Karpenko, Grace U.C., Weyburn, Sask., and Deborah Laforet, Grace U.C., Stoughton, Sask.

 

2 Samuel 5:1–5, 9–10

David is anointed king.

 

Psalm 48 (VU pp. 772–773)

God be praised in the city of Zion.

 

2 Corinthians 12:2–10

My grace is sufficient; my power made perfect in weakness.

 

Mark 6:1–13

Jesus, rejected in Nazareth, sends out the 12 to teach.

Spark

Because it is the summertime and attendance in Sunday school is commonly down, we recommend doing worship for all ages. Have paper and crayons in every pew and have more visuals than usual. Ask more people to participate. One idea is to announce at the beginning of worship the number of readers needed. Hand copies of the readings out as people volunteer. This works well when you don’t know who is coming week to week. You could also invite people to share their musical talents during the regular anthem time. Involve all ages in whatever you do. For the month of July, you might want to post a story chart for the Hebrew scripture readings for people to follow each week as you read the story of David.

Theme Engagement Question

Truthfully, would you rather be with someone who is popular or someone who is wise?

With Children

What is popularity? Wonder aloud, “What does a popular person looks like?” Let the children offer some ideas. Then talk about where we might find wisdom. What does it mean to be wise? Would we rather be with someone who is popular or someone who is wise? People followed Jesus. Was it because he was popular or wise? Or both?

Sermon Starter

For the next four weeks, we will focus on what it means to be a king or a leader within the faith community. The readings from the Hebrew scriptures focus on David and his adventures as king of Israel. The Christian scriptures share some of the dangers and joys of Jesus, who we also name as king. David, anointed by a well-known prophet, after years of accomplishments including the defeat of Goliath and winning a war against Saul, was popular with the people.

 

Jesus arises from obscurity. He doesn’t seem to have the usual credentials for a leader. Who are we more likely to follow? Are we more likely to listen to a person who has seniority, someone who has been in ministry for many years, than a young person new to ministry or even a child sharing wisdom on Sunday morning? What does scripture teach us about choosing the people we would follow and those to whom we look for wisdom?

Hymns

Hebrew Scripture

VU 567            “Will you come and follow me”

MV 161           “I have called you by your name”

 

Psalm

VU 236            “Now thank we all our God”

VU 399            “God, whose love is reigning o’er us”

MV 51             “Yahweh be praised”

 

Epistle

VU 660            “How firm a foundation”

VU p. 883        “Comfort, comfort”

 

Gospel

VU 117            “Jesus Christ is waiting”

MV 212           “Sent out in Jesus’ name”