Worship Guide - 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Worship With One Click

You can choose to watch all of this Sunday's worship service in a series of linked videos, one after the other by clicking this link. Just press the button that says "PLAY ALL" and sit back and relax. You can also just click on the graphic to the left.​ Otherwise, proceed as normal through the sections.

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Absence makes the heart grow fonder. The clarion truth of this old adage rings through these ancient scriptures for this Sunday. Joseph forgives his brothers, despite the worst of their intentions, understanding that God has bent a universe toward the unity and reconciliation we know as justice in which we are better and stronger together than we are apart. Romans encourages accommodation of those (of us!) who are “weak in faith.” Here we find an invitation to clarify between what is essential and what is not, what is a matter of truth and life and what is a matter of opinion. No easy answers here, of course, but the journey is essential. Peter wonders to Jesus the extent of forgiveness…and we may wonder of the tipping point between forgiveness and the dysfunction of abuse—personal and systemic.

All this as we navigate the impossible demands of schooling, parenting and grandparenting, working, supporting, hoping, and simply living amidst pandemic life.  Is there a word for us today? Enter into worship. 

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Connections with Andrea

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Prelude

If you have prayers you would like to share, please do so here. These will be shared by email to our St Andrew prayer list so that we pray for what you hold by name. This information is not shared online in a searchable form.

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Gathering Song

God, our source and our salvation,
in love you made us
and by love you have redeemed us.
Make your love for us bear fruit
in our forgiveness of others,
that in this life we may know
your all-embracing compassion
and in the world to come receive the everlasting joy
of fellowship you share with your Son, Jesus Christ,
and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Sing Praise

Reflect, Confess, Forgive, Receive

Send a text to a couple of people. Make a call. Who comes to mind for you? Wish them well. More than that, wish them the peace that comes with justice. Then click below.

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Listen, Look, Hear

Lord, by the power of your Holy Spirit
open our understanding
that we may receive the Word of life.
​Amen.

Genesis 50:15-21 † Psalm 103:1-13 † Romans 14:1-12 † Matthew 18:21-35
​*In the season after Pentecost (also known as Ordinary Time, or "Proper" Sundays, the first reading can follow one of two tracks—either a semi-continuous track that stays with a story over a number of Sundays or a paired track that companions more closely the gospel reading. This summer we are mostly using the paired readings.

Psalm Response

Reflection

Sing a Response

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Give Thanks

If you haven’t already, set the elements—some bread, some juice or wine—in the room where you worship in these days with our faith community. Add flowers—something beautiful, and add something that reminds you of stability.

​If a joy or a concern has come to mind, please share it with the assembly here so you do not carry it alone. These will be shared by email to our St Andrew prayer list so that we pray for what you hold by name. This information is emailed to a curated group, not shared or posted online in a searchable form.

As we respond to God's grace and new life, consider those ways you can express gratitude, thanksgiving and blessing. And remember that we continue to keep our financial commitments to our mission partners and staff. Thank you for remembering to send in your financial pledges and offerings.

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Sending Song

Be Blessed