11th Sunday of Ordinary Time - June 17

11^th SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME 

(June 17)

• 1 Samuel 15:34 - 16:13 and Psalm 20  •  Ezekiel 17:22-24 and Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15  • 
• 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17  •  Mark 4:26-34

CALL TO WORSHIP   

The Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

We who are part of the Jesus Movement do not base our lives on what is visible, but on the invisible reality at the heart of everything. We walk by faith, not by sight.

(quote of 1 Sam. 16.7 and reference to 2 Cor. 5.7)

OPENING PRAYER   

Eternal Light, you have shown forth in the life of Jesus so that we may not be in the dark. As we have gathered here to sing songs of faith, to hear the stories of our tradition, and to express our gratitude for all the blessings of life, shine on us once again. Make bright the path of happiness. Show us how to walk with integrity. Strengthen our faith in the goodness of life. We pray these things in the name of Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

(theme of ‘light’ alludes to references in readings to ‘appearances, seeing’)

CALL TO CONFESSION

God not only hears our words, but knows our hearts. Let us confess our sins with honesty and boldness.

(reference to 1 Sam. 16.7)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION    

O Jesus, we acknowledge that we have failed at being human. We have tried to be more than human, which is pride. We have failed to be human enough, which is sloth. But you, O Jesus, were perfectly human. May we accept our vocation to be fully human as a joyous adventure lived by grace. Help us to be fully alive. Amen.

SILENT CONFESSION

ASSURANCE OF GRACE   

Since being united to Christ in baptism and faith, our old way of seeing things has passed away. Now we see everything in a new light.

(referencing 2 Cor. 5.17)

Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel.

In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!  Amen.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

O God, clear our minds of preconceived ideas so that we may hear what you want us to hear from the sacred texts today. Amen.

SERMON IDEAS

Barbara Brown Taylor, in her book Leaving Church, writes about the difference in believing and beholding. (see pp. 109-111) Second Corinthians 5.17 contains that little word ‘see’ (or ‘behold’). Beholding is not normal ‘sight’ (v.7), but the seeing of ‘faith’ (v. 7). 1^st Samuel 16.7 refers to God’s way of seeing the heart, not outward appearances. The new creation has to be ‘seen’ or ‘beheld’ by faith. Where and how do we ‘see’ this new creation?

In the book 1Q84 – the cab driver tells the woman she will look at everything differently; but there is only one reality (toward the beginning of the book).

See Mary Oliver’s poem ‘When Death Comes.’ Notice the lines: ‘And therefore I look upon everything  /  as a brotherhood and a sisterhood…’ And, ‘When it’s all over I want to say: all my life  /  I was a bride married to amazement.’

##