Worship resources for September

September

September: The word evokes the prospect of Autumn! It brings back boyhood memories of the Yorkshire dales, best encapsulated in the timeless words of the poet Keats: ‘Season of mists and mellow fruitful fruitfulness’. Then, this cross-country runner rejoiced in the glories of the natural world, and was at one with Psalmist rejoicing in, and extolling the wonders, of the Lord.

However, this is a time of new beginnings. For schools and colleges a new academic year rolls by; itinerant Methodist ministers have be in their new circuits for the first Sunday of the month; the Jewish community celebrates their New Year (Rosh Hashanah) mid-month, then later, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).

We remember before Thee all those embarking upon new ventures;

and ask that thou will provide them with the encouragement and

perseverance to fulfil their tasks with distinction, for the glory of your name. Amen.

Those who have experienced life threatening illnesses, and endured major surgery, may regard every day as a very special event. Indeed, every day within the month marks for some the beginning of a new year! So as we proceed throughout this autumn, may we continue to give thanks and praise to our maker for the wonderful gift of life.

Fill Thou my life, O Lord, my God,

In every part with praise,

That my whole being may proclaim

Thy being and Thy ways. ¹

Whilst it is always a pleasure to contemplate the work of the Psalmist, we can discern three distinct themes within the prescribed readings for the month. Firstly, the events of the Exodus are to be considered (without any Pentateuchal analysis!); second, events in Our Lord’s journey to Jerusalem (the Ecclesiastical Discourse et.al [Synoptic]), and St Paul’s views on Christian discipleship. It could be argued that a fourth theme exists, and this we will consider first.

Jewish Festivals

September, the Hebrew month of Tishri, is also special for our Jewish brethren. It is the time, when the community celebrates the New Year and the Day of Atonement. ² For the Jewish communities, this represents a cultural tradition going back many years.

The patriarchs entered into covenants with God for blessings and patronage: their faithfulness, and obeisance to God, in return for nationhood. These are the people who prepared the way for John the Baptist to present Jesus for His baptism; and who, in due course, later condemned our Lord to the Cross for our salvation. Some of the descendants of these people, under the guidance of St Paul, established the early churches within the Jewish diaspora. Yet, nevertheless, over the centuries they have been reviled and rejected—and more recently, subjected to the terrible events of the Holocaust, but their faith has remained constant.

God of justice and of peace,

You call your people to stand together, in solidarity with those who suffer;

We remember before you in sorrow:

all who perished in the horror of the Holocaust,

all who were persecuted,

and all whose suffering continues;

Turn the hearts of all who persecute and oppress,

and of all who seek to divide;

Open our own hearts and minds, when they are closed in fear and hatred,

So that all your peoples may stand together and reflect your image.

Amen. ³

Exodus Revisited

The Lectionary invites us to consider some of the principal events of the Exodus from Egypt: the details of the Passover of the angel of death and the institution of a memorial day; the crossing of the Red Sea; the provision of food, and water, in the desert. Indeed, we are asked to look at the narrative of the events, rather than to consider the implications of the societal and behavioural injunctions.

The enterprise of leaving Egypt was a huge leadership exercise, and has often been cited as such in management textbooks. Thus the importance of Moses is not to be underestimated. John Bright noted that: ‘And a faith as unique as Israel’s demands a founder as surely as does Christianity—or Islam for that matter. To deny that role to Moses would force us to posit another person of the same name!’ ⁴

It is imperative that we pay due respect to the writings and oral traditions of this period as they contribute to the devotional literature with which Jesus was conversant, and whose prophecies He came to fulfil.

The Road to Jerusalem

Throughout the Gospels there are many references to Jesus fulfilling prophecy. One of the most significant examples can be found within the Epiphany narratives, when Joseph takes mother and child to Egypt so that: ‘This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt have I called my son.”’ ⁵ Amongst others are the narratives surrounding the temptations and baptisms, etc., where Jesus conforms to the expectations required in Jewish the literature.

The writers of Matthew’s Gospel, however, are guilty of creating anachronism, in that when considering the ‘ecclesiastical sayings’, they have Jesus advising those in dispute with their brother to take ‘the matter to the church,’ ⁶ which, of course, was not possible. The text does, however, provide insight as to how Jesus would possibly have expected His followers to behave towards each other.

Almighty and merciful God:

Grant, we beseech thee, that we may so faithfully serve thee in this life,

that we fail not finally to attain thy heavenly promises;

through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen ⁷

Discipleship

It is St Paul who becomes the principal interpreter of Christian behaviour and discipleship. He puts the gloss (spin) on most aspects of life, reiterating the relationship between the authorities and God, ⁸ and the prudent fiscal advice ‘Owe no one anything, except to love one another.’

There are many wonderful themes in his writing, which produce memorable texts or quotations. Following on from that quoted the discourse about living and dying. ‘If we live, we live to the Lord’ to ‘Christ died and lived again, that He might be the Lord of the dead and living.’ ⁹

Whatever the specific advice to particular groups of people, his use of language makes for heady devotional reading. For instance, his proclamation to people of Philippi is relevant, and indicative, of his total commitment to his Lord:

‘For me to live in Christ, and die is gain’ ¹⁰

Over half a century ago an enthusiastic young dramatist concluded a Passion Play with the text:

‘So God raised him to the heights,

and gave him the name

above every name...

that at the name of Jesus

the living and the dead

should hail him as Lord,

and everybody everywhere claim

“Jesus, God’s Chosen Leader, is Lord!”

to the glory of God the Father. ¹¹

It is doubted whether a similar publication, with such a definitive credo, could ever be written in today’s multicultural society. But, why shouldn’t it? This is what we believe—isn’t it?

And finally:

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen ¹²