SunDay between 29 May and 4 June (if after Trinity) (Proper 4), year C

2019 -  
2022 -  
2025 -  
2028 -  
2031 -  
2034 -  
2037 -  

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.

Lord, hear in heaven your dwelling place,
so that all the peoples of the earth
may know your name and fear you.  (1 Kgs 8:43 NRSV)

OR
In order to set us free from this present evil age,
Christ gave himself for our sins.  (Gal 1:4a TEV)

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 God, the strength of all those 
who put their trust in you: 
Mercifully accept our prayers; 
and because through the weakness of our mortal nature 
we can do nothing good without you, 
grant us the help of your grace, 
that in keeping your commandments 
we may please you both in will and deed; 
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 God, the strength of all who trust in you, 
we cannot do anything without you. 
In mercy help us to obey your commandments 
and to please you in our intentions 
and in our actions. 
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 (revised alternative)
(Let us pray for perseverance in faith. [silence])
Almighty and everliving God, 
increase in us your gift of faith in your Son. 
Teach us to forget what lies behind 
and reach out for what is ahead, 
and run to win the crown of eternal joy. 
We ask this through 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
1 Kings 18:20,21(22-29)30-39 Elijah's triumph over the priests of Baal
(Omit 'So' at the beginning of verse 20)
Psalm 96
Antiphon: 
Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.  (Ps 96:7b NRSV)

OR, 1b
1 Kings 8:22,23,41-43 Solomon's prayer of dedication of the temple
Psalm 96:1-9
Antiphon: 
Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.  (Ps 96:7b NRSV)

SECOND READING
Galatians 1:1-12 No other gospel

ALLELIA VERSE (1 Kgs 8:23 NRSV)
Alleluia, alleluia.
O Lord, there is no God like you
in heaven above or on earth beneath,
keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Luke 7: 1-10 The Roman officer's faith

Prayer after the gospel
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Lord Jesus, thank you 
for being ready to help and heal us. 
Strengthen our faith in you. 
Amen.

Offering prayer
Merciful God, 
thank you for sending your Son to save us. 
Teach us to be compassionate like him, 
and to give of ourselves to help others. 
Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Call to prayer
Jesus was amazed at the faith of the centurion when he asked for help. Let us bring our prayers to  our Father, trusting that he will hear and answer us.

Response
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Suggested intercessions
*	that the church would preach in purity the one gospel of Christ
*	that people everywhere would receive the good news of God's grace with joy
*	that our faith in God would continue to grow stronger
*	that our government, and all governments in the world, would uphold justice and good laws
*	that God would mercifully hear the cries of all who call on him in need

Concluding prayer
Lord God, heavenly Father, in mercy hear our prayers, for the sake of your Son, 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.

Almighty and everliving God, 
as you have given us the gift 
of the body and blood of your Son, 
increase our faith in him. 
Teach us to forget what lies behind 
and reach out for what is ahead, 
and run to win the crown of eternal joy. 
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who lives and reigns 
with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

dismissal
Go in peace. Our Lord Jesus gave himself to set you free.
Thanks be to God.  OR  In the name of Christ. Amen.

HYMNS AND SONGS

PSALM 96
For musical settings of Psalm 96, see Music Packages 1, 4, 7 and 10. See also TIS 54 O sing a new song to the Lord.

For a song version, see ATW 468, 'Sing a new song'. Or the following paraphrase of Psalm 96 by David Schütz may be sung to the tune 'Church Triumphant' (LH 227, TIS 98). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Schütz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

Come, sing a new song to the Lord,
come, sing a new song, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, and bless his name,
that all may know his saving grace.

Let heav'n be glad, let earth rejoice;
let sea and all its creatures roar.
Let field exult, and all in it;
let trees and forests sing for joy.

Rejoice before the coming Lord,
for he shall come to judge the earth,
to judge the earth with righteousness -
he judges nations with his truth.

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) from 1 Kings 18 could be illustrated by a picture like the one in the TEV Bible for 1 Kings 18:38, and the first reading (1b) from 1 Kings 8 could be illustrated by a picture like the one in the TEV Bible for 2 Chronicles 6:12.

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. For instance, the first reading (1a) from 1 Kings 18 could be read by three readers: narrator, Elijah, one of the people; the first reading (1b) from 1 Kings 8 by two readers: narrator and Solomon; and the gospel by four readers: narrator (the pastor), Jewish elder, centurion's friend, Jesus.

children

TALKING WITH THE CHILDREN
Talk about how Jesus loves us and wants to help us.