Sunday 4 July, 2021

General:
Lectionary

14th 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

General

A charge to keep I have (StF 658) possible final hymn
All hail the power of Jesus’ name! (StF 342)
‘Forgive our sins as we forgive,' (StF 423)
Have you heard God’s voice; has your heart been stirred? (StF 662) 

2 Samuel 5: 1-5, 9-10

Alleluia! Sing to Jesus (StF 568)
All my hope on God is founded (StF 455)
Captain of Israel's host, and Guide (StF 459)
Fight the good fight with all your might (StF 634)
We are marching in the light of God (StF 483) 

Psalm 48

Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme

Great is our redeeming Lord (StF 683)
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise (StF 50)
Glorious things of thee are spoken (StF 748) 

2 Corinthians 12: 2-10 

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine (StF 548)
Father of everlasting grace (StF 378)
Father, hear the prayer we offer (StF 518)
From the breaking of the dawn (StF 156)
I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve breath (StF 79)
Jesus, be the centre (StF 447)
Will you come and follow me if I but call your name? (StF 673) 

Mark 6: 1-13 
(also see Sea Sunday - 2nd Sunday in July)

As dawn awakes another day (StF 659)
Called by Christ to be disciples (StF 660)
Come with me, come wander (StF 462)
God’s spirit is in my heart (StF 404)
Jesus the carpenter, hanging on Calvary (StF 275)
Now let us from this table rise (StF 596) communion hymn
You call us, as you called the Twelve (website only) 

Alternative related readings 

Ezekiel 2: 1-5

God has spoken – by his prophets (StF 157) possible opening hymn
Make us your prophets, Lord (StF 665) possible final hymn
Sent by the Lord am I (StF 239)
Spirit of God, unseen as the wind (StF 394)
The prophets’ voice comes down the years (StF 162) 

Psalm 123

Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme 

Behold the servant of the Lord! (StF 546)
It’s me, it’s me, O Lord (StF 523) 

The Revd Phillip Poyner has edited this week's hymn suggestions. He writes:

This week there appears to be a common theme running through both continuous and related readings. In 2 Samuel 5, David becomes king over the tribes of Israel, this same David whose choice by God (1 Samuel 16) is a surprise to Samuel and Jesse. Yet it is David who will be "shepherd of my people Israel". In Mark 6, the people of Nazareth are similarly incredulous that the carpenter’s son has been chosen to teach wisdom and display deeds of power. Then we read that the unpromising disciples become instruments of proclamation and healing, although Jesus has warned them that some will refuse to hear them. 

The people of Nazareth "took offence" at Jesus, just as the Lord had warned Ezekiel the people of Israel would reject his word. Jesus is rejected not only in Nazareth but also in Jerusalem, despite the declaration in Psalm 48: "This God is our God for ever and ever; he shall be our guide for evermore."  Yet nevertheless, Jesus will be the Good Shepherd.  

Derek Kidner (IVP) comments on Psalm 123 that the “turbulent history of Zion… continues in the story of the Church.” In verse 4 we read: "Have mercy on me, O Lord, have mercy, for we have had more than enough of contempt". Adrian Curtis (Epworth) writes that “perhaps the particular favour requested is vindication for the faithful in the face of their detractors”.  That God will do that is affirmed by Paul in 2 Corinthians 12 when the Lord says to him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness". So Paul can be content with the insults and persecutions "for whenever I am weak, then I am strong". 

Unlikely candidates we may be, and in our evangelism we may experience rejection, yet God will strengthen us to achieve God's purposes.   

Previous Page Sunday 27 June, 2021
Next Page Sunday 11 July, 2021