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Seventh Sunday after Pentecost • Year B
July 7, 2024 • Proper 9
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. • Original image • Floral graphic
Historical Collect
O God, you never undermine your purpose, as you perfectly provide for all that you create. Remove from our way all that is harmful and give us what will profit that we may share in your invincible grace; 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
Beckoning God, you call us as you did the disciples of old to go forth and bear witness to your life-giving Gospel. Send us forth from this assembly by the power of your Holy Spirit to be the healing presence of Christ in the world; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
The Common Thread
God speaks to us through his Word. When we look to God for mercy, the assurance comes through his Word and is received through faith. If his mercy were to be received through feelings, even feeling better or relieved, those feelings would come and go. But God’s grace is sufficient for us—not matter how we feel. God may use those feelings, so that the Word might have its way with a troubled or guilty heart. This is why we know that our proclamation of the Word may be effective: though some will take offense at Jesus, his Spirit is at work in others to receive the Word implanted that is able to save their souls (James 1:21).
First Reading • Ezekiel 2:1-5
The Lord loves rebels. Those who resist him, he seems to love all the more by sending prophets and preachers to admonish them and bring them to his grace. It will take an anointing from the Holy Spirit to be such an emissary. If they resist the Lord, they will surely defy his messengers. God sends us all the same and encourages us to not be shocked when they speak against and act defiantly and mockingly. We are to speak the word of God whether they listen to us or not.
Psalm • Psalm 123:1-4
Keep your eyes on God. Do not focus on the mockers or the naysayers or the problems or the lack — or anything but the Lord of heaven. He will have mercy. Wait for it. He knows your need for relief.
Second Reading • 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
Without water, a person will die. But without grace, the person is already dead. It is a small matter that the body lives if the spirit is dead. God's Spirit gives life so that a person may continue to live even if the body dies of thirst (Romans 8:10). We have all been thirsty for water, but do we thirst for grace? Blessed are you if you hunger and thirst for God's righteousness (Matthew 5:6). It is freely, graciously available. God would fill you to overflowing and by his grace, strengthen you, even in spite of any hardship or weakness or lack you encounter.
Gospel • Mark 6:1-13
Increasingly, people will take offense at Christians in our ever-changing culture. Take no offense at them. The Church must stop suffering insults with reprisals, and instead be like Jesus, who though by his nature was offensive to others, took it as no affront when they sought to provoke him. He was gracious to them and still healed them and taught them where he could — despite their mocking lack of belief.
Resources
Links to Worship Resources for this Service
