Planning. 4th Sunday after Pentecost 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Proper 6 (11) June Things to keep in mind this week.

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1 Planning SAT 23 FRI 22 THUR 21 WED 20 TUES 19 MON 18 SUN 17 4th Sunday after Pentecost 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Proper 6 (11) Things to keep in mind this week Planning ahead June 2018 Sunday, June 17 Saturday, June S M T W T F S May 2018 S M T W T F S July 2018 S M T W T F S Revised Common Lectionary (Year B) 1 Samuel 15:34 16:13 Psalm 20 2 Corinthians 5:6 10, (11 13), Mark 4:26 34 Seasons of the Spirit is based on semicontinuous readings of the Revised Common Lectionary. Liturgical colour: green If you have Internet access, visit to access Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage. Ecumenical Prayer Calendar Brazil As listed in In God s Hands: Common Prayer for the World, ed. By Hugh McCullum and Terry MacArthur (Geneva: World Council of Churches, 2006). Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFusion Pentecost

2 Pentecost Focus scripture 1 Samuel 15:34 16:13 Additional scriptures Psalm 20 2 Corinthians 5:6 10 (11 13), 14 17) Mark 4:26 34 Seasons of the Spirit is based on the semi-continuous readings of the Revised Common Lectionary. Biblical Background June 17, 2018 Dear God, we confess that instead of putting our trust in you, we often want to know the outcome before we say yes to the invitation. Grant us the courage to answer your call, and help us to remember you have chosen us for something special. God s Role for Me God ensures the future of Israel by anointing a child shepherd to be the ruler. Like David, we are called to play a special role in God s reign. God sees into the hearts of people and calls forth our potential. In response to this calling, we walk by faith, not by sight, seeing the world through God s eyes. Focus Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:34 16:13 This week, we learn of the origin of David s rise to power: his anointing. Immediately before these events, King Saul had failed to carry out God s commandments, and this disobedience angered God. God consequently informed the prophet, Samuel, that Saul is now rejected as the legitimate king of Israel. Though it grieved Samuel to delegitimize Saul, Samuel nevertheless relayed God s message to him. This week, Samuel is sent to Bethlehem to anoint a new king. This passage is about being chosen by God for a particular purpose. Samuel is chosen to anoint a future king of Israel. Jesse is chosen to provide a son as the next king even though this constitutes treason and could, we might infer, lead to his death. The Bethlehemite elders are chosen to be present at David s anointing and to, therefore, support his legitimacy as the future ruler. Thus, we see how the community plays a vital role in owning God s choice of leader. Similarly, David s brothers are chosen to set aside the old traditions and power structures, and support their youngest brother s anointing even though, according to the social rules of the time, David was not entitled to this honour. Finally, David is chosen by God to be the future ruler. Each character s role is essential in bringing about God s vision. Throughout the text, we encounter the Hebrew word, sama, meaning to listen or hear. In this context, it also means to obey. To be chosen therefore requires two things: to listen and respond. Saul fails to do so and is rejected by God. However, the other characters answer God s call. The concept of sama also invites us to consider how we perceive things. When Samuel assumes Jesse s first-born will be the anointed one, God tells him that God does not see as humans see. Humans look on the outward appearance. God looks on the heart (v. 7). This radically different way of seeing is echoed in 2 Corinthians 5:6 10, (11 13), Paul explains that to accept one s calling is to surrender the old way of looking at the world and choose to see the world through God s eyes. Like David, each of us is chosen by God to do something special with our lives, yet it is up to us whether we answer that call. Though often frightening, we need not fear for God is with us (Psalm 20). To be chosen is to be renewed, because in Christ there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! (2 Corinthians 5:17). We only need to have faith as small as a mustard seed to begin (Mark 4:26 34). This week s readings invite us to consider what it means to be chosen by God, be that as a leader or a follower. What special things are we called to do or be? We trust in a God who works consistently outside the usual human ways of doing things and are invited to see things differently. Anointed by Samuel, the unlikely figure of David emerges as God s chosen one. How might we hear and see ourselves as chosen by God, and for what? 62 Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFusion Pentecost Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2017

3 Reflection and Focus June 17, 2018 Reflecting on the Word Adapt and use for youth and adult studies, sermon seeds, lay worship teams. Connecting with life What criteria does the world use when choosing people for particular positions? What are the dangers inherent in believing we are chosen and others not? Scripture Samuel 15:34 16:13 How does it change the way you see yourself if you accept that you, like David, are anointed for a special purpose? How are the gifts of each member of your community being fostered, including people of all ages and abilities? Some are called to lead, others to follow. Watch the YouTube clip: First Follower Leadership Lessons from Dancing Guy and discuss the role of leaders and followers. Mark 4:26 34 Once anointed, David has to wait a long time for this calling to be fulfilled. Similarly, the mustard seed must wait its time to grow into a bush. What is germinating in the rich, dark soil of congregational life that requires patience and trust? We often want assurance that the final result will be a success before we re prepared to embark on the journey. We can only trust that we ve been anointed for a special purpose. Where might the community be holding back from embarking on a new venture? Pentecost Materials poster Giacomond, or prepare to project the image (in the Images to Project and Print folder on the Pentecost 1 CD and in the web version of SeasonsFUSION), computer or tablet with access to the Internet How can we lean on God in this time of change and encourage the new seeds to sprout? 2 Corinthians 5:6 10, (11 13), urges us to walk by faith and not by sight, and to regard no one from a human point of view. How do we go about seeing things through God s eyes? What obstacles might arise when the world continues to see things the old way? Connecting scripture and life Throughout our lives, we move through transitions: starting and ending school, work, promotion, losing a job, marriage, separation, having children, retirement, ill health, moving house. We grow and change, just as the mustard bush grows and changes. With each change, our calling may change also. How has your life s purpose changed? To where is God calling you now? Despite David being both small and of low status, he is chosen to be the ruler. Similarly, the mustard seed is the smallest of all the seeds yet it grows into the greatest of all shrubs. What might God have chosen for you? How can we support our community leaders and members to discern and realize their calling? Contemplate the painting Giacomond. What does it say about faith and trust? How does the painting encourage us to approach life? What potential might God see in you, individually and as the church? Focus for Worship, Learning, and Serving Each of us is chosen by God to do particular things, the nature of which will change over time. As we pass through various life transitions, we may feel temporarily lost as the role for which we were initially chosen fades away or is no longer possible to accomplish. At these times, we remember that God chooses us again and again at every phase of our lives; that we are never abandoned or considered useless. Now may be a time to unearth hidden gifts or take up new responsibilities. Perhaps you may be called to step down from a leadership role to take up more of a prayerful, supportive role. The world needs followers as much as it does leaders. In the eyes of the world, David was an unlikely choice for king. But God saw differently. Today, we are invited to see everyone through God s eyes; to know each one of us is chosen for something, and to recognize and share these gifts for the glory of God. To this end, the worship includes an anointing service where everyone s chosen-ness will be recognized and blessed. See Creating Your Own Ritual on page 67. Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFusion Pentecost

4 God s Role for Me Prepare Music Suggestions Worship Outline June 17, 2018 NOTE: All of these suggestions are mere starting points; adapt, delete, and add according to your local needs. Recruit volunteers needed for worship: six for the drama How Shall We Use God s Gifts. Choose an option for hearing 1 Samuel 15:34 16:13. For the Bible story, arrange for a storyteller to present the story A Surprise for Samuel on p. 68. For the drama, arrange for 9 actors to present The Anointing of David (in the Extra Resources folder on the Pentecost 1 CD). Bring items for setting the worship space: tray of sand or soil concealing cardboard gift boxes for the opening drama/prayer of confession. You might choose to print the art image Like Wind, Like Fire on your bulletin covers (in the Images to Project and Print folder on the Pentecost 1 CD and in the web version of SeasonsFUSION). For background to the art and artists, see Connecting with the Art (p. 4). Bring song such as Children of the Spirit (Seasons Songbook, vol. 7, #4 on Seasons Music CD, vol. 7. Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Downloads, Set stations as described on p Call to worship One: Come, pilgrims. Let us gather together. Come, enter this holy pause. All: In this place, we lay down our burdens. One: We take the time to still our minds. All: Let us release our tasks and to-do lists. One: Now is the time to rest in God s love. All: We step into the present and enter God s presence to pray, to praise, to sing, to renew. One: We gladly proclaim we are chosen by God as we open our hearts to hear God s call and rejoice. Opening prayer One: Loving God, we praise you for your goodness, you who knew us and loved us even before we were born. You delight in us, your chosen ones. No matter our age or our health, our schooling or our status, we matter to you, our life-long guide and friend. Gather Children of the Spirit Monica O Brien, Gina Ogilvie; Seasons Songbook, vol. 7 God Grant That We Might Be Transformed Zimbabwean Traditional, adapted by Tom Colvin; Seasons Songbook, vol. 7 Faith as Small as a Mustard Seed Doug Horley This Little Light of Mine Traditional African-American Thuma Mina (Send Me, Jesus) Traditional, South Africa From Little Things, Big Things Grow Paul Kelly A chart that shows the licence holder(s) for each song in each of the 9 Seasons of the Spirit Music Volumes can be found at Click on Library; Seasons Music Information. Please contact a licence holder for permission to duplicate. All: We thank you for your presence, you who knew us and loved us even before we were born. One: Though leaves may fall and petals decay, though old traditions die and loved ones depart, the breath of your spirit blows through us like a cool change. All: We thank you for Jesus, for his unconditional love for all. One: Through his death and resurrection we ve become a new creation from brokenness, our lives are now transformed. All: Drama How shall we use God s gifts? Arrange for 6 actors and additional volunteers to distribute gift boxes before the drama begins. You will need a basket of small gift boxes plus additional boxes for each member of the congregation; inside each box is a note, You are chosen by God for a special purpose ; tray or bucket filled with sand or soil that is deep enough to be able to bury the boxes. 64 Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFusion Pentecost Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2017

5 Worship Outline June 17, 2018 Drama The gift-giver and additional volunteers take baskets and distribute boxes to those seated. Instruct not to open the boxes yet. When these volunteers have returned to their seats, Persons A, B, C, D, and E stand facing the congregation. Person F remains to the side or out of sight. The gift-giver hands each of them a gift box and exits. All but D examine their gift curiously. D holds theirs but doesn t look at it. In front of the actors is a tray or bucket filled with sand or soil. Person A: (anxious) What am I supposed to do with this? There aren t any instructions. What if I mess it up and make a fool of myself? I d better put it away to avoid making a mistake (buries it in the sand). Person B: It s mine, all mine! I need to protect it make sure no one else gets their hands on it. I know! I ll put it somewhere safe where no one else can get to it (buries it in the sand). Person C: This is so beautiful. Just look at it! I mean, well (looks around at the others) I think it s beautiful, but what if I m wrong? What if other people think it s horrible? Ahh! This is too much stress. Let s just pretend I never got it (buries gift). Person D: (holds gift but doesn t look at it) Person E: (addressing D) Hey, nice gift. Person D: What gift? I don t have a gift. What are you talking about? Person E: That gift right there. The one you re holding. Person D: (scoffs) You re imagining things. I don t have any gift. And even if I did which I don t it s wrong to boast about your gifts. Lucky for me, I don t have one (buries gift quickly). Person E: (E shrugs) Well, anyway, my gift is amazing (holds it up to marvel at it). I m so grateful to have it. Person F: (enters) Whoah, there. Let me see that (F takes gift from E). Huh! Only important people receive gifts like this. No offence, but you are not nearly important enough or clever enough to handle the responsibility. Person E: But I was especially chosen for it. Person F: (sizes up E, shakes head) You? Doesn t seem very likely, does it? Best leave it with me (F buries gift, much to E s dismay). Opening the word Moving into the focus scripture Pose these questions to the congregation: Who can name a world leader? a church leader? a leader at school? a leader in the local community? What qualities make a good leader? 1 Samuel 15:34 16:13 Bible story Have a storyteller present the story A Surprise Engage Gift-giver: (Returns and looks around for the gifts only to find everyone empty-handed. Gift-giver looks dismayed.) What have you done with my gifts? (All move back to seats.) Time of confession One: Forgiving God, we confess that so often we block the idea that you chose us to follow our own special path. We choose fear over love and bury our God-given gifts. All: Forgive us, O God. One: We confess those times we fail to notice that others have gifts to express, yet the Body of Christ needs all of its members to flourish. All: Forgive us, O God. One: We confess those times we are jealous of others and crush and obstruct their gifts, denying that they too are chosen. All: Forgive us, O God. One: Help us to see that the loss of our gifts withholds your light from the world and grant us the courage to live as your chosen people. At the conclusion of the prayer, the leader may draw the congregation s attention to the tray of sand then call forward the actors (or if the drama was not performed, representatives from each age group). The people unearth the gift boxes and place them on the Communion table (or separate if the sand or soil on the Communion table will be an issue) to represent owning and using our gifts. Words of affirmation One: God unearths our buried gifts, forgives us our choosing of fear over love. God releases those gifts to nurture the world. Now hear the assurance of love and redemption: Your sins are forgiven. All: Thanks be to God. Amen for Samuel. Drama arrange for 9 actors to present the drama The Anointing of David (in the Extra Resources folder on the Pentecost 1 CD and in the web version of SeasonsFUSION). After the focus scripture Invite children, young people, and all who wish to move to the stations. Others will remain seated for proclaiming the word. Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFusion Pentecost

6 After proclaiming the word, you might invite those who have not already done so to move to and around the stations, taking ten minutes or so with a chosen practice. Sing or listen to a song such as Children of the Spirit as people gather again. Anointing ritual Introduce the anointing ritual by explaining that in today s Bible reading, David is anointed by Samuel for a special purpose. Like David, we are also chosen by God for a particular purpose, and we ve been given gifts to achieve that purpose for every gift has a corresponding service. Today, we are recognizing our own chosenness and the chosenness of those in our community through an anointing ritual. Invite each member of the congregation to come forward to be anointed with oil with the sign of the cross on the back of their hand. As each person is anointed, the leader says: You are God s chosen child. Prayers of the people One: Dear God, we pray for courage to own our gifts, to not fall into the trap of false modesty. We ask for help to step out in faith knowing you provide for all of our needs. Respond Worship Outline June 17, 2018 One: We pray that our community will be inclusive, open to and loving of everyone s gifts. We ask that our eyes be opened wide to the gifts of all in our day to day lives. One: We pray for all whose roles are changing as we enter a new phase of life. May your presence be felt as the old is released and the next step embraced. One: We pray for all who don t know their gifts or who bury them out of fear. We ask for the Spirit to set them free and help them step into the light. One: We pray for situations where gifts are crushed by famine, violence, poverty, war. May we be instruments of your grace. All: Hear our prayer, O God. Prayer of dedication or offering prayer Generous God, you have given each one of us bountiful gifts, so we offer this money in gratitude and love. May our gifts today be used for your work in the world. Go into the world knowing you are anointed by God, anointed to spread the good news of peace, love, and forgiveness. May the God who calls you Bless bless your ears that you may hear bless your eyes that you may see and bless your feet that you may follow in the way of Christ. 66 Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFusion Pentecost Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2017