Worship on the Web STARTERS FOR SUNDAY Sunday 1st June 2008 This Sunday is the second Sunday after Pentecost. Readings Genesis 6: 9-22; 7:24; 8:14-19 This represents a synopsis of the story of the flood. At one level it tells of the one pious man and of his significance for humanity. Earth was corrupt, although no specifics of that corruption are given here. Clearly, the original intention of the creator has not been fulfilled, since the people have refused to honour God. In Noah, humanity survives the flood. Noah becomes” the type” of the pious man who remains blameless amidst the corruption of the world. He accepts his creatureliness and lets God be God. The world is preserved because of one pious man. On another level the story is of God, who cares so much about his creation, and his expectation of it, that he will not abandon it. In the narrative, God is presented as a grieving lamenting parent rather than a capricious angry tyrant. The focus of the story is God’s commitment to newness, and the fact that he will now exercise patience towards His creatures. The covenant with Noah is a fresh start in the relationship between God and creation. Psalm 46 A Psalm of confidence and trust in God. God is declared to be a reliable presence in every trouble, a refuge and strength. The Psalm has three sections. The first focuses on the destabilized creation, perhaps alluding to an earthquake and the turbulence of the seas. The second section emphasizes that God rules also in the turmoil of human history with its military and political threats, with its inhumanity, dehumanization and abuse of power. At the heart of creation and history lies the city of God, where God demonstrates His intention for humankind. In the third section for the first time the 1st personal singular is evident, with God’s call ” Let be then” (REB) - stop, step back from this looking for security from any power other than God . Only in God is justice, peace and right relations embodied. His presence is hymned; in Him the community finds refuge and peace. Romans 1: 16-17; 3: 22b-28(29-31) These extracts form the core of Paul’s understanding of justification by faith through grace. Each word and each phrase has been subject to forensic examination over the centuries. Paul is emphasizing that God is concerned for Jew and Gentile – a shocking affirmation for the Jewish community had assumed that faithfulness to the Law was all that God required, while Paul is suggesting that it is faith in Jesus Christ which fulfils God’s intention. While all humankind has been subject to sin and creatureliness, God’s liberating activity is a gift without payment for all. The language of ransom draws on the wells of the language of liberation from Egypt. Now (v1) a new epoch emerges, God is putting into action his final purpose for Israel and humankind. Such an action has been evident in the death and rising of Jesus Christ, eliciting a response of trust, commitment and obedience to Jesus Christ, thus opening up individual and community to God’s covenant love. Matthew 7:21-29 These verses mark the conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount, and are basically addressed to the disciples - and by extension , to the Church. The cry” Lord, Lord” is empty unless life is lived within the perspective of obedience to the divine. It is not up to the community to judge, that would be to anticipate the divine. Matthew’s Gospel constantly affirms that the wheat and the tares grow alongside each other. The task is not to identify the faults, or folly of others, but to seek to be faithful to God. In vv17-19, the word “doing” appears five times. We are called to do the truth. The solid foundation for such a life is found in the teaching and approach of Jesus to men and women. The Sermon on the Mount ends with the parable of the housebuilding. The image is of a house that could not withstand the flood waters , perhaps here a reminder of the events of Noah and the new thing God has done by offering new life through the one righteous man. The call is to hear the event of God in Jesus and to respond in a life of obedience and trust. Prayers Call to Prayer What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God? Micah 6:8 Collect (Common Order, page 675) God of the nations, you have revealed your will to all people and promised us your saving help. Grant us your grace, both to hear and to do what you command, that darkness may be overcome by the power of your light; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. You are a people claimed by God as his own, to proclaim the glorious deeds of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light 1 Peter 2:9 Prayer of Adoration and Confession Lord God, the wonders of your creation, the splendours of the heavens, the beauty of the earth, the order and diversity of mature all speak to us of your glory. The coming of your Son, pitching His tent among us, identifying with our frailty and ordinariness offering us a vision of life, as You intends it shows us the marvels of your love The presence of your Spirit, guiding, probing, goading, inspiring enabling us to cry Abba – Father exhibits tour continuing care for humankind We worship and adore You, God- Father Son and Holy Spirit God of glory, God of love Look with mercy upon us. We are careless of your world exploiting and abusing it, putting its very life in danger. We are careless of our fellow human beings manipulating and dehumanizing them to satisfy our needs and expectations We are careless of our love and commitment to you listening to your Word selectively following your way hesitantly bending Your truth to suit our comfort Lord have mercy upon us Christ have mercy upon us Lord have mercy upon us and grant us your peace God of glory, God of love Forgive us our sins and grant us time for amendment of life Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercessions Gracious God, we give thanks to you for your inclusive love and care made known in your covenants with humankind and all creation. and above all in Jesus Christ who has given us new birth and re-newed life. Graciously hear us as we pray for those in need in our world. As they face this day, O Lord, Be present to those who feel lost, separated from those they love as they cross unknown borders of mind and land, without country or home, not knowing where or to whom to turn You suffered abandonment, be their refuge and strength in the time of their trial Lord in your mercy… As they face this day, O God, Stand among those in refugee camps around the world, in their hunger and despair in the crowds and the emptiness You suffered the plight of a refugee, be their hope and strength as they cry out for peace and justice. Lord in your mercy… As they face this day, o Lord, Encourage the decision takers in national governments and local authorities to seek the welfare of all their citizens, and act with integrity and courage In Jesus of Nazareth you acted with integrity to enfold all in your care , and to seek right relations between people and nations be their inspiration and guide Lord in your mercy… As we face this day, O Lord, seeking to be faithful . accompany us on our Way, as you journeyed wit the disciples to Emmaus. Join us with those who have travelled the Way before us and now see your face Lord in your mercy… Our Father… Hymns and Songs Hymn references are taken from Church Hymnary: fourth Edition, denoted as CH4, followed by the hymn number:- The Lord of heaven confess CH4, number 104 Spirit of truth and grace CH4, number 608 A safe stronghold, our God is still CH4, number 454 I greet Thee, who my sure Redeemer art CH4, number 455 Christ is the world’s true light CH4, number 456 Sing of the Lord’s goodness, Father of all wisdom CH4, number 157 All my hope on God is founded CH4, number 192 (the order of the hymns suggested above is: for Hymn 608 to be prior to the Lessons; with Luther’s Hymn –no 454 - as the sung version of the Psalm of the day - Ps 46, and Calvin’s Hymn – 455 -to be the post sermon hymn) The following choices of hymns and songs have been selected by the Music Panel, from the Worship and Doctrine Task Group:- Genesis God whose almighty word CH4, number 112 Romans Word of the Father, the life of creation CH4, number 634 God, we praise you. God, we bless you CH4, number 120 ‘Why has God forsaken me?’ CH4, number 388 To God by the glory CH4, number 512 Great God, your love has called us here CH4, number 484 Matthew It is God who holds the nations in the hollow of his hand CH4, number 705 ‘I have a dream,’ a man once said CH4, number 710 Take this moment, sign and space CH4, number 501 Take my life, Lord, let it be CH4, number 502 Seek ye first the Kingdom of God (suitable for children) CH4, number 641 Short songs Come, Holy Spirit CH4, number 758 Thuma mina CH4, number 800 Additional Resources Themes for preaching 1. Since these Lessons reflect central themes of the Reformation, it is important to note that the 27th May (the Tuesday of the preceding week) is the anniversary of the birth of Jean Calvin, the 500th anniversary of which will be celebrated in 2009. 2. The emphasis in the texts is on God’s care for all. Through Noah, he initiates a new Covenant for all creation. Such a care is evident in creation and history (Psalm 46) In Jesus he again does a new thing, Jew and Gentile (Romans) are alike subject of his grace. Human response is to live in faithfulness and trust in God (Matthew) 3. An important emphasis in Genesis and in Romans is the sense of God as the grieving parent - one who feels pain at the actions of those who would wish to centre power on themselves, and bring destruction to God’s intention for humankind and creation. The pathos of God is clear in these passages. This is a God who suffers as He seeks to put in place the new and re-newed creation. A word about the author This week’s material is prepared by Rev Dr Alan Falconer, Minister of the Cathedral Church of St Machar, Aberdeen. This information was printed from www.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship