Sundays After Pentecost
Proper 23[28] |
||
| Scripture | Theme | Hymns |
|---|---|---|
| Job
23:1-9, 16-17 -or- Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 |
An Unfathomable God; Seeking God
|
341 I Sought the Lord 385 Let Us Plead By Faith Alone 414 Thou Hidden Love of God *** 450 Creator of the Earth and Skies 428 For the Healing of the Nations 433 All Who Love and Serve Your City Additional Suggestions |
| Psalm
22:1-15
-or- |
Forsaken by God; The Depths of Human Suffering *** Plead for Divine Favor Pray for Relief from Suffering |
Psalter 752, response 2 522 Leave It There 512 Stand By Me 397 I Need Thee Every Hour 518 O Thou in Whose Presence *** Psalter 809 405 Seek Ye First 388 O Come and Dwell in Me 126 Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above 124 Seek The Lord Additional Suggestions |
| Hebrews
4:12-16; |
Jesus Identifies With Us; Assurance that God is Approachable |
529 How
Firm a Foundation 371 I Stand Amazed in the Presence 292 What Wondrous Love is This 332 Spirit of Faith Come Down Additional Suggestions |
| Mark 10:17-31 | The Price of Immortality; Possessions Are Not Enough |
399 Take
My Life, and Let It Be 354 I Surrender All 382 Have Thine Own Way, Lord Additional Suggestions |
Text: Georg Neumark
trans. Catherine Winkworth
Tune: Wer nur den lieben Gott lasst walten
Georg Neumark (1621-1681), who lived a rather unremarkable -- and often miserable -- life, is known primarily for this hymn, which was written in the midst of a very bitter experience of victimization, destitution and unemployment. Robbed and left with only his prayerbook and a few coins while enroute to the University at Konigsberg, he spent nearly 2 years trying to find work in 4 different cities so that he could save enough money to finish his education.
It was upon the occasion of finally being given a tutoring job in the home of a wealthy judge, that he wrote this text and tune. It is based on Psalm 55:22 and originally entitled, "A Song of Comfort: God will care for and help everyone in His own time."
He eventually returned to the University and studied law, but he aimlessly wandered about for 3 years after graduation. He finally found a clerical position, in which he remained until his death. The last months of his life were spent in blindness. Most of his 34 hymns were written during times of great trial and suffering. Catherine Winkworth is credited with translating this hymn from German.
Think prayerfully of those who rely on the Lord through their suffering and challenges as you ponder these words:
|
1. If thou but suffer God to guide thee, and hope in God through all thy ways, God will give strength, whate'er betide thee, and bear thee through the evil days. Who trusts in God's unchanging love builds on the rock that naught can move. |
2. Only be still, and wait God's leisure in cheerful hope, with heart content to take whate'er thy Maker's pleasure and all-discerning love hath sent; we know our inmost wants are known, for we are called to be God's own. | |
| ||
The first inclusion in a Methodist hymnal was in 1905, using only 4 stanzas of the original seven. The 1964 Methodist Hymnal restored the tune from 4/4 time to its original 3/4 time.
If your congregation has never sung this hymn, perhaps your musicians would be willing to use one of the classical compositions based on the tune as part of their offerings of music for the day. Certainly the story behind the hymn's text and tune is worthy of telling as an illustration to illumine the lections of the day.
God bless you--
Lection at HymnSite.com
Contributed by Rev. Linda K. Morgan-Clark
Job: See also Hymns 102-125 (God's Nature)
Amos: See Index listing, "Social Concerns" p.952; "Justice p. 947;
see also Hymns 425-450 (Social Holiness)
Psalm 22: See Index listing, "Afliction and Tribulation" p.934; see
also Hymns 509-536 (Strength in Tribulation)
Psalm 90: See Index listing, "Afliction and Tribulation" p.934; see
also Hymns 102-125 (God's Nature); Hymns 509-536 (Strength in Tribulation)
See Index listing, "Commitment" p.939; see also Hymns 395-424 (Personal Holiness)
See Index listing, "Jesus Christ: Incarnation " p.945, "Atonement" p. 944; see also Hymns 153-194 (In Praise of Christ)
God bless you!
| Passages suggested are from The Revised Common Lectionary: Consultation on Common Texts (Abingdon Press, 1992) copyright © by the Consultation on Common Texts (CCT), P.O. Box 340003, Room 381, Nashville TN 37203-0003. Reprinted with permission of CCT. |