COCU62B

Readings
Job 42:1-6, 10-17
Job recognises that he had spoken without knowledge, and that he has now encountered God. Then God blesses Job beyond the prosperity he had at first.
Psalm 34:1-8 (19-22)
A song of thanksgiving for God’s restoration received when the Psalmist sought God. Though the righteous have troubles, God delivers them.
Hebrews 7:23-28
Jesus is an eternal priest who constantly prays for God’s people. He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day because he offered himself once and for all.
Mark 10:46-52
As Jesus enters Jericho a blind man named Bartimaeus shouts out asking for Jesus to have mercy on him. Then Jesus calls the blind man, and asks him what he wants. When he answers that he wants to see, Jesus heals him, and he follows Jesus.
(Bible summaries by John van de Laar, Sacredise)
Bible readings, landscape format, folded – COCU62B.Readings.2018

Components of worship (links on this website)
Acknowledgement of Land
Gathering
Prayer of thanksgiving
Prayer of confession/prayers of who we are
Words of Assurance
Prayer for Illumination
Readings (see above)
Prayers for others
Lord’s Prayer
Prayer of Dedication
Benediction and sending out
(Communion)
(Communion Hymns)

Mark 10.46-52 – a reflection
Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting beside the Way. 
What is the Way you are beside: something incomplete,
something not yet happening? Offer it to God.
He began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Many sternly ordered him to be quiet.
What has silenced you?
What has kept you from rushing headlong to God?
Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.”
Imagine Jesus calls you.
Jesus wants you. Wants you near.
They called the blind man, saying to him,
“Take heart; get up, he is calling you.”
Recite these words to yourself.
Take heart; get up, your Love is calling you.
Throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.
Your souls is not as timid as you:
casting your safety aside, leaping, unseeing, to the Beloved.
Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” 
Let him ask you.
And again.
“My teacher, let me see again.” 
What would you see?
Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” 
Your crying out, your soul’s leaping,
your blind begging is holy.
Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
What is the new Way you will follow on?
Pray this all day long without ceasing:
“Jesus, Beloved of God, have mercy on me, for I  need you.
“Jesus, Beloved of God, have mercy on me, for I need you.”
(Source: Steve Garnaas-Holmes, Unfolding Light)

Friend and listener,
at the edge of the crowd is a lonely place.
Life passes by as a babbling and busy noise,
while confusion and anxiety combine
in the heart of the lonely sitter.
But you discern, O Seeing One.
You hear, O listening One.
Friend and Companion,
I stumble on the uneven path of life.
I find fear overcoming reason,
and courage ebbing
with the complete indifference of the busy and bossy.
Yet, you hear me.
You never are far away.
When I turn to you again and again,
You greet me with the warmth of the morning sun,
calling to me and showing me a new beginning,
as clear as the bird song resonating in the darkness of dawn.
Every moment I turn to you, my inner eye reveals a healing way
to turn to life, refreshed with courage and certainty, I am known and heard.
(Source: Rev Anne Hewitt 20/10/2021. This reflection & prayer may be shared as long as the original writer is credited). 

Christ our God,
sun of righteousness,
by your divine touch
you gave light to the eyes of the blind man
who had been deprived of light since birth.
Enlighten also the eyes of our souls,
and make us sons and daughters of light
so that we cry out to you in faith:
great and beyond words is your compassion towards us!
Loving Lord, glory to you!
(Vesper Hymn, Sunday of the Blind Man. In: Let us pray to the Lord, A collection of prayers from the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox traditions © 1996 WCC)

Sermon: Asking for help by Christina Evans 2018 on RevoLectionary
Sermon: On the road with Bartimaeus by Andrew Prior on One Man’s Web

Pilgrim COCU62B.930am.2018