16 August - Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost – Year A

The Faith Action Programme would like to thank the National Stewardship Team writing pool for their thoughts on the twelfth Sunday after Pentecost.

Introduction

Many of the lectionary texts throughout August raise themes of God's generosity and our response to it. In preparing material for this month, the national stewardship team held a series of online conversations to discuss how the texts spoke into these themes. We are grateful to Ken Brown, Janet Dick, Jo Love, Douglas Monaghan, Fiona Penny, Lucy Peppiatt, Darren Philip, Katherine Southern and Pauline Wilson for contributing to these discussions. Each week's themes were explored by reading all four texts aloud and inviting each person to respond to the question, "What stood out to you?" One participant then used these observations as inspiration to produce the worship material for each week. This could offer a model for exploring the texts with a small group in your own context and developing worship collaboratively.

Each week's material stands alone, or the month can be followed together as a series unpacking the generous nature of God and our response to it. Additional resources and support for exploring themes of generosity and stewardship are available by contacting stewardship@churchofscotland.org.uk.

This week, Douglas Monaghan, Minister of Monifieth South Angus, reflects on the generosity of God's grace and how it inspires us in turn to live generously.

Isaiah 56:1, 6-8

Isaiah 56 is the beginning of a new section in the book (sometimes called third Isaiah). This new section begins with an exhortation; an appeal for people to act with justice and righteousness, as this is the hallmark of those who serve God. We are to live just and right lives as God has shown us this is how God behaves. And it turns out that all who live this way are accepted by God. In a surprise for Israel, foreigners who have joined themselves to God will also be graced by God. Those who are pleasing to God are not simply those who can trace their ancestry back to Abraham, but also those who live lives of obedience to the call of God. A "foreigner" who lives a life of obedience to God is more pleasing to God than an Israelite who does not.

This is not about being legalistic or seeking salvation through works but rather a genuine response to God for what God has done for all humanity. Through being saved by faith, we respond in gratitude by living in a new way, and this is open to all humanity. It is the outworking of the promises made to Abraham that all nations will be blessed by God; that all nations would stream to Zion to learn God's ways.

Just as Peter needed a vision to accept gentiles, and Paul had to challenge the Church to accept those who were not circumcised, so we in the Church should not be surprised if someone we see as an outsider comes seeking God's grace. Isaiah challenges us to ask who we see as a foreigner coming into our houses of prayer. The price of discipleship is simply obedience to the call of God in grateful response to God offering salvation to even the likes of us!

Psalm 67

This psalm could be either a song of thanksgiving, possibly at harvest time, or a prayer for God's blessing, or even both. We should take note of the structure of it as it begins with a blessing and knowledge of God among all the nations, then there is a refrain. At the centre is a profession of God's sovereignty, the refrain repeats and it ends with a blessing and reverence of God by all the earth. Has the Psalmist put God at the centre, surrounded by praise of all the nations for a reason?

There is a universality spoken of in this psalm. The opening blessing sounds familiar; it's clearly referencing the Aaronic blessing in Numbers 6. But while that blessing is reserved for the people of Israel alone, this blessing refers to all the nations. Look at the repetition of "all" to remind us that God's blessings are not restricted to any one group, rather they are for everyone.

The Psalmist is echoing the promises of God to be a blessing for the whole world. As another writer tells us, "God so loved the world" – not just one section or race, but so that everyone who has faith in Him shall be saved. Think how poignant it is for us who are not Israelites to hear God's blessing being pronounced upon us. It sparks gratitude within us that through God's grace we too are grafted into the family of God through our faith in Jesus.

Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32

Romans is regarded as Paul's magnum opus and contains his most complete theology. In this part of the letter, Paul is addressing a theological problem that has arisen. Jesus came to the Jews as their Messiah as part of God's promises, but many of the Jews rejected Him. This could raise the question of God's wisdom and competency in sending someone who was rejected. Paul therefore has to address what exactly is God's relationship with Israel in light of this. Has God forsaken God's own chosen people? Can any Jew be saved?

His answer is a resounding "Yes". As Paul points out, he himself is a Jew and has received salvation, so it is possible. Developing this argument, Paul points out that the promises of God are eternal and cannot be revoked, God's word cannot fail. God had promised Abraham that salvation would come firstly to the Jews, then to the rest of the world. So Abraham's children are both the bearers and the beneficiaries of this promise. For the Jews to be denied salvation would mean God has gone back on God's word; unthinkable! There will always be ethnic Jews amongst adopted Jews, circumcised believers among uncircumcised believers. As Paul demonstrates, gentiles who lived outside of Mosaic Law are now part of God's family. Those who lived lives of disobedience have been shown mercy and grace according to God's promises to Abraham. So, it will be no different for Jews who are similarly disobedient, the same grace and mercy will be shown to them.

As far as Paul is concerned, all of humanity was living under the power of sin, all humanity had fallen short of God's call, both Jew and gentile alike. Israel bore the promises of God which would endure even if humanity failed. The Messiah came and succeeded where humanity failed and brought salvation to all. For God to bring salvation only to the gentiles would be against the covenant. Therefore, when Jews come to faith in Jesus, they too will receive salvation. It is God's grace shared with all, regardless of race, colour, or creed. It is something of a mirror image with the other readings that show God's grace to Israel being shared with others. Here Paul is showing the grace shown to others is similarly shown to Jews.

Matthew 15:21-28

The theme of grace being extended to all is made clear in this healing story from Matthew's gospel. Here the person is neither a Jew nor a man, so does not have a lot going for them according to the standards of the time! At first, we can think Jesus is somewhat callous in His response to the woman, saying that He has come to the lost sheep of Israel. But this is, in fact, exactly what God has promised; salvation would come first to the Jews and from them would come salvation to the world. Jesus is simply being faithful to God's covenant. As Matthew has made clear on many occasions however, the Kingdom is now present and cannot help but leak into the everyday.

The reference to the woman as a dog is harsh to our ears but we know that this term was used by Jews to describe non-Jews. Is Jesus using it to demonstrate how offensive it is? Imagine seeing this woman begging for help and to hear her described as a dog to her face. Might this make those around reflect on this language? Note that this woman is able to identify Jesus as "Lord, Son of David", a confession that even some Jews cannot make. Is she therefore in the category mentioned by Isaiah in that reading, a foreigner who has joined herself to the Lord? The woman leans into the analogy though. She may well be a dog, but even they receive grace from the excess of others. It is suggested that at the time, napkins were not commonplace and so a host would provide bread for the guests to wipe their fingers on. This bread was then discarded; thrown to the dogs to eat. She is not asking any Jew to do without – only to benefit from what is excess, what is not required. From their great abundance, what they discard can be a blessing for others. And, confirming the truth of the promises of God, salvation comes to the gentiles that day.

By healing the woman's daughter, Jesus reveals God's heart to bring salvation to all. Who in our time do we consider unworthy – as "dogs"? Who do we deny grace to because they are not like us? If God is so generous with God's love and grace, why should we who profess to follow God be any different?

Sermon ideas

The readings this week all demonstrate the generous grace of God. They show us that God is not mean with grace but rather is abundant in sharing with everyone. They call us to examine our own hearts to see if we are as generous with our resources. Do we see this world the same way God does? Do we see a world where every single person is loved and valued and where the call of God is to share from our abundance? As God models generosity of spirit, the call is made on the Church to do likewise.

There are two obvious themes running through the readings this week. These are the eternal and unshakeable promises of God, and the desire for God to see all of creation come to salvation.

From early in our salvation story, God has promised that a saviour will come firstly to Israel, and from them salvation will come to the world. It has always been God's will for all humanity to come to salvation and, for reasons that have pleased God, God chose this way of doing it. Looking back from our perspective, it makes perfect sense that "foreigners" or "gentiles" would come into these promises as we ourselves have benefitted from them, but for those people at that time, it was shocking. Time and time again we have seen Jesus minister to the outcast, be they Samaritan, leper, woman, or gentile. We have seen the shock of the disciples, yet it was always going to be this way. We read in Acts, or in the letters of Paul, the struggles in the Early Church of accepting those who were not Jewish by ethnicity, yet it was all in fulfilment of God's plan.

This shows us we can trust the promises of God, whatever they are. God has demonstrated faithfulness to us and clearly kept the covenant made with humanity.

It also asks us to look into ourselves and ask if we are as open with our grace as God is. There is no one to whom God does not extend the offer of salvation. Are there those in our communities we see as being ‘foreign' or ‘outside'? Are there those we refuse to minister to because of how we see them? God has been exceedingly generous towards us – while we were sinners, Jesus died for us. God has offered each one of us a chance to come to faith in Jesus and be redeemed and reconciled to God. If God is prepared to reach out to someone like us, why would God's Church not also do this? In a season when we are looking at stewardship, the call is not simply to be generous with our money, but also with our gifts and graces, and with our mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and our grace.

And lastly, the Romans reading stands counter to the other three. Those readings look at salvation being extended from the Jews to the gentiles. Romans looks at the salvation that has been offered to the gentiles also being offered to the Jews. Sometimes it is helpful to look at an issue the other way round. By seeing things the same way that Paul does, we see the full scope of the grace of God. "And can it be that we should gain an interest in the Saviour's blood? Tis mercy all". Thanks be to God.

Prayers

Call to worship
Perhaps a responsive version of Psalm 67 would be a good call to worship.

May God be merciful and bless us.
May God's face smile favour upon us.
May God's ways be known throughout the earth.
God's saving power among people everywhere.

May the nations praise God.
Let the whole world sing for joy.
God governs the world with justice and guides all people.

May the nations praise God.

Prayers of thanksgiving and Confession
Loving God,
You have shown us Your great mercy and compassion
and we have responded to You with faith and worship.
We have gathered here today to witness to Your compassion and love.
We are all different people and have come from different places,
yet through the gift of Your Holy Spirit, we are all known as Yours.

We confess that we have not been as generous with our love or grace as You call us to be. We have classed those who are Your beloved children as different,
as foreign, as those not worthy to receive our love.
We have placed limits on our compassion and have been jealous of our resources.

Through this service today may we hear Your voice more clearly,
calling us to lives of extravagant generosity.
May we be encouraged to share freely from our abundance with others who need it.
May the gifts and graces You have given to us
be used to witness to Your present kingdom to those You have placed around us.
And may our inclusive and expansive love bring a glimpse of You
to those who need to see You most.

Prayers of intercession
Loving God,
We pray for those who are on the outside,
that they may we welcomed in, loved, graced, and accepted by others.

We pray for those who are outsiders due to conflict and war.
Those who have had to flee their homes and their way of life.
We pray that they find safety and welcome and are seen as beloved children of God.
As You open up Your Kingdom to all,
may we open up our lives to welcome and accept those who are the victims of aggression.

We pray for those on the outside of our society.
Those who are homeless, who struggle with addiction,
whose lifestyle places them in the category of the ‘other.'
In the life and witness of Jesus Christ we see the outsider being brought in,
the stranger being welcomed as a friend,
and so we pray that those whom society deem as outcasts can find a welcome place.

We pray for those who labour under illness of body, mind, or spirit.
Those who are unable to participate fully in community life due to their health.
Those who are shut in, those who watch from the margins,
those who feel they are not accepted or able to join in.
May they know Your love and Your healing and may they be restored to life.
We give thanks for those who tend to them, those who care for them,
for in their love, they show a glimpse of You and life in Your kingdom.

We pray for Your Church.
As those who are committed to follow You, may we actually do so.
May we model Your radically inclusive love, grace, compassion,
and forgiveness in all our ministries and mission.
As You welcomed the stranger, the outcast, the ‘other',
may our churches also.
May we be seen not as social clubs,
but as agents of reconciliation and grace
where all may find a welcome and a place at Your table.

We ask these things in Your name. Amen.

Offering prayer
Loving God,
All that we have and hold in this life is a gift from You,
a sign of Your remarkable generosity to us.
May what we bring to You, our gifts of money, time, and talent,
be a sign of our generosity of spirit
and may You bless all we bring to You
and use it to further Your mission and ministry in this world.

Sending and Blessing
Go from this place, having received the extravagant generosity of God,
with the encouragement and commitment
to share what we have received with those that God has placed around us.
May your very lives give witness to the radical love of God by showing love to all you meet.

And may the Lord bless you and keep you,
may the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you,
may the Lord lift up His countenance upon you
and give you His peace. Amen.

Musical suggestions

God Welcomes All (GWA) is the new supplement to Church Hymnary Fourth Edition. This exciting new collection features over 200 hymns and songs in a wide range of styles by writers from Scotland and around the world.

The full music and words-only versions are now available; and digital resources, including the expansion of the existing Church of Scotland music website, will be published in due course, with streaming functions and further information on each song; backing tracks; and lyric videos. God Welcomes All is available to order from https://chbookshop.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9781786225573/god-welcomes-all

Our online music resource is on the Church of Scotland website; you can listen to samples of every song in the Church Hymnary 4th edition (CH4) and download a selection of recordings for use in worship. You will also find playlists for this week and liturgical seasons and themes on the Weekly Worship and Inspire Me tabs.

You can find further musical suggestions for this week in a range of styles on the Songs for Sunday blog from Trinity College Glasgow.

• GWA 10 – "Favour and bless us Lord" (Psalm 67) – A metrical setting of Psalm 67 celebrating God's blessing flowing out to all nations. It reflects the generous scope of God's grace and could open worship with a vision of God's saving purpose for all.

• GWA 202 – "God, may our church reflect your grace"

• GWA 209 – "We are called to welcome strangers"

• GWA 216 – "Build a longer table, not a higher wall"

For a full list of GWA songs for a Narrative of Generosity, see the Additional Material for this month.

• CH4 45 – "Lord, bless and pity us" – This version of Psalm 67 highlights God's mercy and offers a reflective expression of God's generous blessing shared with the whole world.

• CH4 180 – "Give thanks with a grateful heart" – A simple song of gratitude for God's grace and generosity. It encourages a response of thankful stewardship, recognising all we have as a gift, and could be used around the time of offering.

• CH4 182 – "Now thank we all our God" – A cherished hymn of thanksgiving, affirming God's enduring faithfulness and unshakeable promises across generations. Its final verse takes the form of a benediction, making it a fitting way to send the congregation out with God's blessing and peace.
• CH4 198 – "Let us build a house where all can dwell" – This hymn gives voice to God's inclusive vision. It resonates closely with Isaiah and the Gospel in calling the Church to reflect God's generous welcome.

• CH4 259 – "Beauty for Brokenness, hope for despair" – A prayer for justice, healing and renewal, reflecting God's concern for those on the margins. It connects with the call to share God's grace generously in a fractured world.

• CH4 263 – "God of freedom, God of justice" – This hymn challenges the Church to reflect God's justice and generosity in action. It speaks to the call to embody God's grace in how we treat others.

• CH4 543 – "Longing for light, we wait in darkness" – A hymn of longing and hope, acknowledging human need while trusting in God's mercy. It reflects the persistent faith seen in the Gospel reading.

• CH4 544 – "When I needed a neighbour were you there?" – This hymn confronts us with the call to recognise Christ in others, especially those we might overlook. It aligns with the challenge to extend grace beyond our usual boundaries.

• CH4 623 – "Here in this place, new light is streaming" – A gathering hymn celebrating the formation of a community rooted in God's love, where people are drawn together in faith, deep bonds are formed and all are welcomed to share in God's gracious purpose.

• CH4 685 – "For everyone born, a place at the table" – A powerful expression of God's inclusive grace, affirming that all are invited and valued, and reinforcing the theme of generous welcome at the heart of the readings. It could be used around a celebration of Communion.

• CH4 694 – "Brother, Sister, let me serve you" – This well-loved hymn emphasises mutual care and shared burden-bearing, reflecting the practical outworking of generous grace within the community of faith.

• CH4 717 – "O Christ, the healer, we have come" – A prayer for healing and wholeness, grounded in trust in Christ's compassion. It echoes the faith of those who seek mercy, and affirms Christ's readiness to respond in grace.

• CH4 796 – "The Lord bless you and keep you" – A sung benediction affirming God's continuing blessing and faithfulness. It sends the congregation out with the assurance of God's generous grace.

Reflecting on our worship practice

Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, the way we worship has changed and we need to reflect on the changing or newly established patterns that emerged and continue to emerge as a result of the disruption.

We can facilitate worship for all by exploring imaginative approaches to inclusion, participation and our use of technologies in ways that suit our contexts. This is not an exhaustive list, but some things we could consider are:

• Framing various parts of the worship service in accessible language to help worshippers understand the character and purpose of each part. This is essential for creating worship for all (intergenerational worship) that reflects your community of faith.
• Holding spaces for reflection and encouraging prayer to be articulated in verbal and non-verbal ways, individually and in online breakout rooms.
• In online formats the effective use of the chat function and microphone settings encourages active participation in prayer, e.g. saying the Lord's Prayer together unmuted, in a moment of ‘holy chaos'.
• While singing in our congregations is still restricted, we can worship corporately by using antiphonal psalm readings, creeds and participative prayers.
• Using music and the arts as part of the worship encourages the use of imagination in place of sung or spoken words.
• Use of silence, sensory and kinaesthetic practices allow for experience and expression beyond regular audio and visual mediums.

The following questions might help you develop a habit of reflecting on how we create and deliver content and its effectiveness and impact, and then applying what we learn to develop our practice.

• How inclusive was the worship?
  Could the worship delivery and content be described as worship for all/ intergenerational?
  Was it sensitive to different "Spiritual Styles"?
• How was the balance between passive and active participation?
• How were people empowered to connect with or encounter God?
  What helped this?
  What hindered this?
• How cohesive was the worship?
  Did it function well as a whole?
  How effective was each of the individual elements in fulfilling its purpose?
• How balanced was the worship?
  What themes/topics/doctrines/areas of Christian life were included?
• How did the worship connect with your context/contemporary issues?
  Was it relevant in the everyday lives of those attending and in the wider parish/ community?
  How well did the worship connect with local and national issues?
  How well did the worship connect with world events/issues?
• What have I learned that can help me next time I plan and deliver worship?

Useful links

You can listen to samples of every song in the Church Hymnary 4th edition (CH4) and download a selection of recordings for use in worship in our online hymnary.

You are free to download, project, print and circulate multiple copies of any of this material for use in worship services, bible studies, parish magazines, etc., but reproduction for commercial purposes is not permitted.

Please note that the views expressed in these materials are those of the individual writer and not necessarily the official view of the Church of Scotland, which can be laid down only by the General Assembly.