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Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

What follows is a worship service which, I pray, you can participate in at a time(s) that are convenient to you. This 'service' will take about forty five (45) minutes.

I pray that you will feel called to ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in this service.

The text that is in regular typeface (that is what you are reading at the moment) is to be read quietly, while the text that is in
bold face (like you are reading right now) is meant to be read aloud.

Opening Hymn:

Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we commence our praise and thanksgiving.

When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:

A Call To Worship:

We meet in the name of God,

Creator of the universe,

source of true humanity,

mother and father of all. Amen.

An Assurance of Forgiveness:

(click the 'play' button below to listen)

The Absolution
00:00 / 00:18

The Sentence For Today (let us say aloud):

The Sentence For Today (let us say aloud):

Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised; in the city of our God is his holy hill.

The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):

The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):

O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbour: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Our first reading for today:

(click the 'play' button below to listen)

2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10
00:00 / 01:21

Our second reading for today:

(click the 'play' button below to listen)

2 Corinthians 12:2-10
00:00 / 02:39

Gradual Hymn:

Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we raise out voices in praise and thanksgiving.

When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:

A reading from the holy gospel according to Saint Mark.

Mark 6:1-13
00:00 / 02:16

Listen to David speak to this gospel

Shake off the dust!
00:00 / 09:55

or, if you prefer, you can read the sermon, below:

Sermon for Ordinary 14, Sunday, 7th July 2024

MAY the words of my mouth and the meditations in our hearts be acceptable in your sight O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. <Amen>

Audrey Hepburn was the Belgian-born, British actress who remains a film and fashion icon, is always ranked as one of the greatest female screen legends of all time, and who gave us the great inspirational quote:

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says … I’m possible!” <PAUSE>

Words and phrases can be amazingly powerful things.

Today’s Gospel contains what might be considered to be a phrase that we can use, as Christians, a phrase to remind us how to handle those that reject us or the message of Jesus – “shake the dust off your feet.” <PAUSE>.

Rabbinic law stated that the dust of any Gentile country was unclean, so when leaving, Jews should shake off the dust from themselves; a way of saying that they would have nothing to do with uncleanliness.

So, Jesus is using this well-known Jewish symbolism against those who would refuse to listen.

Now it is very, VERY important to note that this is not a phrase of condemnation, not a phrase of cursing, nor something derogatory. It is more a statement of the reality of the situation.

Furthermore, in Jesus’ time, the burden of finding hospitality was not placed on the stranger, but on the village that they entered. It was down to the local residents to provide hospitality, not for the stranger to seek it out.

So if doors and homes, as well as ears and hearts were shut, then it was time to move on.

The reality that the disciples would face is contained in this phrase “shake off the dust that is on your feet” … because Christ knew that some people were going to reject the Gospel and the people who are trying to spread it.

What Jesus was saying, indeed - and who He was - just couldn’t be understood or even entertained by some people. We see this in Mark’s gospel, chapter 6, verses 1 to 6 – even Jesus’ home town mainly rejected him, more than that they were astounded that it was him, and they took offence!

So, in a VERY real way, it may not have been a good idea to hang around once the message had been delivered and then … rejected. <PAUSE>

Now, for me, this brings into focus our enormous sense of responsibility.

As Christians, our responsibility is to give, not to demand. To give, prepared not to receive in return because of the love of Christ that dwells within us.

We attempt to work for God, and we work hard, but the results are always, ALWAYS in His hands.

This is a wonderful freedom for us; freedom from targets and results. Set free from those around us who would criticise and attempt to hold us back. Set free from rules and regulations that try to limit who we are and what we are trying to do.

We are set free to serve our King and spread his truth and Kingdom with our whole selves. <PAUSE>

Ultimately, it is this freedom in Christ that enables disciples on their missions to step back and say, ‘Ok, here is the message, here are the pointers and the signs for “The Way” … now, it’s up to you – it’s your decision’. Nothing is impossible - just have faith! <PAUSE>

Ultimately, however, Christ tells us that there comes a point when what is done is done. To continue pressing home the Gospel, at a certain time, in a certain situation, and with certain people … may not be the wisest thing to do. <PAUSE>

By the way, this is COMPLETELY different from not having hope or consistently loving our neighbour – this is about Jesus reminding us of those beautiful words found in chapter 3 of the book of Ecclesiastes:

1. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak. <PAUSE>


The truth that Jesus speaks to us today : a time to speak and a time to “shake off the dust and move on” is a truly powerful phrase.

Let us all pray for wisdom to speak the eternal truths that we ourselves know, and also to know when to step away acknowledging it is time for decisions to be made, for themselves, by others.

I runga e te Ingoa o te Atua, te Matua, te Tama me te Wairua Tapu.
In the name of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit <AMINE>

Pause and Reflect

Just take a moment now to pause. Bow your head, close your eyes.
 

Allow these words of Holy Scripture and this interpretation of them today to speak to you.

An Affirmation of Our Faith

Let us affirm our faith by saying aloud, and together, "The Apostles Creed":

apostles_creed_pic02.jpg
Image by Allef Vinicius

... and now let us pray for the Church, the World, and Ourselves, giving thanks for God's goodness.

​Let us pray aloud, and together:

Everlasting God   and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, hear our prayers which we offer in His name and by the power of your Holy Spirit working among us that we might never be afraid to “Speak the Truth” and live the Gospel of Salvation as a living example for all human-kind.

(LONGER pause for silent, personal reflection)

In response to the call today “Lord, in Your mercy” Our response is, “hear our prayer!”

(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer

Creator God we pray for the leaders of the world carrying responsibilities for the lives and well-being of their peoples.

We pray for all victims of recent terrorism and war and we also pray for a new determination to end the spiral of violence which brings with it so much fear, heartache and suffering.

(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer

Gracious God we pray for all the people who connect with each other through ‘FaithaLight’ and we give thanks for the warm welcome they extend to people who visit them.

We also raise before you all those people around the world who feel excluded, exploited or ignored.  Help us, your people, to work together to build communities which are as open and generous as your love, shown to us in the gift of your Son Jesus Christ.

(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer

Holy God, we thank You for the joy of human love, and for all those among whom we live and work. We especially pray for those among our friends and families who do not know You, or whose faith has been shaken.

(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer

Loving God we pray for healing in body, mind and spirit for all who are in need. We pray that in lives darkened by any kind of pain, distress or grief the light of Christ will bring comfort, hope and a sense of your all-encompassing love.

We especially raise before You now all those who have asked for our prayers from around the world … those we know in New Zealand, in Singapore, in Argentina, in France, in Australia, in the US, in Canada, in Austria, in Ukraine, in China and any others we now name aloud, or in the silence of our hearts, and those who are known only by You.

(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer

Lord, your love reaches beyond the grave. At the end of our days on earth be with us and with those we love and with those whom we love and have gone before us.  We pray now for those who have recently died and those bereaved by their passing.

May all the saints who have gone before us now rest in Your eternal peace as they most surely have risen in glory.

(Short Silence) Lord, in Your Mercy: Hear our prayer

In a moment of silence we pray for ourselves, our families, friends, for all whom we love and for our personal ministries. Make the things that we choose to do be worthy of the sacrifice of Your Son.

(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer

And so Heavenly Father we thank you for the opportunity of being together in prayer. As we look forward to the week to come, we pray for an awareness of your love and support in all we do.

(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer

Forth in the peace of Christ we go; Christ to the world with joy we bring; Christ in our minds, Christ on our lips, Christ in our hearts, the world’s true King.

Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.  AMEN.

lord's_prayer_pic01_edited.jpg

Remembering that we are confident to pray this day, and every day, because Jesus Christ continues to teach us:
 

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,

your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever.   Amen.

Let us conclude our prayers by praying together and aloud:

 

God of mercy,
you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice,
and have promised to hear the prayers
of two or three who agree in your name,
fulfil now, we pray,
the prayers and longings of your people
as may be best for us and for your kingdom.
Grant us in this world to know your truth,
and in the world to come to see your glory. Amen.

The Blessing

May The Risen Lord Christ turn His face towards each and every one of you.

May He cause His light to shine upon you, and

may He grant you His peace, and

 

The blessing of Almighty God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

be with you and all of those whom you love,

on this day and forever more.

A Closing Hymn:

Let us conclude our worship today by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we unite in another hymn our praise and thanksgiving.

When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:

The Dismissal

Go now, go out into the world

to love and serve The Lord.

 

Go in peace.

AMEN, we go in the name of Christ.

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