Proper 19B/Ordinary 24B/Pentecost 17

		Proper 19B/Ordinary 24B/Pentecost 17 September 12, 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 PRAYER IN PREPARATION In the silence of this place, we seek the small, quiet voice of God's Spirit. In the stillness of this time, we seek the movement of God's embrace. In the thoughts that roam our minds, we focus on God's love. In the feelings that reverberate within our hearts, we open ourselves to God's peace. In the depths of our heart of hearts, we await the knowing of God's presence. (A Time Of Silence To Follow) CALL TO WORSHIP When we speak about wisdom, we are speaking about Christ. When we speak about virtue, we are speaking about Christ. When we speak about justice, we are speaking about Christ. When we speak about peace, we are speaking about Christ. When we speak about truth and life and redemption, we are speaking about Christ. —Ambrose of Milan (c. 340–397) Let us worship the God who gave us the Wisdom of the Word. COLLECT FOR WORSHIP Look at the heavens! They are shouting the glory of God. The days and the nights declare the magnificence of God’s creative works. Their voice goes through all the earth and their words reach the ends of the world. Let our words of praise be acceptable to you. O God, our rock and our redeemer! —Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: 2. (adapted) GLORIA Angelic praise! Glory to God Most High. And on earth, peace and goodwill to all. We woorship you, O God. We magnift your Name. With all the heavenly host, your splendid love we laud. We adore you. We give you thanks. For you are God and we are your people. PRAYER OF THE DAY Wisdom calls, O God. Wisdom calls us to be open to the grandeur of your mystery. Wisdom grants a sense of reverence we hold for no other but you. With each breath we worship you. With each day we sing your praises. O Wisdom, come and fill us with your wonder. May our imaginations dance for joy in the presence of your beauty. May our souls take flight and find your embrace in the heavens. May we find you at every crossroad and every turn. For without you, there is but foolishness and the toil of our labor. But in you is life, the life of God born in the Word. O Wisdom, how wonderous is your way. Amen. CALL TO RECONCILIATION We are here knowing our brokenness. The pain and heart break is too hard to bear. We pine for healing. We need the healing that will reconcile us to you, our God, and to one another. O Holy One, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. PRAYER OF RECONCILATION You have called us, O God, and we have refused to listen; you have stretched out your hand and we have not taken it. We have taken what you have given us and used those gifts to hurt others and defy you. We have refused to be tamed by your wisdom. Forgive our inability to recognize you and live out the reality of your steadfast and everlasting love. Give us the insight we need to understand your place in our lives so that our words and actions would reflect the glory of God in the lives of others. Heal our broken ways and grant us peace. Amen. . —Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: 2. (adapted) WORDS OF HEALING AND ASSURANCE The law of God is perfect, and it revives the soul; the decrees of God are sure and make wise the simple; the precepts of God are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of God is clear, and it enlightens the eyes. Hear the good news: We are to love God and love one another even as we are loved by God. In such love, there is forgiveness and healing. By God we are reconciled to a life of peace and justice. Thanks be to God. PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION You speak to us, O God, with tongues of wisdom. Let your Holy Spirit now open us to hear with greater clarity the teachings of today, that we may hold dear in yet new ways what it is you will for us. All to your honor and glory. Amen. READING FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES Proverbs 1:20-33 Wisdom cries out in the street; in the squares she raises her voice. At the busiest corner she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? Give heed to my reproof; I will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused, have stretched out my hand and no one heeded, and because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when panic strikes you, when panic strikes you like a storm, and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the reverence of God, would have none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way and be sated with their own devices. For waywardness kills the simple, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but those who listen to me will be secure and will live at ease, without dread of disaster." PSALMODY Psalm 19 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims God's handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, which It comes forth with the grandeur of a wedding procession, with the eagerness of an athlete ready to race. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat. The law of God is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of God are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of God are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of God is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of God is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of God are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O God, my rock and my redeemer. READING FROM THE EPISTLES James 3:1-12 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless God, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh. READING FROM THE GOSPELS Mark 8:27-38 Jesus went on with the disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked them, "Who do people say that I am?" And they answered, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Messiah." And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. Then he began to teach them that the Son of Humankind must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at the disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things." He called the crowd with the disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Humankind will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his God with the holy angels." CREDO We are not alone, we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. —The United Church of Canada PRAYER OF INTERCESSION God of Compassion, Source of All that is; Spirit of Life, Maker of countless expressions of life: cultivate among us a shared consciousness; guide us to faith and authentic spirituality. In the interest of wisdom, empathy, and respect enlighten us through the inspiring lives of animals and all creatures that share our world. Our desire is to understand the lives of others and find wisdom in their living. Through humility may we come to know kindness and in respectful living may we embrace and protect your glorious creation. Amen. —Michael Burch THE PRAYER OF JESUS O God, like a parent loves their children, so are you as such to us. Your name is hallowed, above every name. Your will for peace and justice be fulfilled, here on earth as it is in heaven. Provide for our needs this day, until we want no more. Forgive us our actions that have been against you and all others, even as we forgive those whose acts have harmed us. Test not our faith, O God, for who could prove their loyalty to be like that of your steadfast love and everlasting compassion. Keep us from evil and the temptations to seek a way of life that is not of your way and wisdom. For You are worthy, our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever. (Revelation 4:11; 7:12) —by the author (paraphrase) PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION O Holy One of light, inscribe your wisdom upon our hearts that we may receive your Spirit. Through sacred words of old and brave pioneers of our day strengthen our traditions with compassion and renew our optimism. As we are called onward to a deeper understanding of our humanity, by the ancient wisdom of world ancestors, and the brilliance of our children’s imaginations. May we embrace your hope. May we know true joy. —Michael Burch SENDING FORTH Let the light of your face shine on us, O God, that your Word may go forth and give light and understanding to nourish the hearts of the simple and wise alike. Set our desires on your commandments so that we may receive with open hearts the Spirit of wisdom and understanding. —Stratman, Paul. The New Ancient Collects. DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING Open your hearts. Open your minds. Rejoice and be glad in what the Spirit is doing in the world around you. Wisdom shouts in the streets. She stands in the public square. The Spirit is poured out upon all flesh. The world is in need of listeners, my friends, people to offer one another the attention they so desperately need. People need love, not programs. People need someone to hear them, not to tell them what to believe, not to tell them what to think, not to tell them anything except, “I hear you, and I understand.” Listening is an act of love. —Tripp Hudgins
		POETRY PEW
		POEM FOR THE WEEK This week's poems come from extracanonical books of the Bible Wisdom shines bright and never grows dim; those who love her and look for her can easily find her. She is quick to make herself known to anyone who desires her. Get up early in the morning to find her, and you will have no problem; you will find her sitting at your door. To fasten your attention on Wisdom is to gain perfect understanding. If you look for her, you will soon find peace of mind, because she will be looking for those who are worthy of her, and she will find you wherever you are. She is kind and will be with you in your every thought. —Wisdom 6:12-20 All wisdom is from the Lord, and with God it remains forever. The sand of the sea, the drops of rain, and the days of eternity: who can count them? The height of heaven, the breadth of the earth, the abyss, and wisdom: who can search them out? Wisdom was created before all other things, and prudent understanding from eternity. The root of wisdom: to whom has it been revealed? Her subtleties: who knows them? There is but one who is wise, greatly to be feared, seated upon the throne: God. It is God who created Wisdom; saw her and took her measure; poured her out upon all the living according to creation; Wisdom is lavished upon those who love God. —Ecclesiasticus 1
		A BEAD AND A PRAYER
		CROSS Look at the heavens! They are shouting the glory of God. The days and the nights declare the magnificence of God’s creative works. Their voice goes through all the earth and their words reach the ends of the world. Let our words of praise be acceptable to you. O God, our rock and our redeemer! —Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: 2. (adapted) INVITATORY Angelic praise! Glory to God Most High. And on earth, peace and goodwill to all. We woorship you, O God. We magnift your Name. With all the heavenly host, your splendid love we laud. We adore you. We give you thanks. For you are God and we are your people. CRUCIFORM Wisdom calls, O God. Wisdom calls us to be open to the grandeur of your mystery. Wisdom grants a sense of reverence we hold for no other but you. With each breath we worship you. With each day we sing your praises. O Wisdom, come and fill us with your wonder. May our imaginations dance for joy in the presence of your beauty. May our souls take flight and find your embrace in the heavens. May we find you at every crossroad and every turn. For without you, there is but foolishness and the toil of our labor. But in you is life, the life of God born in the Word. O Wisdom, how wonderous is your way. Amen. WEEK I Proverbs 1:20-33 ■ Wisdom cries out in the street; in the squares she raises her voice. At the busiest corner she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: ■ "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? Give heed to my reproof; I will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you. ■ Because I have called and you refused, have stretched out my hand and no one heeded, and because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, ■ I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when panic strikes you, when panic strikes you like a storm, and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. ■ Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but will not find me. ■ Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the reverence of God, would have none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way and be sated with their own devices. ■ For waywardness kills the simple, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but those who listen to me will be secure and will live at ease, without dread of disaster." CRUCIFORM You have called us, O God, and we have refused to listen; you have stretched out your hand and we have not taken it. We have taken what you have given us and used those gifts to hurt others and defy you. We have refused to be tamed by your wisdom. Forgive our inability to recognize you and live out the reality of your steadfast and everlasting love. Give us the insight we need to understand your place in our lives so that our words and actions would reflect the glory of God in the lives of others. Heal our broken ways and grant us peace. Amen. . —Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: 2. (adapted) WEEK II Psalm 19 ■ The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims God's handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. ■ There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, which It comes forth with the grandeur of a wedding procession, with the eagerness of an athlete ready to race. ■ Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat. ■ The law of God is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of God are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of God are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of God is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of God is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of God are true and righteous altogether. ■ More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. ■ Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. ■ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O God, my rock and my redeemer. CRUCIFORM God of all peoples, we cannot fully comprehend the struggles of other nations, but we see the disparities of resources and power and the effects of violence and injustice. We hear of dictators and disasters and we pray for peoples whose lives are at their mercies. As a community, we name the global concerns that need your care . . . hear our prayer, O God. God of liberty and justice, we pray today for our own country that so desperately needs more respectful systems for relating to one another and more equitable structures for providing for basic needs and opportunities for all who live in our land. As a community, we name our country’s concerns that need your justice and mercy . . . hear our prayer, O God. God of healing and hope, we pray this morning for our congregation, lifting up its ministries that seek to meet the needs of our community and lifting up its members who make up the Body of Christ. As a community, we name the ministries of our congregation and the members of our community who need your provision . . . hear our prayer, O God. God of comfort and wisdom, we pray this morning for ourselves and our loved ones. We ask strength for the journey, your healing touch, wisdom, and guidance for the week ahead. As a community, we name our loved ones needing your care . . . hear our prayer, O God . . . and we call out our own names, recognizing our dependence on you . . . hear our prayer, O God. Most Holy God—we are grateful that you hear our prayers. Amen. —Hall, Nancy E.. The New Manual of Worship. Judson Pr. WEEK III James 3:1-12 ■ Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. ■ If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ■ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! ■ And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. ■ For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ■ With it we bless God, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. ■ Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh. CRUCIFORM We are not alone, we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. —The United Church of Canada WEEK IV Mark 8:27-38 ■ Jesus went on with the disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked them, "Who do people say that I am?" And they answered, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." ■ He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Messiah." And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. ■ Then he began to teach them that the Son of Humankind must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ■ But turning and looking at the disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things." ■ He called the crowd with the disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ■ For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? ■ Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Humankind will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his God with the holy angels." CRUCIFORM O God, like a parent loves their children, so are you as such to us. Your name is hallowed, above every name. Your will for peace and justice be fulfilled, here on earth as it is in heaven. Provide for our needs this day, until we want no more. Forgive us our actions that have been against you and all others, even as we forgive those whose acts have harmed us. Test not our faith, O God, for who could prove their loyalty to be like that of your steadfast love and everlasting compassion. Keep us from evil and the temptations to seek a way of life that is not of your way and wisdom. For You are worthy, our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever. (Revelation 4:11; 7:12) —by the author (paraphrase) INVITATORY Let the light of your face shine on us, O God, that your Word may go forth and give light and understanding to nourish the hearts of the simple and wise alike. Set our desires on your commandments so that we may receive with open hearts the Spirit of wisdom and understanding. —Stratman, Paul. The New Ancient Collects. CROSS Open your hearts. Open your minds. Rejoice and be glad in what the Spirit is doing in the world around you. Wisdom shouts in the streets. She stands in the public square. The Spirit is poured out upon all flesh. The world is in need of listeners, my friends, people to offer one another the attention they so desperately need. People need love, not programs. People need someone to hear them, not to tell them what to believe, not to tell them what to think, not to tell them anything except, “I hear you, and I understand.” Listening is an act of love. —Tripp Hudgins