June 24 – Fourth after Pentecost

 

1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4–11, 19–23), 32–49

David and Goliath.

 

Psalm 9:9–20 (VU pp. 732–733)

I will tell of God’s marvellous deeds.

 

2 Corinthians 6:1–13

Now is the acceptable time, the day of salvation.

 

Mark 4:35–41

Jesus stills a storm.

Spark

If exploring the Hebrew lesson, arrange an extra-large pair of men’s boots and a small child’s pair of boots side by side in front of the communion table. If acting out the gospel, ask the congregation (adults included) the week before to bring their favourite stuffed animals to church for this Sunday. Arrange them on and around the communion table.

Theme Engagement Question

What are the faith practices that you use for support in facing your fears?

With Children

Hebrew lesson: Invite the children to have a good look at those boots. Can anybody walk around in the big pair? As we just heard in the story about David, sometimes our problems seem huge, too big for us to handle. What can we do? Can we shrink our problems down to size? God helps us by giving us courage and resourcefulness. Ask for an example (e.g., a drop-in centre for parents and children might not have the resources for new toys, so organizers buy toys at a thrift shop; or someone who feels embarrassed because they can’t afford new clothes might also shop at a thrift store and be proud to create an outfit; arrange in advance for some members of the congregation to show the children how they shop in this way).

 

Gospel lesson: Present the lesson as a drama with the children taking part. You might flash the lights and add a background recording of thunder and crashing waves. Ask, “Ever wake up frightened in the night? What do you do? Do you call out for someone?” When a parent or guardian comforts us, we know we’re not alone. God is like that: always with us by night and by day. Hold up a favourite stuffed animal and point to all the others that people have brought, adding, “God is even better than your favourite stuffed animal. God is always comforting, close, and ready to help us.”

Sermon Starter

What storms are you facing in your life? What fears are threatening to overwhelm you? We think we have faith, but when a crisis comes, do we fear that we will be left alone? Naming our fears can be a step in overcoming them. Also, we can use the quiet times of our lives, the in-between times of relative calm, to prepare ourselves for “stormy weather” through the discipline of meditation, prayer, and scripture reading. Ultimately there is much hope in knowing that even the disciples were unable to save themselves, but they found deliverance in the calming power of Jesus.

Hymns

Hebrew Scripture

VU 651            “Guide me, O thou great Jehovah”

VU 686            “God of grace and God of glory”

MV 90             “Don’t be afraid”

MV 119           “God our protector”

 

Psalm

VU 326            “O for a thousand tongues to sing”

VU 714            “Come, we that love”

MV 57             “I’ll praise eternal God”

 

Epistle

VU 30              “Hail to God’s own anointed”

VU 661            “Come to my heart”

MV 21             “Open our hearts”

 

Gospel

VU 120            “O Jesus, I have promised”

VU 374            “Come and find the quiet centre”

VU 637            “Jesus, Saviour, pilot me”

MV 48             “I can feel you near me God”

MV 84             “In you there is a refuge”

MV 153           “Body, mind and spirit”