Page 1 Eighth Sunday after Pentecost 10 July 2016 The Mission and Discipleship Council would like to thank Rev Angus Mathieson, Ministries Council Partnership Development Secretary, for his thoughts on the eighth Sunday after Pentecost. Contents Introduction... 2 Amos 7: 7-17... 2 Psalm 82... 3 Colossians 1: 1-14... 3 Luke 10: 25-37... 4 Quotes and Concluding Remarks... 5 Time with Children... 7 Prayers... 7 Musical Suggestions... 13 Additional Resources... 14
Page 2 Helping people prepare for reading the Bible in worship can make a real difference. Overcoming nerves, reading in ways suitable to the text, speaking clearly etc. You may wish to email these three links to the people reading Scripture on Sunday to support them in their involvement in worship: Managing your nerves; Creative readings; Worship at the Lectern Introduction Depending on how far ahead people are thinking on this Sunday in July 2016, those who are reading this may be wondering about the referendum on Britain s membership of the European Union. Equally, when others are looking at these notes, that outcome will be known; at the time of writing, the Jungle Camp in Calais, home to many refugees, and scenes of moving worship on Songs of Praise at Christmas 2015 has just been demolished, and Al Weiwei s striking images of the Berlin Concert Hall s pillars emblazoned with life-jackets from the Greek island of Lesbos can easily be found on the internet. The questions, Who do you think you are?, and Who is my neighbour?, are just as real following the referendum, whatever the result. Amos 7: 7-17 The three readings, and the Psalm, all belong together. Amos of course is one of the lesser prophets, although to be true, his writings and speech are significant, and this passage from Chapter 7 talks of the plumb line in the NRSV. His is one of the strongest voices from the prophets, preaching on justice, flowing like a river, and yet in these verses he denies that he is a prophet. He describes himself in v. 14 as a herdsman and dresser of sycamore trees. The passage about the plumb line is confusing; trying to explain what a plumb line is will take people over to look at Wikipedia. The plumb line is used to test the strength and stability of a wall, but is not itself the instrument of judgement, but has the power to cast a sharp focus on what is in plain sight, showing up whether it is secure, and stable, and whether it will last. For the preacher concentrating on this passage, it s possible to focus either on Amos or on the other protagonist, Amaziah. Amaziah is dismissive of Amos, and suggests that he should return to Judah and never again darken the door of the Temple in Bethel, where Amaziah is priest. In response to this, Amos is fairly blunt in v.17, and offers a stark prediction about the future of
Page 3 Amaziah s family and his lands. Equally, it s also good to remember that Bethel was where the Samaritans were based and we should bear that in mind as we look ahead to the New Testament passage from Luke s Gospel. Psalm 82 The Psalm opens with God appearing among the Assembly of Gods. That said, this passage is also about social justice; verses 2-4 are clear on this: 2 How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? 3 Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. 4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. That said, it s also about the qualities exercised by those in authority. In the end however, even though they are gods, children of the Most High, (verse 6), they shall suffer the same fate as all others; to die as mortals. Colossians 1: 1-14 Difficult because the real meat comes after verse 14. That said, it s a typical letter it begins with the salutation, then the prayer of thanksgiving. Echoes of 1 Corinthians 13 verses 4 and 5 talk of for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Key passages in the thanksgiving section talk about the Gospel bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, and been bearing fruit among these disciples in Colossae. How does the Gospel bear fruit for us? Can we sign up to the words attributed to Paul and Timothy, joining in thanksgiving, and are the fruits visible for others in our actions, words, and deeds, and how we live our lives as Disciples of Jesus Christ? What does it mean for us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light; is that sharing exclusive, or inclusive. We are driven to consider the other readings here, and move on to look at the Gospel reading.
Page 4 Luke 10: 25-37 Luke s Gospel is full of subversive stories, like the story of the Prodigal Son, and like the story which follows the parable of the Good Samaritan, the story of Martha and Mary. This story, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, is one of the most well-known passages from the Bible. It typically moves from question, by the lawyer, or teacher of the law, to action, and ends with a demand from the listener to action and application of the text. The kernel of the passage can be summed up in these words from Martin Luther King jnr: What s yours is mine I ll take it what s mine is mine I ll keep it what s mine is ours... let me share it The lawyer of course is challenged in the passage to rethink his identity; he s asked to identify who was neighbour to the man who fell among thieves, and, surprise, surprise, it isn t those he d naturally identify with, the priest or the Levite, the religious professionals, but the outsider, the Samaritan. In Douglas Adams wonderful book, the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, he describes two members of the philosophers union in debate, demanding rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty. That sums up the lawyer, in the story of the Good Samaritan, as someone asking the questions, as someone who s seeking rigidly defined answers. Different stories different commentators some say the lawyer is hostile, deliberately trying to catch Jesus out; the question is whether he s simply engaging in the time honoured style of question and answer what we in Scots might call flyting - but very much part of that Jewish tradition of learning. While the lawyer might be aggressive in his questioning, it s not clear whether he s out to catch Jesus. The lawyer knew Jesus associated with many low-level Gentiles, he also knew that Jews didn t regard Gentiles as their neighbours, that Gentiles weren t entitled to neighbour privileges or consideration. So he may have thought he was being clever asking Jesus, Who is my neighbour. The challenges come through in this passage too about what it means to be truly missional communities in our own country, and beyond.
Page 5 As a young person in the Church, I remember different versions of the story; the Parable of the good punk rocker or the good Hell s Angel, helping the poor soul who d been mugged on the last train home. For today though, we might offer the story of the Good Muslim. In today s Scotland, and recognising the international readership of Starters for Sunday, we note too that we live side by side with so many different folk in the places we call home. Even more poignant version in a book of epilogues from Youth Fellowship days is a story I remember, where the Priest and the Levite walk on by; and then along comes a Samaritan and he too walks on by. The background to the story will be familiar a journey along a long and winding road, between Jerusalem and Jericho, with a drop from the heights of Jerusalem to Jericho equivalent to the height of Ben Lomond. A road which even now has a reputation, but then was an invitation to robbers and thieves to lurk and pounce unawares. Some of the commentators say that the attitudes of the Priest and Levite are understandable, because if they become unclean, or tainted, by touching a dead person, they can t exercise their religious functions, and would lose income. Who do you, the reader, or the hearer of this story, identify with; is it the Samaritan; the priest; the Levite; the Innkeeper or the wounded hurting man at the side of the road, scarred, broken and relying on the help of others. So many challenges, so many questions. In the end Jesus asks the lawyer, Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers, and he asks us this question today and says go and do likewise. Quotes and Concluding Remarks Michael Williams in his book mentioned below challenges us with these words; I am the recipient of life-saving compassion by an "other" rather than choosing whether or not to be a neighbour without regard to otherness All human beings have the same claims upon our support. The ground on which we stand here is not British or European, but it is human.
Page 6 Not a soundbite from a European politician in the 21st Century but Gladstone, urging British support for Armenians in 1895. Fred Buechner tellingly notes that the lawyer s response is unreported; what would you do? John Calvin: All the blessing we enjoy are divine deposits, committed to our trust on this condition, that they should be dispensed for the benefit of our neighbours Martin Luther King Jr., in his April 1967 address Beyond Vietnam at New York s Riverside Church: We are called to play the Good Samaritan on life s roadside, but that will be only an initial act. One day the whole Jericho road must be transformed so that men and women will not be beaten and robbed as they make their journey through life. True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it understands that an edifice that produces beggars needs restructuring. Smith, Dennis E and Williams, Michael E The Parables of Jesus: The Storyteller s companion to the Bible, Vol 11. Abingdon, Nashville, 2006
Page 7 Time with Children Plumb lines can be found in B&Q and to line up giant Jenga blocks, using a plumb line, and then doing so without the plumb lines, can illustrate the need for good foundations and something against which we can measure ourselves. Equally, the church first aid kit would be a useful prop, alongside some olive oil and wine, as the medicine used by the Samaritan. Other possibilities would be to allow children to experience what it s like to be an outsider sharing some things with one or two chosen children, but not the majority they will quickly grasp it s not fair, and what it means to be a good neighbour. And finally this is one of the parables which so readily lends itself to dramatisation let your creativity take hold of the story. Prayers Collect Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you. Give us peace in or service, and in the world to come the joy of seeing you face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Collect for the Day, from Common Order, St Andrew Press
Page 8 Prayers of Approach and Confession and Forgiveness of Sin Almight God, you created not only work, but the blessing of rest. So often we feel exhausted, overstressed and overwhelmed, in need of renewal and refreshment; needing to be recreated. Help us to take up your invitation of rest for our souls and our spirits; of comfort for our bodies and minds; of a pause for quiet, or for holiday; Open us to receive your gentle Spirit and your relaxing presence. We come into your presence; with the burdens of work, home and community; with the heavy load of our fears and hopelessness, and we come, seeking your peace, drawing closer to you, and seeking forgiveness. Encouraging God, When we have failed to make space for you, when our selfishness has meant that we have walked on by on the other side of the road, Forgive us. When we have thought more about ourselves, and how things might look to others, forgive us.
Page 9 When we have tried to catch people out, forgive us, and remind us of what you ask of us; to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with you. Patient God, when we have failed to look after others; when we fail to see your face in those who need our help; forgive us. We remember how when we were far off, you opened your arms to welcome us, letting go of all our mistakes. May we be people who care; people who are careless with love and all that we have from you. Hear our unspoken prayers now O God, hear our prayers where we say sorry, for things which no one else save you knows about; Draw near to us in the silence, forgiving God. Silence Take our sins away; loving God; let us know that we are forgiven; turn our humiliation into humility, and make us greater, wiser, truer, stronger, holier than we could ever be on our own; and make our lives in every word and deed, signs of your love, now, and for ever more, for your own name's sake.
Page 10 come and walk with us, your people for you alone are our strength and glory; come walk behind us, beside us, before us; for you alone are our shelter and direction, Come God, come seek and find and put us right, for you alone are the light in our darkness and we put our trust in you. Hear us now as we join in the prayer which Jesus has taught us, Our Father in heaven Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercessions and Thanksgiving for the Communion of Saints Loving God, we give thanks for your goodness and love towards us: for the joy of home and family; for the companionship of friends and neighbours; for all who have shown kindness to us and who have gone the extra mile. We give thanks for the activities that fulfil our lives; for the times when we have been able to share with others, when we have been good neighbours, when we have welcomed strangers; and for strength that supports us and the love that surrounds us, both when our joy is complete and when it is touched by pain. We give thanks for your Son Jesus Christ: for the glory of his humble birth, for the graciousness of his selfless life,
Page 11 for the obedience and trust that led him to the cross, and for the triumph of his resurrection and ascension. Opening yourself to all, Living God, you make the world your neighbourhood; you became flesh and dwelt among us opening yourself to all, you care for those in need, of body, mind or soul; we pray for those who are far off; those who are beside us and arounds us We remember neighbours near and far; those we know and those known to you; we lift up those in our own community and those around the world who are injured or sick; who have no place to lay their heads; and who wonder what tomorrow holds; those who long for your healing; those whose differences prevent them from seeing who is their neighbour; those who are hidebound by rules which mean that common humanity no longer matters God of our ancestors, in every age you have enlightened the souls of the faithful; thank you for the gifts of shared memories through which the great stories of the past live with us today. Thank you for the lives of those who have witnessed to you in the past; the help which we gain from their example. Thank you too for the memories of those whom we have loved, the recollections of kindnesses shown to us,
Page 12 and the people whom we name before you now, now in your closer company. Gracious God, accept these prayers and bless our praying; our being: our doing, so that we might be neighbours to others, friend and stranger. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be glory for ever. AMEN. In addition to the above prayers, prepared by our contributor, other prayers may be found in People of the Way which is the theme for this year s Pray Now. It was also the theme for Heart and Soul 2016. People of the Way is available from St Andrew Press.
Page 13 Musical Suggestions CH4 59 CH4 153 CH4 159 CH4 192 CH4 237 CH4 247 CH4 252 CH4 254 CH4 352 CH4 489 CH4 521 CH4 522 CH4 523 CH4 533 CH4 544 CH4 566 CH4 604 CH4 616 CH4 621 CH4 624 CH4 694 O come and let us to the Lord Great is thy faithfulness Lord for the years All my hope on God is founded Look forward in faith Moved by the Gospel, let us move As a fire is meant for burning O God we bear the imprint of your face O for a thousand tongues to sing Come down O love divine Children of God reach out to one another The church is wherever God s people Hands to work and feet to run Will you come and follow me When I needed a neighbour When I receive the peace of Christ Holy wisdom lamp of learning There s a spirit in the air Spirit of Jesus In Christ there is no East or West Brother sister let me serve you
Page 14 Additional Resources Resourcing Mission Resourcing Mission is host to Starters for Sunday and other key mission resources for download and purchase. Online booking is available for Mission & Discipleship events. Please check back regularly, as new items are being added all the time. If there is something you d like to see on this new site, please contact us via the website. Prayer Resources These materials are designed to be a starting point for what you might look for in prayers. People of the Way is available from St Andrew Press. Music Resources The hymns mentioned in this material are ideas of specific hymns you might choose for this week s themes. However, for some excellent articles on church music and ideas for new music resources, please check out our online music pages Different Voices. Preaching Resources These materials are designed to be a starting point for what you might preach this Sunday. Preachers Perspectives is a resource where we have asked twelve preachers to share the insights they have gathered through their experiences of writing and delivering sermons regularly. Scots Worship Resources The Kirk's Ear - Scots i the Kirk series for Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost and other times of the year Wurship Ouk bi Ouk - Metrical psalms, hymns, prayers and words for worship Scots Sacraments may give you helpful material if you are celebrating Communion or have a Baptism. The Mission and Discipleship Council would like to express its thanks to the Rev Angus Mathieson for providing us with this Sunday s material. 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.