23rd Sunday after Pentecost/Reformation Sunday

COLOR: Green
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Job 42:1-6, 10-17; Psalm 34:1-8 (19-22); Hebrews 7:23-28; Mark 10:46-52

THEME IDEAS

Job and Psalm 34 present problems for preachers and worship leaders alike. While the psalmist insists that God spares and protects the righteous, Job is a chilling example of the evil that God can bring upon anyone. The author of Job paints Job’s vindication and the restoration of Job’s fortunes as of greater value than what Job lost in God’s test of his faithfulness. But can anything remotely make up for the loss of one’s family—much less to a test of faith? If these texts are used, they must not be sugarcoated; their full cognitive dissonance must be allowed to play out—for such is the experience of real life. The gospel reading adds a wonderful avenue for reflection. Blind Bartimaeus is offered the brass ring—Jesus offers to give him anything he asks for. Not surprisingly, Bartimaeus asks for the return of his physical sight. What would Job or we ask for? Our children back, our sight returned, or to see with God’s eyes, to have God’s salvation? What do we seek, and how well do we really see?

INVITATION AND GATHERING

Call to Worship (Job 42, Psalm 34)

Magnify the Lord; exalt God’s holy name.
The Lord hears the pleas of the perishing.
Magnify the Lord; exalt God’s holy name.
The Lord restores the fortunes of the righteous.
Magnify the Lord; exalt God’s holy name.
The Lord redeems the lives of God’s servants.

Opening Prayer (Mark 10)

God, our Healer,
give us the courage of blind Bartimaeus,
to cry out to you
when we are in need;
give us the wisdom of Job,
to know when we have overreached
and our cause is lost;
give us the confidence of the psalmist,
to sing your praises
and magnify your name.
Grant us the wisdom, O God,
to seek from you what is of real value—
what will truly make us well,
what will truly make us whole,
what will truly give us bliss. Amen.

PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE

Prayer of Confession (Job 42, Psalm 34, Mark 10)

God of mystery and blessing,
we speak without knowledge,
we grasp without looking at the consequences,
we boast without cause,
we speak comfort without true compassion.
Forgive our ignorance,
when we look at what others have
without seeing what they have lost.
Forgive our self-absorption
when we focus on our desires
and ignore the needs of others.
May we follow the example of Bartimaeus
and cry out our need
when you draw near. Amen.

Words of Assurance (Hebrews 7)

Since Christ intercedes for us,
he is able to save everyone
who approaches God through him.
Draw near to God through Christ,
and walk blameless in God’s sight.

Invitation to the Word (Mark 10)

Listen not to the crowd. Listen to your heart and make Christ the center of your life. As today’s scriptures are read, know that Christ calls us to follow him, that we may be made whole.

Call to Prayer (Psalm 34)

Seek the Lord and God will answer you. The Lord will deliver you from your tears. Happy are those who take refuge in our God. Let us pray.

THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION

Offering Prayer (Job 42, Psalm 34, Mark 10)

Mighty God,
you restore sight to the blind
and bounty to the afflicted;
you provide refuge for the lost
and freedom for the condemned.
Open our mouths to cry out our need
and open our hearts
to give from our abundance,
in Jesus’ name,
the name above all names. Amen.

SENDING FORTH

Benediction (Psalm 26, Mark 10)

Taste and see that the Lord is good.
We once were broken, but now are whole.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
We once were blind, but now we see.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
We once were lost, but now are found.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
We once were alone, but now are family.

CONTEMPORARY OPTIONS

Contemporary Gathering Words (Mark 10)

Jesus asks us: “What do you want from me?”
Loving savior, restore our sight.
Jesus prods us: “What do you need from me?”
Loving Guide, be our vision.
Jesus questions us: “What do you want from me?”
Loving teacher, show us how to live.

Praise Sentences (Mark 10)

The blind see.
The broken are made whole.
God has done great things for us.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Blessed be the Lord.

Adapted from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2009, © 2008 Abingdon Press
The Abingdon Worship Annual 2013 is available now.