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16th Sunday after Pentecost • Year B
September 8, 2024 • Proper 18
Click on black & white clipart (above left) or color photo-graphic (above) to view and download full resolution graphics for use on bulletin covers. Tutorials available. Photo: Karen Nelson Ear graphic
Historical Collect
O Lord, always lead and follow us with your grace, that we may be still more intent on doing good. Grant this, we pray, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Gelasian Sacramentary, 7th Century)
Thematic Collect
Merciful God, from generation to generation your healing and life-giving power has been made manifest. Empower us to let the glory of your mercy and forgiveness shine through the light of our lives; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
The Common Thread
Where do you place your trust? People? Money? Health? Religion? Politics? Possessions? Regardless of what you have, who you know, or what you do, better to put your trust in he who is faithful forever, who feeds the hungry, frees the imprisoned, and created all there is. Be strong in the Lord; he alone is your salvation. When your ears are opened to the word of this Gospel, you grasp how much the Lord cares for you, and you are then freed to serve your neighbor.
First Reading • Isaiah 35:4-7a
Isaiah must have taken to heart Moses' exhortation to Joshua: “Only be strong and very courageous.” (Josh 1:7) The prophet uses a form of it often: “Be strong; fear not!” Just as the Lord would be with Joshua and the Hebrews as they possessed the land, the Lord will be with their descendents. 700 years later, Isaiah reminds the people that they should not fear, for God will save them. We too, today, should be strong and fear not. More than two-and-a-half-thousand years later, their spiritual descendents are blessed and saved by the same God.
Psalm • Psalm 146:1-10
Why should we trust in politicians. They all make big promises, yet very few seem to keep them. But God keeps faith forever. His promises are as certain today as when he made them. There is real hope when one's help and hope is in the Lord God who reigns forever, throughout all generations. There are no term limits on the Lord's faithful rule.
Second Reading • James 2:1-10, 14-18
James gives us an example that hits home for everyone. There are some people who come into the assembly that seem like they do not belong there. They do not dress appropriately, or have tattoos, or are pierced, or have crazy hair. Something about them can make us suspicious and we give them the back seat. If you do not think it is true of yourself, then you either invite those people to sit with you in church or you go and sit with them. Merely introducing yourself does not get at the heart of James' illustration. What he is teaching us, however, is not about welcoming strangers or the poor or even loving our neighbors. James teaches that true faith produces corresponding works, for a faith without works is dead.
Gospel • Mark 7:24-30, 31-37
When was the last time we were “astonished beyond measure”? For this to happen, the “Ephphatha” of the Lord must happen. Our ears must be opened to the word of God in a way that causes us to eagerly proclaim it. The deaf who need to hear, and the mute who must learn to speak, are very likely sitting in the pews of our churches.
Resources
Links to Worship Resources for this Service
