August 5 Tenth after Pentecost
Worship materials for
the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost through the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
were contributed by Lorna Martin, Toronto Uniting Church, Newcastle, Australia.
2 Samuel 11:2612:13a
Nathans story that condemns David.
Psalm 51:112 (VU pp. 776777)
Create in me a new heart, O God.
Ephesians 4:116
A life worthy of your calling; speak the truth in love.
John 6:2435
The crowds ask for another sign from Jesus.
Spark
Display a number of wrapped gifts that contain carpentry
tools such as a hammer, saw, pencil, drill and bits, plane, and sandpaper, or
gift-wrap planting tools and seed packs that together would create a garden.
Theme Engagement Question
What belief about God, about how God works or how the world works, might you have learned as an absolute truth as a child that now needs to be re-examined?
With Children
Involve the children in opening the wrapped gifts. Discuss their use and how when used together they help to build and create something good. God gave each of us special talents and abilities. How might we use them together to help others?
Sermon Starter
The story in 2 Samuel highlights Davids abuse of power and shows how God forgives and never gives up on us. When have we seen people forgiven and offered a second chance? When have we experienced this forgiveness in our own lives?
The Ephesians reading speaks of the way in which the gifts of each person should be used together to grow and build up people and community in love. Adapt to your setting the story Conference of the Carpenter Tools (check the Internet), which illustrates how everyones special gifts, working together, are needed.
The Gospel of John points out that people often ask for more and more proof of Jesus identity and more and more proof of Gods existence. Think of the often-told story of a man who climbs on to his roof during a flood waiting for God to rescue him. We hear him deny the signs and help sent from God. A rowboat, a motor boat, and a helicopter come to rescue him, but he declines because he is waiting for God.
What signs do we see of Gods guidance and presence with us that help our belief? What signs do we miss because we are rigid in our expectations about how God will communicate? When we believe that Jesus is the one God sent, is our faith strong enough to take us where he leads?
Hymns
Hebrew Scripture
VU 368 Holy Spirit, truth divine
VU 371 Open my eyes, that I may see
MV 76 If I have been the source of pain
MV 78 God weeps
Psalm
VU 618 God, when I stand
MV 79 Spirit, open my heart
MV 115 Behold, behold, I make all things new
Epistle
VU 274 Your hand, O God, has guided
VU 468 Let us talents and tongues employ
VU 510 We have this ministry
VU 595 We are pilgrims
Gospel
VU 274 Your hand, O God, has guided
VU 509 Here I Am, Lord
VU 703 In the bulb there is a flower
MV 45 You are holy
MV 172 God says