Fifteenth 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 Sentence For Today (let us say aloud):
The Sentence For Today (let us say aloud):
The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world and all who dwell therein.
The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):
The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):
O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Our first reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Our second reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
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.
Listen to David speak to this gospel
or, if you prefer, you can read the sermon, below:
Sermon for Ordinary 15, Sunday, 14th 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>
An interesting fact to begin this week —- did you know that Mark’s telling of the story of Herod and his execution of John the Baptister occurs is the only story in Mark’s gospel in which Jesus is NOT the primary subject? <PAUSE>
The story of Herod’s execution of John is a flashback into the past. Herod carried out this evil deed before Jesus began his earthly mission of proclaiming the Good News.
The reputation of John scared Herod and the story reveals Herod and his misuse of power as he makes foolish promises to his step daughter which, in turn, leads to the tragedy of John’s beheading.
Herod becomes an example of abuse of power with all of the accompanying paranoid thoughts and actions.
The story is full of intrigue on many levels. Herod has immense power but seems to have no control over it. He becomes helpless through the manipulation of others. Those who influence Herod include powerful community members who were his guests; his family members, including his wife and step daughter, who took advantage of him.
Due to the inept use of his power, Herod executes John in spite of his deeper fascination with John as a person and his message.
This story is so widely known it has been the source of films, operas and paintings.
BUT …. let’s be totally honest here … Why do we include the story in our worship?
Surely, there is no “Good News” anywhere in the events of that birthday party. The message of the text appears to be that power IS NOT MOVED by the Gospel message. Power DOES NOT CHANGE in response to the message to repent. Those who have great power want to hold onto it at all costs. The light of the Gospel reveals only the foolishness and intransigence of some of those who wield power. <PAUSE>
The Gospel’s call to repent often exposes human resistance to the change in perspective and direction of life.
Power and the pursuit of power DOES erode and contaminate humanity. Humankind is so often seduced by the idea that if we had more power or control over those around us, then we would have a better life. If only we could “force” people to do what we consider is “the right thing”, then we could solve the world’s problems.
Oh how human history teaches us what a horribly, slippery slope that is ! <PAUSE>
BUT … what inspiration we can draw from the unwavering faithfulness of The Baptiser? <PAUSE>
Perhaps Mark’s flashback to John’s execution is him wanting us to realise that the world has been, and still is, inhabited by many “Herod’s” who abuse power and that you and I are called to witness and proclaim the great Good News of Jesus Christ, often to people who resist that message.
Remember that Jesus’ ministry faced great opposition. This theme is one of Mark’s great messages about Jesus as God among us. Jesus continued His ministry to demonstrate the power of God that opposed the abuses of the mighty ones. <PAUSE> Today, Mark shows us that Jesus’ death was a parallel to the death of John.
Pilate refused to use his power to provide justice during the trial of Jesus.
Pilate gave in to the Jewish leaders, and the crowds, demands for death. Thus, Pilate was manipulated to misuse his power in a similar fashion to Herod … in the end, both were unable to act correctly. <PAUSE>
In the next section of Mark’s gospel of Jesus ministry, he records the demonstration of God’s compassion for those who are powerLESS. Jesus power to breathe new life “into the hungry”, the weak, the disenfranchised, the lonely, the outcast, the downtrodden.
This was a message to the government of Rome .… “for all of your military and political power you are unable to feed and provide for the well-being of the people”.
Rome did not like Jesus’ call to the world to repent and change.
This call was, AND IS, a call TO US for action in opposition to the abuses of power in our world.
It’s a call to minister in the face of resistance and opposition.
We MUST proclaim the power that Jesus has to change us and the world in which we live.
The Son of The Living God empowered The Baptiser with the faith to tell the truth to the “powers that be”.
Jesus ministry, His life, His death, His resurrection, His presence with us each and every day provides us the empowerment to speak and act for the sake of our world.
Let us pray that we experience the power of God in our call to follow him and speak into a world wherever power is abused.
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":
... and now let us pray for the Church, the World, and Ourselves, giving thanks for God's goodness.
Let us pray aloud, and together:
To God the Father who created the world, To God the Son who redeemed the world, To God the Holy Spirit who sustains the world; be all praise and glory now and forever.
Everlasting God we pray that all who come into with us, your disciples, may be enabled to renew their relationship with You and may find in You rest, peace, strength, grace and most of all Your abiding presence.
Help us to speak out against abuse of power in this world, and to be outward looking that through our fellowship we may share our faith and the Gospel of Your Son Jesus Christ.
(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 people of our world who are less fortunate than we are, especially those who live in countries where there is very little governmental stability and in countries where there is drought or famine.
Help us to remember those who are weary with the relentless struggle to keep alive; for those who can never look forward to a good meal and a comfortable bed, and those who barely have the necessities of life, much less so many material luxuries which many of us so often take for granted.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Father God may the needs of our families, friends and neighbours be made clear to us today, and may we find that in our giving to them we grow closer to you.
We thank you for those whose work sustains the countries and communities in which we live; for all who work create stability and prosperity, for those who grow and provide our food, for those who, day and night, maintain public services; for the police, and emergency services, and for all whose work is in our health services.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Healing God, we raise before You those who are sick. We ask that You will ease their pain and heal the damage done to them in body, mind or spirit. Be present with them through the support of friends and in the care of doctors and nurses, fill them with the warmth of Your love now and always.
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
Merciful God we commend into Your hands those whom we have loved and now have lost. You gave them breath, and loved and cared for them throughout their lives. Receive them now in your eternal kingdom and “May they rest peace and rise 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
Faithful God we dedicate all these people and petitions to Your loving care. Give us the strength and courage to walk alongside those in need, to fight for justice for the oppressed and to allow others to see You in us and in all that we do in the coming week.
(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.
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.
