30 August - Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Year A

The Faith Action Programme would like to thank the National Stewardship Team writing pool for their thoughts on the fourteenth 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, Rev Ken Brown, Mission Co-ordinator for the Presbytery of Edinburgh and West Lothian, reflects on the call to "take up your cross" today.

I had my first opportunity to engage with the set readings just a few days before heading off on holiday. It was a special trip, as my wife and I were celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. Ideally, I would have preferred a clearer head, without all the other memories and life reflections crowding in. Holiday now over, I sit with my Italian inspired coffee and the readings again overshadowed: this time, by the death of a dear church friend and with a wedding service to prepare. Life is very rarely empty enough to allow time and space for engaging with Scripture in a way that we may like. Of course, I am immediately reminded that Scripture comes alive as we allow it to engage with the normal joys and sorrows of our daily lives. Most of what follows, especially the sermon material, comes as a direct consequence of ‘pictures' in my Italian adventure, and focusses on the idea of what the calling to be a disciple looks like today, taken from Matthew 16. I hope, however, that there is a sense of the other readings throughout as well.

Exodus 3:1-15

Moses is going about his daily business when he is rather abruptly stopped in his tracks. Moses' world was about to change as normal routines are interrupted, indeed disrupted: not in this case by some kind of spiritual sense of the divine, or a cerebral reflection about the faith story he was familiar with. These would presumably not have been unusual or challenging. No, this moment would be like no other in Moses' experience up until this point. Moses was on holy ground and he was about to encounter a holy God.

As Moses willingly opens himself to explore what is unfolding before him, God responds in extraordinary terms. Moses is ‘invited' to participate and partner in the missionary enterprise of God. God has heard the despairing cries of the people. Indeed, it seems God is able to go beyond knowledge – to understanding. Initially, Moses would be at ease with God's assessment of the people's predicament; it wouldn't be all that different from Moses' own perspective. However, it gets more interesting when Moses is informed that the situation is going to change and that he is an integral part of the plan. "I will send you," Moses is told (v.10).

Moses responds like we all do at a moment when a call comes that demands courage and commitment – we assume God has mixed us up with someone else more suited to the task! However, the self-revelation of God and this appointment with Moses is not flawed.

As God is made known to this reluctant follower, promising to be faithful and powerful, Moses is able to move away from this holy ground, beginning an extraordinary journey, knowing that God's presence would not be confined to a bush.

Psalm 105: 1-6, 23-26, 45b

Moses is now long-dead and a new generation is struggling with how to live out their faith story and express their commitment to God in their own complicated world. This psalm comes to them as a powerful and timely reminder (just in case they had forgotten) about who God is, what God has done and is still capable of doing.

God is to be seen as abundantly faithful and powerful, and not just in the past. Historically, Moses was called to trust that God could and would change his future and that of the people he would lead. However, the people who first heard the words of this psalm were called to live, not in the past, but in the reality of their present set of circumstances. They are clearly and strongly reminded that God was, and God is, a God of wonders (vv.2,5).

Therefore, how to respond appropriately should not be in doubt. The hearers of the psalm are to come and "seek", "remember" and "celebrate". In other words, the people are called to put their trust in God.

The hearers are invited to be thankful to God as they look back to the historical origin of their faith. Surrounded, as they were, by people who were never going to have their best interests at heart, they were called to bear witness to the revelation of God's activity on their behalf historically and in the present day. They are called to live out their covenant with God (despite their many previous failures), to appreciate afresh God's power and presence, and to make real again in their hearts the story of God's marvellous interventions in the lives of God's chosen people. That generation were contemporary bearers of a heritage that stretched back to Moses and beyond. It was their privilege to look back with gratitude and to live daily in ways that brought honour to God. Of course, as we know, the call to follow God is never straightforward.

Matthew 16:21-28

Given a religious context dominated by a very specific national and political vision – and a picture of a coming Messiah who must fit into that vision – it is no surprise that the disciples were baffled by Jesus' sombre announcement of what lay ahead in Jerusalem. It would come in blatant contradiction to their personal and national hopes for the future.

At this point, there is a clear lack of understanding about the cross and all that it would entail for Jesus and His followers, as the means by which they would truly enter and experience the kingdom of God. Jesus' purpose was far greater than the material and spiritual blessing of Israel. Indeed, this purpose was to deliver all of humanity from an enemy far greater than the Roman Empire.

As we noticed earlier, the path of discipleship, as foreshadowed in the experience of the Old Testament people of God, is not straightforward. As Jesus' followers were about to discover, discipleship involved the way of the cross. As such, it is the one who gives up their life in true discipleship who will truly find life, both in the present and in the future. Paradoxically, it is the one who seeks to have life on their own terms who will lose it. This dying to self makes possible the radical love and service that are the essence of discipleship and is the practical (and often difficult) teaching with which the early Christians wrestled.

Taking up (bearing) the cross, death to self and the reality of suffering are all expected in the new kingdom promised by Jesus, but they were hardly what the bewildered disciples were anticipating as a result of their association with Jesus. Their future was being redefined before their eyes.

Romans 12:9-21

Radical discipleship is on Paul's heart and mind as he continues to challenge the Christians in Rome to explore what it means to be "living sacrifices" (12:1) reminding his hearers that developing healthy relationships is at the heart of what kingdom life looks like. These relationships must be guided by the core principles of sincerity, generosity and hospitality – themes that will crop up again and again in his exhortations to the Early Church, often as a result of these principles not being lived out in practice.

Paul reflects further: it is one thing to love and serve those who are part of our community; it is quite another to take a further step and to practise these disciplines with those who are outside of that community – even to those who actively seek to make life difficult for us. Earlier in Romans, Paul has said that, "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). This is the standard and this is the challenge. True discipleship is never about looking after those who are already on the inside.

So, in verses 14, 17, 20 and 21, we are presented with actions that must not be absent from those who would take up the challenge of the cross. Again, discipleship is not presented as straightforward. Paul concludes this section by stating, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." One commentator is reminded of Martin Luther King Jnr's words at a civil rights rally: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

Our readings conclude with a clear and relevant call to the Church of today to follow the way of the cross. There is no other way.

Sermon ideas

Before leaving for our trip to Italy, I was drawn to one particular statement in the four readings. It comes in the form of an invitation and challenge. It is clear and uncompromising. Jesus says to His disciples (then and now), "Take up your cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). The words come again in the context of God's call, a promise to be faithful and powerful, and the realisation that to accept the challenge will never be straightforward.

However, with the picture of the cross in my thoughts, I was struck by how often I was led to notice pictures of the cross whilst on holiday. Some, in particular, made a significant impact:

• Standing in front of The Painted Cross – an impressive large wooden depiction of Christ from the 13^th century now in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence – was a highlight of our time away. (https://www.friendsofflorence.org/projects/cross-no-434-sala-delle-maesta-galleria-degli-uffizi/)
• Noticing a small, ‘plain' cross on the wall behind the desk in the foyer of the Carabinieri office in Sorrento – therein lies a tale!
• Being confronted with a T-shirt worn by an American guest staying in the same hotel in Rome with the slogan, "I stand for the flag, I kneel for the cross," which I have subsequently discovered is a common reference to a dual commitment of faith and patriotism.

I have returned home with some questions in my mind which may help to structure a formal talk, group discussion, one-to-one conversation or personal reflection:

• What pictures of the cross am I aware of seeing?
• Have I ever worn a cross? Why or why not?
• What did it mean for Jesus to take up His cross?
• What barriers and potential costs get in the way of me taking up my cross (these may be historical, cultural or simply personal)?
• At what point in my life did I begin to understand discipleship was not for the faint-hearted?
• What examples of people taking up their cross inspire me in my faith journey?
• How can I support people around me and further afield who are suffering as a result of following Christ's invitation?

The words of Charles Everest's well-known hymn (CH4 402) may offer a framework for preaching, exploring the theme of each verse in turn:

‘Take up your cross,' the saviour said,
‘if you would my disciple be;
deny yourself, forsake the world,
and humbly follow after me.'

Prayers

Gathering prayer/Call to worship
Christine Longhurst, Assistant Professor of Worship and Music, Canadian Mennonite University

You call us to turn away from our own selfish interests,
to take up our cross, and to follow after You –
to find our lives by giving them up to Your greater purpose.

So, we come before You this morning with open hearts and open hands,
eager to hear Your Word, and eager to know Your will.

Through the power of Your Holy Spirit,
move within us and among us as we worship.
Open our eyes to Your presence;
open our ears to Your call,
open our hearts to one another.
And then send us back out into the world,
to live and work as Your faithful disciples.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Lord, Amen.

Confession/Repentance
Reflecting on the thoughts of Moses and the disciples as their worlds were about to be turned upside down:

All faithful and all powerful God,
We acknowledge our unwillingness and inability at times
to understand Your ways and our reluctance to carry out Your will.
Forgive us and help us in those holy ground moments
when we are inclined to count the cost,
so that we can offer ourselves afresh
as participants and partners in Your missionary enterprise.

Dedication of offering
Lord, we come as a congregation of people who choose to follow You.
As part of our following, we give
both in grateful response to Your abundant provision for our journey of faith
and in compassionate response
to the needs of each other in this congregation and community.
Take and bless the giving of Your people this day and this week.

Thanksgiving/Gratitude
(Perhaps with a picture of the cross on a screen or in hand)

Lord, we give thanks that You are a God of invitation and call.
As such, You invite us and call us to follow.
We are truly blessed.

[Take a few minutes to either reflect in silence or share with another person – depending on your context – what this blessing looks like to You.]

Thank You that You are also a God who in Jesus chose the way of the cross.
To the cross therefore, we gladly bring our worship
and from it we will take our witness to our world.

Prayer for others/Intercession
Taking up our cross can be understood in many ways. Using Romans 12:9-21 (NIV) as a basis for our intercessions, we can pray that our lives may practically and daily reflect our desire to respond to the call of Christ in relationship with each other and our wider world. I have left out reference to the last few verses but they may be included for completeness – although some explanation may be required.

May we be a people who
hate what is evil and cling to what is good.
Who are devoted to one another in love and who honour one another above ourselves.
Who are never lacking in zeal, but who keep our spiritual fervour in serving the Lord.
Who are joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Who share with the Lord's people who are in need and who practise hospitality.

May we bless those who persecute, blessing and not cursing.
May we rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.
May we live in harmony with one another, not being proud, but being willing to associate with people of low position.

May we not be conceited.
May we not repay anyone evil for evil.
May we be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on us, may we live at peace with everyone.
May we, in so doing, willingly take up our cross…

Blessing/Closing prayer
May the Lord Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for you,
give you, in partnership with one another,
the courage to take up your cross and follow after him.

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.

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

Reflecting the faithful and powerful nature of God and God's activity in the world:

• CH4 153 – "Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father"
• CH4 173 – "Sing to God new songs of worship"

Reflecting the impact of the cross of Christ:

• CH4 382 – "O Sacred Head! Sore wounded"
• CH4 392 – "When I survey the wondrous cross"
• CH4 405 – "We sing the praise of him who died"
• CH4 549 – "How deep the Father's love for us"

Reflecting our response to the cross:

• CH4 374 – "From heaven you came, helpless babe" (The Servant King)
• CH4 506 – "All I once held dear, built my life upon" (Knowing You)
• MP 55 – "Beneath the cross of Jesus"
• MP 1109 – "Thank you for the cross, Lord"

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.