66B*
A Call to Worship
After Pentecost 26B [Ordinary 33B] or [Proper 28B] 2018
Psalm 16

We come to worship our LORD and God, who is the still centre of our world.
“…You are my LORD…the only good I know in this world is found in you alone...”,1

We come to celebrate the way the LORD our God challenges us in our ministry.
“…Eternal One, are my sustenance and my life-giving cup…you hold my future…”,1

We come to praise and thank the LORD for God’s promises and Holy Presence
with us; and “…my heart is glad, my soul is full of joy, and my body is at rest…”1
Rejoice: “…The Eternal One…is ever present with me; at all times he goes before
me. I will not live in fear or abandon my calling because he stands at my right hand…”1 Amen.

Psalm 16
A psalm of David.

1 Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge.
2 I said to the LORD, “You are my Master!
Every good thing I have comes from you.”
3 The godly people in the land are my true heroes!
I take pleasure in them!

4 Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods.
I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood or even speak the names of their gods.
5 LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.
6 The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance!

7 I will bless the LORD who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.
10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.

11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Prayers of Trust
After Pentecost 26B [Ordinary 33B] or [Proper 28B] 2018
Psalm 16

We come to worship our LORD and God, who is the still centre of our world that often
spins out of control and we are left bewildered by those changes; and yet at the same
time, we give thanks that “…You are my LORD…the only good I know in this world is
found in you alone...”1 Trustworthy God, we come to share together the experiences
of this last week; to give thanks for the many blessings we have received; to ask for
God’s mercy for the times we have failed to be true to our calling and to be forgiven;
and to ask for God’s guidance and blessing as we step out into the coming week with
all its unexpected challenges, the necessary changes; and all of life’s usual sameness.

We come to celebrate the way the LORD our God challenges us in our ministry, however
and whatever we do to fulfil that role and commitment. We give thanks for being part of
a community of faith that enriches, encourages and empowers us in our life’s pilgrimage.
Faithful God, we give thanks that “…The beauty of faith-filled people encompasses me
[and all of us]. They are true, and my heart is thrilled beyond measure…”1 We cherish
their influence on our faith and life, and without them, life would be a greater struggle.
Yet despite this deep dependence on others, “…Eternal One, are my sustenance and
my life-giving cup…you hold my future…”1 Thanks be to God for these wonderful gifts.

We come to praise and thank the LORD for God’s promises and Holy Presence with us;
and “…my heart is glad, my soul is full of joy, and my body is at rest…”1 Rejoice and be
glad, because of God’s-Own-Self’s compassionate care, as we individually and collectively
sing of God’s love: “…The Eternal One…is ever present with me; at all times he goes
before me. I will not live in fear or abandon my calling because he stands at my right hand…”1 Amen.

A Personal Meditation
After Pentecost 26B [Ordinary 33B] or [Proper 28B] 2018
Psalm 16

In Australia, we have recently had several Royal Commissions, which are ad-hoc
inquiries on particular topics as determined by the Government of the day; and there
are ‘Terms of Reference’ for each Commission; with one or more Commissioners and
their legal assistants. Witnesses are called to give evidence under oath in either open
or closed sessions. The Commissioner/s present reports to the Government, from
which actions are expected to be taken arising from their findings. A Commission has
the power to fine or issue custodial sentences on proven offenders. Recent Royal
Commissions have included: one into institutions charged with the care of children
where there has been systemic and repeated sexual abuse of children; one on banking,
superannuation and financial services; and soon, one on aged care, quality and safety.
These Royal Commissions have explored the practices of what had been trusted
businesses and organisations; but which for obvious reasons have now lost the trust
of many people. How does one regain a sense of trust in others? What is trust anyway?

Creative pause: List the names of people in whom you absolutely trust.


Trust in God is the conviction or certainty in the capacity and willingness of God to care
for us, to love us, and forgive our confessed sin. Trust is also a conviction or certainty of
one’s personal or organisation’s reliability to act on another’s behalf, with the secure
assurance that there is absolutely no suspicion or doubt about their personal or shared
integrity or truthfulness. That there is complete trust in their honesty; and their proven
capacity to act as requested and as required. Psalm 16 is a song about trusting not only
in God, “…LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing…”; but also in God’s
people: “…The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them..!”

Creative pause: Name your “true heroes” and give thanks to God for them!


Brueggemann writes that the concept of God as a ‘refuge’ is very strong in the first book
of the Psalms, and Psalm 16 opens thus: “Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you
for refuge…”; but whether that refuge is only found in the sanctuary or anywhere else in
God’s presence is unclear. ‘The Voice’ translation offers us this insight: “Protect me, God,
for the only safety I know is found in the moments I seek you...you direct me on the path
that leads to a beautiful life. As I walk with you, the pleasures are never-ending, and I know
true joy and contentment.1 The psalmist claimed that a life lived entirely within a trusting
relationship with God as being “beautiful” and filled with “joy and contentment”. When we
read the newspapers or watch various media outlets, they describe the 'beautiful’ people
very differently! I believe that the psalmist has the true understanding of life’s rich fullness!

Creative pause: Who are your ‘beautiful’ people – the media’s version - or Psalm 16?


1 Psalm 16: Selected verses.
“The Voice” Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc.
The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society
All rights reserved.

Acknowledgements:
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation,
copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

*Revised Indexing Scheme from 'Consultation on Church Union' (COCU).

I acknowledge and give heartfelt thanks for the theological help and inspiration so frequently available from the writings of Professor Walter Brueggemann and Professorial brothers Rolf and Karl Jacobson; and the resources from "The Text this Week" (Textweek).

If the Prayers and/or Meditation are used in shared worship, please provide this acknowledgement:
© 2018 Joan Stott –‘The Timeless Psalms’ RCL Psalms Year B. Based on verses from Psalm 16.
Used with permission.

joanstott16@gmail.com
www.thetimelesspsalms.net

Download/view a pdf file of this document here: pentecost26[33]b_2018.pdf