Year C, Ordinary 21, 2019 – Expectations

More Than Hearing

Hey everyone! Welcome to the next episode!

As I am working on the show notes, I’m also listening to a football game on television. I grew up in Colorado, and on Sundays in the fall, we would come home from church and eat the meal my mother had slow roasting in the oven while we were gone. After lunch, my father would turn on the Denver Broncos game, and I would lie down on the floor where the sun came through the windows with the Sunday comics from The Rocky Mountain News. A hour or so later, I would wake up, my dad would still be sleeping, and the Broncos had lost. For me, the sound of a football game carries with it life long associations of food, sunshine, and naps. I don’t expect that anymore, especially when games are on at night, but it’s hard to shake it.

The passages for today all reveal expectations, especially in the Gospel. In Isaiah, God expects the people to remember who God is and who they are and for them to act like it. The Psalm does remember who God is and sings a hymn of gratefulness for God’s steadfast presence. The author of Hebrews imagines the responses of people at two different mountains expecting God to show up. And in Luke, Jesus heals someone who likely expected to live her life as usual, while the authority figure expected the sick to have more respect for the law. Jesus has other expectations.

Three years ago, we chose to use the Isaiah passage, as well as Hebrews and Luke, so you can click over to that episode here and see what we did with them. At that time, we were not using the Psalm.

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Smarts of the Week – [01:58]

This week, we focus on MUSIC and PEOPLE smart for the podcast. Here is a list of selected hymns for this Sunday from Hymnary.org. Most churches use MUSIC smart every week in worship. They also use PEOPLE smart , although it is usually more subtle and unconscious. Download the worksheets below!

MUSIC smart – [04:00]Download

PEOPLE smart – [02:52]Download

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This Week’s Texts:

Luke 13:10-17 – [06:23]

Ah, this is more like the Jesus we expect, not like the guy bringing swords and fire from last week’s passage. Here, Jesus is compassionate and heals a woman who had been bound by a spirit that kept her bent over for 18 years. Wait, someone objects to this? And then Jesus sets him straight and calls him a hypocrite? Luke is showing us a Jesus who does not shy away from confrontation, especially when human suffering is at stake. He has some expectations. David presents a really wonderful story in PEOPLE smart, and I have a list of hymns and songs for MUSIC smart.

• PEOPLE smart – [08:04]
  • Here’s a link to a story on facebook about a man who was bent over.
• MUSIC smart – [13:18]
  • We Cannot Measure How You Heal John Bell ( the link goes to sheet music, but the words are great poetry )
  • A Touching Place John Bell – this link has the lyrics and melody.
  • Healer of My Soul John Michael Talbott

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Hebrews 12:18-29 – [15:43]

The author of Hebrews has listed the giants of the faith and the suffering of the saints prior to today’s passage. Now, he starts making comparisons between mountains, namely Mt. Sinai and Mt. Zion. Each mountain has fire and the trumpeting voice of God. Yet, while the people and Moses trembled with fear, those who approach Mt. Zion can expect to encounter a heavenly festival! I’m not entirely convinced that wouldn’t be terrifying as well, frankly. For PEOPLE smart, remind your congregation of a time when they persisted in misbehavior until an authority figure appeared. I have more hymns and poetry for MUSIC smart.

• MUSIC smart – [17:52]
  • Spirit Divine, Attend Our Prayers Andrew Reed
  • All Consuming Fire Jack Mooring, Leland Mooring, and Michael Farren
  • O Comforting Fire of Spirit Hildegard of Bingen
  • Before Thy Throne, O God, We Kneel William Boyd Carpenter
  • Send Down the Fire Marty Haugen
  • Commentary by Timothy Adkins-Jones at Working Preacher
• PEOPLE smart – [20:48]

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Psalm 103:1-8 – [23:19]

God’s intention is to bless us with good things. We tend to forget that, or forget what those good things are as God defines them. For PEOPLE smart, David found another story about a woman who forgot important things about herself and her life due to a head injury. She is taking the risk to remember by re-living a relationship. In a way, she is living out the promise of this psalm, expecting love to see her through. I have even MORE music and poetry!

• PEOPLE smart – [24:14]
  • Here is a story on facebook about a woman who lost her memory
• MUSIC smart – [27:31]
  • 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord, My Soul)– Matt Redman
  • Bless the Lord – from Godspell (1973)
  • Bless the Lord – Taize
  • Commentary by Scott Hoezee (Center for Excellence in Preaching) – Paul McCartney’s answer to his critics re: sappy love songs?
    • Silly Love Songs one of his biggest hits. So there!

Isaiah 58:9b-14 – [30:11]

These verses are the end of the chapter that begins with some harsh words from God about the obstinance of the people. By the time we get to verse 9b, God is once again reminding the people of their obligation to live as a holy people, which the hymns and poetry listed below address for MUSIC smart. The language is covenantal so bring in some lease agreements or contracts or your own bylaws for PEOPLE smart to demonstrate how we expect certain actions from one another. In this chapter, we see what actions God expects of us.

• MUSIC smart – [32:44]
  • Return to God Marty Haugen
  • Suggestions for hymns from Hymnary.org
  • O Breath of Life Bessie Porter Head
  • Sabbath Sings a Quiet Song, (poem set to Proctor Springs) Terry W. York and C. David Bolin
• PEOPLE smart – [34:59]

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Photograph copyright : Jaromír Chalabala at 123rtf Photos. Used by permission.

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