Readings: 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Psalm 77: 1-2, 11-20, Galatians 5: 1, 13-25, Luke 9: 51-62.
West Epping Uniting Church used the reading focused upon the mantle passed from Elijah to Elisha in an intergenerational service. They talked about our heroes, and what mantles God might be calling them to take up. They then created and put on their own mantles. Very creative.
The Uniting Church in Australia celebrated the formal union of the Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian Church on June 22nd, 1977.
In 2025 the UCA celebrates 48 years.
Message from the UCA President: https://vimeo.com/1091116130
Transcript of message to download here.
Readings
1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a: God instructs Elijah to go to Mount Sinai, and comes to him there. At Elijah’s cave he experiences wind, earthquake and fire, but God’s voice is only heard in the whisper that follows. In spite of his fear at the threats against his life, God leads him back into ministry.
Psalms 42 and 43: A song of lament, with a commitment to praise God in the face of persecution of suffering.
Galatians 3:23-29: Now that the way of faith in Christ has come, the law is no longer needed. Those who trust in Christ are God’s children, and we are all equal in God’s family.
Luke 8:26-39: Jesus liberates the Gerasene demonaic, who begs to go with Jesus once he has been healed. But Jesus sends him home to tell of what God did for him.
(summaries by John van de Laar on his Sacredise website. His weekly reflections on the themes of the RCL readings, and global and local applications are always really helpful. )
(Contemporary versions of the lectionary readings by Nathan Nettleton)
Resources:
Church of Scotland starters
See also Trinity Sunday Year A and Year B.
Readings
Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31: Wisdom sings of being with God at the creation of the world, and of humanity.
Psalm 8: A song of God’s majesty, and the honour God has given to humanity.
Romans 5:1-5: In Christ God has given us peace and a place of privilege, and has also strengthened us by giving us the Spirit.
John 16:12-15: Jesus promises the Spirit who will lead us into truth, and teach us all that belongs to Jesus and the Father.
(Bible readings summary by John van de Laar, Sacredise)
Resources:
Life in Liturgy
Singing from the Lectionary
Textweek
“The Trinity suddenly filled my heart with the greatest joy. And I understood that in heaven it will be like that forever for those who come there. For the Trinity is God, God is the Trinity; the Trinity is our maker and protector, the Trinity is our dear friend forever, our everlasting joy and bliss, through our Lord Jesus Christ. And this was shown in the first revelation, and in all of them; for it seems to me that where Jesus is spoken of, the Holy Trinity is to be understood.” Julian of Norwich
A Trinity Preparation
I bind unto myself this day the strong name of the Trinity.
The Creator’s gifts of earth and sky,
the flowing creeks and fertile land,
the winter sun and summer moon,
the roaring sea and golden sand.
I bind unto myself this day the Christ who wears our human clay.
The Baby sleeping in a stall,
the Healer touching our disease,
the Man of love upon the Cross,
the risen Friend who hears our pleas.
I bind unto myself this day the Spirit who is here to stay.
The Breath that makes the broken whole,
the Truth that flows like liquid light,
the Wind that sweeps my dusty soul,
the Fire that warms the darkest night.
From now unto infinity,
The strong name of the Trinity.
(Source: Bruce Prewer)
Call to worship
We gather in the name of the living Christ to worship God.
Surely, God is in this place and calls us to worship in spirit and in truth.
God’s love is for you and for all people everywhere.
May we be renewed in the refreshing Spirit of the living Christ, that we may share God’s love and life.
The living Christ is with us.
Praise the Lord!
Gift of Faith (a prayer inspired by Romans 5:1–5)
You give us faith
to make us right
with You again.
You give us peace
to bring us home
to You again.
You give us grace
in which we stand,
in Your presence,
in Your love,
in Your honour.
Thus we withstand
our suffering,
and we endure;
we find resilience,
and we grow;
we develop character,
and we hope –
we hope, for Your love,
our faithful Holy One,
is poured into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit that has
been given to us.
You give us Your Spirit,
breath of life,
wind of flight.
You give us Your Wisdom,
welcoming light,
path of right relationship.
You give us Your Love,
source of life,
home each night of sorrow
and day of quite exquisite joy.
We stand in awe,
grateful for such gifts, inspired
to fly, to love, to shine light
in the world.
May it be so. Amen.
(Sarah Agnew)
Continue reading
See also Pentecost A and Pentecost B
Readings
Acts 2:1-21: The believers are filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, and they start to praise God in various languages.
Or Genesis 11:1-9: Humanity seeks to build a tower that reaches the heavens, but God confuses their language and they scatter over the earth.
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b: The world and all its creatures depend on God for provision and breath – which leads the Psalmist to commit to praise God.
Romans 8:14-17: God has given us God’s Spirit by which we know we are God’s children, sharing both in God’s glory and God’s suffering.
OR Acts 2:1-21: See above.
John 14:8-17, (25-27): Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to be an advocate for his followers, and to lead them into truth.
Readings
Acts 16: 16-34
Paul and Silas are imprisoned after they cast out a demon from the fortune-telling slave girl. Even in jail they continue to worship, and Paul leads the prison jailer to faith in Christ.
Psalm 97
God’s greatness and power extends over all, even gods and idols. The earth itself trembles. God’s protection extends towards God’s people.
Rev 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21
Christ is the one who will come to set things right. The Holy City will be home to all those who respond to God’s invitation to life in Christ.
John 17:20-26
Jesus prays for those who believe in him, that they may find unity, and that their love will be a witness to the world, that others may believe in Jesus.
RCLReadings.COCU38C.Easter7C.NN (Nathan Nettleton paraphrase)
Resources
textweek.com
Sacredise (John van de Laar)
Singing from the Lectionary (Natalie Sims)
re-Worship (Christine Longhurst)
Reflection on the Epistle reading on the UCC website
Continue reading
Readings:
Acts 16:9-15: Paul and his companions in Macedonia and the conversion of Lydia.
Psalm 67: a psalm inviting all the nations to praise God
Revelation 21:10,22-22.5: A vision of the New Jerusalem, where the gates are never closed, and yet no evil can enter. It is God who offers security and hospitality to all peoples.
John 14:23-29: the gift of God’s Spirit planted in all those who love God.
RCL readings in A4 landscape 2 columns format: COCU36C.Easter 6C.RCL Bible Readings
Resources
textweek.com
Sacredise (John van de Laar)
Singing from the Lectionary (Natalie Sims)
Readings: Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 148; Rev 21:1-6; John 13:31-35
RCL readings (landscape, A4): COCU35C.Easter5C.RCLReadings
Helpful resources:
re-Worship for Easter 5C compiled by Christine Longhurst
Sacredise by John van de Laar
Textweek
Singing from the Lectionary – Natalie Sims
A Prayer for Mothers and Children
God be with the Mother
Who sits long nights beside those who cannot sleep
Who holds in aching arms the hurting child
Who carries in her heart the burden of care and worry
And comforts without words
God be with the Mother
Who listens and does not judge
Who forgives and bears no grudge
Who opens the door to her heart
No matter what the cost
God be with the Mother
Grant freedom from anxiety
Grant peace and understanding
Give hope and perseverance
Give patience and unlimited grace
God be with the child
Who enters an exciting world
Who has much to learn
Who has much to share
Who is becoming
God be with the child
Who looks up to the mother
Who takes in all the mother does
Who learns from the wisdom shown
Who has boundaries to learn and stretch
God be with the child
Grant freedom from anxiety
Grant peace and understanding
Give hope and perseverance
Give patience and unlimited grace
God be with us all
May we learn to be all that we can be
May our respect be always there
May our gratitude be endless
May we love and be loved
May this all be in the name of Christ
Amen
(Adapted from a prayer from “God Be With The Mother – A Mother’s Day Prayer”) Continue reading
