Sunday BETWEEN 4 and 10 Sep (Proper 18), year B

2018 - 09 September (16th Sunday after Pentecost)
2021 - 05 September (15th Sunday after Pentecost)
2024 - 08 September (16th Sunday after Pentecost)
2027 - 05 September (16th Sunday after Pentecost)
2030 - 08 September (13th Sunday after Pentecost)
2033 - 04 September (13th Sunday after Pentecost)
2036 - 07 September (14th Sunday after Pentecost)

Note: For explanations and suggestions on the various resources provided, see the documents 'General notes and resources' and 'Time after Pentecost' in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

LITURGY

Sentence
See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for suggestions on using a Sentence.

Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. 
He will come and save you.  (Isa 35:4 NRSV)

OR, use one of the general Sentences in the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)
Traditional
O Lord, let your continual pity 
cleanse and defend your church; 
and because it cannot continue in safety without you, 
preserve it forever by your help and goodness; 
through your Son, 
Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who lives and reigns 
with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

OR, modernised traditional
Lord, in your constant mercy  
cleanse and defend your church. 
Guide it forever by your goodness 
because it cannot remain safe without you. 
We ask this through your Son, 
Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who lives and reigns 
with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

OR, alternative
(Let us pray for guidance. [silence])
Guide and rule your church forever, Lord, 
so that we may walk warily in times of quiet 
and boldly in times of trouble. 
We ask this through your Son, 
Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who lives and reigns 
with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

OR, new
(Let us pray for persistence in prayer. [silence])
Generous God, 
like a loving parent 
you always welcome us 
when we come to you.
Encourage us to keep on approaching you 
for whatever we need, 
knowing that you supply what is best for us. 
We ask this through your Son, 
Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who lives and reigns 
with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

FIRST READING AND PSALM
Note: There are two sets of first readings (with accompanying Psalms) given for the Sundays after Pentecost: (a) a new semi-continuous set, and (b) a set related thematically to the gospels (as in the earlier form of the lectionary). It is intended that either one of these two sets be used throughout and that they not be mixed.

1a
Proverbs 22:1,2,8,9,22,23 Justice and generosity better than riches
Psalm 125
Antiphon:
Those who trust in the Lord (are like Mount Zion, which) cannot be moved.  (Ps 125:1 NRSV)

OR, 1b
Isaiah 35:4-7a God will come to save
Psalm 146
Antiphon:
Praise the Lord, O my soul!  (Ps 146:1b NRSV)

SECOND READING
James 2:1-10(11-13)14-17 Faith shown in love

ALLELUIA VERSE (Mark 7:37 NRSV)
Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord has done everything well; 
he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Mark 7:24-37 A woman's faith; Jesus heals a deaf mute
(If using NRSV, begin: 'Jesus set out and went . . . ')

PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, 
for your great power and compassion in healing people. 
Help us to trust in you for all our needs. 
Amen.

OFFERING ANNOUNCEMENT
When announcing the offering, these words from reading 1a (Proverbs 22:9) may be used:

Those who are generous are blessed, 
for they share their bread with the poor.

OFFERING PRAYER
Loving and merciful God, 
thank you for your compassion on us 
and on all people. 
Lead us to show the same compassion to others, 
whatever their background. 
Use us and our gifts for your service. 
Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Call to prayer
Isaiah said the Israelites, 'Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come and save you".' Let us pray to our Saviour God for the church, the world, and those in need.

The regular response, OR:
O gracious God,
hear our prayer.

Suggested intercessions
*	for the church and its ministry to the deaf and the mute and the blind
*	for pastors and all church workers who are deaf, blind, or handicapped in some way
*	for all Christians, knowing that God wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth, that they may not show favouritism to any particular people
*	for all the services of the government, that they not be biased to the wealthy and deny the poor
*	for the judicial system, that it may provide the poor with adequate counsel when needed
*	for those who are impaired, whether physically, mentally, socially, or financially
*	for single parents and their children

Concluding prayer
Merciful God, you have called us to live together in harmony. Help us, O Lord, and hear our prayers according to your love and mercy. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

PREFACE
It is indeed right and good, 
Lord God, holy Father, 
that we should at all times and in all places 
give thanks to you, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
(On this day)* 
he overcame death by his resurrection 
and opened up for us 
the way to eternal life with you. 
And so, with angels and archangels, 
and with all the company of heaven, 
we adore and praise your glorious name:

* The words 'on this day' are used only on Sundays.

COMMUNION INVITATION
For a choice of communion invitations, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Communion invitation', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
See the service order for a standard post-communion prayer. Alternatively, use the third prayer of the day (as listed above) at this point. It may be modified as follows.

Through your gifts of word and sacrament, 
guide and rule your church forever, Lord, 
so that we may walk warily in times of quiet 
and boldly in times of trouble. 
We ask this through your Son, 
Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who lives and reigns 
with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

DISMISSAL
Go in peace, for God has been merciful to you.
Thanks be to God.  OR  In the name of Christ. Amen.

HYMNS AND SONGS

FOR THE READINGS
Please note:	* =	Modernised version available
	G3, G4 . . . =	Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . . 
	GS =	Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH

First reading (a): Proverbs 22:1,2,8,9,22,23
LHS
357	O God, Thou faithful God* G3
372	We give Thee but Thine own G5
AT
286	Lord, hear my praying
301	Prayer of peace
310	Yesu, Yesu
TIS
640	Kneels at the feet of his friends
689	Lord, hear my praying

First reading (b): Isaiah 35:4-7a
LHS
16	Hail to the Lord's Anointed G6
159	O for a thousand tongues to sing* G5
222	Thou whose almighty word G6
223	Look from Thy sphere of endless day G6
732	Comfort, comfort all my people GS
739	When the King shall come again G4
AT
25	Comfort, comfort all my people
205	What you hear in the dark
263	Singing all praises
416	We will rise up
454	Your God will come
496	Don't be afraid
TIS
210	O for a thousand tongues to sing
275	Hail to the Lord's anointed
282	The voice of God goes out to all the world
447	Lord, your almighty word
633	Lord, we are blind
647	Comfort, comfort, all my people

Second reading: James 2:1-10(11-13)14-17
LHS
344	Our God is love, and all His saints* G6
372	We give Thee but Thine own G5
381	O God our Father, throned on high (alt tune 391, G9)
732	Comfort, comfort all my people GS
804	The Church of Christ, in every age G5
821	Where cross the crowded ways of life (alt tune 373, G5)
AT
25	Comfort, comfort all my people 
292	Lord Jesus, we belong to you
300	Everyone should be quick to listen
301	Prayer of peace
446	Mercy
503	Show me heaven
TIS
529	By your priestly power, O risen Lord
608	Where cross the crowded ways of life
630	The law of Christ alone can make us free
647	Comfort, comfort all my people
648	Help us accept each other, Lord
657	God of freedom, God of justice
674	Inspired by love and anger
686	Lord Jesus, we belong to you
717	Give thanks with a grateful heart

Gospel: Mark 7:24-37
LHS
161	How sweet the name of Jesus sounds G5
217	O Christ, our true and only light* G5
242	Thou to whom the sick and dying 
335	Just as I am, without one plea G9
780	We go to God when we are sorely placed GS
796	When to our world the Saviour came (alt tune 227, G5)
818	O Son of God, in Galilee (alt tune 848, G5)
AT
263	Singing all praises
441	Jesus was sent
TIS
223	How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
240	All go to God when they are sorely placed
254	O changeless Christ, forever new
584	Just as I am, without one plea

PSALM 125
For musical settings of Psalm 125, see Music Package 6.

The following metrical paraphrase of Psalm 125 by David Schütz may be sung to the tune of 'Trust and obey' (LHS 877). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Schütz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm. 

Those who trust in the Lord,
they will never be moved,
but like Zion's high mountain stand firm.
Now forever the Lord
will surround those he loves,
like the hills round Jerusalem's walls.

Do good, O Lord,
to all those who are good,
and to those who are upright
in the depth of their hearts.

For the wicked won't rule
in the land of the just,
lest the righteous reach out to do wrong.
Though the Lord leads away
those who wilfully stray,
may he bless Israel with his peace.

PSALM 146
For musical settings of Psalm 146, see Music Packages 6, 9 and 10.

TIS 90, I'll praise my maker while I've breath, is a paraphrase of Psalm 146:1,2,5-9. Or, either of the following paraphrases of the psalm by David Schütz may be used. If reproducing either of these versions, please put 'Words (c) David Schütz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm. The first may be sung to the tune Adelaide, LH 461.

As long as I have breath,
I'll sing my praise to God:
	O praise the Lord, my soul!
Don't trust in human strength,
in whom there is no help.
	O praise the Lord, my soul!

When mortal breath is gone,
and strength returns to dust,
	all human plans will end;
but Jacob's God keeps faith -
he made the earth and sky
	and all that they contain!

He gives the hungry food,
and justice to the poor
	and sets the prisoners free.
The righteous know his love.
He lifts up those weighed down,
	and makes the blind to see.

He cares for refugees,
for widows, orphans too,
	but all who hate him fall!
Forever Zion's God
is King of all the earth,
	O praise the Lord, my soul!

This second version may be sung to the tune of 'Now the green blade rises' (LHS 764, AT 15, TIS 382).

Verses1-4
Praise the Lord, my soul! I'll praise him all my days.
Trust no human leader - mortals bring no aid.
Their breath departs, their bodies turn to dust,
all their plans will perish, as all creatures must.

Verses 5,6
Blest are those who find their help in Jacob's God.
Blest are those whose hope is in the Lord their God.
He made the sky, the sea, and all the earth.
He is always faithful, always keeps his word.

Verses 7,8
The Lord feeds the hungry, sets the prisoner free,
by his healing power the blind are made to see,
he gives his justice to all those oppressed,
lifts up those bowed down, and loves all righteousness.

Verses 9.10
Strangers, widows, orphans know his loving grace.
But he brings to ruin every wicked way.
The Lord will reign forever, Zion's God.
Through all generations, praise the Lord our God!

NOTES ON THE READINGS

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Notes on the readings', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

ISAIAH 35:4-7a: This prophecy has its initial setting in the Lord bringing his people home from captivity in Babylon. However, its total application flows much further than that. We see the fulfilment of the new age predicted in verses 5 and 6 (healing the lame, deaf, blind, dumb) when Jesus showed his messianic credentials by means of his miracles, as in today's gospel reading. The full coming of the Lord, promised in 4b (in which 'vengeance' and 'recompense’ is still to come). The note of glowing joy fits in with the Christian anticipation of God's ultimate deliverance in our salvation. 

JAMES 9:1-10,14-17: Here is a reading to jolt us, who belong to a material culture, out of our accustomed complacency. It is human nature to be impressed with and well disposed towards those who wear the outward trappings of success and achievement. It is also easy, unfortunately, to overlook or even ignore those people cast in a more ordinary or poorer mould. We are saved solely by faith in our Saviour, but a genuine saving faith CANNOT BUT show and express itself through attitudes and deeds of love. Partiality violates and smashes to smithereens our Lord's law of love. A vital, active and living faith must produce works of love, otherwise it is no faith at all, and will not save.

MARK 7:24-37: These two miracles were performed outside of Jewish territory, but in both instances faith was elicited. With the Syrophoenecian woman Jesus left room for an eventual expectation of God's grace. However, by her faith the woman extended it to the possibility of immediate help. Jesus answered her faith. With the deaf man Jesus used sign and body language to call forth the man's expectancy and faith. In both instances the fulfilment of Isaiah 35 is seen.

VISUAL

VISUALS FOR THE READINGS
Pictures or visual symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings. For instance, reading 1a from Proverbs could be accompanied by a picture like the illustration in the TEV Bible for verse 9, or reading 1b from Isaiah by a picture of a lush oasis in a desert.

DRAMA

'MEGA DRAMA'
See a drama for the day in Mega Drama resources (Openbook Publishers), originally included in these worship resources when they were released on disks.

dramatising the READINGS
The readings can be read by more than one person to make the dramatic meaning of the text clearer. For instance, reading 1a from Proverbs could be read by two readers, one for the first half of each verse, the other for the second half; reading 1b from Isaiah could be read by two readers: narrator, and voice reading the quotation of the second half of verse 4; and the gospel could be read by four readers: narrator (the pastor), the woman, Jesus, one of the people. The gospel could also be mimed as it is read - this could include children.

CHILDREN

CHILDREN AND THE GOSPEL
See above under 'Dramatising the readings' for a suggestion for miming the gospel.

'COME AND SEE JESUS'
The Come and See Jesus curriculum published by Openbook Publishers has a wealth of material and ideas that may be adapted for use in worship. Please note that a new edition of this material is currently available for the Revised Common Lectionary.

This week's story is:
EITHER
'Jesus heals a man who could not hear or speak', Original Edition, Series B, Semester 2 (Pentecost 17)
OR
'Jesus heals a deaf man', Revised RCL Edition, Series B, Semester 2 (Proper 18)