Sunday 17 August 2025
- General:
- Lectionary
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings are laid out as for the continuous form of the lectionary. Alternative related readings (OT and psalm only) are below. Hymns marked with an asterisk (*) are suggested for more than one reading
To place the Isaiah readings for last week and this into context, take a look at our Bible Month resources for 2022: Isaiah: God here, now and yet to come.
Next Saturday, 23 August, is the UNESCO day of remembrance of the Slave Trade and its abolition. See Sunday 24 August for further information.
Isaiah 5: 1-7
God, how can we forgive when bonds of love are torn? (StF 613)
God weeps at love withheld (StF 700)
O God of hope, your prophets spoke (StF 708)
There is a Redeemer (StF 338)
We lay our broken world in sorrow at your feet (StF 718)
We turn to you, O God of every nation (StF 720)
Psalm 80: 1-2, 8-19
Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme
Like the murmur of the dove's song (StF 389)
Listening God, you hear us when we cannot speak (StF 524)
O blessed spring, where Word and sign embrace us (StF 617)
To be in your presence (StF 530)
Hebrews 11: 29 – 12:2
Father, hear the prayer we offer (StF 518)
For all the saints who showed your love (StF 746)
Give me the wings of faith to rise within in the veil, and see (StF 747)
Have faith in God, my heart (StF 466)
Lord, in our lonely hours (StF 616)
The head that once was crowned with thorns (StF 312)
Who would true valour see (StF 486)
Luke 12: 49-56
Called by Christ to be disciples (StF 660)
God who sets us in a journey (website only)
I need thee every hour (StF 467)
Jesus calls us! O’er the tumult (StF 250)
‘Moses, I know you’re the man’, the Lord said (StF 473)
My eyes be open to your presence (StF 560)
O thou who camest from above (StF 564)
See how great a flame aspires (StF 412)
When we are living, we are in the Lord (StF 485)
Alternative related readings
Jeremiah 23: 23-29
O God, you search me and you know me (StF 728)
The prophets’ voice comes down the years (StF 162)
When listening prophets (StF 163)
Psalm 82
Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme
Great is the darkness that covers the earth (StF 405)
It is God who holds the nations in the hollow of his hand (StF 705)
Who can sound the depths of sorrow (StF 723)
A prayer of thanks that God is our faithful shepherd
I’m looking at the sheep God. Are you really a shepherd?
I can’t see the shepherd. Is the shepherd really there?
The sheep seem to be happy, content.
They don’t seem to be lacking at all. But I can’t see the shepherd.
Some are lying down, but most are standing up, but they seem happy.
They are safe, they are fed, they are free from danger, but I can’t see the shepherd.
Even though I can’t see the shepherd, they must be there.
Feeding the sheep, caring for them, looking after them.
Does the shepherd spend much time with the sheep? I don’t know.
What about me God? Are you there? I can’t see you at the moment. Are you there?
I’m fed, I’m watered. I have plenty to eat, but are you there?
I can’t see you.
You must be there. If you weren’t there, what difference would it make?
Would I be fed? Would I be warm? Would I be safe? Probably not.
You are there, God. Just because I can’t see you doesn’t mean you are not there.
Thank you for being my shepherd.
Luke Smith, Lincolnshire District
A prayer for nothing but God's love
Beyond all thought of wealth; beyond all hope of honour; beyond all joy in words, I pray, O God, that my whole life long may be my receiving of pure love from you and my having pure love for you.
Chaitanya, Indian mystic (1486-1532)
Sunday 17 August 2025
“I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!" (v. 49)