I am glad the psalm series is 4 weeks this year rather than 6 as in some past versions, and that this week’s accompanying gospel is a robust one, since the orientation/re-orientation themes are showing more overlap that I originally thought. (See last week’s blog for overall resources for the NL psalms series, one of which really addresses this reality.)

Themes for the psalm include the Lord as light and salvation (v.1a)and also as stronghold/fortress (v.1b). The RCL using this psalm omits the triumph-over-enemies verses 2-3, yet most of us can at least relate to the idea that sometimes there seem to be forces, however we name them, that work against us. Verse 4 is a famous one:        “One thing I asked of the Lord that I will seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life/forever.” The psalm then speaks of beholding the Lord’s beauty, and inquiring in his temple (v. 4b), and of being sheltered and hidden but also set high on a rock (v.5). It continues: “Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me” (v.6a), and closes with sacrifices, joy and singing (v. 6b)

 

BULLETIN COVERS

Psalm 27

https://www.google.com/search?q=free+bulletin+covers+psalm+27&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiHodab8_HiAhXLq1kKHRmXB00QsAR6BAgAEAE&biw=1501&bih=720#imgrc=s1upHxqrVihXxM:

https://www.google.com/search?q=clipart+psalm+27&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjhgNKf9PHiAhXomuAKHXuGBTIQsAR6BAgFEAE&biw=1501&bih=665

Matthew 6

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1493&bih=665&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=nkIKXZnFGY6RggeFt6uwDw&q=clipart+Matthew+6%3A25-34&oq=clipart+Matthew+6%3A25-34&gs_l=img.3…182778.196779..197138…0.0..0.188.1524.16j1……0….1..gws-wiz-img…….0j0i8i30.cZTqWJZ-vVU

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1493&bih=665&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=ZUMKXYnPJKPZ5gL4nrfYBg&q=bulletin+cover+matthew+6%3A25-34&oq=bulletin+cover+matthew+6%3A25-34&gs_l=img.3…60253.70156..70407…0.0..0.188.3094.17j13……0….1..gws-wiz-img…….0j0i67j0i5i30j0i8i30.S-9jRfaEBnw

http://www.mscperu.org/grafic/graficoslit/aTO/08_to_a.htm

This site also has other lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship. By Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia. Includes stories, poem/meditation, reference to a meditative song, a film clip, and a kids’ sermon idea.                                     http://seedstuff.blogspot.com/2011/02/epiphany-8-february-27-god-never.html

LITURGICAL RESOURCES

Newly discovered RCL resource (both of these passages are in the RCL, although the Psalm is v. 1, 4-9) http://spirit-net.ca/sermons/s-sermon-main.php#prayer

Psalm 27

Joan Stott, prayers and meditation based on Psalm 27:1, 4-9 http://www.thetimelesspsalms.net/w_resources/epiphany3%5B3%5Da_2017.htm http://www.thetimelesspsalms.net/w_resources/lent2c_2013.htm                                              http://www.thetimelesspsalms.net/w_resources/epiphany3a_2011.htm

Four liturgies with communion for the Psalm by Thom M. Shuman, PC(USA).  https://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com/search?q=Psalm+27

Responsive Paraphrases and an offering prayer                            http://thebillabong.info/lectionary-2/year-a-matthew/11a-epiphany-3a/

Opening Prayer/Collect (themes from Psalm 27)                                                                              Original liturgical resource: please give credit to Barb Hedges-Goettl if using/adapting:

O God, our rock and our salvation,                                                                                               our shelter in the day of trouble,                                                                                                    lift up our heads and free us from fear,                                                                                            that we may behold your beauty                                                                                           inquire into your dwelling place,                                                                                                   and praise you with shouts of joy.  Amen.

CALL TO WORSHIP (from Ps.27 NIV) Original liturgical resource: please give credit to Barb Hedges-Goettl if using/adapting:
One: The Lord is my light and my salvation—                                                                                Many: so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?
The one thing I ask of the Lord—
the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord                                                                                                         all the days of my life,                                                                                                                      At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices                                                                                                     with shouts of joy,
ALL Praise the Lord with music and song!

*Call to Confession                                                                                                                            Original liturgical resource: please give credit to Barb Hedges-Goettl if using/adapting        God is our light and our salvation, yet at times we still are trembling and afraid.                God works within and among us to increase our faith and our support of one another. Let us together confess our need for this help and for God’s forgiveness.

*Prayer of Confession:Original liturgical resource: please give credit to Barb Hedges-Goettl if using/adapting

O God, sometimes I am impatient with my own journey                                                         and with the journey of others. I want us all to just be there.                                        Forgive me when I look at all that surrounds me rather than at you ;                     when fear takes the place of trust in you.                                                                               Be my light and fortress when I face threatening people and situations.                         Overcome my fears and troubles.  (Silent confession)

*Assurance of Pardon (from Psalm 27, The Message Paraphrase) Original liturgical resource: please give credit to Barb Hedges-Goettl if using/adapting

God is our quiet, secure place in a noisy and threatening world.                                          God is the perfect oasis, the source of beauty and knowledge.                                                    God holds us head and shoulders against all who try to pull us down.                                      We gather here to give thanks and praise for the Good News:

In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

Matthew

Liturgies from a Progressive/Post-Liberal Theology, Revd Rex A.E. Hunt, Uniting Church in Australia.https://www.rexaehuntprogressive.com/liturgy_collection/year_a_liturgy_collection/year_a_christmasepiphany/epiphany8a2722011.html

Two liturgies with communion for the Psalm by Thom M. Shuman, PC(USA).  https://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com/search?q=Matthew+6

Prayers, Collects and Litanies by Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia.  http://www.bruceprewer.com/DocA/17EPIPH8.htm

For more, see http://www.textweek.com/yeara/epipha8.htm

SERMONS

Matthew

Epiphany 8A – Matthew 6:24-34 “Do Not Worry”

https://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com/search?q=psalm+27

HYMNS

An RCL-based list of hymn resources: http://spirit-net.ca/sermons/s-hymnchoice.php

Psalm 27

Abide with me

All praise to our redeeming God

Christ the world’s true light

God of Grace and God of Glory

God is my strong salvation

In heavenly love abiding

The Lord is my light, my light and salvation

Who would true valor see

 PCUSA Hymnal (1990)                                                                                                                    .1= verse 1 is particularly tied to the theme                                                                      Bold=hymn particularly tied to theme                                                                                           ( ) link is less direct

LIGHT: GOD

179.1 God Is My Strong Salvation
186.4 Thy Mercy and Thy Truth, O Lord
(202.1) Psalm 67
203.1 God of Mercy, God of Grace
206.2+4 O Hear Our Cry, O Lord
209.4 My Song Forever Shall Record
(232.27) Psalm 118.19-29
263 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
339.1 Be Thou My Vision
340 Eternal Light, Shine in My Heart

LIGHT: CHRIST
4.1+2 Creator of the Stars of Night
5.3 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
(9.2) O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
(10.3) On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry
12.4 People, Look East
(14.4) Savior of the Nations, Come
(15.3) Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers
(20) Watchman, Tell Us of the Night
(21.3) All My Heart Today Rejoices
(22.3) Angels, from the Realms of Glory
(26) Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light
(27.2) Gentle Mary Laid Her Child
30.2 Born in the Night, Mary’s Child
31.3 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
32 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
(33.3) Holy Night, Blessed Night
(35.4) In Bethlehem a Newborn Boy
43.1 O Little Town of Bethlehem
68.3 What Star Is This, with Beams So Bright
69 O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright
73.1 Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Glory
84.3 In the Cross of Christ I Glory
118.2 The Day of Resurrection!
120.4 Hail Thee, Festival Day!
141.2 A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing
149.2 The Head That Once Was Crowned
203.1 God of Mercy, God of Grace
301.4 Lord Jesus, Think on Me
327 O Word of God Incarnate
340 Eternal Light, Shine in My Heart
384.2 O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go
411 Arise, Your Light Is Come!
(427.3) Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service
431.3 O Lord, You Gave Your Servant John
447.3 Lead On, O King Eternal
448.3 Lead On, O King Eternal
454.2+3 Blessed Jesus, at Your Word
457.2 I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art
462 Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies
463 Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies
474 O Splendor of God’s Glory Bright
506.1+2 Deck Yourself, My Soul, with Gladness
510.1+5 Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts
511.1+5 Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts
526.2 For All the Saints
548.1 O Radiant Light, O Sun Divine
549.1 O Gladsome Light
550.1 O Light Whose Splendor Thrills
(601.5) Song of Zechariah (Benedictus)
(602.3) Song of Zechariah (Benedictus)
603 Song of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis)
604 Song of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis)
605 Song of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis)

CONFIDENCE
165 When in the Night I Meditate
169 In the Day of Need
170 The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want
171 The King of Love My Shepherd Is
172 My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
173 Psalm 23
174 The Lord’s My Shepherd
175 The Lord’s My Shepherd, All My Need
179 God Is My Strong Salvation
191 God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength
192 God, Our Help and Constant Refuge
193 Psalm 46
197 My Soul in Silence Waits for God
210 Our God, Our Help in Ages Past
212 Within Your Shelter, Loving God
231 Psalm 118.14-24
234 I to the Hills Will Lift My Eyes
240.4 Out of the Depths
259 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
260 A Mighty Fortress is Our God
261 God of Compassion, in Mercy Befriend Us
265 Great God, We Sing That Mighty Hand
275 God of Our Life
293 This Is My Father’s World
307 Fight the Good Fight
341 Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine!
342 By Gracious Powers
348 Christian Women, Christian Men
361 How Firm a Foundation
365 Jesus, Priceless Treasure
446 Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
447 Lead On, O King Eternal
448 Lead On, O King Eternal
476.5 O Worship the King, All Glorious Above!
544 Day Is Done
554 Let All Things Now Living