Liturgy for the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, Year B (Mark)
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Passages for the Day
Job 38:1-7 (34-41) In this passage, God finally responds to Job’s suffering out of the whirlwind, challenging him with questions about the creation and order of the universe. God reveals his power and wisdom by pointing to the vastness of creation, reminding Job that human understanding is limited in comparison to divine wisdom. Sometimes we ask God “Why?” and we dare to think we could handle the answer.
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c This psalm is a hymn of praise to God as the Creator and Sustainer of all life. The psalmist marvels at the beauty, order, and diversity of creation, attributing all life and sustenance to God’s provision. The passage emphasizes God’s sovereignty over nature and His continual care for the world. This theme is established in CHAPTER 1
Hebrews 5:1-10 This passage speaks of Jesus as the ultimate high priest, chosen by God to offer the perfect sacrifice for humanity’s sins. It emphasizes both his divine appointment and his ability to sympathize with human weakness, having experienced suffering and obedience through his own trials. The road he asks us to walk, he has walked.
Mark 10:35-45. James and John ask Jesus for places of honor in his kingdom, but Jesus redirects their understanding of greatness. He teaches that true greatness in God’s kingdom comes through service and humility. Jesus models this by pointing to his own mission to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. Life and leadership is about pouring out and not retaining.
Overlapping Themes
• God’s Sovereignty in Creation and Life: Both Job and Psalm 104 reflect on God’s sovereign power over creation. Job is reminded of God’s role in the foundations of the world, while the psalmist praises God’s ongoing care for creation. In my mind, these passages complement one another.
• The Role of Humility and Service: Hebrews 5 and Mark 10 emphasize humility and service as central to God’s plan. Jesus, the ultimate high priest, humbles Himself in obedience and suffering. In Mark, Jesus teaches that true greatness comes through serving others, not seeking power or prestige.
• Human Limitation and Divine Wisdom: Job’s encounter with God highlights human limitations in comprehending divine wisdom, while Psalm 104 marvels at the intricate workings of creation. Both passages remind us of our place in the created order and encourage trust in God’s greater plan.
Preaching Ideas
1. “When God Speaks: Trusting His Wisdom” (Job 38:1-7, 34-41; Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c)
Focus on the mystery of God’s creation and sovereignty, exploring how Job’s encounter with God and the psalmist’s hymn of praise both point to a God who is far beyond human understanding. The sermon can encourage believers to trust in God’s wisdom, even when life’s circumstances seem confusing or overwhelming.
2. “The Greatness of Service” (Mark 10:35-45)
Preach on the countercultural message Jesus gives to his disciples about true greatness. Emphasize how greatness in God’s kingdom is not about power or position but about serving others, following the example of Jesus who came not to be served but to serve.
3. “The Sympathetic High Priest” (Hebrews 5:1-10)
Reflect on Jesus’ role as the perfect high priest, who understands human weakness and suffering because He experienced it Himself. This sermon can offer comfort and hope to those who are struggling, reminding them that Jesus intercedes on their behalf and provides the strength they need.
Call to Worship
One: Come, all who wonder at the mysteries of creation, who look to the skies and seas and marvel at their depths.
All: We come, awed by the beauty of the earth and the vastness of wisdom beyond our understanding.
One: Though we may not grasp the full measure of these works, God, who laid the foundations of the world calls us to trust in the ways of divine order.
All: We come, seeking God who commands the stars and the seas, who breathes life into all that exists.
One: Let us lift our eyes to the Lord who sustains the heavens and the earth.
All: We come to worship the God of all creation and life, who holds all things together in love and power.
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, we come before you in humility, acknowledging that like the disciples, we often seek our own honor and forget the call to serve. We confess our desire for recognition, power, and comfort when you have called us to walk a path of humility, sacrifice, and love.
Empower us to embrace the call to serve rather than be served, to give rather than receive, and to trust your will over our own ambitions. Shape our hearts to reflect the compassion and obedience of Christ, our eternal High Priest, who leads us into your grace and mercy. (personal prayer)
One: Lord may your name be glorified in us and through us. We ask this through Christ Jesus, your only begotten son. It is he who is our Lord and our Savior, our brother and our friend.
Assurance of Pardon - (Hebrews 5:9)
Having been made perfect, Jesus became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.
Prayer of Illumination
Creator of all things, you who laid the foundations of the earth and command the morning, we come before you in awe of your wisdom and power. As we open your Word, grant us humble hearts to listen, just as Job was called to listen when you spoke out of the whirlwind.
May your voice speak through the noise of our world and the questions in our hearts. Open our minds to understand the mysteries beyond our knowing, and open our spirits to receive your truth with faith. Guide us by your light, that we may walk in your ways and see the world as you see it.
Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
God of all creation, from whom all things come and to whom all things belong, we dedicate these gifts and offerings to your service. Just as you sustain the earth and fill it with life, so too may you take what we offer and use it to nurture faith, hope, and love in this world.
We offer not only our resources, but our hearts, hands, and minds for your work. Bless and multiply our efforts, that through our dedication, your name may be glorified and Your kingdom made known.
Amen.
