Sunday BETWEEN 17 and 23 JULY (Proper 11), year A

2020 - 19 July (7th Sunday after Pentecost)
2023 - 23 July (8th Sunday after Pentecost)
2026 - 19 July (8th Sunday after Pentecost)
2029 - 22 July (9th Sunday after Pentecost)
2032 - 18 July (9th Sunday after Pentecost)
2035 - 22 July (10th Sunday after Pentecost)
2038 - 18 July (5th 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.

Jesus said, 'Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened,
and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.'  (John 1:51 NRSV)

OR
Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
I am the first and the last; besides me there is no god.  
(Isa 44:6 NRSV)

OR
When we cry, 'Abba! Father!' it is the Spirit of God bearing witness with our spirit 
that we are children of God, 
and if children, then heirs, 
heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.  (Rom 8:15-17 NRSV alt)

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
Grant us, Lord, 
the spirit to think and do always what is right, 
so that we, 
who cannot do anything that is good without you, 
may by you be enabled to live according to your will; 
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 raditional
Guide us, Lord, 
to think and do always what is right. 
Enable us, who cannot exist without you, 
to live according to your will. 
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 the spread of the gospel. [silence])
Almighty and merciful God, 
you have made your loving purpose known to us 
through the good news of your salvation in Christ. 
Make us faithful witnesses to the truth, 
so that those who hear may believe 
and be united with all the saints in glory. 
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 hope for our final redemption. [silence])
Teach us, Jesus our Saviour, 
to live with patience here on earth, 
confident that you will finally take us, 
with all your faithful people, 
to be with you forever. 
For you live and reign 
with the Father 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
Genesis 28:10-19a Jacob dreams of a ladder from heaven to earth
Psalm 139:1-12,23,24
Antiphon:
Your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast.  
(Ps 139:10 NRSV)
OR
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.  (Ps 139:23 NRSV)

OR, 1b
Isaiah 44:6-8 God is the first and last - the only God
Psalm 86:11-17
Antiphon:
Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.  
(Ps 86:11a NRSV)
OR
O Lord, you are good and forgiving.  (based on Ps 86:15a)

SECOND READING
Romans 8:12-25 Our future glory is beyond compare

ALLELUIA VERSE (Matt 13:40b,41 NRSV)
Alleluia, alleluia.
At the end of the age the Son of Man will send his angels, 
and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 The parable of the weeds
(If using NRSV, substitute 'Jesus' for 'He' to begin)

PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Lord Jesus, thank you for sowing good seed 
in the world. 
May we be like wheat, not weeds. 
Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER
We thank you, Lord, for giving us your Spirit 
and making us your own. 
Help us to live as your children 
among those around us. 
Keep us faithful, 
serving you and other people. 
Amen.

Prayer of the Church
Call to prayer
God has given us his Spirit, and by the Spirit we pray to him as our Father. So let us bring our requests to God.

The regular response, OR:
In the Spirit we plead:
Hear us, O God.

Suggested intercessions
*	for the church, that it may joyfully prepare for God's glory
*	for the whole of creation, which groans under the weight of human pollution and exploitation
*	for people who work in the media: journalism, newspapers, TV, radio
*	for the unemployed and the underemployed, the overworked, and those with difficulties in their work
*	for people who are disabled and those who care for them

Concluding prayer
Almighty and merciful Father, hear us, your children, as we bring our prayers to you. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
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.

Almighty and merciful God, 
you have made your loving presence known to us 
in the sacrament of holy communion. 
Make us faithful witnesses to the truth, 
so that those who hear may believe 
and be united with all the saints in glory. 
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 to live as God's children.
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): Genesis 28:10-19a
LHS
250	How blessed is this place, O God G5
251	Only-begotten, Word of God eternal* G6
400	From God shall naught divide me* G3
456	The God of Abraham praise G7
501	God Himself is present* G3
503	We love the place, O God
507	Open now thy gates of beauty* G3
888	May the feet of God walk with you GS
AT
10	In the house of God
90	Father, bless us as we go
194	May the feet of God walk with you
399	Holding out your hand
433	You were in this place
TIS
121	God himself is present
125	The God of Abraham praise
779	May the feet of God walk with you

First reading (b): Isaiah 44:6-8
LHS
124	O Holy Spirit, enter thou* G3
147	O Morning Star, so bright and fair* G3
156	Jesus, our Saviour, of true joy the giver* G3
179	Christ alone is our salvation* G3
322	Dear Christians, one and all rejoice (esp v 6, revised v 5)* G3
330	Rock of ages, cleft for me G6
331	My hope is built on nothing less* G5
822	God has spoken by his prophets G6
AT
349	There is a redeemer
404	Let nothing trouble you
TIS
158	God has spoken by his prophets
196	Dear Christians one and all rejoice
199	Lord Jesus, our bright Morning Star
208	Jesus has come, and brings joy as our Saviour
222	Rock of ages, cleft for me
400	O Holy Spirit, enter in

Second reading: Romans 8:12-25
LHS
121	Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord* G4
134	Come, O come, Thou quickening Spirit* G3
228	Lord Jesus Christ, the cause is Thine* G3
265	How blest are they who hear God’s Word* G3
323	Blessed are the sons of God* G4
331	My hope is built on nothing less* G5
353	Holy Father, Thou has taught me* G5
469	Come ye people, rise and sing (esp v 4)* G4
503	We love the place, O God
507	Open now thy gates of beauty* G3
774	Holy Spirit, ever dwelling G6
777	Father in heaven GS
805	We are heirs of the Father GS
828	I am baptised, O blessed day GS
829	I was made a Christian G5
846	The candles are lit GS
AT
10 	In the house of God
12	We are heirs of the Father
71	Face to face
105	Spirit of God
115	Father in heaven
251	God sends us his Spirit
396	We come to you, Father
398	A child of God
425	God moving
448	Loving Spirit
453	The world is waiting
502	Patiently waiting for you
TIS
177	In suffering love the thread of life
178	Praise the God who changes places
238	Christ is the world’s true light
276	There’s a light upon the mountains
386	By your kingly power
399	Come, Spirit of God, holy Lord
404	Lord God, the Spirit blest
410	Holy Spirit, ever dwelling
412	God sends us his Spirit
417	Loving Spirit, loving Spirit
465	Father in heaven
493	Wash, O God, our sons and daughters
621	O God of every nation

Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
LHS
197	Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word* G5
228	Lord Jesus Christ, the cause is thine* G3
260	Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide* G3
353	Holy Father, Thou hast taught me* G5
507	Open now thy gates of beauty* G3
564	Come, ye thankful people, come G4
AT
-
TIS
436	Lord, keep us steadfast in your word
461	God, your glory we have seen
636	God has spoken to his people

PSALM 139:1-12,23,24
For musical settings of Psalm 139:1-12,23,24, see Music Package 3. TIS 87, You are before me, Lord, is a paraphrase of Psalm 139:5-10,23-24. AT 224, 275 and 394 are also partly based on Psalm 139.

PSALM 86:11-17
For a musical setting of Psalm 86:11-17, see Music Package 3.

NOTES ON THE READINGS

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

GENESIS 28:10-19a: Unable to remain together with his family in Canaan because of his brother Esau's intention to kill him for obtaining the birthright and blessing by trickery, Jacob was fleeing to Haran. Although he was the covenant bearer by virtue of the blessing pronounced on him by old Isaac, Jacob's status was in retrogression. Cut off from the land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants, the dream re-established him under the reassurance of God's providing care through the ascending and descending angels. This appearance and the word of God brought affirmation by way of the covenant as given to Abraham in every detail.

ISAIAH 44:6-8: To put these words into context we may well imagine the dispossessed alien Jews in Babylon overawed by the seeming superiority of the opulent and magnificent worship ritual of their heathen captors. The prophet here challenges the heathen gods and contrasts their inability to provide any words of prophecy, the truth of which has been borne out by subsequent events. No god or person of might can stand against the sole God who has created and controls the universe.

ROMANS 8:12-25: This section emphasises the very centre of God's gracious entry into human lives. Sin is the barrier which has shut us off from God. That state becomes a harsh slavery. Sin is a hard taskmaster. Fear results from this slavery, whether now or in the hereafter. It is the Spirit who brings Christ's redeeming light and cleansing into the soul of a believer through the life-giving word of promise. This release into a loving and confident relationship with the Father is natural when one has been made a son or daughter and an official heir of God himself. Although living in this high standing, Christians still experience suffering. However, just as the fallen and decaying creation points in expectation to a day of restored glory, so the believer in a far higher sense lives in the sure hope through salvation of a final perfected freedom of total redemption.

MATTHEW 13:24-30,36-43: As in the parable of the sower, the devil is seen to be active in sowing his seed of evil alongside the work of God. The point of the parable turns on human inability to determine the genuineness of church life or an individual's life on the evidence of an outward expression of faith. At the final judgment God's infallible scrutiny will determine the 'weeds' from the 'wheat' and the eternal future of both. Until then, the church must exercise responsible restraint against forcibly reacting to what appears to be a threat to Christ's kingdom. Otherwise mere human weakness, which can still be remedied, may be the reason for denying a fellow soul the blessings of eternal life. This parable, of course, does not preclude the necessity of church discipline in the case of deliberate protracted public denial of Christ's teaching by word and/or deed.

VISUAL

VISUALS FOR THE READINGS
Pictures or visual symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings. For instance, the first reading (1a) could be accompanied by an illustration of Jacob's ladder, eg like the one in the TEV Bible for Genesis 28:12.

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. 

As the gospel is read, it could be mimed by one or more persons (sower, enemy, weeds - these could be children). The part of the 'servants' could be read by a different reader.

CHILDREN

CHILDREN AND THE GOSPEL
See the suggestion above under 'Dramatising the readings' 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 'The parable of the weeds (Matthew 13:24-30,36-43)'. Material for this story may be found in 
Original Edition, Year A, Semester 2, 9 Pentecost
OR
Revised RCL Edition, Year A, Semester 2, Proper 11