Proper 23B/Ordinary 28B/Pentecost 20B

		Proper 23B/Ordinary 28B/Pentecost 20B October 3, 2021 FOR POETRY PEW CLICK HERE FOR A BEAD AND A PRAYER CLICK HERE A LITURGY FOR WORSHIP —Use As Much Or As Little As You Choose—
		Centering In Preparation God calls us to worship, lifting our hands and our resources to serve. God calls us to worship, when we are together and when we are alone. God calls us to worship, in the sanctuary and on the street corner. God calls us to worship, with our everyday choices and our Sunday best. God calls us to worship, in song and prayer and in doing justice and loving kindness. —Teri Peterson, revgalblogpals.org Opening Words In you, O God, is our waking and our resting. In you, O God, is our healing and forgiving. In you, O God, is our praying and receiving. In you, O God, is our giving and our blessing. Receive our thanks and praise. —Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary. Prayer Of Approach To whom shall we lift our praises except to you, Creator God, who fashioned this world from the fabric of space and filled it with such beauty for us to enjoy. O God, your name is exalted and we shall sing your praises. To whom shall we lift our praises except to you, Eternal God. From the dawn of time we were part of your plan and to the end of time we are held in your hand. O God, your name is exalted and we shall sing your praises. To whom shall we lift our praises except to you, Almighty God, who grants us freedom from the burden of sin and, as shepherd, brings us safely home again. O God, your name is exalted All: And we shall sing your praises. —Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary. Prayer For the Day Generous God, your commandments tell us that we should worship, love and trust you above all things . . . that we should love one another. Give us wise and discerning hearts, that we may see all the wealth you have given us as gifts for serving you and your people. As you have given to provide for our needs keep us from becoming enslaved by greed and teach us to use your gifts for the common good and to your glory. Blessed are You and blessed is your Kin-Dom, now and forevermore. —adapted from Stratman, Paul. Now and Forever: New Collects for Modern Lectionaries. Prayer For Illumination Open our ears to hear your Word; may we be attentive listeners. Open our minds to imagine the greatness of your Mystery; may we be wise dreamers. Open our hearts to receive the love of your grace; may we be thankful followers. Open our willfulness to receive your guidance; may we be courageous in obedience to your will. Reading For the Hebrew Scriptures Job 23.1-9, 16-end 1 Then Job answered: 2 ‘Today also my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning. 3 O that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his dwelling! 4 I would lay my case before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. 5 I would learn what he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me. 6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; but he would give heed to me. 7 There an upright person could reason with him, and I should be acquitted for ever by my judge. 8 ‘If I go forward, he is not there; or backward, I cannot perceive him; 9 on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him; I turn to the right, but I cannot see him. 16 God has made my heart faint;  the Almighty has terrified me; 17 If only I could vanish in darkness, and thick darkness would cover my face! Psalmody Psalm 22 1  My God, my God, why have you forsaken me, and are so far from my salvation, from the words of my distress? 2  O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; and by night also, but I find no rest. 3  Yet you are the Holy One, enthroned upon the praises of Israel. 4  Our forebears trusted in you; they trusted, and you delivered them. 5  They cried out to you and were delivered; they put their trust in you and were not confounded. 6  But as for me, I am a worm and no man, scorned by all and despised by the people. 7  All who see me laugh me to scorn; they curl their lips and wag their heads, saying, 8  ‘He trusted in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him deliver him, if he delights in him.’ 9  But it is you that took me out of the womb and laid me safe upon my mother’s breast. 10  On you was I cast ever since I was born; you are my God even from my mother’s womb. 11  Be not far from me, for trouble is near at hand and there is none to help. 12  Mighty oxen come around me; fat bulls of Bashan close me in on every side. 13  They gape upon me with their mouths, as it were a ramping and a roaring lion. 14  I am poured out like water; all my bones are out of joint; my heart has become like wax melting in the depths of my body. 15  My mouth is dried up like a potsherd; my tongue cleaves to my gums; you have laid me in the dust of death. Reading From the Epistles Hebrews 4.12-end 12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account. at high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested* as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Reading From the Gospels Mark 10.17-31 17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ 18 Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19 You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.” ’ 20 He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ 21Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money* to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ 22 When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. 23 Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ 24 And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how hard it is* to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ 26 They were greatly astounded and said to one another, ‘Then who can be saved?’ 27Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’ 28 Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’ 29 Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’ Seeking a Better Way Even when we are strong and deny our brokenness, we know in our heart of hearts that all is not well. Let us turn to God, the One whose throne is love in compassion and mercy. ╬ Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One: have mercy on us. We confess that we are easily distracted by placing our trust and hope in wealth and possessions. In a world where success is measured in bank accounts and investment funds, we find it quite difficult to see all that we have received as being a blessing for to which is to be a blessing to others. Forgive our selfish ways. Heal us from the greed that drives us to acquire but not share. Redeem us as a people who not only follow your commandments in the way of Jesus, but who also are generous as to make for equality and equity in access to all that is needed for life and to live it abundantly. Restore, O God, your likeness within us that our days and our ways will be lived to care for others and to glorify You. Amen. ╬ Thank you, our Sovereign God, whose Kin-Dom is found in healing and wholeness. Your Kin-Dom come, your will be done, here and now, always, in all ways, now and forevermore. Prayer Of Intercession Holy God, give us grace to follow in the Way of Jesus. Fill us where we are found lacking. Purge from us all those things that cause us to stray from the path Jesus has marked for us . . . ╬ Be not far from us, O God; for we put our trust in you. Almighty God, we pray for all those who feel forsaken. We pray that you will hear the bitter complaints of the oppressed and forlorn. Answer their cries and be their deliverer . . . ╬ Be not far from us, O God; for we put our trust in you. Mighty Creator, you are great in power and yet you sympathize with us in our weakness: reveal yourself to us through the vast diversity of creation. We stand in awe of your severity and your delicacy . . . ╬ Be not far from us, O God; for we put our trust in you. Bless, Great Healer, all doctors, nurses, and all those who work for the wellness of others. May your grace always precede and follow them, that they may be good stewards of their gifts and remember that all life and healing comes from you . . . ╬ Be not far from us, O God; for we put our trust in you. Holy One, from birth until even this moment your loving gaze has never faltered. Just as you did for our forebears, heal and deliver those who trust in you . . . ╬ Be not far from us, O God; for we put our trust in you. O God, for you all things are possible. Only by your grace do we have life and the promise of your Kin-Dom . . . Grant us, with all those who have followed your way in ages past, the peace and justice of your Realm. —adapted from Williamson, Jeremiah D.. Praying the Scriptures: Litanies for Sunday Worship Prayer Of Jesus (paraphrase) Holy One, whose is to us like a parent, in heaven, but with us, whose name is holiest of all names. Give us this day the portion we need. Forgive us from taking away more than we need from others, as we forgive those who have taken an unfair share from us. Keep us in you during temptations, keep us from all evil. For to you belong all glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might; forever. Amen. Sending Forth You have been made free by the love of God. Go into the world to serve God by helping others. Be at peace and bring God’s peace and love with you wherever you go, forever. Amen. —adapted from Nancy C. Townley https://www.ministrymatters.com/ Dismissal with Blessing May God bless you, providing you with a listening ear. May God bless you, giving you the words you need to truly follow in his way. May God bless you, instilling in you the boldness to seek God’s grace and mercy. May God bless you and give you peace. —adapted from Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion
		POETRY PEW There’s a well-known prayer written by Thomas Merton that I have come to cherish. It goes like this: My . . . God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. —https://www.journeywithjesus.net "camels . . . needles . . . the wealth" sad, away he went with so much but without without but with so much it matters what have you and what have you not life, a gift in itself not to be clutched nor accumulated not ours to do with what we want life, freely given freely received life, it all from beginning 'til end all the days in between worth more than anything yet not for sale not for barter he thought himself gifted such a proud, courageous one approaching the Divine as if the bottom line be guaranteed, profit . . . what does it profit? the profit of life in itself, all it is no more no less life beyond measure free but oh so costly will one give their all or be there something, or many things, that conflict like a ledger in the red in the black accounting profit and loss? so easy to loose what matters most so improbably to be without that which is trusted be it an idol of empty reason 'in God we trust' our money reads but the riches themself trust not for all is lost in the end but for life a trust eternity full but what will we choose the green runs so deep so very very deep —anonymous
		A BEAD AND A PRAYER CROSS In you, O God, is our waking and our resting. In you, O God, is our healing and forgiving. In you, O God, is our praying and receiving. In you, O God, is our giving and our blessing. Receive our thanks and praise. —Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary. INVITATORY To whom shall we lift our praises except to you, Creator God, who fashioned this world from the fabric of space and filled it with such beauty for us to enjoy. O God, your name is exalted and we shall sing your praises. To whom shall we lift our praises except to you, Eternal God. From the dawn of time we were part of your plan and to the end of time we are held in your hand. O God, your name is exalted and we shall sing your praises. To whom shall we lift our praises except to you, Almighty God, who grants us freedom from the burden of sin and, as shepherd, brings us safely home again. O God, your name is exalted. And we shall sing your praises. —Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary. CRUCIFORM O God, you have called us here this day for healing, hope, and transformation. As we listen to the Scripture, pray our prayers, sing our hymns, and hear the words of wisdom, open our hearts to hear your claim on our lives; that we may fully and joyfully serve you. —Nancy C. Townley https://www.ministrymatters.com WEEK I Job 23.1-9, 16-end ■ Then Job answered: ‘Today also my complaint is bitter;  his hand is heavy despite my groaning. ■ O that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his dwelling! I would lay my case before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. ■ I would learn what he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me. ■Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; but he would give heed to me. ■ There an upright person could reason with him, and I should be acquitted for ever by my judge. ‘If I go forward, he is not there; or backward, I cannot perceive him; ■ on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him; I turn to the right, but I cannot see him. 16 God has made my heart faint;  the Almighty has terrified me; ■ If only I could vanish in darkness, and thick darkness would cover my face! CRUCIFORM Forgive us, O God, when our faith is too small to believe you can help us; when we cry in the dark not expecting an answer. Forgive us, O God, when the wise of the world try so hard to persuade us that you do not exist, and we’re tempted to listen. Forgive us, O God, when the journey of faith is a hard path to follow and no longer the joy it was when we first began. Forgive us, O God; rekindle the flame that once shone within these hearts, we pray. —adapted from Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary. WEEK II Psalm 22 ■ My God, my God, why have you forsaken me, and are so far from my salvation, from the words of my distress? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer;   and by night also, but I find no rest. ■ Yet you are the Holy One, enthroned upon the praises of Israel. Our forebears trusted in you; they trusted, and you delivered them. ■ They cried out to you and were delivered; they put their trust in you and were not confounded. But as for me, I am a worm and no man, scorned by all and despised by the people. ■ All who see me laugh me to scorn; they curl their lips and wag their heads, saying, ‘He trusted in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him deliver him, if he delights in him.’ ■ But it is you that took me out of the womb and laid me safe upon my mother’s breast. On you was I cast ever since I was born; you are my God even from my mother’s womb. ■ Be not far from me, for trouble is near at hand and there is none to help. Mighty oxen come around me; fat bulls of Bashan close me in on every side. They gape upon me with their mouths, as it were a ramping and a roaring lion. ■ I am poured out like water; all my bones are out of joint; my heart has become like wax melting in the depths of my body. My mouth is dried up like a potsherd; my tongue cleaves to my gums; you have laid me in the dust of death. CRUCIFORM Have you ever felt forsaken? Have you felt that God is far away and cannot hear your words? Yet God hears when we call. God answers our prayers. We therefore pray, saying, R Hear our prayers, O God; answer when we call.  Have you complained to God about the way you have been mistreated unjustly and unfairly? R Hear our prayers, O God; answer when we call. Have you come to God and felt like the burden of following God’s will is too much to bear, and have left you in shock and grieving? R Hear our prayers, O God; answer when we call. Do not be afraid. God’s grace will find you in your time of need, because what is impossible for us is possible for God. Ask with courage. God is listening. Thank you for hearing our prayers, O God, for answering when we call. Amen. —adapted from Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. WEEK III Hebrews 4.12-end ■ Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; ■ it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ■ And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account. ■ Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. ■ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, ■ but we have one who in every respect has been tested* as we are, yet without sin. ■ Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. CRUCIFORM Your grace, O God, makes us bold to approach you in prayer. Your goodness, O God, makes us eager to tell the world of you, to proclaim your name to this and to future generations. Your holiness, O God, makes us humble enough to recognize that our gifts are not ours alone, but you alone can render them effective to win the lost, to bless the poor, and to raise the dead. Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, send your blessing upon us that we may do your will. Amen. —adapted from Slemmons, Timothy Matthew. When Heaven Stands Open WEEK VI Mark 10.17-31 ■ As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. ■ You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.” ’ ■ He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money* to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. ■ Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how hard it is* to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ ■ They were greatly astounded and said to one another, ‘Then who can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’ Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’ ■ Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. ■ But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’ CRUCIFORM God of infinite patience and wisdom, we come to you with so many things that claim our time, our energy, our resources, our very lives. We are easily drawn away from serving you by the enticements of the world for wealth, ease, and comfort. Just like the young man in the scriptures, we are owned by our possessions, held captive by our treasures. You continue to offer to us healing and hope. You seek to transform our lives from captivity to freedom in witness and service. We look at the world in which there is so very much warfare and strife, anger and hatred, and we easily become overwhelmed by the needs and the stresses. Help us to place our lives and our trust in you, knowing that with your help, many wonderful things can be accomplished which will provide hope and peace for others and ourselves. Give us courage and strength to truly be your disciples. Amen. —Nancy C. Townley https://www.ministrymatters.com INVITATORY Holy One, whose is to us like a parent, in heaven, but with us, whose name is holiest of all names. Give us this day the portion we need. Forgive us from taking away more than we need from others, as we forgive those who have taken an unfair share from us. Keep us in you during temptations, keep us from all evil. For to you belong all glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might; forever. Amen. CROSS You have been made free by the love of God. Go into the world to serve God by helping others. Be at peace and bring God’s peace and love with you wherever you go, forever. Amen. —adapted from Nancy C. Townley https://www.ministrymatters.com